What boat to get.

[Fishplay]

Hi Mark;
I myself am new to the jet boat craze. I have a 19ft inboard sled that I have come to love. I've owned many boats over the years. Outboards from 12ft to 18ft and a 17ft sterndrive. The only negative I've found is the inability to steer the kicker from the comfort of the helm; which can be done with the purchase of an auto-pilot. I fished rivers, bays, open ocean, and the inside passage of Brittish Columbia. No other boat offers the vesatility of the jet boat. However don't buy a boat with less than 14 degree deadrise and 16 degree is preferable. Anything less will jar your teeth and cause compression of your vertibrae in open water. My buddy has a 10 degree Intruder and although it is an excellent boat he recognizes the limitation. When conditions turn sour you want to be able to get on a plane and move out.
Jet boats take a little getting used to but once you've mastered them you wont ever want to go back. Good luck with your new purchase!

Fishplay

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FISH!........GET IN THE BOAT!!!!!

[backlash]

Mark, if you're happy with Alumaweld you have a few options on inboard boats,from the intruder, mirage or to the formula vee, all of which can be stern driven or jet powered, I just ordered a 21' Formula Vee inboard, the boat is a good compromise for many fishing and boating activities. I've had both open tiller controlled and inboards. Both have advantages, Either configuration in a jet drive will be the right choice for NW fishing. Unless you plan on staying to the big rivers and lakes your best choice is a jet driven craft.

[Mark]

I have a small Alumaweld boat and would like to get a lager one. My boat is fine but I would like it to be more stable in the water. I have an outboard. I see inboards jets out there and sterndrives. Which would be the best for North West fishing? Thanks

[boater]

you should ask this on the northriver post, i`m sure you would get alot of opinions. lol, but it all depends on what type of fishing you will be doing, rivers, lakes, ocean, puget sound, all of them, some of them ??

[This message has been edited by boater (edited 02-18-2001).]

[zipper]

Mark. As stated by the other responders, it all depends on what type of fishing you want to do. I'm also looking at upgrading in the next couple years and have narrowed my selection down to 3... Wooldridge sport 2000 20', Boulton 20', Hewescraft sea runner 20' with 4 stroke outboard. These three are the widest beam, deepest boats available with flat bottoms and straight sides. For me an outboard makes the most since for economy, interior room and the type of fishing I prefer. If I am going to fish a small river, I'd prefer to drift it or walk it - I just would not use the jet feature... Check out what it costs to run the sportjets and v8 inboards and outdrives before deciding - attend a boatshow... Tacoma is coming up real soon... Portland is awesome... go test drive some models... shop like you would for a car and get the best deal you can. Package deals seem to be the best on new boats, don't skimp on the trailer either. good luck, and above all else... have fun.

[Myfish]

It depends on what kinda fishing your doing or going to do. If you do a lot of anchor fishing (sturgeon & salmon) or you like to troll with your rod in the holder an Inboard is maybe the way to go. My self I like an open sled I've got a 15.9 ft willie predator and granted I will some day get a bigger sled.I like an open boat with an out board or I guess that would be 2 outboards if you include the kicker.I like to be able to move around the boat with a fish if I have to and not worry about a top or windshield getting in the way.I also like to be able to see around when I'm fishing around a lot of other boats.You will find out that a foot or two longer and one foot more width will make a world of differnce. Make sure you look at a willie befor you bye anything. You might find something you like