Arima Boats

[OneLastCast]

blast and cast:

I bought a used 17 foot Sea Chaser with a 90 hp Johnson several years ago and I think it is a great boat. It has a lot of free board and with an 8 foot beam, a lot of room to move around in. It fishes three people (xxl people like me) very well and fishes four well but you start bumping elbows. The nice part about the boat is that you can get up and move around without worrying about knocking someone for a swim.
Don't power it with any less than 90 hp.
I use mine in the Nehalem bay and the ocean a little. It floats like cork and handles excellently.
(the wife loves it to)
The Sea Ranger has a little bigger cuddy cabin but since I would rather have the room in the back of the boat.

OneLastCast

[Pete]

I fish out of a 19' Arima Sea Ranger pretty regularly ... that's the one with the big cuddy and the big deck. It definitely has its strong points. If I lived on Puget Sound I would want one. It's not so hot for group trolling. It's a little tough for anchoring in the Columbia gorge 'cuz there's so much stuff to crawl over to get to the bow. Also, because of the high profile, it catches the wind pretty well. Last dig, it really is pretty cramped if you have more than 2 guys on board. But, if you are dealing with ocean swells or choppy surf, it is the most stable, highest floating boat of its size. I shopped them pretty well a few years ago ... if you are looking at used boats, pay close attention to which motor it has, make sure the steering linkage works well, inspect the gel coat carefully for damage and make sure you get one recent enough that it has fully waterproof stringers. The Arima factory isn't too far away to go for a visit. My buddy watched his boat being built and feels it was well worth his time.

[OneLastCast]

Pete is right about the anchor system and the tendency to catch the wind. I don't fish the Columbia that much so I solved my anchor problem with an extra rope tied to the anchor ball that I can pull in.
I spend a lot of time trolling the Nehalem jaws and have never had a problem. I push it with a 15 hp evinrude kicker with is more than adequate power. But if what Pete is saying about more than two people being crowded, it is if they want to be under cover.

OneLastCast

[ 04-02-2001: Message edited by: OneLastCast ]

[Crusty]

The Arima should be on the "short list" for anyone seeking a seaworthy saltwater capable boat. The one caveate I would mention is that if you are over 5'10" the headroom leaves a lot to be desired. After looking seriously at the Arima, I went to a Seasport for that reason.

Crusty

[Hoosier Daddy]

Never been in one, but I got the "I wants" for one bad. Niiiccceee looking boat.

[OneLastCast]

Crusty;
I think that has a lot to do with the top. With my hat on I stand about 6'3" and I only have to cock my head (don't comment ya-all) very little. I am do for a new top so this one will let me stand upright. My new top will have an extra support to give me that extra inch of height and to better drain the water. The boat handles like a dream.

OneLastCast

[Mrdorkfish]

blast and cast, My bro has the 19ft Arima and i've never been in a safer watercraft....Yes there is a slight windage problem....He has the cuddy and I think the anchoring thing just depends on the boater...don't worry just practice and you'll get right in there with the rest of them. He Runs a 130hp Mariner with a 15hp kicker attached to the steering....Good luck!

Mrdorkfish

[Pete]

I should follow up on the Arima anchor system. It isn't completely unworkable if it is set up right. My buddy has a short, aluminum bow sprit with a roller on it. Set up that way, you can't pull an anchor retriever from the front of the boat. If it had a sturdier rope guide and a quick release that could be activated from inside the boat I would be completely comfortable with Columbia anchoring.

[jawbreaker]

I was very impressed with how the Arima handled when we were out in some heavy swells
and high winds out of Tillamook for Spring salmon many years ago. For ocean fishing, its
a very solid choice......good luck. images/icons/wink.gif

[blast and cast]

I was wondering if anyone has any experience, good or bad, with Arima boats. The boat of interest is the 17 foot Arima Sea Chaser. Thanks.

[Jennie@ifish]

I always ooh and ahh over them everytime I see them!
Very seaworthy beautiful boats! Even the littler ones look like they can handle alot!
When I grow up, I will have a whole fleet of Arimas!
Jen

[hustlerrjim]

i've had a 17 lite for 11 yrs.cracked the hull and they fixed itimmediatly
extreemly quick with a 70 hp.evenrude will turn around in its own lenghth
bow will start dipping in winds of 30 mph.but it is a fantastic boat and fun to run ,pull grandkids water sking when not fishing,on a scale of 1---10 I would give it a 12 for a family boat

[hustlerrjim]

hey jen, you can ride in mine until you get yours.

[Rain]

I have a 17' Arima and just love her. Well, actually, she belongs to my father and I... he parked her with me to keep my Mom from forcing him to sell his "mid life crisis" purchase. images/icons/smile.gif I am in the Coast Guard and, although my boat driving experience isn't as varied as my friend Torchman's, I have an admirable chunk of time at the helm under my belt. I have got to say that the Arima is far and away one of the finest handling crafts I've had the pleasure to experience. The "Ginger Cat" (our Arima) feels like far more boat than she is, is incredibly stable, gets up on a plane quickly, manoeuvres expertly and handles well in our tempermental weather. I love that boat. Too bad she's been parked for far too long. Anyone know a good Merc mechanic near Astoria? images/icons/smile.gif She's just sat too long with old fuel I think and needs a carb overhaul. images/icons/blush.gif I'm a Boatswain's Mate, Jim! Not an Engineer! images/icons/grin.gif Of course... I need a mechanic that's both good AND affordable! images/icons/smile.gif

Love, Rain

P.S. Have you even noticed that Arimas "smile"? images/icons/grin.gif I swear when you look at them they just look like happy boats. I know, I'm getting silly in my old age! images/icons/smile.gif

[Mr. Fisherman]

Well I have to admit,

I am pretty taken with the Arima images/icons/grin.gif.

I made the mistake of asking my wife if she wanted to see my next love, Arima and she came running with the skillet images/icons/shocked.gif!

Anyway, It is on my must take a ride and see list. I think I would be concerned with anchoring and wind related issues.

Anyone with an Arima want a first mate for a day images/icons/smile.gif?

If so email me and let me know,

Mr. F.