boats

[Bofire]

OK, I have been looking. I posted here a while ago. OK I am looking for a boat for lakes, big lakes, Columbia river and south sound. I do not intend to go out in bad weather, I might get caught in some tho. I intend for 4 people MAX prolly 2. What do you think?
I am thinking 16 foot minimum, I thought 25 horse OB, , what about you? is a 15 horse enough? Should I go for an 18-20 foot? and up to a 40 horse.
Sales guy today told me a 16 foot deep V and a 40 horse was minimum. What do you all think? I want a boat that will work, provide some shelter, top and side curtains, electric start, or is electric start worth it on this size of motor? I want to fish in normal fall weather.
help please!!!!!
Carl

[jackelope]

I'd go 16' with a 40hp with electric start. are you looking for a tiller model or one with a steering wheel and a windshield?
something like this would suit your needs...??
http://www.boattrader.com/listing/2008-SMOKER-CRAFT-16-Lodge-SC-92061754

[HawkenBob]

4 guys, 18 foot minimum. And a 50 or 60 hp prop. You dont want minimum....
16 footer with a 15 wont get up with one, let alone 4. I doubt a 25 would get 4 up either.


If you want a jet you'll need at least a 115/80.

You need electric start.

[huntnphool]

FWIW, unless you know the river well I wouldn't take a prop boat out in the Columbia, it can get thin where you wouldn't think it

[Bofire]

It has to have a top for shelter in bad weather. Warm dry fishermen stay out longer!!LOL (as warm and dry as can be, at least)
Carl

[HawkenBob]

Id look for a 18 to 20 foot Hewescraft with at least a 90hp prop. A top for bad weather aint gonna matter on the Columbia if it gets bad in a little low sided boat. If it gets bad its the 3 to 5 foot whitecaps you'll need to worry about more just getting back.

[shoot-em-dead]

I have a 16 foot boat with a 85 horse on it. My bro in law had a 16' with a 25 and it was slow going on the columbia. You can get in real trouble out there if you motor is too small. My motor may seem big but when you see the wind pick up out there you high tail it for the dock. Four and five foot waves from the big ships are nice and rolling but when you get waves from wind and current it gets downright hairy. I must also confess that I don't get nervous out there as much as some people but even I have my limits and wouldn't consider the columbia with something smaller than a 40 horse.

[Dmanmastertracker]

4 guys, 18 foot minimum. And a 50 or 60 hp prop. You dont want minimum....
16 footer with a 15 wont get up with one, let alone 4. I doubt a 25 would get 4 up either.


If you want a jet you'll need at least a 115/80.

You need electric start.

 You can get very rough conditions on the Columbia, as rough as any saltwater. If I was planning on taking 4 people out regularly, I wouldn't get less than a 20' Alumaweld, or similar.

[cohoho]

Agree with most, but one thing for certain, high sides and power are a necessity if your taking four in the boat.  Jon boat type don't have any place other than small lakes or areas that don't get waves of any sort.  Saw several smaller boats with low free board get swamped numerous times in AK on the Kenai and Big Sue at the mouth... And heard of several down at the Columbia that went in....  I am a Jet guy but that is me, (still have AK on my mind when choosing a boat) my buddy that lives in Portland and lives for Sturgeon has a 18 foot North River with 150 prop and goes everywhere, yea, he has to be more careful than the jet guys...  And really good at reading his GPS lines...  If I had to do it all over again, I'd be driving a 21-22 foot deep vee (North River or Hewes Craft) with a outboard 200+ prop... (more fishing room in the back of the boat)...For here (The Sound, Lake Chelan, and the Columbia and of course the big blue water for those Tuna...)...   I just haven't found anything too nasty yet, till I run the Snake this summer...   that I need a jet...  Of course it nice to just blow over a foot of water instead of going around...

[DuckRanger]

I have a 16.5 ft Hewes Craft, 86 inch beam, 60 Hp and 8 hp kicker. It eats up any weather you would "want to fish in".