Advice on first large boat... Stryker, Talon, Predator, Sportsman, ect......?

[mmullins]

The wife and i have decided that we are in the market for a larger fishing boat. I have a 14' 9.9 v-bottom aluminum boat bought about 4 years ago and now want something bigger. For salmon fishing i am looking for a boat to fish Grays Harbor, Willipa Harbor, Puget Sound (crabbing) and eventually after experience try Buoy 10 and Longview area of the Columbia. We would also like a boat to be able to inter tube and ski with, as well as summer lake fishing like Mayfield, Riffe, Alder, Chelan, Roosevelt.

From the Research i have done i am looking for a 2006 and up 18' V bottom aluminum boat, prefer four stroke outboard 75HP and up motor. Boats that catch my eye are Alumaweld stryker or talon, Willie's Predator, Hewescraft Sportsman, ECT...

Main questions would be what would be the downfall of a Jet pump for the lakes? I prefer a out boad because a inboard seems to take up a lot of room. 

If anyone has a boat with what i am describing and are looking to sell PM me. Very serious but still on a budget. Looking for the best boat that is ready to fish... Fish Finder, Kicker motor, anchor, down riggers, fish/depth finder, rod holders ect...

[WSU]

Pump is less power and worse fuel efficiency. Unless you are river fishing I wouldn't get s pump

[lokidog]

I have a 19' Stryker with a 90hp on it, it gets the job done.  I've had it in all of those places, though Westport instead of Buoy 10.  I think the Hewescrafts are a bit sturdier and have a higher freeboard, but they are also more expensive. One thing to be aware of is that the aluminum boats have a lower weight/passenger rating than a comparably sized fiberglass boat. 

Figure out your maximum budget, you will probably need it, and just keep watching craigslist and other places for used boats.  Unfortunately for the used boat buyer, aluminum boats keep their value better than fiberglass.  Tom n Jerry's sometimes has used boats available.

Good luck.  Any ??s feel free to ask.

Pump is less power and worse fuel efficiency. Unless you are river fishing I wouldn't get s pump

  and even river fishing, unless youare running really shallow water, you don't need it.

[GoldenOscar]

I am pretty new to the boating world and just over a year ago bought a 19' Stryker with the inboard sport jet.....The doghouse really doesnt seem to get in the way too much and actually makes a nice seat when running the kicker motor which is 90% of the time. Its been a crabbing, Salmon, Steelhead, trout fishing boat and I can comfortably have 4 guys on the boat plus the dog. The inboard is pretty loud though. I was looking for a Hewes with outboard when I found mine used and so far very happy with it.

[Rick]

From your description of where you'd like to use it,a jet makes zero sense.

A jet makes 30% less power than a comparable prop outboard. They burn more fuel and are considerably louder.

[The scout]

  you would probably want to get a 115 or so to not be under powered with a jet

[WSU]

I don't see any reason, from what you've described, to get a jet.  I would get a newer 4 stroke outboard prop and never look back. 

[allen]

I run an 18ft sled with a 6 degree bottom & a 115 jet, but this is for shallow rivers.  For what you describe I'd advise a steeper V for comfort & a prop for reasons that others have already listed but I'd also think larger than 75hp

[Stein]

I agree with the guys above, a jet would be a horrible decision for your situation.  They are inefficient, loud, expensive to fix and take up more space.

I only have experience with the Willie, they are solid boats.  I would look at a minimum of 16', that is what I run now and I take it all over the salt.  I had a 21', but it is too much for one or two people to take out all the time.

Look at how many people you want to take on the average day and size it from there.  Bigger is better, it is also more expensive, heavier to tow, more expensive to store and harder to handle on and off the trailer.

There are tons of boats with 4 stroke outboards that would fit the bill.

[mmullins]

Thanks for all the advice so far. I was asking about the pump simply because craigslist seems to have more pump boats in my price range than prop boats. It will mailed be me and two others. Wife and daughter or maybe up to 3 buddies at one time. Figure no smaller than a 17'. I haven't done much fishing off of a boat of this caliber.

[mainer78]

I have a 18' Stryker.  It has a 9.9 kicker and 90hp Yamaha Main.  Fishes 2 guys great... 3 ok, and 4 is a crowd.  It was my 2nd boat in the PNW.  I have had it all up and down the columbia from Sturgeon in the Bonneville pool to B10, and over the Bar.  I fish the sound, and Westport as well.  I fish Neah Bay for Halibut and have had it out to Blue Dot which is quite a run from Neah Bay, and fish Swiftsure as well which is close in.  The boat is very capable, you just need to learn the weather and don't be afraid to stay in...  I looked at the Hewescraft and its more money but you get a higher side and maybe a little more width.. Now I am contemplating a North River Seahawk 21-23 footer.  Unfortunately I got bit by the Tuna bug and need more boat.. Im leaning 23' Hard top.... But if you have no need to consistently go 25-45 Miles off shore an 18' Stryker will take you where you want to go...

[Dan-o]

Don't skimp on HORSE POWER.

If you get an 18" deep v and 75 HP, you'll really wish you got 100+HP.
Burning another gallon or so over the day is worth it......     

[lokidog]

Be sure to get a boat with a passenger rating one more than what you usually plan to have.  I think most 17' aluminum boats will be 4 people max, my 19' is only rated for 5.

There's a reason there are more pumps than props for sale, and cheaper.....       

There is also really no difference in launching a 17 or 21' aluminum boat from a boat ramp with a dock.  Even off the each, the aluminum boats with the walk-through windshield are quite easy to deal with.  Of course storage and hauling might be more of an issue, but a half ton pickup can easily handle a 21' aluminum boat.

Aluminum boats are lighter and do not need to be powered as if they were a heavy fiberglass boat.  My 19' has a 90 hp on it and has never had a lack of power issue.  Also, don't worry too much about the whole deep V thing on the salt, any water conditions that would require a deep v over something with less deadrise you won't be able to go very fast anyways.   

[fishngamereaper]

Whats your budget??

Big difference between needing enough power to plain with 3-4 bodies on board and trying to get enough thrust to pull a skier or a tube. Under powered and you will hammer your valves and risk spinning a prop if you try to pull a skier and are under powered.

I ran a 16.3 Hewescraft with a 60hp yami on it. I re pitched the prop and could do 27mph with 4 people on board. I watched the weather and ran 40-45 miles offshore for tuna and halibut. It was a great boat. But it wouldn't pull a skier and did ok with tubes.

I now own a 22' Hewescraft , full cabin, offshore bracket, loaded with every option. I have a Yami 150 pushing it. It will do 40mph loaded and eats big water. 50-60 miles off shore is the norm. It will pull 2-3 tubes and no problem with skiers.

If your looking 18-19' range you need at least a 115 on the back to accomplish your goals.

And don't settle on what you can afford now if it doesn't fit your needs. Add another year to your purchase plans and get what you want. 

[Blacklab]

Holly smoke's 40 miles offshore with a 16-17 ft boat. Never in my life time. You can't make me you can't make me     .

My buddy has 21-22 ft thunder jet. Great boat! He bought brand new 2003 with Suzuki  115 outboard. It went south just after the warrenty was up. Decided to go Yamaha 150. This thing flat out boot scoots. Never really new how under powered it was till the Yamaha came along. Like the others have said.  Better to have it and not need it. Then to need it and not have it. Power that is  .