Backtroller Boats
In this business you get a lot of calls from dreamers who don't really know what they are getting into or what it will cost. So, in December of 2009 when I got a call from an insurance agent in Melrose, MN saying he wanted to start a boat company in one of the worst downturns in the marine industry in decades, my first question was along the lines of "Are you crazy?" Most of the dreamers don't have the determination of John Thelen, who has brought Backtroller Boats to fruition. His goal from the outset has been to offer a great walleye fishing boat at a reasonable price and he hasn't wavered from that philosophy.
To keep up front costs under control and make sure the construction aspects were handled properly, John teamed up with Jim Carstens at Carstens Industries, also in Melrose. Carstens has decades of experience building all manner of things in fiberglass, including a large number of technical flats skiffs for a well known builder. Along with Carstens, John utilized a host of other talented local businesses such as cabinet makers and an auto body shop to get his tooling built. This really is a Minnesota boat!
While the Backtroller 17 is meant to be sold for a reasonable price, that doesn't mean she will feel cheap or be lacking in features. All the hardware is high quality and the cockpit includes some innovative fishing features, such as the casting platform extensions that are removable when you want more cockpit space. Unlike most midwestern fishing boats, there is no carpet, which should make things easier to clean.
Room has been left up forward for mounting a trolling motor as well as electronics. Just aft of the forward seat base is a large livewell with space for a drop in bait bucket. The rod lockers run down the sides and have room for the 9'-10' long rods that have become popular with Walleye fisherman. Back aft is another baitwell as well as access to the fuel system which has been designed to meet the latest EPA requirements. The fuel tank is completely accessible through a hatch in the deck, no cutting the sole to replace a faulty tank! The transom has been designed to mount a second trolling motor directly without needing a mounting bracket.
I think John and his team have done a great job on the boat! Backtroller Boats is a small company that sells factory direct, so when you contact them you will be dealing directly with the owner. No middle man! If you are looking for a new Walleye boat, you owe it to yourself to check out the Backtroller 17!
For more information, contact:
Backtroller Boats
jthelen@backtrollerboats.com