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.
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 plusâ 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 âGL’ to the name to signify âglass’ and you’re talking about the new 18_-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.
– Sonar units like the Humminbird series with side imaging can make your search for fish-producing features on structure much easier.
– 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.
– Don’t scrimp on trolling motors. A powerful motor can be critical to boat control.
– 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.
– 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.By: Ted Takasaki and Scott Richardson
