Boat opinions for central Wa.

[bod]

Planning on buying a boat next year I live on North Whidbey now but plan on retiring in central Wa in a few years . I'll need a windshield and cover to keep the girls warm . 16 to 18 foot aluminum or fiberglass . I like Arima's would they work for Potholes up to Roosevelt or is aluminum better.
   

[hunt_fish]

Aluminum, we had fiberglass boats in the past and will never go back. That's just our preference though. Less we have to use on fuel too, we can beach it on the river and not have to worry as much as you would with a fiberglass boat going into the shore.

[Elkrunner]

I was doing the same thing.  You definitely want aluminum 

[CP]

Get the Arima, it will serve you well around Whidbey and in any lake.  If you still need a rocky river boat when you move then get an aluminum boat.  You can't have too many boats.

[et1702]

Picked up a Thunder Jet Explorer 185 w/Off-shore bracket and Yami 115 outboard.  Can't say enough good things about this model.  Already been to potholes and Chelan.  Will be going to Tri-Cities Columbia river next week.  Good luck in your search, but I vote aluminum.

ET

[bod]

There were 2 Alumaweld Strykers on CG today missed both of them.

[hunthard]

My first boat was a fiberglass Seaswirl, heavy boat but man did that thing ride nice, my current boat is an aluminum sled, not quite the ride as the glass boat but they have different purposes also. T he aluminum boats seem to hold there resale better though.

[SpringerFan]

Aluminum for sure. I have a 24 foot Edge Marine OS that we use in the salt and the lakes.

Do your research. Not all alloy boats are equal. Stay away from riveted construction.

Good luck!

[magnanimous_j]

Have you seen the Lowe boats? They are aluminum, but aesthetically look way more like the fiberglass boats and seem a lot less spartan than the Alumawelds.

If you want to get the ladies on it at some point, could be a good compromise.

[Elkrunner]

Have you seen the Lowe boats? They are aluminum, but aesthetically look way more like the fiberglass boats and seem a lot less spartan than the Alumawelds.

If you want to get the ladies on it at some point, could be a good compromise.

Another boat if you are wanting to get the ladies on it and aluminum is the crestliner.  My wife really loved those boats. 

[bod]

I had a Crestliner sportsman 14 with a 25 Yamaha 4 stroke, but jacked up my back last year and couldn't tilt it, sold the boat. Had surgery ready for another boat or two.

[fishngamereaper]

Look into Hewescraft. They make a Sportsman that would suit your needs just fine. Made in Colville so your supporting a local company. 

[Stein]

What's your price point?

I would go aluminum as well, the main advantage I see to fiberglass is ride and you won't have to deal with salt conditions in central wa.

[Ripper]

I have a 2012 20' Jetcraft os with a 150 Merc. I love this boat but due to health issues I'm going to sell it. It is the perfect boat for over there. I have fished sturgeon on the Columbia and halibut at Hein Bank. Full enclosure, 9.9 Yamaha kicker, 2 Scotty electric downriggers, a GPS/FF Laurance combo and a Lawrance FF. Both 5 " screens Lot's of extra's, ready to fish. $40,000.00

[WAcoueshunter]

I would go aluminum as well, the main advantage I see to fiberglass is ride and you won't have to deal with salt conditions in central wa.

Same thought here.  And an aluminum is much more flexible on the lakes and big river because you can pull it up on the shore without worrying so much.  So says the guy (me) who owns a fiberglass boat.