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Designing
a New Boat
By
Ted Takasaki
and
Scott Richardson
Every angler wants to own the ultimate fishing
boat, but few actually have a chance to help build one.
Tom Bronz did just that, as Director of
Product Development for Brunswick. He was manager of the Glass
Eye Project, which returned Lund Boats to the fiberglass
market after a hiatus of more than 30 years.
The result can be seen in four 2008 models of
fiberglass boats which bear the name of Lund. The company is
celebrating its 60th year in business with the
introduction of the new 208 Pro-V GL, the 197 Pro-V GL, the
family-friendly 186 Tyee GL, and the 186 Fisherman GL.
 
( Click on pictures to enlarge )
Bronz had as much problem visualizing the
name ‘Lund’ on the side of a glass boat as the next guy when
approached with the idea of making glass boats for the
company. He grew up fishing for walleyes at his uncle’s resort
in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, where Lund aluminum boats
were the standard.
Indeed, Lund’s aluminum models still dominate
the fishing boat market in the North Woods. Anglers from
states like Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan to, Canadian
provinces, value the craft’s ruggedness and ability to handle
the rocky lakes and rivers in the region.
Aluminum has the reputation of making the
“most durable, repairable boats,” Bronz said. Lund aluminum
boats also are known as the most “fishable.” They can be
precisely guided along key structure contours either forward
or back trolling, he said.
“Boat control, fishability, backtrolling,
those features are unsurpassed,” said Bronz.
Reproducing those characteristics using
fiberglass shells became his mission after corporate leaders
at Lund realized they were missing the boat offering
aluminum-only models. They received feedback from potential
customers who said they preferred a Lund because of its
superior fishing ability, but their wives insisted on
something with more glitter with a more family-friendly
appearance.
“Mom was driving the choice of boats and
directing Lund’s decision to get into fiberglass models,”
Bronz said. His goal became to provide dad with a supreme
fishing boat and give mom “a little more pomp.”
Lund workers knew they were up to the
challenge. They remembered how the company produced fiberglass
fishing boats in the late 1970s and early 80s, though most
others seem to have forgotten.
“Dealers tell us they still have customers
who bring them in to winterize,” Bronz said.
Still, the Lund community had developed a bit
of a prejudice for metal over the years. Aluminum is lighter
to trailer, durable and highly repairable, and designers had
created boats from the material that gave comfortable, dry
rides.
Yet, after thinking about it, they realized
fiberglass can be shaped to give comfortable rides, too. It’s
durable, and the material can be repaired so scrapes and
scratches disappear. Glass also offers an added plus– it’s
easier to style to capture that portion of the market that
wants a warmer, appealing look, Bronz said.
Going into the project, Lund engineers had
the advantage of already knowing how to shape aluminum hulls
that performed on the water. Re-creating that success with
glass proved very doable, Bronz said.
“The first two boats were built on top of the
(aluminum) 2025 Pro-V and the 1900 Pro-V,” Bronz said.
As its name implies, the 208 Pro-V GL is 20
feet, 8 inches long and has a maximum outboard rating which
allows it to be powered by the ultra-quiet 300-horsepower
Mercury Verado. The hull is the Lund Integrated Power Strake
and is modeled after the company’s IPS aluminum hull to
deliver maximum stability for a higher, drier ride, faster
hole shots, flatter wake, and to get on plane and stay there
even at slow speeds.
The gasoline tank holds 60 gallons. The
trolling motors can be powered by 12/24/36 volt plugs both bow
and aft. In-floor storage is large enough for three trolling
motor batteries. The design of the main console is ergonomic
with all controls within easy reach. The boat also has an
accessory 12-volt plug in the optional portside console.
The livewell holds 24 gallons and is 50
inches long with a drop-in bait station. In-deck rod storage
holds 11 of your favorites. The fully loaded 208 Pro-V weighs
about 2,500 pounds.
The 197 Pro-V GL is 19 feet, 7 inches and
rated for 225 horses.
‘Tyee’ is a 50-year-old model name for the
company’s most family friendly boats. Add ‘GL’ to the name to
signify ‘glass’ and you’re talking about the new 18½-foot 186
Tyee GL. The bow converts from a fishing deck to a comfortable
seating area and the aft converts to Super Seating approved
for use while running. To make mom and the kids happy, the
boat has storage for a towrope, boarding ladder, and ski tow
bar pylon.
The 186 Fisherman is designed for anglers,
with a larger forward fishing area and Pro Capacity in-deck
rod storage plus a design on the bow that makes it easy to
mount a trolling motor. The transom is extremely friendly for
mounting splash guards.
The 186 Tyee and the 186 Fisherman are rated
for 175 horsepower outboards.
All of the boats can be equipped with
gasoline-powered kicker motors of 15 to 9.9 horsepower.
“A good part of the design and layout of
these boats is very much aimed at the core Lund customer,”
says Bronz. “The fishability is in the footsteps of Lund
products. They are deep, very-safe feeling boats.”
Though perfect for walleye anglers, he
stressed the boats are designed for multi-species fishing.
“Lund has long been known as the aluminum
authority,” said Andrew Klopak, Lund President. “We are now
extending our expertise to the fiberglass fishing boat market,
responding to our customers. I am very excited about our new
fiberglass line.”
Whatever boat you buy, make sure you plan on an added $4,000
to $6,000 or more to rig it with necessary gear.
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Sonar units like the Humminbird series with side imaging can
make your search for fish-producing features on structure much
easier.
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Consider a GPS. A good unit can help you stay on fish once
they’re found and help track the shape of structures to find
the spot on a spot. Having a GPS can also be a matter of
safety in bad weather or after dark or just get you back to
the ramp when fishing big water.
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Don’t scrimp on trolling motors. A powerful motor can be
critical to boat control.
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Ditto on the size of the kicker motor, 9.9 or 15 HP. Bigger
might not always be is better here; weekend anglers often fish
smaller lakes with 10-horsepower limits.
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Rod holders, like Tempress’ Fish On, are a must for trolling.
The Lund series offers an optional SportTrak System to mount
accessories.
Ultimate fishing boats aren’t dreams somewhere
off in the future. They are at your boat dealer today or visit
www.lundboats.com.
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