Post by: jeepster on March 30, 2011, 12:32:50 AM
gotta cut costs where i can, and last year, i was only able to run my boat maybe 10 times due to cost of opperation (and i didnt go more than a few miles from the launch), but used my dinghy every weekend... i miss having a boat thats cheap to run, cheap to store, and cheap to tow.
so id love to find something affordable, cheap(er) to run, that still has some power to it, that can run the rivers, but also do some nice-day saltwater fishing...oh yeah, and most importantly, duck hunting!!!
im pretty sure i want a sled, but i fish saltwater too so there is some question.
ive seen some old smokercrafts with like an 85hp suzuki jet, lots of tiller handle jon boats ( :tdown: ) and the occasional hewes craft... i prefer a style with a windshield... and something around 18-20 feet...
i dont have any experiance with jets, but they seem like the smartest idea for anybody attempting the rivers... how do jets handle in open water? obviously with a smaller boat i wouldnt do the long crusing trips i like to do, but something i could use more often outweighs that 10:1
id love some input on what kind of boat i could get for under 5000$ that can be just at home up on the skagit as it can be hunting in the bay
Post by: wildmanoutdoors on March 30, 2011, 05:57:56 AM
I fish it all over the sound in the summer for Kings, I fished it on the Queets, Cow, Nootch, Skagit, Big C, Satsop, Lewis, Nisq ect.
The new Evi only burns about 6 gallons of fuel a day running rivers. Very economical for a sled that runs about 40+ mph. Very versitile boat!
Post by: MADMAX on March 30, 2011, 06:14:44 AM
went to a 22ft hewes with a 150 Honda great boat just a little big for a solo trips and I usually go out alone on the Hood Canal, ended up with an 18ft Duckworth with a 115 Yamaha and 8 hp high thrust and love it and sipps gas But for under 5K, not likely
I looked and wanted to stay at under 12 K, that did not happen.
my 2 cents for under 5 K find a Bayrunner and try and change out the motor with a newer 4 stroke when you can because it will proabably have a 2 stroke on it
Post by: wildmanoutdoors on March 30, 2011, 06:24:12 AM
Post by: Fish4Fun on March 30, 2011, 08:14:15 AM
http://seattle.craigslist.org/sno/boa/2293904474.html (http://seattle.craigslist.org/sno/boa/2293904474.html)
Post by: bowtech721 on March 30, 2011, 09:18:08 AM
Post by: Special T on March 30, 2011, 10:36:53 AM
Post by: wildmanoutdoors on March 30, 2011, 10:45:21 AM
Macks Skeg Protector! I have one on the River Boat i own and they KICK A$$. made here in Mt vernon.. Best place to purchase is Holliday Sports on Hwy 20. For the cost of 1-2 props you can have it and i can tell you they work great! i have hit several logs and run aground numerouse times and my new prop is still good. It took me destroying 2 cheap props to buy the Skeg protector tho! :bash:
I had one too on my T8 and it along with my skeg are on the bottom of the Nootch. Lol Protect your pro yes, but not your skeg!
Post by: jeepster on March 31, 2011, 02:00:26 AM
Post by: pjb3 on March 31, 2011, 06:59:31 AM
Post by: pjb3 on March 31, 2011, 11:04:00 PM
Post by: jeepster on April 01, 2011, 11:16:18 PM
I kinda figure my boat burns about 12 gallons an hour, THAT SUCKS :'(
oh man that sucks... what are you running?
Post by: FC on April 02, 2011, 10:02:11 PM
I kinda figure my boat burns about 12 gallons an hour, THAT SUCKS :'(
Must be a big boat! Mine burns less than 12 gallons in a WEEKEND!
Post by: PolarBear on April 02, 2011, 10:24:27 PM
Post by: Skyhigh on April 02, 2011, 11:19:18 PM
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fphotos.imageevent.com%2Fottoloader%2Ffishingetc%2Fwebsize%2F005.JPG&hash=6fe7db5d796933f658d548639307545ab5eb928c)
to this about four years ago and have never looked back....
(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fphotos.imageevent.com%2Fottoloader%2Ffishingetc%2Fwebsize%2Fboat.bmp.jpg&hash=a13ed99c9a086c41ef8ca0b59278209c1ddcf638)