BOATS, BOATS, AND MORE BOATS

[6.5swede]

Here is my fishin machine!  1997 20' Trophy.  Its been from the canadian border to the Columbia river and everywhere inbetween.

[huntnphool]

Coasthunter, this is a bit more than you were looking for but you might contact him and make a offer.

http://www.boattrader.com/listing/2002-North-River-Sportster-91581317

[kbyers]

Hey coho, I am planning on getting a boat in the next couple of months and am looking for your opinion.  I will be both fishing and hunting out of it and have been looking at the smokercraft 1660 sportsman with a 90hp yamaha tiller jet.  I live in the Tri Cities and hope to use the boat for fishing and hunting on the Yakima and Columbia rivers.  This boat does not have the tunnel hull but I have told by the salesman that this boat can run shallow.  I don't trust any salesmen and I do trust your opinion.  Thank you.

[Dman]

 Nootka last year in the Sandyman.

[Dman]

 Brand new day we picked up.

[Dman]

 Loydo nailed a 31# in Joe's Tiderunner 18'

[Dman]

 A fat 25# 5 miles out off Nootka in '06.

[cohoho]

Kbyers-  The smokercraft is a ok boat, not the greatest for shallow river waters though.  Reason is the design, thin hull boat, I think .090, it is very similar to the rough neck.  Check out the keel, it sticks too low below the boat, first thing to hit everything, all the time.... The transom is also weak, it is thin metal over wood, not a solid welded foundation when you'll have your jet motor up higher on a transom riser.  The boat just doesn't get on step without HP and it normally rides really weird in the water, more front end up, even when you load weight in the front, the back in low in the water.  It is made for Props and for the swamps, contrary to what the dealerships have to say.  The 90 tiller jet is great motor, yamaha, Honda, it doesn't matter, but if you want to run like a raped ape, you can't beat the E-Tec for all out performance Period...   I know that first hand.... You might want to run a bit longer of a boat, like 18 ft, with that motor, it will give you more planning surface and make life easier all together when trying to get on step in shallow water and will be a smooth riding boat, plus have abit extra room for extra dead animals.  Check out the transom angle also, it makes a huge difference straight versus angled, the motor needs to sit straight and about 1/4 to 1/2 inch from the bottom of the boat, even with the hull for best performance. The back of the foot of the jet should sit slightly below to get the best flow of water, most other places it starts to cavitate and not perform to full capacity. I am personally a shallow tunnel guy for river boats, keeps all of the motor up from trouble and as long as the boat is floating you can start it without too much fear of sucking everything off the bottom at idle.  I will admit, I don't know the rivers here, but if shallow is what you want, it is the best option.  I could literally run my old ATEC boat up 3"-4" on step and off step too.  The G-3 is good boat, comes in a tunnel also. Along with ATEC but I don't know if you can get an ATEC around here.  What ever you do, make certain who ever rigs it, they know how to set the jet up.  I like the motors without trim and tilt, you don't need it if it is set up right in the beginning, plus it is cheaper and less weight.  A good resource for making it sit right is the Wooldridge web site, heck they almost invented the jet system....  Now the down side to a nice shallow running jet, it will ride like crap on big choppy water, lakes etc.....

[Dman]

 "Smokercraft has a weak hull"

 I owned a  16' Tracer, bought brand new, first time out the hull actually partially collapsed in front. I'm with COHOHO -I DO NOT recommend these boats for anything but small lakes....

[kbyers]

Well thanks for the input.  I looked at the Wooldridge Alaskan.  Looks like a great boat.  I understand that a boat like that will ride like crap in rough water, but will it be dangerous if a storm comes up or will it just beat the hell out of me. I can handle a rough ride, but I still want to be safe if I venture out onto bigger water.  Thanks again for the input.

[Dman]

Well thanks for the input.  I looked at the Wooldridge Alaskan.  Looks like a great boat.  I understand that a boat like that will ride like crap in rough water, but will it be dangerous if a storm comes up or will it just beat the hell out of me. I can handle a rough ride, but I still want to be safe if I venture out onto bigger water.  Thanks again for the input.

 I don't know what your budget is, but some good lower cost model's for big water are: Alumaweld Intruder 18-20', Hewescraft Searunner 18-20', Northriver Seahawk 18-20', Silver Streak boats out of BC, Duckworth 18-20' Advantage.

[Muleyslyr]

I got the 20' Intruder.....for my needs and wants gotta be the best ALL around boat.  Anytime you spend that kinda money on something you want to be able to use it year-round.



Here's a couple examples of why I love my boat......

[Dman]

I got the 20' Intruder.....for my needs and wants gotta be the best ALL around boat.  Anytime you spend that kinda money on something you want to be able to use it year-round.



Here's a couple examples of why I love my boat......

 Amen to that! I should be living on my boat!

[Dman]

 Alumaweld also has the new Blackhawk that looks like a pretty good boat in 18-20'.

[wackmaster]

I like your style DMAN