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  .

[hiway_99]

If we new your budget we could give you better advice on boats that you can afford.  There's a big difference between a alumaweld talon or Stryker verse a north river seahawk as far as power goes.  I've owned a alumaweld Stryker and I wouldn't own another for my fishing needs.  Talons and strikers are more of an entry level light weight boat.  There not going to require as much hp on the back to move them across the water.  There also a flatter vee and will ride rougher than a heavier deeper vee boat.

[Stein]

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.

On a windy day, I would totally disagree with this, my 21' was a beast to launch by myself.  Also, at 21' I had to watch the tides as there were many places that got sketchy at low water.

The 21' also destroyed my tow vehicle, a 1/2 ton can pull it but you will probably take 50% off the life of the transmission if you pull it with any frequency.

[lokidog]

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.

On a windy day, I would totally disagree with this, my 21' was a beast to launch by myself.  Also, at 21' I had to watch the tides as there were many places that got sketchy at low water.

The 21' also destroyed my tow vehicle, a 1/2 ton can pull it but you will probably take 50% off the life of the transmission if you pull it with any frequency.

I'm sorry, but if it is that windy that it is hard with a 21' you probably shouldn't be on the water. I launch my boat all the time by myself with no dock, and yes, sometimes in 20+ mph crosswinds. And, as far as sketchy ramps, three foot of  boat length probably won't make them more, or less, sketchy.  You just have to be familiar with the ramp and when you can or can't launch.  I know I can launch at ours at a -0.5 but this is tough to land as the trailer has to be pulled up over the end of the ramp.

As far as power goes, no boat dealer will put a sub standard engine on their boat as stock because it would make their boats look bad.  The may go bare minimum. like a 60 on a 17' Stryker IMO, but it will still function within parameters if the boat is not overloaded.  BTW, four 200 pound guys in a 17' Stryker, is overloaded, technically so for my 19' as well with a max payload of 750lbs.  Having said that, I have had 2100 pounds in my boat (me + chicken food, gas cans, bags of redimix, etc) and was still able to get it up on plane with the stock 90hp engine.  It took a lot of cajoling and finesse, but it made it.  I would not however recommend this activity to anyone.  So, my suggestion would be when you are testing boats out, bring your max passenger load with you plus one and make sure to take into consideration whether or not the fuel tank is full, 30g of fuel adds about 210 pounds to the mix (this amount will not be part of the max load rating as I think it is considered part of the boat in their ratings). And, boats all have a max HP rating as well as a maximum weight for the engine.  Unfortunately, four strokes tend to weigh a crapload more than two strokes and that extra 20 hp might add a huge amount of extra weight, depending of course on the block size, etc. of the engines you are looking at.  And, if it is an aftermarket, or even upgraded engine that is larger than stock it will add $$ to the cost as Hp=$$.

So, take these observations or not, just some things I have noticed while putting 2500-3500 miles a year on my boat out on Puget Sound.   

[mmullins]

My budget was initially $20,000. After doing my research it appears the I might have to spend a touch more to get what I want. May just give it one more year and save up a little more. I really don't every see me going off shore. I know if I have patents I will be able to find the right boat for me in the price range I have.

[lokidog]

Unfortunately, used aluminum boats tend to still be really expensive.  When we bought ours, it was a few years old but had low hours and little use. It cost us $16000.  It turns out we got a steal, we had it insured for that and when it rolled over at the dock, the insurance company totaled it.  We looked and looked for something a little bigger, but couldn't even find a 19'er for less than about $26000, so we bought the hull back and put a new outboard on it.  It does seem that the saying of $100/hp is about right.

If you can swing new, consider going to OR to buy as most dealers will sell you the trailer and motor on a separate ticket and you will save the sales tax when registering it in WA.

[Crunchy]

I own a Sportsman 180 with a 90 Honda on the back.  It is perfect for fishing the sound, but if you are gona be in ruff water ie Bouy 10 I would look at a deeper V model.  The Sportsman is fairly flat bottom and will handle ruff water but you will take a bit of a beating.  Also on an 18-19 footer I firmly believe a 90hp will do the trick just fine.  Mine will cruz at 35mph which is plenty fast for me.

[cavemann]

I have 3 kids and ran a 19' Stryker with inboard 175 sport jet..  I fished buoy 10, riffe, washington, mayfield and chelan.  I also fished the green, cowlitz, nisqually, skykomish and shallow rivers.  With the kids in boat, long runs are rough and not pleasant in a Stryker.  Pumps are made for shallow rivers and you'll find out the hard way on bigger water.  I had plenty of power and did a ton of tubing and trout fishing with the kids when they were younger, but the boat just wasn't good for 1,2 and 3 mile runs on the columbia, chelan and riffe.  I had my fair share of miserable runs back in on windy days.  Hit some light chop trying to go 1/2 throttle on the way in and you'll swear you broke the thing in half!!  LOL.

Long story short, jet and shallow V is not what you want.  I will be buying an outboard next time, the jets are notorious maintenance pigs.  I've been across the bar in jets and will never do it again.  It is possible, but doesn't mean it is enjoyable.  You'll be happier with a deeper V and heavier hull prop.  It will get you everywhere but up shallow rivers, which i didn't see you mention.

[mmullins]

Ok, here's where I am at now. I have bank preaproved and have been looking at boats. There are two that I am having a hard time making a decision. Both have their pros and cons. Hoping to get some advice from you guys.

Boat 1:
2008 Hewescraft 180 Sportsman 18': powered by an low hour Honda 75 hp outboard and a 8 hp Honda kicker. Boat is very very clean. Has a new top in it but other than that no real other bells and whistles.

Boat 2:
2008 Alumaweld Stkyker 20': powered by a brand new Mercury 115 outboard and a band new 8 hp Mercury kicker. Boat has top, ski/fishing tower, canvas top, anchor system, lowrance hds 5 fish Finder. This boat is in used shape. Not bad but has seen some dock rash. Some paint peels here and there. No real noticeable signs of sitting in the salt. All in all a solid boat, it's just defiantly seen more use.

So I understand that the hewes tend to be a better build and it's also about $2000 cheaper than the alumaweld. The alumaweld is coming from a dealer and the motors have 3 year warrants on them.
I am leaning towards the hewes as it looks like it's never seen water and I think with it being a little smaller it might be a little easier to operate. My biggest concern about the hewes is will the 75hp be enough to do what I want to do.

[fishngamereaper]

Buy the Hewes, take the extra 2k you save and the 75hp Honda in and trade up for a 90 Yamaha. Hondas tend to weigh more and its a little more difficult to find a shop that does Honda Maint.

Other than that as far as the boat goes, your better off with the Hewes. A little better built than the Alumaweld as far as fit and finish. And if you can see use/abuse on the Alumaweld than who knows what you cant see.

Check the welds, pin hole pitting on the hull. The small stuff that can be major stuff down the road.

Best of luck whatever direction you go.

[allen]

By all means keep us informed & with pics.

Good luck!

[C-Money]

I have the Talon. I love it! Great boat. I would fish buoy 10 in it, but would not fish out of Westport or the ocean in general. I fish the Columbia, and most all the basin lakes, and its great. My next boat will be another Alumaweld, or the 18' Thunder Jet. The Thunder Jet is a bit wider, seems to have more room. As of now, the Talon is awesome, and I really have no urge to ever part with it. Good luck on your boat search.

[Mossy]

Ok, here's where I am at now. I have bank preaproved and have been looking at boats. There are two that I am having a hard time making a decision. Both have their pros and cons. Hoping to get some advice from you guys.

Boat 1:
2008 Hewescraft 180 Sportsman 18': powered by an low hour Honda 75 hp outboard and a 8 hp Honda kicker. Boat is very very clean. Has a new top in it but other than that no real other bells and whistles.

Boat 2:
2008 Alumaweld Stkyker 20': powered by a brand new Mercury 115 outboard and a band new 8 hp Mercury kicker. Boat has top, ski/fishing tower, canvas top, anchor system, lowrance hds 5 fish Finder. This boat is in used shape. Not bad but has seen some dock rash. Some paint peels here and there. No real noticeable signs of sitting in the salt. All in all a solid boat, it's just defiantly seen more use.

So I understand that the hewes tend to be a better build and it's also about $2000 cheaper than the alumaweld. The alumaweld is coming from a dealer and the motors have 3 year warrants on them.
I am leaning towards the hewes as it looks like it's never seen water and I think with it being a little smaller it might be a little easier to operate. My biggest concern about the hewes is will the 75hp be enough to do what I want to do.

Had the same exact setup with the hewes, same motors and all. Although it suited my needs for the most part, I wished for the 115(max rating for the 18). The best I did was 34 but that's full open. It was about the perfect size for around here and easy to launch alone. That being said, a 20 footer is much more comfortable with a few people and probably better suited for what you want to do with it.

[lokidog]

I think the 75 will be fine on the Sportsman, it is not as heavy of a boat as some of their other ones. I think it is on par with the Alumaweld Talon.  Is that Sportsman rated for 4 or 5 people? The Stryker should be 5 or maybe even 6.  The only negative I see to the Stryker is that I am not much of a Mercury fan, though many people seem to do fine with them. A little dock rash makes you not feel so bad when you run up on the beach or hit the dock/trailer a little hard.

I think in the end you would be a lot happier with the Stryker.  Don't forget the depth finder is about $500 plus other add-ons when you are comparing prices.

[Crunchy]

The sportsman is rated for 5 people.  I have a 90 Honda on mine and it is perfect.  Heck I am pretty sure a 75 would be just as good.

[C-Money]

The sportsman is rated for 5 people.  I have a 90 Honda on mine and it is perfect.  Heck I am pretty sure a 75 would be just as good.

I too think the 75hp would be just fine. Sounds like a nice find. See if you can find some open water and take a test drive. When I was boat shopping, all my questions about performance were put to rest after a few minutes on the water.

[Gringo31]

I wouldn't go less than 18' if you plan on using it much with more than one person 


Your budget number works if you are patient.

[The scout]

I owned a 18' hewes sea runner it had a 90 horse Yamaha on it and was enough power but I would say a 75 would be a little under powered at times. if you were to put 3 or 4 guys in it and all your gear it would be working hard. i have a 18' northriver now with a 90 and it's a bit under powered with a few guys and crab pots or shrimp pots, but it is a much heavier boat

[MADMAX]

I have a Duckworth advanatge 18 ft with the T-8 kicker and 115 Yamaha
really like it




saw this one CL
decent price

http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/bod/5367918011.html

[mmullins]

Thanks for all the advice fellas. I've made the decision on the Hewescraft. And pricing it up on Friday. The boat is just so darn clean I couldn't pass it up. For what I am using it for i really think the 75 hp will be just fine. If it isn't I'll just upgrade it when I need to. It's nails going to be just my wife and 7 year old daughter. And at max me and two other dudes salmon fishing.

[lokidog]

 

[C-Money]

Congrats! Happy for you! Great feeling to get a new boat. Enjoy!