First Boat Help

Filet-O-Fish · 07-15-2001, 05:14 PM

Hello fellow Ifishers,

I hoping to buy my first boat in the next couple of months, but I really don�t have any idea on what I should get. Should I buy new or used? How big? What are some things I should know before I buy? I want to use it to fish on the Clack, Sandy, Willamette and Columbia.

Rauly · 07-15-2001, 05:40 PM

Get a Willie or a Willie or a Willie. Did I mention maybe a Willie. Mine has been GREAT!!!

Rauly

Thumper · 07-15-2001, 06:40 PM

JP: If you talk to 100 Ifishers you are going to get 100 different inputs. Get a Willie. Get an Alumaweld. Get a Boulton. Get a Whatever. It all depends on what you intent to do with the new boat. Tell us that and you will get more informative inputs.

Filet-O-Fish · 07-15-2001, 06:45 PM

I want to fish and fish and fish. I'm not sure what info you need. I'm not even sure what questions to ask.

[ 07-15-2001: Message edited by: JP 1 ]

WaterDog · 07-15-2001, 06:58 PM

OK since you dont know where your headed start here: http://www.ifish.net/cgi-local/ultim...c&f=1&t=002616

Yes, it's the dreaded North River thread. [img]images/icons/rolleyes.gif[/img] You just have to seperate the wheat from the chaff so to speak.

I hate to do this, but since this is such an opinionated topic, do search using the words "North River Boats" or any brand for that matter and you'll find hours of reading material. I'm assuming your looking a power boat and not just a drift boat?

Good luck! [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img]

[ 07-15-2001: Message edited by: WaterDog ]

swampy · 07-15-2001, 07:28 PM

My $.02 .....get the boat that you want the first time vs. upgrading later on ...you will enjoy it more , perhaps keep it up better and ultimatly save money ...I prefer used boats in super condition and , therefore , let someone else take the monatary hit that you take by driving a new boat off the lot ...get more power vs. less power ...you will never regret it ...ok , that was my $.03 worth ...oh ya ,buy out of season ....good luck

Hookset · 07-16-2001, 12:03 PM

Buy a used boat. If your not used to running and fishing out of boat, buy used. What you need to do, is get on the water with as many different boats as possible. From open boats, windshield, inboard, outboard, short and long boats, you need to look and see what's around. When buying a used boat, it'll make it easier to swallow the mistakes that happen along the way and make it easier to sell the boat if/when you determine what type of boat fits your needs the best.

If cost is a factor, set a price and start looking. The longer you have to look the better the odds are you'll find something that fits your needs.

Your going to have to answer more questions to find you boat. How are you going to fish, how many people? Makes a difference.

Now if price is not a factor and you'd like to get a great boat for up to 5 or 6 people, then post again describing your needs.

Are you new to fishing? Your just leaving to many holes to fill answering your question.

Remember, all boats can catch fish, just some do it better and are safer.

hook

Tacklebuster · 07-16-2001, 01:03 PM

My advice would be not to buy the first thing you can afford. You will end up putting more money into it and will be unhappy when you can't put it into the water you wish to fish because you are uneasy about it being safe enough. The Columbia can be calm as a lake and get nasty in a split second. For the waters you mentioned, I would go for a pump with a self bailing bow. Power is a must but with todays gas prices, you will want to have the power and the money to take it out. I personally have a 4.3 Vortec that produces 225 horses. It has plenty of power and burns less fuel than the V8's on the water. A galvanized trailor with brakes is a must. There are tons of boats, new and used, on the market and can be very frusterating in picking the right one. Take lots of test drives and pick the one that will have plenty of room. What you have to tow the boat will also have an influence on what you buy. Be sure and tow it before you buy to make sure your vehicle is up to the task. My last tid bit of advice is justification. I know a person that went out and spent a ton of money on a boat he uses maybe once a month. I use mine a lot. I have put 72 hours on my boat already this year. Justify what you you buy into the amount of time you use it. The worst thing you can do is buy a machine and let it sit. Do not be afraid to put some scratches in it for it is a tool in which we use to chase our passion. Good luck [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img]

Mr. Fisherman · 07-16-2001, 01:34 PM

TB is right,

Consider what you are going to tow the vehicle with....

I know the friend of a friend who knows a guy that bought a boat his jeep wouldn't tow [img]images/icons/rolleyes.gif[/img] and had to buy a new tow rig adding about $28,000.00 to the boat price and my wife [img]images/icons/shocked.gif[/img], er I mean his wife [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img] made him sleep on the couch for a month.

Better safe than sorry....

SnagMagnet · 07-16-2001, 01:51 PM

Hell, I'd just build one to meet your needs [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img] [img]images/icons/shocked.gif[/img] [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img] [img]images/icons/tongue.gif[/img] . Coarse if you don't have the time, space, or equipment this could a very large task. Come to think of it I have all the above and a project of this size would make most mortals enter an early grave. Best advice I can give ya is do tons of research before you consider anything! The wed is a great place to start but if your a first time buyer you would be best buying used and moving from there. A fishing vessel is an extension of the fisherman like a good rod/reel.... Good luck and keep us informed.... [img]images/icons/cool.gif[/img]

Don't think I've heard any bad advice on this thread.....

Mr. Fisherman · 07-16-2001, 11:07 PM

JP 1,

I was in the same perverbial boat so to speak and setteled on the first nice boat I could afford. It was a mistake.

Take your time and fish out of a few boats in the areas you want to fish regularly.

I WILL NOT buy my next boat without fishing out of it first.

Boats are ALWAYS a compromise. Make a list of areas you want to fish and the conditions you are likely to see there. I know it sounds a lot like work but it might surprise you to see the information.

Next, put off the purchase until you can get what you want the first time. Don't fall into the "I'll upgrade later" trap.

Don't skimp on power. More is better.

Get a galvonized trailer with brakes. That way the salt won't corode it as bad.

Good luck and have fun. If ya would like a ride in my boat you are welcome. It's fer sale ya know....

Later,

Mr. F.

[ 07-16-2001: Message edited by: Mr. Fisherman ]

ampersat · 07-16-2001, 11:27 PM

here's my $.02.

i'd like to be in the same boat as you, so to speak, but it'll be another couple of years before i can afford to do that. i've scoped a lot of boats lately and given it a lot of thought. for my money, you can't beat a smokercraft alaskan. there are a lot of them out there so coming by one at a good price is fairly easy. i'm also hoping to be able to do some crabbing on tillamook bay as well as some trout fishing on the lakes.

you mentioned fishing the clack and sandy rivers. if you're going upstream at all, you're looking at some kind of sled with a pump on it. no two ways about it. don't skimp on power because the pump is less efficient than a prop. you'll be able to handle the willamette most of the time, but you might have problems on the columbia if the wind starts pushing up waves.

take my advice with a grain though. i don't actually have a boat myself. i have spent a lot of time reading the board and paying attention to what these guys have to say about it. there's a lot of good info in the 'what would you change on your boat' thread, too.