WFS 379 - StealthCraft Boats with Mike Batcke - Driftboats, PowerDrifters, Rafts

Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/379 Presented By: FishHound Expeditions, Togens Fly Shop, Reyr Gear, Range Meal Bars Sponsors: https://wetflyswing.com/sponsors Mike Batcke, owner of StealthCraft Boats, shares his family story of running a boat company with a focus on drift boats, power boats, and rafts. We discover the advantages of a boat with a headlight and power anchor. Mike tells us how their technology and design evolved throughout the years to keep up with their customer's preferences and the different waters, becoming a top choice for anglers today. What separates StealthCraft Boats from its competitors? Listen to this episode to find out. StealthCraft Boats Show Notes with Mike Batcke 04:50 - Mike does some upland hunting. We just had Nick Larson from Upland Bird Hunting Podcast recently in episode 373. 06:25 - Their main hub is in Pere Marquette - kind of like West Yellowstone of the mid-West. Their North branch is the Baldwin Creek Lodge. 12:00 - All their rafts are built in the US, everything, even the materials. 14:20 - StealthCraft started in 1996 with Jim Johnson. 18:45 - We had Roger Fletcher on, who's also a great boat-maker, in episode 177. We talked about the history of drift boats. 20:00 - The haul is the entire bottom of the boat. The transom is the back. StealthCraft boats have one of the widest boats in the industry. 22:50 - According to statistics, the most sold drift boat around the country is the 14.6 Low Pro Hyde 23:30 - Stealthcraft builds 2 boats a day. They build mostly aluminum motor boats. They have 50 employees. 27:45 - Their Superfly Boat hasn't changed in 10 years in terms of design. 31:00 - SteathCarft put lights and power anchors on drift boats which some people hate but a lot of people love. 41:30 - River Masters designed the first skiffs 55:55 - The Hooligan is what they sell the most lately Show Notes: https://wetflyswing.com/379