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

[cohoho]

Unless your strickly running salt, I would stay away from Fiberglass..  Can't beach it without super safety look outs, heavier for sure, horrible to set anchor from on the Columbia...  No self draining front end for late returns down river- not a problem if a cuddy for sure, but again getting out of the thing to set anchor or release it for that matter when you have too..... and go to shore is a real pain...

[lokidog]

Unless your strickly running salt, I would stay away from Fiberglass..  Can't beach it without super safety look outs, heavier for sure, horrible to set anchor from on the Columbia...  No self draining front end for late returns down river- not a problem if a cuddy for sure, but again getting out of the thing to set anchor or release it for that matter when you have too..... and go to shore is a real pain...

 

I've got no gelcoat left on the bow keel of my Trophy after two years of beaching at the boat launch....  If you do go fiberglass, put out the couple hundred bucks for a good keel guard for the bow.  They make a decent self-adhesive one I think.

[PolarBear]

I'm kinda going through the same dillema right now.  I am selling my big boat and possibly my work boat (keeping the Skeeter though) and am looking for a good, all around boat for salmon and steelhead fishing.  I would like something that I could fish rivers but not get that crap beat out of me in the Sound, Buoy 10 or even the ocean. 

[LndShrk]

There is no really best boat for everyone. It is all a matter of personal choice.

Step #1 is to define your usage and criteria that you will use to qualify or disqualify.
Then shop. Compare and Test ride. Everyone has their own likes and dislikes.

I spent about 2 years shopping around. and making choices. (What fun that is.. )
I trialed many different options. In Glass and Aluminum.

When it was all said and done. Thunderjet won out with me.

[bowtech721]

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....

99% sure i saw you pulling that badboy north on I5 today... i drooled a little and pulled a neck muscle looking over my shoulder  nice boat

[fishcrazy]

Allen I seen him going south this a.m. after it. he was going south and I was going north and could see the grin on his face. 


Kris

[RadSav]

North River or Willie would get my vote.  For me the Willie anchors in the Columbia better and the NR gives a better ride getting there.  I did not like the Thunder Jet or the Duckworth.  Have always wanted to give the Wooldridge a workout, but have yet to get a chance.

[Elite1]

have a 25 ft wooldridge super sport drifter with several design changes during the building process . and love it . rides great ,handles nice . has 6.0 v-8 with jet .

[h2ofowlr]

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.

This is the next set up that I have been looking at getting.  The truck, quad and motor home will be paid off this year, so next year is looking attractive.