They aren’t North River or Duckworth but I would certainly not hesitate. In fact dollar for dollar I would/will go that direction if I ever get away from a dory. I don’t own now, but I have spent a lot of time in, on and around Hewes boats.



Owl

 

M

 

I own a 200 pro v e.t and absolutely love my boat...does way more than I use it for no doubt.i don't have first hand experience with other brands but for my 95% columbia river use and fishing only it's far more than ill ever need.

 

We bought a 2015 last year and LOVE IT!!!! Fish mostly on Lake Roosevelt and Buoy 10. Feel free to pm me if you have any questions.
Randy

 

They are ok boats. Far from the best on the market. One question you should ask the seller is have you replaced all the water soaked foam from the floors yet? If not you will want to do that. And consider you could find some corrosion issues when you do that.

 

That foam issue can be said for alot of brands of boats I'm sure..I actually own a hewescraft pro v e.t and think its a great boat for the cost,you don't own one but yet talk down on them?lol

 

Thanks for all the replies so far. Regarding the water logged foam; the boat has low hours, always been stored indoors and will be stored indoors at my place too so I don't "think" that is an issue unless there is something I am missing?

 

If it’s ever been fished in the rain or had water on the deck it’s an issue that will need to be addressed. When you trap water down there it doesn’t just dry up in the shop .

 

That seems to be plenty of boat for your list.

Big question is how it is powered. In general, Hewes aren’t the heaviest gauge aluminum on the market, but should be great for a long time when cared for. Welds appear to me to be better than some, in general the finish is susceptible to wear/scuffs.

I just took possession of the smaller Sportsman. I don’t need to drag around more bulk for what I do.

I could be wrong, but the foam mentioned above may be a non issue as I understand it isn’t required for anything 20’ or bigger

I think they are designed well with a fisherman’s needs in mind.

 

That seems to be plenty of boat for your list.

Big question is how it is powered. In general, Hewes aren’t the heaviest gauge aluminum on the market, but should be great for a long time when cared for. Welds appear to me to be better than some, in general the finish is susceptible to wear/scuffs.

I just took possession of the smaller Sportsman. I don’t need to drag around more bulk for what I do.

I could be wrong, but the foam mentioned above may be a non issue as I understand it isn’t required for anything 20’ or bigger

I t
hink they are designed well with a fisherman’s needs in mind.

It has a Yamaha 150

 

They have some unique models. Most of the people who have them seem to like them. I'm pretty sure they are lighter than some of the other aluminum boats that are generally made for rougher water or whitewater. Of course, that could hurt durability if you push the capability. The rest of the time, you'll have a boat that should get better fuel mileage.

 

They do have foam in them. I checked mine this spring and everything looked good, but I do plan on removing mine. The concern with the foam being water logged isn't specific to Hewes, it happens to most all brands. I would definitely want a minimum of 150hp to push it, especially with the offshore bracket.

 

Not trying to hijack your thread....I have a couple questions about Hewes as well. I have poured over all the major manufacturers and if I ever upgrade from my riveted Starcraft (that I love) I would get a Pro V Hewes. My question is if you look at nameplate ratings of all the major manufacturers the Hewes are rated for significantly more weight (or people) for their size. Is that because they are not as heavy gauge of aluminum? I also realize nameplate ratings aren't the end all be all of information but I was told if there was ever an accident insurance companies won't pay out if you have more people on board than the boat is rated for.

The other thing I notice about Hewes is it seems that their extended transom boat trailers have less overhang from behind the axles as other manufacturers. Does anyone ever run into trouble with extended transoms bottoming out on transitions to hills on the roads? With my driveway I always figured I'd get a standard transom Pro V 20, though I would like the ET.

Good luck on your search and thanks to anyone for answers to my inquiry.

 

Not trying to hijack your thread....I have a couple questions about Hewes as well. I have poured over all the major manufacturers and if I ever upgrade from my riveted Starcraft (that I love) I would get a Pro V Hewes. My question is if you look at nameplate ratings of all the major manufacturers the Hewes are rated for significantly more weight (or people) for their size. Is that because they are not as heavy gauge of aluminum? I also realize nameplate ratings aren't the end all be all of information but I was told if there was ever an accident insurance companies won't pay out if you have more people on board than the boat is rated for.

The other thing I notice about Hewes is it seems that their extended transom boat trailers have less overhang from behind the axles as other manufacturers. Does anyone ever run into trouble with extended transoms bottoming out on transitions to hills on the roads? With my driveway I always figured I'd get a standard transom Pro V 20, though I would like the ET.

Good luck on your search and thanks to anyone for answers to my inquiry.

I believe the people and weight rating is based on the amount of flotation (foam)

 

Love my ‘02 Sea Runner. The Pro V was not around when this one joined the family. Next will be a Pro V if I find more fishing partners in Central Oregon. If I’m sticking to mostly solo trips, I’ll drop to the Sportsman. All lake fishing now so I don’t need the deep V the runner has.

 

Sorry, I can't answer to the extended transom/trailer question as I have a standard transom, but the 150 will do you well. It's a very stable boat with a large fishing deck , large enough that we can fight and net a salmon on the same side of the boat with plenty of room and stability.

 

I've had no issues with the et on hills etc.... I back uphill to park my boat

 

I own a 2017 24' Ocean Pro. I have never been in any other models, so my opinion is based on the OP. Bang for the buck it's a great boat. Construction is solid. My only complaints on this model are corrosion around quite a few screws, the boat is bow heavy due to the hardtop and it does not have scuppers. The bow heavy issue causes saltwater, fish blood etc... to collect in the bow while sitting in it's slip. Scuppers would have saved a lot of the bow heavy issues. A little Tef-Gel when installing the screws during manufacturing would have greatly reduced ths issue. Overall they are an above average boat for the money and if you are going to be in freashwater 95 percent of the time and not moorage it for extended periods it will last a lifetime. PM if you have any questions.

 

I have a 2017 200 Sportsman that I bought earlier this year. I have had many boats over my life and I feel I have made a great choice. I keep finding little things that I like. The canvas is well made, wipers are the good ones, switches and electrical seems to be good quality. I am a retired sheetmetal worker and the welds seem as good as other welded boats.
I was in Whittier Alaska this summer and was very surprised to see more Hewes Craft than any other aluminum boats. Over all I am very happy with the boat.

 

The Hewescraft is a fine boat. I had a 200 pro V with a Honda 115 and it was plenty. 150 should be plenty on the ET model. Doesn’t have some of the comforts of the higher end models, but solid construction.

 

I owned a 2014 Hewes 200 pro V ET/HT with the Honda 150. The pro V is a river or lake boat and is somewhat wide with somewhat of a flatter bottom in the back of the boat with 30" sides. Very stable to have a couple people on one side with no problem ( myself 220# and my brother at 550# ). I never had issues with the foam on my boat and it was outside all the time with a tarp over it in the winter months. Checked it myself the 4 year I owned it. It's a great boat to take out in the ocean with the right conditions for salmon fishing or bottom fishing. I had mine 50 plus miles offshore doing tuna and halibut fishing many times and never had any problems. I had 4 people on board at about 900# with a half tote full of ice and tuna at about 400# and was still very sea worthy but maybe a little slow for all that weight but still able to go 24 ish mph. The only reason I got rid of it 2 years ago was to get a bigger boat for going out in the ocean for tuna and halibut fishing. Also I couldn't pass up the deal I was offered on the boat I now own, a Hewescraft 26ft Alaskan. If I was you get the ET as it will give you that little extra deck space for fishing and for get on and off the boat if you ever need to. Feel free to PM me if you have more questions.

 

I gave two buddies with Pro V’s. One has the 18’ with bracket and a 115, boat rides great. Another buddy has the 20’ and no offshore bracket and only a 90hp. Rides rougher and you will not get anywhere fast in this boat. Been out of Garibaldi, Newport and at B10 in this. definitely have to know the tides and watch your days for the salt.

 

They’re nice boats. I like the extra high bow rails on some of them. Several are moored in our local marina and the owners are happy.

 

Bought my Hewescraft last year and I have zero regrets. 20' with a 115hp, I fish 4-5 comfortably in the ocean, columbia, lakes you name it. Great boats!

 

19' SeaRunner. Bought it new in '96. Replaced the floor five years ago and didn't find any water in the foam. No complaints.

 

My wife always wants to go to Hawaii or Europe 😕 consider yourself lucky.

 

I have to do that too. It's why I work 60- 80hrs most week.....

 

Hewe's is easily the best bang for your buck. I find that Hewe's boats far outnumber any other manufacturer on the water from Newport to Alaska. There must be some reason you see so many of them....
After looking long and hard at North Rivers and Duckworth, I bought a 2021 Sea Runner 210 last year with Honda 225. Zero regrets.

 

I looked at both north river and hewes craft. For my money I was able to get a bigger boat if I went the hewes craft route. You get more bang for you buck so the fit and finish might not be as nice a ls a north river or other brands like duckworth. I got a searunner 210 hard top with a 200hp, I’ve owned mine since 2019, and done everything from Kokanee fishing to running 50 miles off shore for tuna.

yes I want a bigger boat with some fancy features, but this one gets the job done for now and is easy to tow, maintain and run etc

so all and all I am happy

 

I own a 2017 Hewescraft Sportsman 180 with a 2022 Yamaha 90hp and T9.9 kicker. Would love to go longer (20' or 22' with offshore bracket) but restrained garage depth only allows me to fit an 18 footer. Budget was a huge factor and boats from other manufacturers with thicker aluminum were outside of my budget. Length is good as it's usually just my wife and I fishing. Plus the light weight makes it easy to tow.

Gotta give credit where credit is due: Hewescraft has excellent customer service. Carie Ann Stephenson works in the Hewescraft Customer Service department. She has been so pleasant to deal with as she assisted me with ordering additional parts for my Hewes Sportsman.

I have ZERO regrets and absolutely LOVE my Hewes. I highly recommend Hewescraft!

 

I have a 22' Hewescraft Ocean Pro (bought new in 2016). I wanted a boat that could be used both for fishing Multnomah Channel and the Willamette for springers/shad and the ocean for halibut and tuna, and everything in between. I cross shopped w/ North River, Duckworth, Weldcraft, Boulton, Wooldridge, etc...

At the time, I found the Hewescraft was better thought out (more storage, toe rails, grab handles everywhere, better access to critical hardware/bilge pumps, etc...) and better priced (my boat rigged w/ a v6 Honda 225 was nearly $10k cheaper than a North River with a 4 cylinder Yamaha 200). Six years and hundreds of hours later I am still very happy with it, and would not trade it for any of the competing models I looked at.

I fish the ocean, and the foam is a bonus to me. I'd rather hang out on a turtled, but floating, hull and wait for the Coast Guard than take my chances in a pfd, or holding onto a cooler lid. It also ads rigidity to the boat (foam inside the big C channel girders that are the backbone of the hull).

My only issues w/ my boat were some 1) some quirks related to it being the first year w/ the new pressurized gas tank, and 2) paint bubbling where the factory and dealer installed things but did not Tefgel the hole. Hewescraft and the dealer I purchased from (NW Marine and Sport in Pasco) have generally been excellent.

The only way I'd part with my Hewescraft is to replace it with a bigger glass boat I could leave moored on the coast.