Right boat right motor?

[cureless]

Anyone have a Hewes Sportsman 18ft?

How do you like it ? What size motor? prop? jet?

How about a Alumaweld Stryker 19ft? what size motor? prop? jet?

Im looking at both of these boats and was looking for some input from actual owners.

Thanks
Cureless

[Drachir]

Go take a look at the North River, Mariner. That's the one I'm leaning towards. It's 17'10" in length, with all standard equipment, is $11,200, w/o any motors. I'm thinking about the Yamaha 115 hp 4-Stroke, @ $8,300. Really nice boat for under $20,000!! :grin:

[Empire]

Be sure to look at Fish-Rite, either the Performer or Explorer models. They are available in most any length you want. The more boats you look at the happier you will be with your final decision. Knowledge is power, especially when you show the salesman you are shopping seriously enough to look at and get prices on multiple boats.

[SouthCoastStu]

I got a new 19' Stryker last spring, and love it. I upgraded from a 75hp to a 90hp Honda (with prop). The boat has more than enough power for me (38mph @ 6KRpm). Total package was under $20K (Clemen's in Eugene). I also like the Rouge trailer the package came with. I figure that someday I might want to change out the prop for a jet if I move somewhere that I'd fish the rivers more (out of a sled), and a 90hp would be barely enough power. Also, I got the standard 10 degree bottom. About the only thing I wonder about is if I should have gone with the 14 degree bottom instead(it should track better). I think a prop handles better in the ocean (better steering at lower speeds).

My advice would be to try a jet and prop to see the difference in low speed handling. Think about where you plan on fish, now and in the future. How many people would you like to be able to take out? Look at the layouts of the different boats for interior room. I was looking hard at the Hewes Craft, but liked the changes Alumaweld made in '01 to the back of the boat (more interior room). Everything is a compromise. Have fun!

[metalhead madness]

be sure to check out siglers marine. I bought a 20' Thunderjet for 24000.00 240 sport jet. This boat is awesom. Maybe a little more money than you want to spend. If you're doing a refi on the house make sure you get the boat that you want. I have had exelent service from mike @ siglers. {and I'm not easy to please, but these guys have done a stellar job!} The 19' is maybe more of the price range you're after, But whatever you do test one out. They handle great and take the chop well. Sigler has been in sales a long time and knows how to work the factory for the best price. He likes volume sales. I had a 20'1" hewes searunner prop and liked it well enough. But love the 240 sled. good luck and drive them all :cheers:

[Herring Impaired]

MetalHead Madness...

You weren't out by Government Island a couple weeks ago were you? Where the 28+ footer joined our little "Hogline"? (Awfully close to the TJet we saw there).

We were in the Northriver that had to re-anchor when a 10' stick pulled us loose....

I'd never seen a Thunderjet with a SportJet in it before until then....

[metalhead madness]

Leroy, nope not me. http:// But if you do see me say hello. Mostly on the clack

[DF]

About three weeks ago we picked up our new 19' Alumalweld striker. And I LOVE it.
90 horse 2 stroke mercury prop. It dose about 38 39 mph with 4 people and a full 40 gallon tank of gas. We went with the 14 degree bottom. It handles ruff water better than I thought it would.
Also if your big on looks. Get the upgraded paint package. The whole boat is clear coated and the top half is painted.
Ours is pretty forest green :grin:
Now if only I could get the picture upload to work graemlins/program.gif

[BPAV8R]

Cureless,
I bought an 18 foot Sportsman this year. I put a Honda 115 on it. I live in Spokane and mostly fish the bigger lakes, and the Columbia. I went with a prop as I don't get in the rocks or shallows very often. When I ordered the boat I upgraded the interior, top, and went with the larger 34 gallon fuel tank. If you make it inland, let me know, and you are welcome aboard anytime.

[luguando]

Cureless,

I bought a 17' Stryker (98') last summer and I'm really happy with it. It is equipped with a Merc 65 jet (90 hp motor) and a Merc 8 hp kicker. The jet pushes the boat with 3 fisherman at 38 mph. Like all jets, it's a little squirely at low speeds (boat launches/marinas) so you need to practice to get good at parking your boat in these areas (or use your kicker). I fish the Columbia and Cowlitz so it's a great set up for me. A 19' boat would be nice. After looking around at all the boats at the boat shows, I think any reputable manufacturer's boat would be nice to own. It mostly comes down to the pocket book. I bought mine for $11.5K used with low hours and fully equipped. You can find those kind of deals out there, you'll definitely get more bang for your buck. Just my 2 cents worth. Have fun with whatever boat you decide on!