Boat selection help

[Brad Harshman]

Do your research if you're buying used.  Trust me.  I have recently found out that parts for my 1995 suzuki 115 hp two stroke are no longer available.  Specifically, if I cannot find a trim/tilt seal kit, then I might have to scrap the entire motor or find an odd ball replacement because no one makes the dust seals, a $5.00 part.
It's great because I've owned this boat/motor for less than a year now...
Avoid suzuki outboards.

[fishngamereaper]

I don't know a single owner of an aluminum boat that actually uses his equipment that has not failed. As well as all 3 I have owned over the last 35 years. Just saying. Not if but when. If your boat stays in the driveway or is used lightly you MAY never have a problem. BUT is you are a hardcore outdoors man and use your equipment frequently get ready. AND I do not mean abuse it.. Use it. I suppose there is a fine line between the aluminum cracking and the weld cracking. As far as I see it it STILL CRACKED. Glass has 4 times the tinsel strength of aluminum, is quieter, warmer and most definitely a superior product for the salt. Which was the meaning I was trying to get out. But anyone can pick out the negative in anythng

 I use mine year around and I've never had a issue, from the Snake to Rivers Inlet and all over in between.

 
Me to. Curious what boats you have run that have cracked (major hull defects covered by warranty). Might help shed some light if you name the manufacturers.  I've run aluminum boats for 20 years, 2 personal ones and 4 for work and never had a issue with a boat cracking. And I run them hard. Nothing against glass boats, just not my thing and they do have there weakness. But I don't want to derail the OP's thread more than needed.

For the OP, good luck with your endeavor. Maybe catch a ride on a few boats first and see what suits you best.

[REHJWA]

The NW adventure center on post has boats to rent so you can get an idea of what you looking for.

[Curly]

I didn't initially express my strict price range because I wanted to truly know what the best option would be. That being said, I was going to try for around $5000, but can go a little higher if its necessary to avoid buying piles of junk

For sure you're going to need to find a used boat and you should plan on doubling your budget.

[bigmike86]

I didn't initially express my strict price range because I wanted to truly know what the best option would be. That being said, I was going to try for around $5000, but can go a little higher if its necessary to avoid buying piles of junk

For sure you're going to need to find a used boat and you should plan on doubling your budget.

This point was slowly becoming clear to me...quite unfortunate but you gotta pay to play, right?

[fishngamereaper]

I didn't initially express my strict price range because I wanted to truly know what the best option would be. That being said, I was going to try for around $5000, but can go a little higher if its necessary to avoid buying piles of junk

For sure you're going to need to find a used boat and you should plan on doubling your budget.

This point was slowly becoming clear to me...quite unfortunate but you gotta pay to play, right?

You can find a boat for 5k but don't expect much. Maybe start small and get your feet wet. Besides the boat you will need all the boat gear (required safety gear) and then comes the maint. BOAT- Bust out another thousand...This is why I have friends, I have the boat, and its my another thousand. The saying goes -whats better than owning a boat, having friends with boats.

[GoPlayOutside]

we sank a 21' boat in the Columbia last summer.  We were skiing of glass from 7am-12..then the winds picked up while we were a couple miles from launch.  Winds picked up so quick, we had no chance to hide.  Looking back we should have just docked on someones private dock....but we kept on pushing home hugging the beach for "safe harbor". 
3 big "waves" (wind blown curlers that we could surf) sank the boat within 10 seconds. 
Luckily we were all saved after 30 minutes in the water.  4 kids under the age of 5.  It was my biggest nightmare to date.
I had another close nightmare about 25 years ago with my Dad in the Puget Sound in a 18' boat.
Since you said, Columbia and possible Sound....I would either get a river boat or a big/sturdy boat for the "Mighty Columbia" and Sound. 

[Antlershed]

That was below the Astoria bridge though, correct? You really can't lump that section of the river in with the rest, though it all deserves caution. Glad you all made it out safe.

[cohoho]

Yep below the Astoria bridge is different game altogether...  Myself after running jets all over AK on shallow rivers, I decided I didn't need a jet here for what I like to do, but if you want to run the smaller rivers better be jet or your not making it very farther.  I sold my big inboard jet and got a aluminum with outboard - more all around boat for me, but miss running skinny rivers!  Auuuugh!

[fishwhackin]

In regards to the inquiry about Tracker Grizzly boats, I really like mine.  It is the 2072 model and used mostly for bowfishing and lake fishing.  I have used it on the Hood Canal for crab and shrimp.  I outfitted it with a Honda BF135 and it seems to perform flawlessly.  45MPH with just me or 45MPH with me, 6 friends and 1500lbs of dead carp.  The stability is great until you get in the swells that can arise out of nowhere on the canal.  Aluminum cracking?  Funny story, this boat took took a hit while on the trailer being towed at 50MPH from a car going 50MPH hitting the fender and busting both transom straps and landing the boat at about a 30 degree angle across the trailer.  The bottom had gouges but no holes and still to this day no leaks.  But take one of these flat bottoms across the lake at 40MPH with slight wind chop and you will rattle your teeth out and the boat apart starting with the welds cracking.  Just my experiences to help you decide.

[BigGoonTuna]

you can get a decent boat for $5000 if you know what you're looking for and are a bit handy, especially if it's an older flat bottom jon/sled.  tough part is that you have to be ready to jump as soon as you find one.

the price of new aluminum boats and outboards is crazy right now, and i'm on a working class budget so i'd never be able to afford new.  i picked up my last 2 river sleds for under $5000 so they're out there, not the prettiest but functional.

[huntnphool]

45MPH with me, 6 friends and 1500lbs of dead carp.