Let's talk boats!

[Huntin Hounds]

I've been looking at the same style of boats except in the 21-22 ft range. I have narrowed my list down to a 210 hewescraft searunner, North river or edge marine os. I really like edge with the transom door. I like the idea of being able to get on the swim deck without crawling over fishboxes. I think you can get that option on the north river too but not sure about hewescraft.

[trophyelk6x6]

There is a ton of great manufacturers on the west coast. Go to the Portland show. Some of the best aluminum boat dealers are located near Portland like Siglar's, Pwr Sports, Clemens Marine etc. Raider and Hewes are made right here in Colville and would likely let you check out their factory.  I found a 2008 3/4 hard top 21 ft Thunder Jet Off shore with a 2009 DF 150 Suzuki for 35K after a guy went bad on an order from Siglars Marine in Troutdale Or. It had mariner suspension seats and other options.  They took a nice loss just to move the boat. Flooring is a serious deal on these dealers and they will take a loss if they are paying flooring cost due to financing.  This is a great time to buy a boat. 

[bullfisher]

I'm on my 9th boat. I love to buy, sell, restore and fish. I've owned every major aluminum brand and can tell you the best winsheild outboard jet would have to go to Wooldridge in Seattle. They are lighter, have more hull structure, an outboard jet tunnel, 2 piece winsheild and have been doing it longer than any other manufacturer.
Also boats 20' and over give you more bang for your buck due to the floatation law for boats under 20' so keep that in mind.

[Boss .300 winmag]

I'm on my 9th boat. I love to buy, sell, restore and fish. I've owned every major aluminum brand and can tell you the best winsheild outboard jet would have to go to Wooldridge in Seattle. They are lighter, have more hull structure, an outboard jet tunnel, 2 piece winsheild and have been doing it longer than any other manufacturer.
Also boats 20' and over give you more bang for your buck due to the floatation law for boats under 20' so keep that in mind.

What's this flotation law you speak of? 

[huntnphool]

I'm on my 9th boat. I love to buy, sell, restore and fish. I've owned every major aluminum brand and can tell you the best winsheild outboard jet would have to go to Wooldridge in Seattle. They are lighter, have more hull structure, an outboard jet tunnel, 2 piece winsheild and have been doing it longer than any other manufacturer.
Also boats 20' and over give you more bang for your buck due to the floatation law for boats under 20' so keep that in mind.

What's this flotation law you speak of? 

 USCG requires boat manufacturers build their 19' and smaller so that they float level for a certain amount of time when swamped, I think it's 24 hours but not sure on the time.

 To do this, manufacturers fill open spaces on the boat with foam, which reduces overall storage "space" on the boat.

 Boats 20' and longer are not required by USCG to have this.

[bullfisher]

Boats under 20' have foam in them somewhere. Either in block form above deck or sprayed into the hull. It's expensive, adds to the cost and can be quite the can of worms if done incorrectly.

[Boss .300 winmag]

Oh, I see. Thanks

[BigGoonTuna]

i took mine out.  most of my fishing/hunting is in shallow water(it's a river sled, so not fun on the big water/chop) and i don't worry much about it.  drift boats don't have foam in them, do they?

i have to second wooldridge.  i love mine and if i ever have the funds(or blessing from the wife) for a bigger companion boat i'll be looking for an 18 or 20' xtra plus someday.

[SpringerFan]

I have a 24 foot Edge Marine OS. Hands down the best built and best riding boat out there. Start by climbing around on them and you will quickly rule some out. There is a reason some manufacturers put 2k suspension seats in theirs.

There are pictures of mine on a few of the boating / fishing forums. Or do a Google search for Edge Marine Sport OS. I am standing next to the black and red one on a trailer.

Good luck!

[fishngamereaper]

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

[C-Money]

No complaints with my 17.5 Alumaweld. I love it!! When the time comes for a new boat, I will go bit bigger. Thunder Jet has some very nice boats, and I would start there and would for sure look at the offerings from Alumaweld. 

[lokidog]

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

Tractor seats work well and cost less than $150. 

There are trade offs with what ever boat you get, you just have to decide what is most important to you.

[huntnphool]

 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.

[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 aft 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.

[fishngamereaper]

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.