Rookie Fisherman

You are correct, they're pricey. I have spoke with a couple of dealers and have a good idea of what I am looking at for cost. Really not much different than any of the other west coast boats when you compare option for option. Although pricing can vary greatly dealer to dealer. The Luxor models are certainly stocked in heavier quantities so more selection but I really want the size of the Alexis.

I think Bozeman Bob is referring to 2 footitis. Every 2 years we want a 2' bigger boat

I have 18' Tracker Tracker same as what you are looking at. I will give you the good and bad. First the good. 8'6" Beam 20° Dead rise Deep sides More sea worthy than one would expect. Versatile for multi species Lots of storage Many standard features that cost additional on other manufactures. The newer Trackers are a much better boat than most give it credit for. When you compare actual size & construction the 18 Targa is tough to beat for the $ The Bad Black boat. Top of gunwales are black too....hot hot hot on a sunny day. Seat stitching/upholstery is fair at best. If the trailer is a single axle it needs a double axle. Tracker now sells this boat package with a double axle but for years it was a single. For trolling in Lake O the back platform makes it a bit tougher when using down riggers. The top access rod lockers eat up space for mounting riggers and you are forced to mount them past where you can reach them without having to kneel on the back platform.... a challenge in rough water. I'l attach a pic below so you see what I am saying. Accessing the bilge & live well pumps is a little tough. When I ran wires for MFDs & Fish hawk I unscrewed the entire rear platform and removed it....made the work much easier. Overall a very good boat for the $. I have a 150 on mine and wouldn't want anything less. I put a 9.9 pro kicker with a troll master for throttle control.......sweet set up. I am also shopping for a new boat. I just purchased a home on the lake so I will be fishing on Lake O more. Keeping the Tracker for now for the smaller lakes. If you are mainly using this for spring browns in close to shore it will do the trick just fine. If you want to go offshore you will need to pick your days carefully. I got caught in 4-5 footers one day (not forecasted) boat handled it as well as I could have expected. It was a long slow run back to the dock but I never had any doubt. I am sure I will think of something else worth mentioning but for now the should give you some good info to consider. Good Luck

Yup like I said ...a little goofy looking but I think completely functional. They do make a soft top version (more normal looking) as well its 5K less but then you have to spend about $2500 to get the radar arch & rocket launcher setup.

Actually talking with a few dealers. Between Oregon & Washington there are dozens of dealers that sell these style boats. So in a couple hours drive from Portland airport in almost any direction there are many dealers. There are some closer to home but no body has any real inventory selection to look at. First step is to look at them figure out which boat I like the best then shop that make/model. I do like the TJ but haven't seen in person yet. Any of them can arrange shipment. I did a Mock bid for shipment on U-ship for a 22 Hewes from Portland OR to Saratoga NY. Lowest bid was $2800 before I pulled it down.

I am taking a hard look at the ThunderJet after reading your post. Looking at the Alexis 22 Off shore though not the Luxor. For a 22' the specs are great. Variable deadrise with 18° at transom, 8'6" Beam with 84" Bottom. 40" side walls, upswept bow. If you have one built the options are endless plus they will customize for you (for a fee of course). The welding work looks as good as anything I have seen. The hard top version is a little goofy looking in my opinion but I am sure I can get past that for function. Flying out west Oct 24th to look at this and a couple other boats ill report back when I get home.

Any chance you have the clamp pulleys as well?

The Thunder Jet Alexis 22 could be contender! Wide deep boat 18 degrees bottom at transom w/reverse chine. I will have to do little more looking at these .

The parker is certainly a sweet boat! Sounds like you got a great deal as well. Love to see a pic of how you set up the back. There is a guide over in Mexico (Irish Knots) with a 25 parker. I drool a little bit every time I see him on the water. I am also considering going out to Portland as its the best area to see a lot of these aluminum boats. I have a ton of Southwest points so the flight is free, unless I buy a boat while I am there I am fishing out of a 18' Tracker Targa so which ever way I go will be an upgrade. Although the Tracker has been great I just want a little bigger and more room at the back of the boat.

Not in person. I have had a couple of Smokers in the past. The 222 Offshore is only a 94" beam. Not sure what the bottom width of the hull is compared to the Hewes. Certainly this boat would be less money and leave more for electronics etc but I don't believe its on the same level either. I have an 18' boat now with a 8'6" beam. Really didn't want to go narrower. Would be interested to know if anyone has one or any experience with one. Thx

What you are saying regarding the weight makes sense to me. If I go with a 220 OP it will be new or late model used (if i can find the right one). I really like the Steigers & Parkers. The factors for me are tow-ability, lay out (have to go a bit bigger in the glass boat to get the same room) and of course cost. I appreciate all of the feedback and information. So what are you running now? Thx

That would have been great. Although I was in CT at a wedding anyway....Oh well.

MW243 First, Thank you for the feedback I assume that the boat in the pictures above was yours? Do you think the 3 large batteries in the bow contributed to the problem you experienced? If they were group 31 between the battery weight and the trolling motor had to be close to 250-260 pounds. "Other owners describe them as submarining in the great Lakes and recommend the hard top for that reason" Can you elaborate as I have spoke with a couple other owners now and have not heard this before.. Are you saying its a known issue? Makes me re-think my choice. Unfortunately there is no where on Lake Ontario that I can go run one. I have looked at (online) the other West Coast boats you mentioned as well as Kingfisher. Simply like the layout of these style boats. Really want to stay with an Aluminum boat as it will be towed a lot. If I went glass I think Parker or Steiger would be what I would look at first. I almost pulled the trigger on a used 2359 Trophy because it was a steal, just didn't love the layout. Thx

Hey Esox Maybe that was supposed to be an emoji?

Thank you for the feedback. Very much appreciated! I have a Tracker now and its been a good boat but want a little bigger boat and more room to fish at the back. The Hewescraft layout is perfect for what I am looking for. I am tossed between the rigid framed soft top ant the full hard top. The soft top provides better rod storage in the gunwales, the hard top has storage there as well but not as much for rods. Really need to go where I can see side by side. Thx again

Thank you for the feedback. Much appreciated!

Fished in 7 footers...You got bigger balls then me Have heard nothing but great things about customer service at Hewes. Probably going to fly out to Portland next month as its really the best place to see the different models & variations, plus its a cool city. I'l love to see how you have the back set up if you have any pics?

Hey thank for the pics. Just cant see that boat taking waves over the bow in 1-3's. With the ET its almost 26' of hull. Maybe the added weight of 3 batteries was just enough. What boat did your buddy end up going to?

Hey thanks for the reply Starweld He had a 240 with a electric trolling motor? Big boat for a bow mount. Was it a hard top or soft? Extended Transom?

Sweet boat Bullet! Hard or soft? At first I was considering the SR but the OP has a little more beam and bottom width. How do you feel the Seaunner handles Lake O on a rough day? I have an 2012 18' Tracker Targa now with 8'6" beam and I am reluctant to go to a narrower boat. Keeping the Targa for the smaller lakes though.

Ok I'll bite...why did he get rid of it after one time out?

Anybody own a Hewescraft Ocean Pro 220? Hello As the title says....Anybody own a Hewescraft 220 Ocean pro? Would like to ask a few questions. Thanks

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