Let's talk boats!

[Wacenturion]

As phool said.........

"You still have not told us where you are wanting to go in your boat, that makes a big difference."

For me my 22 ft. North River Commander inboard jet does everything I want to do fishing wise.  I choose the inboard jet for the ease and mobility of use on inland waters and rivers over salt as my primary use.  I have always liked North Rivers as well, so for me the manufacturer choice was pretty straight forward.

However it will certainly do salt if I want it to.  No such thing as a perfect boat.

[drysideshooter]

I've been really happy with my 20'7" Northwest Boats Compass.  Northwest Marine and Sport orders them with all of the popular options and makes some pretty good deals.  I've had inboard jets and these days I'm a fan of outboards.  My last jet sled in Alaska had twin outboards and I enjoyed how easy it was to tilt the motors up to clean the intake. 

Be sure you actually need a jet. If you aren't running skinny water you will be better served by a prop. 

I've owned Duckworth's, Alumaweld's, Almars, Woodridge and now a Northwest.  All have been good boats.  If I was looking for another boat, especially a hard top, I would look at North River for sure.  I tend to like pretty simple boats that are easy to keep clean with no carpet.  When I bought my Northwest a Hewes was the other consideration. 

[lokidog]

Let me re phrase. Don't rule out boats with suspension seats. Deep V entry boats are great for the chop but there are trade offs with carrying that angle back to the transom. I've found those type of boats to be rolly. Again trade offs. My hewes cuts water great, and what water it can't cut is absorbed with the suspension seats. It also doesn't tend to roll a lot. Also for me a big selling point is  the Hewes carries the bottom all the way back, thus the extended transom vs the offshore bracket design.

This is one of the reasons we were going to go with, I think it was, the Hewes Pro V instead of the Searunner when we thought we might be able to swing a little larger boat with a hardtop.  The slightly flatter hull would also provide better fuel economy.  Unfortunately, it did not pan out.

Something else to consider, if you go with an outboard, purchasing in OR may be a financial benefit as many dealers will bill the engine and whatever other add-ons separately so you can save the sales tax on 15K or so.

[Crunchy]

I think you need to buy a boat to figure out what you want in your next boat  .  I still own my first boat 2006 18 ft Hewescraft Sportsman.  My next boat will be in the 20-22 ft range, with a thicker hull, deeper V and extended transport/off shore bracket.  That is what I learned from beginner boat.

A smart person would listen to other more knowledgeable people prior to making that first purchase.   

[lokidog]

A smart person would listen to other more knowledgeable people prior to making that first purchase.   

That's why he's asking all of us.....      

[SpringerFan]

Suspension seats have absolutely zero to do with quality of the boat.

Never said it was about quality.

It is about design as in hull. The Edge has a 20 degree dead rise in the afternoon extended to the offshore bracket. 60 degree under the helm. Yes it has pedestal air seats but they rarely come in to play.

To quote an individual who has worked on and fished just about every aluminum boat manufacturer, "some will have you pissing blood without those high end seats." So it is about design and ride.

Let me re phrase. Don't rule out boats with suspension seats. Deep V entry boats are great for the chop but there are trade offs with carrying that angle back to the transom. I've found those type of boats to be rolly. Again trade offs. My hewes cuts water great, and what water it can't cut is absorbed with the suspension seats. It also doesn't tend to roll a lot. Also for me a big selling point is  the Hewes carries the bottom all the way back, thus the extended transom vs the offshore bracket design.

Ok last rebuttal.  I researched for 6 months. Compared specs.
The Edge carries the chines and dead rise all the way back under the offshore bracket. Think delta pad. It is an extension of the hull.

Edge is not tippy. Yes some deep vee boats can be. You need to get a wider boat. Edge is 96". Most boats are 84".

Bottom line is based on how and where you will use it is a big factor. Like I said, climb all over a bunch. Take test rides. That will help you decide.

[WSU]

Nobody can give you a decent answer until you specify where and how you plan to use the boat.   

[sled]

When I ordered mine I went with the standard pedestal mount seats to save floor space and weight, I've not regretted it one minute.

 You still have not told us where you are wanting to go in your boat, that makes a big difference.

sorry, I'll do mostly lake and sound fishing, and water sports a little.

[sled]

When I ordered mine I went with the standard pedestal mount seats to save floor space and weight, I've not regretted it one minute.

 You still have not told us where you are wanting to go in your boat, that makes a big difference.

look at the shine!!!

[SpringerFan]

Here is a link to my thought process.

http://aluminumalloyboats.com/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=5839

[sled]

A smart person would listen to other more knowledgeable people prior to making that first purchase.   

That's why he's asking all of us.....      

  for Shure!

[bullfisher]

When I ordered mine I went with the standard pedestal mount seats to save floor space and weight, I've not regretted it one minute.

 You still have not told us where you are wanting to go in your boat, that makes a big difference.

sorry, I'll do mostly lake and sound fishing, and water sports a little.

Then I would advise against a jet. Outboard, yes.

[kball4]

I would defiantly get one with an offshore bracket.  It makes a big difference in standing/fishing space.

[cavemann]

I had an Alumiweld Stryker and fished Columbia, Chelan, Sound, lakes and a couple rivers..  I also have 3 kids and do some water sports.  Now I own a Bayliner and love it!  the jet driven boats suck the gas, especially when doing water sports and have a hard time in the hole shot but will work.  They'll pound you to death in even light chop. Fishing the bigger waters, my smaller Bayliner has been much more comfortable than the aluminum but I miss the versatility of easy beaching and shallow water with the sled.  That said, I find myself primarily in lakes deep rivers and love the price and fuel efficiency of the Bayliner.  I'll upgrade to a larger aluminum when the kids get older and consider the 5k I spent on my Bayliner money well spent after just one year of using it all summer for fishing and family fun.  I put downrigger brackets and kicker plate on the back with no issues.

[WSU]

I would not get a jet unless I planned to fish rivers.  For lakes, the Columbia, and the sound, an outboard jet is the way to go.  I don't know which model I'd get but it wouldn't be a jet.