Boat advice...

[waterfowl_hunter]

Ok I'm finally looking to get a boat. The boat is mainly for duck hunting but also fishing the rivers and crabbing the bays. so really a all around boat. I'm leaning towards a 18' boat but not sure if i should go with a jet or prop. Just looking to hear about your guys experience with boats and what you use. I appreciate your guys help. 

[kenzmad]

jet boats tend to be flatter, thus more stable= rougher ride in choppy water
propped boats are alot better in the chop but wobble side to side when people move around.
figure out what the boat is going to be used for the most and buy the right boat. it's kinda like buying the 3 in 1 stroller for the kids. it does 3 things, halfazzed but not one thing the right way. better off owning 2 boats than one that doesn't work for anything you want to do.

[Jim Sr.]

Yep, #1 it depends on what rivers you plan to fish (large (prop) or small (jet) when deciding. An 18'r is a good all around choice, I have a 16' Willie Predator & sometimes wish I'd got the extra 2 foot model but still love it for the smaller rivers I fish.

Good luck with your quest.

[full choke]

My boat is a 18' flat bottom jet. Works for what I do. There is an old saying- "no one boat will do it all". This is true- you really need to think about what you want out of the boat, or get a couple different boats. The flat bottom is great for hunting out of- incredibly stable platform for three guys to stand and shoot out of. Makes a nice crab boat for some of the bays too. It doubles as a river boat for me also. That said- a jet pump sucks (literally) for marshy situations. You will spend more time pulling weeds and grass out of your intake than you would like. But if you hunt in shallow possibly rocky areas they are great. A vee boat will cut the waves and give you a smoother ride for sure, but as said earlier, they can be a little tippy when it comes to shooting out of. A short shaft prop and maybe a tunnel hull is a great set up for duck hunting. It can give you some of the best of both worlds. Don't know if that helped.

[rasbo]

probably for what your doing I would say a boat like a alumaweld,or hews with a prop.Jet if where most your fishing is in shallow water

[CAMPMEAT]

My buddy is the shipping boss for Hewescraft in Colville. I've been through the factory and it's quite impressive as to the quality and care that is put into each boat.

[rasbo]

My buddy is the shipping boss for Hewescraft in Colville. I've been through the factory and it's quite impressive as to the quality and care that is put into each boat.

one of them hews would be my dream boat campmeat

[h2ofowlr]

As mentioned it depends on what you do.  I have the 18' Sea Ark it is a 1860 model.  Fairly flat in the rear and has a V in the front.  Very stable.  I had a jet on it, but it was a total pain when hitting the salt or the tidal area.  It sucked up a ton of eel grass and everything else.  I sold the jet and picked up prop.  The gas milage was way better and when it was shallow, I could push the boat, use the kicker or kick up the big motor to motor around.  If your going to hunt the salt, go for a prop.

[ducksdogsdownriggers]

My 
Figure out what you'll be using the boat for the majority of the time and get the best boat best suited for that type of hunting/fishing.  I grew up with jets and absolutely hate them, so I'd strongly encourage you to go w/ a prop. 

17-6 modified V, with a 75.   There are 5-10 times each year, I wish I had a bigger/smaller boat, flat bottom/deep V hull, but its the perfect boat for the other 40+ hunts and 15+ fishing outings it makes each year.

[BigGoonTuna]

unless you plan on doing a LOT of river fishing i'd recommend sticking to a prop.  jets suck gas and aren't as efficient, plus if you run around marshy areas you're gonna be cleaning out your grate all the time.

[Camp David]

A man need at least 2 boats. Just no way to have the all around/ do it all well boat  I had one for the big water mostly salmon fishing/ crabbing/ shrimp booze cruse. My 14' jet was for duck hunting, crabbing and salmon. I loved my little boat and spent most of the time in it. It was easy on gas and cleaned up with a hose. Next boat will be a 16 -18 jet....my big boat will be my friends   

[h2ofowlr]

unless you plan on doing a LOT of river fishing i'd recommend sticking to a prop.  jets suck gas and aren't as efficient, plus if you run around marshy areas you're gonna be cleaning out your grate all the time.

Remember you loose about 30% with a Jet.  That can add the fuel bill up quickly.  Especially if they are talking possible $6 per gallon this summer.  Could be a $50-$100 per day in fuel depending on the size of motor and how far you run.  I know I burned 6-10 gallons everytime I went duck hunting with the jet.  With the 4-stroke 40hp I was at 1-3 gallons per outting.

[hdshot]

Depends how much you want to spend?  The Lund Alaskan would be my dream all around boat.  Then the River Hawk Pro-V look good as well but lacks storage compartments.  I like the sounds of all welded vs. riveted boats.

Jets only do good in the shallows if you are already screaming along.  Shallow water starts jets suck up what ever is on the bottom.  My dream outboard would be a surface drive OB made by mud buddy or go devil.  But sounds like they are carb instead of efi. 

[waterfowl_hunter]

Hey guys thanks for all the responses. I think I'm going to try to find a nice 18' sled with a prop motor. I'm much more of a waterfowl hunter then a fisherman!!! Thank you guys again for your  it is much appreciated.

Tony

[Special T]

I would go with a prop boat. Get a Macks River runner!
http://www.propsavers.com/River%20Runner.html
I have one for my river boat. its about the cost or 1-2 props so really it will save you $ I have stranded myself on gravel bars several times with my boat. I mearly get out, so my fat @$$ don't weight it down so much, and then tow it with a hand line back to deeper water. I have a 14ft that will run about 4 in of water... Made locally in Mount Vernon WA!

[CAMPMEAT]

My buddy is the shipping boss for Hewescraft in Colville. I've been through the factory and it's quite impressive as to the quality and care that is put into each boat.

one of them hews would be my dream boat campmeat

Me too!! I keep asking him why a boat of his choice isn't in his pay package ?   

[dkecoleman]

Take a look at the smokercraft freedom, its a really good utility boat, Hewescraft is really nice too. I vote for prop.

[Wtrfowlr62]

the info given to you pretty much gets as good as it gets. I'm no expert on boats but I'm also looking for a new boat to and I'm looking at a flat bottom with a prop. Like everyone else said flat bottoms will work well as a duck boat. you ll be able to Pull on on bars, land to un load easier and very stable to shoot out of. But, when you going they can make a man out of you with choppy conditions. i know a guy with a war eagle (cant think of the model) AWESOME duck boat, fits three very comfortably could possibly squeeze four, hunts on the Columbia, not problems with navigating small cracks of islands and can let loose on open water... again no expert on any of this by any means but the info Ive read so far is definitely good 

[92xj]

I have a 1860 war eagle.  Would change nothing about it.  Got a Avery blind for it.  Here is a pic of it set up for fishing last summer.  Didnt take any pics of it set up for ducks for some reason.  I have ran 68 miles on the columbia river with it in 15-30 mph winds. That was a long day, but nothing I wouldnt do again in it.  I would recommend this boat to any duck hunter.

[waterfowl_hunter]

Thats a awesome set up!!! 

[windygorge]

This........http://www.gatorboats.com/Duckhunter-Boat-Plans.htm

Or this.......http://www.spirainternational.com/hp_caro.html

[duckkillerclyde]

jet