85 yo dad w big redfish - blurred photo and reversed background. You can see the spot lock on there. We put a deck between the split bench and the one forward.
I've had it out in 4-6s and question my sanity but they only give us a 1-day red snapper season and well, my fav fish. Trim the bow up and go slow. It can handle water that will rattle yer bones. As with any rivetted boat - try not to slap it too much, keep the rivets tight.
We chose the SSV-18 after seeing how much the AK folks and lodges use the SSV-16 and SSV-18s. The 60 hp is a tiller. Supposed to be my retirement boat - little bit of everything from inshore rivers to offshore reefs.
The boat does the same with 4 200#+ folks in it as it does with just me - planes easy, cruises at 16-20 mph without any strain and is pretty easy on the gas. A 50 hp would be fine. Top end would be about 30 mph with 4 bladed prop. We run a mid-type prop. Get up on plane slower and maintain it more easily vs a 3 blade with speed in mind.
They may have some better options in AK. I don't like the weight of the open boats with full floor. But that's me. If I could get a 20 ft version of the SSV-18 with bellybutton deep sides, I would in a heartbeat.
