If you could pick one type of boat for the northwest, what would it be?

[akirkland]

Unfortunately you need three boats to do everything. Most of the time that is ureasonable. So there is some give and take when it comes to the perfect boat. I would go with a 16 to 18 ft open sled with a pump. You can duck hunt the shallows, Run any river you want, fish lakes and the sound. You wont be pulling skiers or tubes. You wont be running out of La Push for anything. Living in Orting im assuming you are fishing the clay banks or slag pile. Maybe the south sound as well. Hell ya its worth it! Not like it was before but it still produces. You wont get beat up down there in a open sled either. Heck, i've seen open sleds out of Westport and Seiku. Another down side is its cold as hesck fishing out of a open boat in winter and spring. Thats what good clothes are for though. Just one persons point of view. Good luck to ya.

[Wingin it]

  

[jeepster]

also look at G-3 boats. thier "guide" (not the guide xt) series comes in a 18, 16, and 14" open aluminum skiffs. the 18 and 16 are 84" wide and are alot of boat, they all are extra wide and have high sides. i saw an 18 footer at the showroom that they put a deck in and had a 70hp tiller-steer honda on the back... i was shocked at how much usable room there was in that boat, its a monster. there was probably 3 times the usable deck space in that skiff than i have in my boat. g-3 is owned by yamaha, they are made in the usa and have a lifetime waranty. personally id want to have some rails welded onto the boat for something to lean against when fighting fish or to hold onto in the rough stuff

 here is the price from the dealer here in town: 2011 G3 GUIDE V16 (84" BEAM) $4395

dont forget to add 300 bucks to the bill for a set of xtratuff boots and some grundens rain gear

[cohoho]

And 6 bilge pumps....

[cohoho]

My dilemma right at this very moment as I sold my 22 foot TJ Rio Classic recently.

There is NOT a boat that you can utilize 100% for all needs for sure.   Write down where you will or want to use it most say 80% of time.  Get that boat that suits THAT need and finds friends with the other boats.  Sacrificing a boat that does all well, sucks, as that is exactly what a Big Jet will do for you, unless you run that specific area for that specific need.  You need two for sure... at least two, an ocean and a "Real" river sled..  Some will argue but in the ocean the last thing you want is a wet ride from a jet hull or loose your fillings or break the kidneys ride and of course a deep vee in the rivers isn't going to get you anywhere close to upstream of the mouth.  Since I used to be an exclusively shallow river sled guy in AK, thought the Rio would be a good choice for dual purpose here, it is if I want to stay near the dock in breezes off shore and then again also if I want to stay where the other fisherman are in the rivers...   So it is off to the market that I go too.  Flipping coins, riding and looking at other boats before I make this rather large purchase.  But I am down to two choices... 

[akirkland]

And.... they are?!?!?

[dkecoleman]

Thanks for all the replies, I'm leaning towards the hewes or something similar in nature. Fishing the lakes around here, the south sound and a few camping trips a year on the columbia is kinda the plan.

[Ripper]

I had an 18" Smokercraft Phantom that I just traded in last Saturday. It was a very versitle boat for the NW. I used it in rivers, lakes the sound, but it beat the crap out you if there was a little chop on the water. Thats why I had to get rid of it. I traded for a 21' Seaswirl Striper. It won't be as versitle as the Phantom, but I can still fish the Sound and Neah bay of course, plus lakes and Lower rivers. Like Cohoho said, a person really needs 2 boats here. I'll probably pick up a smaller jet boat at some point for river and smaller lakes. You can't go wrong with the North River/Hewes class of boats. They are awesome. Unless you're going to be doing much shallow river running I'd look at a Lund also. They are the best riding aluminum boats I've ever riden in. I used to have a 16 footer and it was very smooth. Good luck in your search.

[pjb3]

I'm selling mine!!!

[lokidog]

I will have to say, the Bayliner Trophy boats are great boats, and just screams lets go fishing! Just picked up a 21' walk around bow, cuddy (i have 3 kids and wife), with a merc 175 outboard for 8k. not many hours, lots of extras.(kenniwick area =freshwater use)
Look for fuel capacity, if you want to go out for halibut(Lapush, Neah bay ect).

Good seaworthy boats but mine with a 150 only gets about 2 mpg.  18-20 foot aluminum boat will be much more fuel efficient, though a bit bumpier since they are lighter but will be plenty safe for the Sound and all but nasty weather on the coast.  I have a 19' Alumaweld also and have put 9000 miles on it in the last three years (4-6 mpg depending on load), the Trophy gets to go to Westport once in a while or is used when I have to get off the island in larger seas.  If I could have afforded it, I would have gone with the 20' Hewes instead.  A little heavier but also has a higher gunnel.

[longknife]

NICE BOAT!! Been fishing with PJB3

I'm selling mine!!!

[MADMAX]

I would say something aluminum around 18ft with a canvas top and 4 stroke kicker and main motor.

[cohoho]

How bout a 23 foot Wooldridge with a 200hp Honda?

[BLUEBULLS]

A guy needs about 6 boats!!!

For me, based on what I do, my next boat will be a 18-20ft v-hull tiller, either Warrior, Yar-Craft, Ranger, or Lund.

Most likely a Lund due to the price of a fiberglass. Like an 1825 Pro-Guide w/ a 90hp 4 stroke or 2050 Pro-guide w/ a 150hp 4 stroke.

Gotta have something tough for banging the rollers on the Umatilla pool of the Columbia.

[Antlershed]

Like some have mentioned, there is no "one" boat for the PNW. I have ran our 20' NorthRiver with a pump 14 miles out of Westport, and it will be making its 3rd annual trip to Nootka Sound this weekend. It is not ideal for these trips,  but it gets the job done safely. For me, the perfect boat would be a 24' Open Willie Raptor with a big 4-stroke Yamaha, both prop and pump lower units, removable windshield, and a canvas top. But I would also have no problem giving up ocean fishing, as I only make one or two trips a year anyway. Just need to win the lottery first...