fish boat shopping

[Bofire]

  I have started boat shopping, here are my ideas so far:
16 foot deep V Alumininum maybe 18.
some decking wet well, storage, etc would be nice, console
steering wheel, top and side curtains, drop line anchor hook ups, pole holders etc.. 25 horse (minimum), and trolling motor. nice trailer.
Looking to use on lakes, bigger rivers (lower cowlitz, Columbia) south sound on not too stormy days. but be able to tow it to eastern washington too.
I looked at Smoker Craft Lodge model and  Osprey, I like the Osprey.
thanks for you input
Carl

[huntnphool]

I have started boat shopping, here are my ideas so far:
16 foot deep V Alumininum maybe 18.
some decking wet well, storage, etc would be nice, console
steering wheel, top and side curtains, drop line anchor hook ups, pole holders etc.. 25 horse (minimum), and trolling motor. nice trailer.
Looking to use on lakes, bigger rivers (lower cowlitz, Columbia) south sound on not too stormy days. but be able to tow it to eastern washington too.
I looked at Smoker Craft Lodge model and  Osprey, I like the Osprey.
thanks for you input

Go with Yamaha

[PolarBear]

Go with Yamaha
[/quote]
 

I wont run anything other than a Yamaha or Evinrude Etec.  I personally do not care for Suzuki outboards, they have a pretty bad track record in the past. 

[Hoytstaffshooter83]

yamaha and evinrude are by far the best, I have both on my sled

[Little Fish]

Head to the boat show and look at everything (its happening right now). There are a lots of good boats out there that fit your description, but you need to sort through what you like and don't like. Given the economy there are lots of good deals out there....new and used. As far as engines go I think all the manufacturers are putting out good products.

[dbllunger]

This is the year to buy a boat for sure.  Should be some really good used ones and brand new hold overs for a great price.  Yamaha probably has the best four strokes, and Mercury the best two strokes.  Really check out the two strokes compared to a four as they may have the same HP rating, but they don't push the boat the same speed.  Yes the two will use more fuel but in a 25 not that much more. 

[cohoho]

Supposed to be the year  the smaller E-Tec's (2 Stroke) are out, less fuel, more power than any four strokes out there and just, if not more environmentally friendly..  Incredible power, but seriously spendy... 

For comparison, ran a 90 Honda Jet on a shallow draft boat, then switched to the 90 E-tec jet, holly crap it was like riding a fright ride at Cedar Point, compared to going through "It's a Small World" at Disney....... Absolutely smoking fast...(friend was sales rep for E-tec) so switch was on his nickle... If you have seen the 2007/08 E-Tec commercial, he is the guy on Prince William Sound from Eagle River AK with the a small flat bottom boat ripping across the sound..    That boat would scream compared to any other type motor.. Yamaha, Honda, Suzuki, they tested all of them....

[NRA4LIFE]

I have an '03 17' Osprey.  Don't have a bad word to say about it.  It takes rough water very well.  Perfect for the sound.  Very roomy, takes 4-5 people easy. I have a 2-stroke 90 HP Merc on it and it'll do about 45 mph trimmed properly.  My kicker is a 4-stroke and I wish I had had gone that way for the main motor.  Whisper quiet.

[TeacherMan]

Dont forget about the 17' Alumaweld, its been a fun boat.

[Antlershed]

Rode in a buddy's open wooldridge with a 150 Etec tiller. He didn't have to grab much throttle before we were on plane. 

[DuckRanger]

Love my '08 Hewes  Craft.  You will hear so many differnt opinions on boats, motors, etc., which is not a bad thing by any means. Just alot to process. Good luck with your new boat to be!!

[yelp]

I just bought my dream boat last year...Lund 1850 Fisherman.  I love it.

[NRA4LIFE]

Love nuthin more than a pair of Mercs on back.

[zpoolman]

I have a 21' trophy and am running a 200 yamaha hpdi 2 stroker and a 8 hp yamaha T8 4 stroke kicker. When you get to the larger motors a 4 stroke will weigh about 100 lb more than the 2 strokes. The 2 strokes give you a faster hole shot so if you look to use the boat for water sports it is something to consider. The new 2 strokes yamaha or Merc. Optimax use an injection system that really cuts down the fumes and makes them much more reliable, but for trolling they suck, even though at low rpm they run on 2 cylinders, they still stink when you have your top up but they do get higher top end. I get about 50 mph out of my boat.The best kicker motor is a 4 stroke with a large prop to help steer at low speed and to push the heavier loads especialy if you mooch they will back up a heavy boat against the tide. For those of you that don't have large props check out Solas prop they make small hp high thrust props. for most motors

[FISHBOY]

Personally, I'm a Lund guy, however most boats metioned on here are great boats.  I would definitely stay away from smokercraft, they are built cheap, just my two cents.