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

[Dmanmastertracker]

 For me, one that doesn't cost anything...

 Boats are a money pit.

[Sporting_Man]

I ended up fancing drift boats only. I get seasick from big seas, then as far as rivers go I like Oly Peninsula rivers the best (no motor allowed) - solution is: drift boat.

[tmike]

I decided a few weeks ago to get a sled for the rivers and fell into a Duckworth Prosteelheader 3 and couldn't be happier. It's 17 feet, has a fully enclosed canvas top, 115 yamaha pump and I added an older 8hp 4 stroke kicker. It's built solid. I've had it on the Cow twice and just returned from Sekiu and it handled the waves great. It's got a modified v hull so I was surprised it didn't pound to hard. Right now it's on the lake and I can also pull the kids around on the tube. It's hard to find an all around boat but this one is pretty close. I wouldn't take it out in the ocean but I've seen smaller out there. I'm into it for less than 10K.

[tmike]

I have a drift boat for the very same reason too.

[gasman]

I'm selling mine!!!

Why 

[fishcrazy]

I went though the same thing when picking out a boat. I ended up with a 21' fwrd helm Willie raptor. It does everything you mentioned better than any other boat I could find. Rides nice in chopy water but can get it done in the shallow skinny stuff. I have found that I use it more in places and ways that I thought I never would and the family has grown bigger. I hope to trade it in on a 24' open Raptor in a few years. Exactly like the one Antlershed described but with a few more options

When it comes down to metal boats you won't find a better quality boat than a Willie. I have climbed through them all.

[kbyers]

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.

With the places that you have mentioned it sounds like you are not going to need a jet.  Maybe I missed it, are you looking for a new or used boat?  If used I would look for a Hewes or a Duckworth Pro Steelheader.  New, check out River Wild boats in southern Oregon.  I saw them at the Portland Sportsman show a couple years ago, really solid boats priced very reasonably.

DK, if you were going to list the top 5 places that you would use this boat, where would they be?

[jackmaster]

I'd pick the 20' North River Seahawk I bought in '06. Big enough to run 20 miles out in the ocean for Halibut. Small enough to run on local lakes. Will fish 4 comfortably. With the Yamaha F150,it'll run 50mph. Will pull tubers,skiers,wakeboarders,etc. Its aluminum,so you don't need a dock,just pull it up on shore if you want.

Here it is fishing four guys in Curlew last spring.

i have 3 friends that all own NR a 23 ft 26 ft and a 32ft, we have taken the 23 out of the columbia and across the bar and didnt have to sweat it, of course crossing the bar sucks in bad weather but when you have a desent boat it help calm the nerves a bit

[cohoho]

Well that is that....  After compression checks on Monday.. Will have a 23 foot Wooldridge Super Sport Offshore with 200hp prop Honda.   No more Jet dog box to try and get around and able to run for what I want versus being destroyed by 1 foot chop...  A bit of TLC and it will be ready to roll- aka the Sturgeon Reaper from this day forward....  New song for the CD player too...  Don't fear the reaper, but will always have AC/DC Thunderstruck standing by to lure the Sturgeon....

[lokidog]

Cohoho....  Pretty Nice!  Have fun!

[kbyers]

Sweet boat cohoho.  Lots of fun waiting to be had

[D-Rock425]

I would love to get a sled about 16 foot.  Would be perfect to fish and duck hunt out of.

[tmike]

Here's the Prosteelheader 3. It's an 1989 and I believe they changed the name since then. The 2 is a center consol and the 1 is a tiller type I believe.

[dkecoleman]

With the places that you have mentioned it sounds like you are not going to need a jet.  Maybe I missed it, are you looking for a new or used boat?  If used I would look for a Hewes or a Duckworth Pro Steelheader.  New, check out River Wild boats in southern Oregon.  I saw them at the Portland Sportsman show a couple years ago, really solid boats priced very reasonably.

DK, if you were going to list the top 5 places that you would use this boat, where would they be?

1. Lakes/Sound (most of the time)
3. Columbia
4. Strait

New or used doesn't really matter, As long as I find a decent deal. I just want a nice boat I can get the family out in, fishing being the priority, but capable of pulling a tube for the kiddo in a few years. I don''t want to have to worry to much about rough water catching me off gaurd. Not that I will be out in extremely rough water, things happen. Capable of staying out of the weather somewhat for the wife and kid. I love fishing the rivers, but I don't think I would enough, to make a jet worthwhile.

[gasman]

Personally, I will be looking at the Glasply or a small Cutty Cabin style boat. A little cabin to escape the weather for the wife and kids may keep them more interested in being on teh watr with you. I know my wife has shown an interes in being on te water more but would like a place to get away from the weaher and relax.
I have been on others boats that had cabins on them and it was nice to sit out on the deck or under cover.

May be it's st me getting older