Aluminum boat question..narrowing down some choices

[blackpowderhunter]

So I'm in the market for a used aluminum boat..doing a lot of research and window shopping now.
I just wanted to bounce a few questions off of those who are smarter than me in this category.
From what i've found...I want something in the 14-16 degree hull range. yay or nay?
Intended uses include lakes, and sound for crab, shrimp, salmon, etc.  not chasing tuna 
anyways.. a few boats that seem to fit the bill of size 18-20 ft, price, and availability are the alumaweld strykers and intruders.
I've come across a few hewescraft sportsmans in my search, but those have a 10 degree hull, and it seems that would be MUCH rougher in chop.
Am I over exaggerating that assumption or is that fairly in line?
Anyways, any other advice is always appreciated.

[Crunchy]

I own a 18 ft Hewescraft Sportsman with a Honda 90.  It does not handle the chop very well at all.  I manage, but get beat up pretty bad in choppy water.  I also don't like that the hull is so thin.  I don't see getting rid of it cause it is a good boat, but would be better with a thicker hull, and more of a V to cut through chop.

[Henrydog]

I grew up on the water, worked at a marina for 8 years and have been a marine insurance adjuster for 20 years.  IMHO with boats in the size range if it is more than a moderate chop you should not be out on salt water anyways.  Hewes is a local hometown favorite but their workmanship has become a little sloppy from what I have seen the last couple of years.  Look closely at the fit and finish.

[WSU]

I don't think any boat in that size range is going to be comfortable in choppy water.  Perhaps I'm wrong.  All else being the same, if you're sticking to the sound, bigger and deeper v would be a better ride.

[blackpowderhunter]

I grew up on the water, worked at a marina for 8 years and have been a marine insurance adjuster for 20 years.  IMHO with boats in the size range if it is more than a moderate chop you should not be out on salt water anyways.  Hewes is a local hometown favorite but their workmanship has become a little sloppy from what I have seen the last couple of years.  Look closely at the fit and finish.

weather will be taken into consideration for when it's out on the salt, that is for sure.
weathers bad? stay home.  no fish is worth my, or my friends safety..
i guess that's where my question of over looking something like the sportsman comes up.
i wont be going out purposefully in rough water..so would that be a good choice.. or would the better choice be to opt for something like a 20 ft intruder.

[Stein]

Get a well built boat with a reverse chine hull, they completely change the game.

Check out RH Sea Hawk, I have an 18' with a 90 Mercury CT and it is a sweet setup.  They make an 18, 19 and 20, but if I had room to store a 20, it would be an offshore bracket.

The boats are built in Oregon, have a great design and are very competitively priced compared to better known names.  Cabelas handles them on and off if you want to see one first hand.

The amount of chop they can handle is incredible, self bailing bow handles the water you do get.  The boat can handle much more chop than I can.  I end up bailing because it is impossible to fish long before I worry about getting home.  I can put the bow down a bit, throttle back and have a decent, dry ride at about 2/3 top end speed.

[Alchase]

Boulton Power Boats out of Oregon, makes some of the most comfortable 20 ft ocean going boats I have ever been in. My Brother in law has a loaded out 20ft skiff with a 250 4-stroke Honda mounted on a offshore bracket, Honda kicker and all the electronics/radar.
Awesome boat!

[Huntin Hounds]

Lots of companies make a nice boat. The hull degree along with the beam and bottom width will make all the difference. Some boats with a deep v have a narrow bottom which will make them pitch from side to side. Definitely look for a boat with a reverse chine. They make a world of difference. I have a 22' edge marine os. It has a 60 degree bow entry tapered to 20 degree hull. It also has a 96" bottom with a 102" beam and reverse chine. It has about as good a ride in rough water as you will find in an aluminum boat but isn't the best for bass fishing. I don't bass fish so it works great for me. Gotta look at what will work best for your type of fishing.

[Alchase]

Lots of companies make a nice boat. The hull degree along with the beam and bottom width will make all the difference. Some boats with a deep v have a narrow bottom which will make them pitch from side to side. Definitely look for a boat with a reverse chine. They make a world of difference. I have a 22' edge marine os. It has a 60 degree bow entry tapered to 20 degree hull. It also has a 96" bottom with a 102" beam and reverse chine. It has about as good a ride in rough water as you will find in an aluminum boat but isn't the best for bass fishing. I don't bass fish so it works great for me. Gotta look at what will work best for your type of fishing.

Sweet boat!

[Stein]

My buddy bought an Edge offshore and sounds like they are great boats as well.

[blackpowderhunter]

i've got some serious boat envy 

[Fishmaker57]

Boulton Power Boats out of Oregon, makes some of the most comfortable 20 ft ocean going boats I have ever been in. My Brother in law has a loaded out 20ft skiff with a 250 4-stroke Honda mounted on a offshore bracket, Honda kicker and all the electronics/radar.
Awesome boat!

Agreed! After spending days going through boats at the Seattle Boat Show and the Puyallup Show, we bought a 20' Boulton and couldn't be happier. Best price, best fit and finish of any make, factory direct, and a 1/2" bottom.....these things are solid! Their market has been mostly Law Enforcement.....rarely see a used one. If you go new, you won't regret it......6 years later and it still books for the same price we paid for it!

[Huntin Hounds]

A buddy has a 17' smokercraft that he can fish smaller and shallower lakes but has also been on pretty rough water on Pend Oreille and potholes. I've fished with him and another guy and it was comfortable for 3 adults. Wouldn't want anymore though. I'm not sure what the dimensions are but probably similar to a hewescraft sportsman.

[Antlershed]

If only big water, get the deepest V you can. My 22.5’ Raptor with 84” bottom and 102”ish beam has seen some choppy water, and it handled it better than expected, but certainly not like a dedicated big water boat.

[CAMPMEAT]

My friend works at Hewes and says they are built better than most boats.......