smallest boat

[flinger]

so i am kinda tossing around the idea of getting a small fishing boat
My question is what is the smallest size that could safely handle putting around the sound and what would be the minimum motor size i should look into

[FC]

When I was a kid my Dad used to take me out a fair bit in his 12' aluminum, I only got wet once but I wouldn't call it ideal. I have a 14' Northwood (Smokercraft Alaskan copy) that I take out quite a bit in the sound and even put Scotty electric downriggers on although it's a bit tricky to run them as compared to a larger boat. Mine has a 25hp 4 stroke and I wouldn't want any less than a 15 at the very least, 25 seems to work pretty good.

I've been out in some pretty bad weather in my little boat and never felt like we were in any danger, you just have to take your time and pay attention to what you are doing.

If you can manage it I would get at least a 17' with a 50hp motor (bare minimum) if you plan on fishing a lot in the sound.

[oldcamper]

I have been out there in everything from a 10 footer to a 86 footer and tossed in all of them. But if its to rough when your on the shore getting ready to go or they say its gonna be bad later, don't go.

[Rick]

Back in their heyday,all the boathouses on the sound rented 14-15' kicker boats. There were hundreds of them on the sound.

I fished hundreds of days in rental boats that size before I bought my 15' Smokercraft.

If you're not an idiot,a 14-15' aluminum will get you fishing all over the sound.

[MIKEXRAY]

I went from a 14 ft to a 16 ft aluminum & found it to be perfect for lake fishing & also on the sound.  The stability of the 16 over 14 & comfort level is well worth the added expense.  I have a 90 hp that zips to the fishing spot, 9.9 kicker & a couple of down riggers out the back.   Not big enough for the straits unless you pick perfect days to go.  I vote 16 ft - 18 ft.  Mike

[jaymark6655]

Smallest I have been out in is 10 footer with oars.  Two people and four pots makes it too crowded.  Have a 16 foot now (wood) with oars.  It will take a 4 hp, but not really anything bigger so I haven't bothered getting a motor yet.  Think to use it on the sound I would have to register it if I want to use a motor.  Figured people in Maine have been getting lobster this way long before I was born than it's good enough for me.

[rasbo]

the smallest boat your are comfortable with.One you would take your kids out in...I used to crab and fish in my 12' boat,but would not take my kids out in it..depends a lot on the boat also...there are many days I wouldnt take my 17 ft alumaweld out there...17 ft and larger with 50 on it or more.

[bloodhound]

i had a 14 ft lund with a 15horse and i ran all around the bay all day no prob. now i have a 16' lowe with a 50 horse and its much nicer. but i wouldnt go out there with anything less then 14 unless it was something like a high laker. we do have one at work for sale too thats super nice! old man died and his wife has it on consignment. the thing was taken care of and the motor is like new even though it has to be a 70-80's motor. ran like new also. i think its a 10-12 footer on a trailer with a 10-25 horse on it. if your interested i can get pics and a price. but this is what they look like. but our doesnt have the top.

[Hunterman]

I have a 15 foot Baycraft that I take every were. Including  Westport and Illwaco.  Just watch yor water and weather, and don't be a hero..

Hunterman(Tony)

[B Mo]

I have a 14' Duroboat with a Suzuki 15hp that I've ran from Mukilteo to PnP on several occasions...it has also ling cod fished out of Neah Bay, and yet still works great fishing in the Snohomish below Thomas Eddy.  The right 14 footer can be a very capable boat.  I think what is most important is respecting the Sound and its conditions, and understanding that they can change fast.  In a small boat, when the weather starts to change for the worse, its time to head in, immediately.  Another factor in the small boats are freighters...there are some gnarly wakes that come off of those vessels, and they can capsize a little boat.

[lokidog]

12 1/2 and 13 foot inflatibles w/a 15 horse, downriggers and all on PS, out of Westport, Catalina Island, etc.  I have never been worried being out in that in any weather

I use a 12' Starcraft for chasing sea ducks, but have the luxury of looking out my window to see what the conditions are.

I have also used a 14' Sylvan on the Sound with that same 15 hp, a 25 would be nicer for that size boat.  Get as big of a boat as you can afford, or an inflatible.   

[cohoho]

My buddies 16 foot Klamath would anywhere we wanted in AK in Prince William Sound, 50 miles from the nearest port or communications and never a worry....  A little cramped during spring bear season, but for two people, it is safe, cuts big water well and the ride is super smooth...  With a 50 they go for about 15k, he upgraded to a 90 and windshield - that thing literally flew...  Easily handled by a single person as it is lite weight welded alum..

[BigGoonTuna]

i fished the sound out of my 13' smoker craft alaskan for several years.  fished seiku and neah bay inside tatoosh, too.  if it's too rough for that thing, i wouldn't want to be out there in any "open" boat.  very seaworthy for their size.  the sound, at least the south sound where i fished a lot is usually like being on a lake, the only times it would get sketchy were for me were when the wind really came up in the afternoons and the light weight of my boat made it slow going back to the ramp.  having somebody else with me in the front seat would have probably fixed that.

[Smokepole]

Unless the sound is flat calm, I'd go with nothing less than a 15' skiff with a good running 25 horse motor.  If you're careful, and you know the tides and currents at all times, you can survive with small skiff.  The sea is big.  Boats are small.  Might want to keep that in mind when you're out fishing the sound.

[Rob]

For several years I dove Tatoosh/Duncan Rock out of Neah Bay out of a buddies 12 foot inflatable RIB (old tender).  We could put 2 divers and 4 tanks in that little boat and still take on 6 to 8 foot swells with chop on top and felt perfectly safe (not over the weight limit either).  Had a 40 on it.  photo at the end.

One time in my 14 foot inflatable, I was sitting anchored in 10 feet of water. We had 3 guys, 6 tanks in the boat.  a large freighter came by and we did not see it (we were anchored on the north side of the Neah Bay Jetty facing Juan De Fuca).  a few minutes later, I am not exaggerating, we took a 10 foot wave broadside.  The wave was cresting and dumped about 40 gallons of water in the boat.  she rode the wave like a champ, and even though we were nearly vertical at one point, we lost no gear, and the boat did not flip. 

IMO Inflatables are the way to go if you want small, big water capable, and huge weight capacities.