Boat advice??

[HappyJack]

I'm looking for some input on my boat hunting endeavours. I currently have a 14' open hull on a trailer with a 9.9 Honda kicker, and have been looking at upgrading to something larger. I'm looking at perhaps a budget of 10 to 20K max, but I have questions as to what I should be looking for, I primarily want to use it for fishing on freshwater and sometimes in big lakes, like Stewart/Francois/Quesnel. I know I want a split windshield and a half top [hard or soft??] but I am looking for advice on:

16 to 21 foot long, do I need longer than 16 for two or three fishermen, would going up from 16 to 18 make the boat safer in heavy water?

Should I be looking for glass, welded aluminum or riveted construction? I could buy an older model glass boat and put a brand new outboard on it and stay in budget....are there dangers in this?

I've been out in an 18 foot Ali craft jet boat, and like the size and the aluminum floor with wash up hose, should I look for a jet or an outboard?? Jets don't hit things, outboards use less fuel???

Tandem wheel trailers or singles? Hard top or soft? What other features are nice in a bigger fishing boat? Electric downriggers? Live wells? wash down hoses, seats?

I could really use some help from experienced boaters......any tips??

[Bugle M In]

Can’t really help you in this category.
But yes, the bigger the boat, the better it can handle waves.
Saltwater fishing, there are days when people in tinnies can fish.
But if it hits 15 knot winds and waves, only us in 35ft or bigger tend to be out there (not worth it usually though as gear gets blown back too hard).
But suddenly the 18-22’s are no where to be seen either.

As for price vs size etc.
my buddy picked up a 25 ft Sea Ray for 3k, but put 10k in to get it running, but he is a very good HD mechanic that works on “everything”!

So, how capable are you at restoring, working on boats is one thing to consider.
As for that price range, thus type of boat and size, I have no clue what options are available for you.

[HappyJack]

I am a decent restorer type, but those older glass boats make me nervous as I've heard of rotted out spars and major glass work being required to ship shape them,so I'm kind of leaning towards playing it safe and staying with an all aluminum boat. I'd rather put time and money onto elec downriggers and other useful add ons.

[Harvest the Land]

Avoid rivets like the plague - welded aluminium would be my choice but I like fibreglass too (some say they offer a smoother ride in choppy water).18-21ft is the ideal size IMO and you'll definitely want a dual axle trailer for the heavier boat. Only get a jet if you're mostly only going to be boating on rivers or shallow water - otherwise definitely get an OB as they perform much better in open water and don't guzzle gas like jets do. I like the hard tops but if you like to bake in the sun and get tanned then you might like to have the option of being able to remove the top. For electronics I like Lowrance or Garmin and electric downriggers are an absolute must. I like your idea of getting a used boat (especially if its welded cause they last forever) and a new motor (you can't go wrong with a Yamaha).

Have fun spending your inheritance Jack

[HappyJack]

Avoid rivets like the plague - welded aluminium would be my choice but I like fibreglass too (some say they offer a smoother ride in choppy water).18-21ft is the ideal size IMO and you'll definitely want a dual axle trailer for the heavier boat. Only get a jet if you're mostly only going to be boating on rivers or shallow water - otherwise definitely get an OB as they perform much better in open water and don't guzzle gas like jets do. I like the hard tops but if you like to bake in the sun and get tanned then you might like to have the option of being able to remove the top. For electronics I like Lowrance or Garmin and electric downriggers are an absolute must. I like your idea of getting a used boat (especially if its welded cause they last forever) and a new motor (you can't go wrong with a Yamaha).

Have fun spending your inheritance Jack

Some of it at least....a hard top would be nice but could also be added on I'd think. I've found a couple of used 18 foot welded boats on the used market in the 20K mark, with OBs, still looking though till I bite.

[hawk-i]

Buy bigger than you think you need, get more power than you think you need and most importantly buy something newer (and more reliable) than you think you can afford

[Ferenc]

Have a look at the “ Gregor “ brand made aluminum boats ,my brother has one and runs the Fraser as well as lakes and as said ya can’t go wrong with a Yamaha.

[Ed George]

Inboard jet boats are not hard on fuel. Mine is a 19' hull with a fuel injected GM 5.7 Kodiak Marine running 330 HP through an American Turbine pump and over 20 years of use has averaged 5 gallons of fuel per hour. These pumps run a 9" impellor in a high pressure bowl. Do not go with a 2 stroke outboard jet as they are terrible on fuel. There is a weight advantage to a sport jet but I understand that they are also not fuel friendly. Outboard jets you typically deduct 30% from the power head rating to get the pump rating, 4 stroke outboard jets get the same deduction but are much more fuel efficient.

[hawk-i]

My 200 optimax sport jet gets approximately 5 gallons per hour when on plane at about 30mph

[HappyJack]

Have a look at the “ Gregor “ brand made aluminum boats ,my brother has one and runs the Fraser as well as lakes and as said ya can’t go wrong with a Yamaha.

I'll do that, found a couple in the usa. I wonder how much hassle it is to import a used boat from there?? The prices are definitely lower than here.