McKee Craft 196 Marathon

[kheffernan]

I am currently looking at a McKee Craft 196 Marathon to do some shallow water fishing around LI,also hope to be able to use it in moderate nearshore seas.
Any thoughts would be much appreciated, as well as other boat recomendations.
Likewise curious about Lenco or other trim tab trolling motors.

[gf2020]

I purchased the first McKee Craft 196 sold north of Cape Cod in January 2004. I ran it for 3 seasons and sold it in May '07 with the intention of moving up to something in the 23'-25' range.

I shopped pretty much every 18'-21' boat on the market in '02 and '03 before deciding on the 196. I was very pleased with the combination of fishing and family-friendly features that the boat offered, the high quality of construction and the excellent performance and value.

Other boats on my shopping list back then included (in no particular order): Jones Brothers 1910 LT, Jones Brothers 2000, Parker 1801, Parker 21 SE, Key West 2020, Scout 185, Scout 202, Edgewater 185, Sea Hunt 202.

If I were shopping new boats today I would also look at the Pioneer 197, Sea Hunt 207, Pro-Line 20 Sport and Key West 211, all new models since 2004.

I would own another McKee Craft in a heartbeat and I kicked myself all this past season that I no longer had my boat.

Please feel free to contact me directly with any questions. You can also do a search at http://www.thehulltruth.com/ for a lot more information on any of these boats.

[Philster]

I sold my 196 to move up to a 24' Edgewater last year. I loved the 196 and would buy another if I was in the market for a smaller boat. Because it is foam filled, the ride is very quiet and solid. Fishing from the flush bow is great.

Mine had a Yami 150 4-stroke. It moved really well and I miss it every time I visit the gas dock. -p

[kheffernan]

Thanks to you both, Glad to hear that your experiences sounded quite satisfying.

The questions I would further ask are;

How did it handle seas of 2-4ft ?

(Philster),After owning this boat, did you move up in size for comfort,range or other reasons?

As I intend to try to use this boat for semi shallow fly fishing,do you recall the loaded draft (motor up) to be in the 12" realm, as they state in some of the literature ?

Very much appreciate your help.

[CaptSuperfly]

I considered this boat and liked it. Well made, good fit and finish. The only complaint I had was the lack of toe kick and protected horizontal rod storage was lacking. My first boat had a rollover hull and no protection for the horizontal rod storage and toe kick, and it bugged me, so it was a deal breaker for me. Might not be for you.

There are some good deals on used Jones Bros 1910 LT, which I think is a great NE fly hull, with plenty of storage. (In full disclosure, my buddy is selling his to move up to a 23 Jones). I know his runs like a top, has a new trailer and already has the Lenco trim tabs you mentioned. The boat is pristine because he keeps it on the trailer.

I've always been impressed riding in the boat. here's the link.

http://reel-time.com/forum/showthread.php?t=59771

[rockfisherman]

I am currently looking at a McKee Craft 196 Marathon to do some shallow water fishing around LI,also hope to be able to use it in moderate nearshore seas.
Any thoughts would be much appreciated, as well as other boat recomendations.
Likewise curious about Lenco or other trim tab trolling motors.

Don't know how shallow you are thinking...but the 196 isn't a flats boat. The web site specs say 12 inch draft...when I bought mine the specs said 19 inches. I don't know if they have changed the boat. I just went out and measured the boat, and it is 15 inches from the waterline to the keel at the stern. Sounds like a 19 inch draft to me. With the motor all the way down, it is 32 inches from the waterline to the skeg.

I can't fish a lot of shallow places I used to fish out of my last boat, which had a 6 inch draft. But I can fish a lot of inshore ocean that I never could from the old boat.

I'll echo the comment about rod storage. There's no horizontal under gunnel rod storage. I have fly rod holders mounted on the center console, but the vertical storage puts the tips at risk. Lost one fly rod last year because of it.

The forward in gunnel rod lockers are worthless for fly rod storage, at least on my model, they are only long enough for conventional boat rods and it is a pain getting the rods in them anyway. They seem like a good idea, but in practice, I don't like them. I've read on-line the newer models have longer rod lockers that will fit a fly rod, but I haven't seen them.

I'll also echo the comment that the fit and finish is good, and that the ride is good. As a former Whaler owner, I like the full foam floatation, too.

[PhilDKreal]

Great thread guys. Very informative and much appreciated.

[Wes]

I have a 2006 196 w/175 Zuke. Love the boat even though I can second almost all the comments above. Mine may be the first one to have the longer rod tubes in the forward lockers and they will take 9 ft flyrods. The previous owner insisted on it and also the newer forward handrail that turns down into the gunwhales. I understand they put these changes into all production models after this one but don't know for sure. There isn't much of anything I'd call dry storage on the boat.

Don't go home with it underpowered. The 150 Yami is popular and I think the 175 Zuke is even better. Fuel economy is excellent and 80 gallons will cover more water than anybody wants to do in a day, half that will really.

I have Trim tabs, not the trolling motors. They help a bit for comfort but probably not the most efficient running.

[Glory]

Check out this gorgeous flats boat classic..
http://www.thehulltruth.com/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=183713&posts=10

[Philster]

Sorry to take a while for this reply. I moved up in size because I wanted to extend my range and be able to get home in most weather. I'm not a risk taker and I just couldn't see running to Block Island or Montauk from CT in a 20 footer without radar.

It's always tough to honestly guage how big waves are when you are in them. My McKee never left me feeling scared and probably handled 2-3 footers. I'm not sure about 4 footers. Remember that 4 footers are 8 feet from trough to crest. That seems like a lot compared to 20 feet of boat.

[jpuris]

Wait.... yer buying a boat? No more early morning surf assaults in M?

I am currently looking at a McKee Craft 196 Marathon to do some shallow water fishing around LI,also hope to be able to use it in moderate nearshore seas.
Any thoughts would be much appreciated, as well as other boat recomendations.
Likewise curious about Lenco or other trim tab trolling motors.

[kheffernan]

Thanks for all the very helpful insight to date. From what I can tell it is truly a fair weather nearshore kind of craft. Having oft-made the run from Three Mile Harbor to Fishers and beyond in both a flats skiff and a 23 contender, my spine knows something of the trade-offs.
Of course nothing does both shallow and deep very well, this seems to be the best compromise for now,(although it does appear likely that I will be searching these posts for something very "V" next January) And yes Jason, I guess I am looking to become part of the mosquito fleet

[MarkZ]

Ever consider a cat? If ever a compromise there was, this may be it.