Arima owners....

[Mr. Fisherman]

I am looking for stories and perhaps a ride on a larger Arima, 19' or bigger.

I would love to go on a fishing trip on one of these vessles to decide wether or not I want to invest in one.

They are quite spendy and I don't want to buy yet another boat that I need to upgrade from.

I'll gladly share the trip expenses and bring along all the good luck I can muster.

Email me or post here please images/icons/smile.gif.

My email address is jeeperusa1@netscape.net

Thanks,

Ray aka Mr. Fisherman

[Master Baiter]

Mr. Fisherman,

I am no expert but am interested in a purchase in the next few years. Just out of curiosity, what has you leaning toward the Arima? From what I have seen they appear to be very nice boats. Have you also checked out the Osprey or Grady White? My personal experience has been in my buddies 22' Trophy nice boat and price is good, although I am not a big bayliner fan! Lately, I have seen a couple names that I am not familiar with, Angler? or Harbor Craft, any comments on those?


Thanks,

Thomas

[ 08-23-2001: Message edited by: Master Baiter ]

[Smily]

I have a freind who has a 19' Harbor Craft with a 70hp four stroke Suzuki. Nice Boat for a nice price. Plenty of get up and go with the 70hp also. I don't know how nuch the Arima is going for but the Harbor craft seems pretty affordable for a new boat. Magnum Marine on Hwy 224 just east of 205 sells them. Stop in and let me know what you think.

images/icons/smile.gif Smily images/icons/smile.gif

[hoochie]

Mr. Fisherman, before you spend too much $$$, take a look at the Stripers! They aren't as spendy and are made in OREGON! We are ordering a new 1851 Walkaround from a dealer in Eastern Washington and won't have it for a few weeks or I'd give you a ride.

More boat/less money than a comparable-sized Arima.

Cannot think of the dealer name in Portland, but if you contact Seaswirl, they'll get you a list of dealers close to you.

Here is a link to a dealer in California that has enough info to get you interested, I think.
http://www.allisonmarine.com/boats/seaswirl/boat_1851wa.html

Just don't even think of buying it from Pick's Cove!!!!!!!!!

[ 08-15-2001: Message edited by: hoochie ]

[STRIKE ZONE]

Hoochie,
I hear ya on the pick's cove thing,by the way
they handled me and every thing is fine but
it was'nt a pleasant thing.I will never return to that place again.Auburn sports sells the sea swirl now.I checked out the 18.5 and the 21' if I was to buy new I'd go straight for the 20.5 or the 21'.I just purchased a 1995 18.5 campion two months ago
I love the boat it was a good choice but can see myself upgrading to the 21' to 22'footer with in the next three years or so.If ya go 18.5 you may as well go with the 21' or 22'.
Good luck,
STRIKE ZONE

[Mr. Fisherman]

MB,

I have a Seaswirl now and I love the way it handles the water.

I am attracted to the Arima because it is very trailerable, economical on gas and I haven't heard a bad thing about them other that folks wish they would have bought a bigger one.

As for the Striper, Seaswirl has been purchased by a larger company. In my experience when this happens investors like to squeeze out the dollars and corners are cut. I love their walk around cuddys but they seem a little cramped. That's why I want to get on a larger Arima to see how it fishes and how it handles the water.

I don't want to have to upgrade again and plan on investing in a boat that I can fish in and be happy with for years to come.

Thanks for all the great input. I am not dead set to get an Arima I am just doing my homework this time.

My current rig will only tow 5000# and I had to but it to pull the boat I have now soo... Arimas are light enough...

What do you all think?

Any Arima owners with an openion or a ride offer?

Thanks in advance,

Mr. F.

[Mr. Fisherman]

Aren't there any more Arima owners willing to at least tell how their boat handles the ocean?

[Pitch Pocket]

The only negative rap I have heard on the Arima is they are top heavy and have a tendancy to roll. I've never tested a boat when a roll was possible, but I'd like to live through those conditions.

I've been shopping a cabin boat this year. My 19' VS is fine, but I want to fish open water more. I've pretty much settled on the 24' SeaSport. It's spendy, but demand is high, the resale value is outstanding and it's the best handling boat that I've seen.

Search and rescue in Sitka have a 24 SeaSport in their volunteer fleet that has been through some pretty rough rescues and is highly recommended by them. Not many in the Portland area, but I see em at the coast in Astoria and Newport and they are all over the San Juans and SE Alaska. It'll take a lifetime to pay for one, but I think it'll last one.

[Pirate]

sjp
You are right on about the Sea Sports, I would love to have their 22' model, but $$$$ images/icons/shocked.gif images/icons/shocked.gif

[Phil Layer]

Mr. Fisherman,

I just returned from my maiden voyage with my "new" (1988) Marlin 188 cuddy cabin. I was moored right beside an Arima 19' and the two boats are very similar although mine seemed to have a bit more room on the deck. His may have a bigger cabin. Mine has a hardtop, too, and all the Arima's I've seen have soft tops. Hardtop seems the route to go for Oregon.

I can really appreciate your want of an easy trailerable boat. I had the same interest. Mine has a single axle trailer to save on weight and I pulled it from Salem to Warrenton on Friday night with my Caprice with a 305. The towing was fantastic. I sure like the idea of towing with my car as opposed to my truck. And, I sleep on the boat so I won't need my camper unless it's going to be cold.

My boat has the 2.3 liter Ford which seemed to have plenty of power. I crossed the bar in a pretty nasty incoming and never felt nervous. Once in the ocean, I dropped the trolling plate and started trolling. The boat is great for fishing although I wouldn't want more than two other fishermen on it as the deck is not huge. And, as I mentioned, the Arima seemed a bit smaller there. If you get a bigger Arima, you should be fine.

I'd be happy to take you on a ride although they don't make this boat any more. Like it said, it seems to be a lot like the Arima.

[Mr. Fisherman]

sjp,

That's the first I've heard about Arima's being top heavy, Hmmm...

Allnight45, I am still shopping and would like to fish as many boats as possible to insure that this time I make the right decision.

The Seasport would be great but I think it would weigh in at more than my rigs 5000# tow rating images/icons/frown.gif.

good info... Keep it coming.

Anyone with a striper that might have an open seat? Love them Seaswirls....

[ 08-20-2001: Message edited by: Mr. Fisherman ]

[Pitch Pocket]

You're right. I was thinking about the C-Dory and not the Arima. Sorry.

The SeaSport with a 350 is under 5000#. Go to www.seasportboats.com (http://www.seasportboats.com)

[Mr. Fisherman]

With trailer and fuel, bait, coolers, and stuff?

[OneLastCast]

Mr. Fisherman;

I have a 17' Arima Sea Chaser that I am quite happy with. I am pretty much a novice salt water skipper so I can't give you much there but the boat has handled pretty well that last couple times I had it outside. Returning to Nehalem on Sunday I was a lot dryer than Mudsucker in his boat (he was wishing for a top).
With an 8 foot beam it is quite stable and not at all top heavy.

OneLastCast

[Sparkey]

A couple weeks ago I spent a week and a half fishing out of 29' Custom Sounder made by Almar of Tacoma. They are deep vee aluminum boat and handle like nothing out there. They are the ultimate fishing machine!!!

Tom Ohaus of Angling Unlimited has a whole fleet full of these boats.
http://www.anglingunlimited.com/boat_equipment.htm

The boat I fished out of is a foot longer, with the cabin a foot shorter and set about a foot more forward. The fishing room this boat has is absoluletly amazing!!!!! You can easily fish 6. 4 on the stern, 2 on the bow. The modifications of this boat compared to Tom's make a big differance but even the standard 28' foot Sounder that Tom fishes is a great boat.

They will cost about the price of a small house. Around $125,000.
www.almar.com (http://www.almar.com)

[Mr. Fisherman]

OneLastCast,

Thank you for your input. You are the first Arima owner to offer information. I appreciate it. I didn't think Arimas were top heavy since the majority of them only have soft tops and all.

What type of water do you usually fish and can you tell me how economical it is to tow and operate? Have you been in a larger Arima?

Thanks in advance...

Sparky, Thanks for the post and congradulations on a really great trip but I can't come close to affording one of those little on tow it with my 5000# capacity rig.

What kind of boat do you have and are you happy with it?

Thanks all....

Mr. F.

[Mr. Fisherman]

Well I checked the Sea Sport, it weighs #5000 without fuel or a trailer images/icons/frown.gif.

I wonder why Arima owners aren't posting. Maybe they are too busy fishing images/icons/confused.gif

[OneLastCast]

Mr. F.

Like I said I probably can't give you to much info but here is what I have.
1990, 17 foot Arima Sea Chaser (has the smaller cabin)
90 hp Johnson with 15 hp evinrude kicker
Eazy loader trailer with rollers.
Towed with a 96 Ford F150 4x4 with 6 cylinder
I bought the boat several years ago from a guy in Portland who was going to buy a 21' Arima. He fished the Columbia all the time.
Me? Since I got the boat it has never been out of the Nehalem Valley unless it crosses the Nehalem Bar into the Ocean. I live up the North Fork so it takes me 15 minutes to get the boat to the County launch. In other words not much of a tow. My Ford has no problem towing. I thing the total weight of boat and motor (sans fuel and trailer and bait) is about 2500 to 2600 lbs. I fish the Nehalem bay from windy bend to the jaws and have started taking the boat into the big blue a little more this year. I have always been happy how it has handled but realize that for 20 years I ran a 12' smokercraft with a 9.5 hp evinrude.
Several problems:
Only has two seats..I made a trolling chair which works excellent but is not the most stable thing going over rough water. (new options allow different seating arrangements)
High profile canopy can make anchoring in the wind a little difficult but I imagine that is the same for any boat with a large canopy. The nice thing is that I am 6'1" and can stand up under cover.
Anchoring is a little different but I put a tag line on the anchor puller so I can pull the anchor from the back.
I like the 8 foot beam in that the boat is extremely stable, three people can walk to one side and there is very little rocking.
I like the high sides and freeboard.
There is plenty or room in the boat for three people to get up and walk around, tend their rods etc, without bumping into each other.
It seems to cut through the wave and chop with minimal bouncing and responds quickly to a little throttle.
Gets up and planes easily.
Trailer loading is a breeze and normally only takes a minute or two to get in or out of the water.
I looked at a lot of boats before purchasing and after three years still feel that I made the right choice.
Also, I love the fish box in the floor, besides the various chinooks and silvers I have put a 49" halibut and a 54" Blue Shark in there.(I had to take the tray out for the shark). It's great to be able to get the fish out of the way.
The compartments in the back of the boat are handy for keeping weights and such making for an easy switch while trolling.
Also I have a flat cover over the motor and motor well that I can plug cut my herring and bait up while still running the trolling motor.
Hope this helps.

OneLastCast

[ 08-21-2001: Message edited by: OneLastCast ]

[Mr. Fisherman]

Now that's what I was asking for!

Thanks OneLastCast!

How far out did you go to get the Halibut and shark?

Is it cheap to operate and do you have an idea what your range is?

Thanks again,

Ray

[Pete]

I fish in a friend's 19 foot Arima Ranger pretty often. I agree that the boat is pretty stable, but there are a couple things that always bother me about it. With the cuddy cabin, space is pretty tight. Anchoring off the bow is kind of difficult since you have to walk around the cabin and there is nothing convenient to hold on to. Also, in the ocean, the spray seems to come right over the boat instead of out to the sides. A recent trip out the Columbia to the CR buoy left me soaked to the shorts even though we had the canvas up and I was wearing rain gear. Of course, none of these things may affect your fishing, depending on where you go and what you do. As always, the only way to evaluate a boat is direct, personal experience.

[OneLastCast]

Glad to see Pete post.
He posted on another Arima thread and had good comments.
The Halibut was caught about 2 miles out of Nehalem Jaws in less than 30 fathoms, the Shark was about 7 miles West and 5 miles North of Nehalem jaws when we were looking for silvers.
Again, I'm pretty green at this so I don't have a lot of trips to compare. The Shark trip was probably 25 to 30 miles round trip (county launch to fish and back including all the dinking around) and I used 10 gallons of gas on a 24 gallon tank. Most of the return trip was at about 3000rpm due to the Southwest wind we were bucking.
It is cheapest to operate when my buddies are pitching in for gas.

OneLastCast

[Mr. Fisherman]

Thanks guys,

Pete, Was that 19' Arima a soft top?

Do you think the hard top would be better?

Anybody else have experience with the spray coming over the bow? I wonder if it could have been trimmed out?

Good info, keep it coming... images/icons/smile.gif

[Pete]

The 19 I was on is a soft top. The hard top has rails to hold as you walk around. It would be better, but it's still a hassle to anchor ... I much prefer the walk through on my sled. As far as trimming, we were in 5 foot seas, running at a 30 angle to the swells and catching a 15 knot wind. We were only going about 15 MPH as the boat was slamming pretty hard ... the V doesn't extend back as far as one might hope for true wave cutting proficiency. Of course, the boat has seen pretty hard use ... many of the snap rivets are broken off, boat's been dropped on at least one ramp, bait-boxes are clogged with garbage, etc... but then, my buddy's nick name is "Dangerous", so what would you expect? In spite of all that, I never felt endangered, even when we couldn't see land or buoys or boats and I learned that the VHF was also broken. Next time I'm putting my Garmin GPS in my pocket!

[Mr. Fisherman]

Well Pete,

Ya made it back and that in it's self is a testiment. Sounds like the boat gets a lot of use at least.

Did you enjoy fishing out of it?

What did you like and what could be omproved on?

Thanks,

images/icons/smile.gif

[Pete]

Ok, a patented edition of Pete's Preferences ... some are things you can do, others are mere wishes to improve the Arima design:
1. Hull - extend the V further back to improve rough water handling.
2. Chaser, not Ranger - to improve fishing room and access to the front clete. (You honestly aren't going to sleep in the cuddy, are you?)
3. Windshield - the clear plastic isn't adequate for seeing what your doing in rough water ... the windsheild is too low for a standing pilot.
4. Hard-top - the soft top just isn't the right thing ... with a hard top you could mount rod storage and life jackets out of the way.
5. Bow Flare - greater flare would deflect wave spray better.
6. Seating - the boat I'm most familiar with has two pedestal mounted seats. That isn't enough, but I'm not sure how to improve seating without sacrificing deck space ... my solution included an aluminum hull.
7. Flooring - I find the textured plastic floor somewhat slippery ... nothing a little carpet wouldn't solve.
8. Rod Storage - there isn't any good place to put rods, the holders along the sides are hard to use and you bump your knees on the rods if you have extras while you're fishing.

Oh, what I liked:
9. Buoyancy - there is never a fear of shipping water.
10. Visibility - it's easy to see in all directions.
11. Craftsmanship - the boat is well assembled. It won't hold up to daily use as a jungle gym by young boys, but that should be easily solved.

OK ... specific enough? I spent two years shopping for a used Arima before I settled on a different model boat ... my notorious, cracked hull, broken motored Alumaweld Intruder with a despicable SportJet motor. I am really happy with what I've got, but I don't do deep blue in it.

[ 08-22-2001: Message edited by: Pete ]

[jtl85]

Hi, i have a 17 foot sea chaser, it is a great fishing boat. No problems with it being top heavy and it trailers very well. Just got done hauling for 7 hours over the mountains to Lake Chelan with a 93 Chysler Mini van. So you shouldn't have any problems with your vehicle. I haven't had any problems in rough water with spray coming in the boat. We have a 90 horse Honda four stroke on it. That engine is pretty economical with fuel.

[Mr. Fisherman]

jtl85,

Welcome to the board and thank you for posting.

Have you ever crossed the bar into Big Blue with your Arima?

Where do you fish with it and what do you like/dislike about it?

What would you change?

I have headr conflicting information regarding fuel effeciency, What has your experience been?

Thanks again,

Mr. F.

[springer2]

Hi....I have a 17 sea chaser.I like to fish
the high lakes as well as river.I bought the sea chaser in 1997 & got the 17 instead of
the 19 as I sometimes fish alone & it easier
to handle.I haven't been in the ocean yet,but
fish bouy 10 regularly.I'll be in Gearhart next week if you want a ride.I should have a seat open sometime in the middle of the week.

[jtl85]

Mr. Fisherman,

I have never crossed the bar but know people who have in 19 foot Arimas. I have only done it once in someone else's boat, and on that particular day, I wouldn't have had any trouble in the 17 foot chaser. I fish a lot of different water with that boat including Buoy 10, Columbia, Hood Canal, Puget Sound, and the Strait out of Neah Bay and Sekiu. I really like the stability of the boat and the amount of room to walk around in(the eight foot beam is great). It is also very easy to maintain. The only complaint I really have with the boat is the access to the anchor. The boats are relativly lite so with a four stroke engine, we get very good fuel mileage.
I would agree with the previous post that you want the sea chaser, not the ranger because you get a lot more room. Good Luck!

[Mr. Fisherman]

Springer2,

Welcome to the board!

I would like the opportunity to fish with you on your Arima. email me and we'll set it up.

jeeperusa1@netscape.net

Thanks for the info guys.

[Deleted User]

My 17' 1987 Chaser is the first real boat I've owned (besides an aluminum 12' skiff) and I've had it since January. I love it but I admit I have little basis for comparison. I didn't love the original 70HP Johnson (underpowered and unreliable) but the 90HP Honda I now have seems just perfect for the boat (+8HP Honda kicker).


I've fished mainly Astoria area for crabs and sturgeon, and, lately, Buoy 10. Haven't crossed the bar yet, since I feel I don't have the experience, and frankly, I'm concerned that it is a little small. I'm glad to hear that a couple people with 17s have gone out into the ocean with good success. Next year! (hopefully the salmon will still be there).

I was looking for a 1986 or later because the Arima company told me that was the first year without wood stringers. In hindsight I wish I had gotten a newer model with a 27 gallon tank instead of my 22 gallon. Although with the 4 stroke 90 the 22 gallon is perfectly adequate.

As other people have commented, anchoring is a little tough, although that would seem to come with the territory for a smaller, closed bow boat. I'm definitely glad I have the Chaser as opposed to the Ranger. I can reach up through the middle fold down windshield and fiddle with the anchor cleat. I now put out and retrieve the anchor from the side (keeping it tied to the bow) so I can anchor without anyone having to climb out front. That seems to work well and I think it is safe.

I also love the tray over the outboard for dealing with bait. Not good for gutting salmon though. And the rear bait wells and underdeck fish box are nice.

I feel like the ride is safe but a little rough when pounding through chop. I've assumed that is mainly because it is only 17' long. Maybe I'm wrong there.

With the top and side curtains we stay pretty dry. Without the side curtains, people get wet if it rough.

I have a swivel captain's chair with back to back ski boat style seats on the passenger side. I wish Arima had put the kicker bracket on the starboard side, since with two passengers and the kicker on the left side, it lists to port. Arima makes a swivel chair with a "jump seat" in back of it, but it is very expensive. I'm searching for an economical equivalent.

On my first Buoy 10 trip 3 weeks ago, I was right next to the 21' Four Winns that went down. Scary, but it also made me feel like I had made a pretty good choice. It was rough out there (Friday of opening weekend) but I never felt like we were in danger.

I'm already wishing for a bigger boat, especially when I read about the great fishing on the other side of the bar. However, the smaller, lighter boat is great for towing, and perfect for knocking around in the river or in Willapa Bay, without using much gas or getting stuck in shallow water. And it fits in my garage!

Interesting to hear the comment about the C-Dory being top-heavy. That boat has been on the wish list for my next boat (in a few years).

Bill

[Mr. Fisherman]

Thanks Bill,

Good info.

I wonder where all the 19' and larger Arima owners are? images/icons/confused.gif

I appreciate everyones input. images/icons/grin.gif It's guys like you that make this board special. When I get my new boat you guys will be welcome aboard images/icons/wink.gif. Won't be for a year or two.

Thanks again,

Mr. F.

[Deleted User]

Mr Fisherman,
I own an older 19 ft fiberform that my father in-law used to fish out in ocean for 15+ years. My father owns a 17 ft arima (Springer2 ??) and it performs better in astoria wind chop than my boat. Got drenched in my boat last trip. Soft top on his got wet, but I stayed dry.
Excellent fishing boat with lots of room in back which is essential IMO. The anchor ability is only questionable problem, but then again it is no different with my closed bow boat. Don't think you would go wrong with an Arima!!

[fishbait]

MF,
I have a good friend that owns a 19 ft Arima Sea chaser and another that owns the smaller 17 ot 18. I am pretty sure that my friend with the 19footer might be willing to take you out, and at least he would take some time to talk with you about his boat. He has had it for about 7 years, I have always felt comfortable every tiem I have gone outside on it about. Nice boat. E mail me if you are still looking for info......Fishbait

[Mr. Fisherman]

Fishbait,

Thank you for your post.

Check your email. images/icons/wink.gif

Mr. F.