Kencraft Boats

[Bigeye10]

Looking for info good or bad on Kencrafts, we dont see many up here in the northeast. I am hoping some of you guys from the Carolinas who have fished them can let me know.

Thanks in advance

[Sea Draggin]

My cousin had the first 23 ever built and later traded up to a 25. They got better with age. They learned as they went along and corrected things as they went, so the later built ones are actually better than the earlier ones.

Generally they are nice heavy, well built boats and ride bigger than they are.

Fishing from Hatteras we could be the last ones out the hole and the first on the grounds. They named the 25 the Moisture Missile.

[Bigeye10]

i am lookin at a 25, it is a 95 would you conside that an older kencraft or a newer one ?

[Sea Draggin]

It was one of the earlier ones. Just check it good for stress cracks inside. If there aren't any by now, then you are in good shape.

[Squid Vicious]

I'm the proud owner of a 25' Kencraft challenger. It's been very good to me so far. Mine's an 88 and has very few stress cracks. Twins are rough on the transoms of these boats, make sure to get a survey. Mine cruises at 32mph with a single 200. I've fished her relatively comfortably in 3-5's and run her in 6 to 8's. Terrifying, but she handled it beautifully! Ran mine off 60 + miles yesterday.

[hblac]

Bigeye10,

Kencrafts are very well made boats with excellent factory support. Anytime I've needed anything from the factory they were extremely helpfull and friendly. I really like my 235. It is huge for a 23. I'm sure you are familiar with the size of a Parker 23? Well, you could almost fit one of those inside the Kencraft. It has very high freeboard which is great if you have kids. The 24 degree deadrise makes for an excellent ride. Construction quality is top notch. Mine is powered with twin 07 Optimax 225's and I top out at 47.5 knots (55 mph) and it really likes to cruise @ 33 knots somewhere around 3,800 rpm. it likes to get on top and run. All readings are loaded for fishing.

It's a good poormans substitute for a Contender at about half the price. It does ride somewhat differently though.

[tankerfly]

I had a 2003 206. It is by far the largest true 21' boat I've been on. Nice high gunnels, well laid out, sturdy T-top, good forward seating w/storage for the lady. Walk in console. I had a single 200 on it and ran it hard. I like the fiberglass/wood ones better than the new composites. I thought it was well laid out, but would have changed the console dash a little. Awesome livewell in leaning post. With a 90 gal tank, I took it to the big rock more than once and had plenty of fuel left. Wow, I really miss that thing!

I have also fished on a 235. That boat was awesome, too. Tons of storage, just not the forward seating. Heavy, well built, can take a pounding.

I liked both enough that I will look for another when I'm back in the market.

[Capt_John]

Looking for info good or bad on Kencrafts, we dont see many up here in the northeast. I am hoping some of you guys from the Carolinas who have fished them can let me know.

Thanks in advance

PM sent Bigeye 10.

[Bigeye10]

Appreciate all the input, sorry I didnt respond earlier. I forgot I had posted the question.

John

Send those pictures along, I am interested in seeing your friends boat


thanks again