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

Show Notes: wetflyswing.com/379

Presented By: FishHound Expeditions, Togens Fly Shop, Reyr Gear, Range Meal Bars

Sponsors: 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: wetflyswing.com/379