School me on boats please

[Hunterman]

You might not want to hit the bay now,, but later when you see all the salmon, you'll wish you had a boat to fish it..

I fish Westport in a 15 footer.. Just gives you somethings to think of

Hunterman(Tony)

[Kola16]

I wish I had a bigger boat  My dad has an awesome 22 footer, but it needs a fresh water cooling system, and he always puts things off  I have a 11' and 14' boats. Both of them are aluminum and flatbottom, and there is a big difference of stability between the two.

[Ripper]

Remember what's been repeated over and over on here, no matter what you buy you will wish you had bought bigger and with more motor! If you are absolutely positive you will never fish the sound or larger lakes then you can get by smaller/less hp. Even then I'm willing to bet you will change your mind! 

[lokidog]

You might not want to hit the bay now,, but later when you see all the salmon, you'll wish you had a boat to fish it..

I fish Westport in a 15 footer.. Just gives you somethings to think of

Hunterman(Tony)

I used to fish Westport with a 13' inflatable Achilles and a 15 hp, downriggers and all.   Sure got some funny looks out there but never felt unsafe.  You wouldn't catch me out there in most 15 footers though.    

[bearpaw]

They are heavier but if you can find a livingston boat, they are the most stable small boats I have seen. There have been a few on craigslist this summer around the state.

There is an inflatable boat in the classifieds that looks like it would be very stable. I think it's $400 or $450, that leaves you room to get a motor with your budget.

[BigGoonTuna]

i've owned 2 smoker craft alaskans - my 13 footer has been to the columbia, neah bay, sekiu, the chehalis and all over the sound.  with a 15hp motor, it'll go a full weekend of fishing on 6 gallons of gas, and doesn't take a 1 ton truck to tow.  great, stable little boats.

[FC]

Why 16' and 40 HP minimum? I'm really not looking to hit the sound or even lake Washington so 40hp seems a bit big for what I imagine i'll do with it... but again i'm here asking b/c i don't know any better

My guess is it won't be long before you want to fish the sound or bigger water and even if not you will like the extra room to fish and store stuff. 40hp is just about what it takes to push a 16' aluminum boat well!

Get all of your fishing gear together and throw it in the bathtub, now picture all of that stuff in a boat with you not stepping on everything!

[PolarBear]

Take it from someone who has owned boats all his life, get one bigger than you think that you will need because that one will become too small very soon.  Starting out with the minimum will always wind up in frustration and a case of the "2 foot-itus".

[Glockster]

I echo Polarbear's advice.  I have a 15 Smoker Lodge model with 40hp 4stroke Yami on it.  Always get the biggest motor the boat is rated for.  That way you have ample power in reserve to fight heavy seas if you find yourself caught in that situation....winds can come up fast, especially in the summertime.

Inland waters can get really rough too.  One year I hunted Potholes on the opener and camped out up Crab Creek.  Water was real low that year.  On Sunday afternoon the wind kicked up out of the south blowing at 30kts.  There were 4 and 5 ft curlers rolling up the channel and being Sunday all the weekend hunters were headed back to the ramp.  I saw big Almars, Wooldrridges, etc try to get back to the state park ramp and they all turned back to hide it out.  I did not have to go home that day, but even if i did, i'd have waited it out. 

[Dhoey07]

I bought a mid 70's 14' starcraft with a mid 80's 35hp merc on it for 1500 off craigslist.  High walls, closed bow, steering wheel, really stable.  There are some good deals out there just gotta keep your eye out 

[magnanimous_j]

I bought a mid 70's 14' starcraft with a mid 80's 35hp merc on it for 1500 off craigslist.  High walls, closed bow, steering wheel, really stable.  There are some good deals out there just gotta keep your eye out 

My uncle has one of those. I love that boat.

[chrisb]

Hmmmm... Much more to consider now. Glad I asked first.