Puget Sound Fish Boat

[Michael Dunn]

Maybe I could have posted this in the classifieds as wtb but right now just looking for input.
Window shopping the classifieds for a under 20' puget sound boat. I think 16-18 would be just right.
Would never probably be more then 2 people. Want to keep it simple and utilitarian. Outboard prefered. I think aluminum would be best but not ruling out glass.Want something with a top so as to get out of the wind and rain occasionally. Would like to keep it around 5k or even less. Any advice on what to look for? What to avoid? Is my budget realistic? Thanks

[Jeremy Floyd]

The exchange rate sucks but I found some great deals when I was shopping for a used boat just across the border. You may give that a try too.

[Chris Puma]

check craigslist. there are some sweet center consoles on there... 5 k and you have some options.

[Michael Dunn]

Thanks. Have been looking on Craigs and have seen some boats that I would like. I guess one of my concerns is that I plop down 5k and then have to put a new o.b. on. What's some good tips on checking the o.b. out?

Good tip on checking out on the other side of the border.
Thanks

check craigslist. there are some sweet center consoles on there... 5 k and you have some options.

[Michael Dunn]

Good tip Jeremy.
I looked on Vancouver BC's craigslist and saw some decent deals.
How much of a pain is it to bring a boat across the boarder and change titles etc.
Thanks
The exchange rate sucks but I found some great deals when I was shopping for a used boat just across the border. You may give that a try too.

[Jeremy Floyd]

really easy if you have all the reciepts

took less than an hour for the inspection and paperwork

[Ernie Seacub]

sent you a separate e mail but make sure you at least look at Duroboat

[sroffe]

Thanks. Have been looking on Craigs and have seen some boats that I would like. I guess one of my concerns is that I plop down 5k and then have to put a new o.b. on. What's some good tips on checking the o.b. out?

Good tip on checking out on the other side of the border.
Thanks

Outboards are expensive. I don't really know how you'd check out an outboard with out taking it out on the water. I'd be concern about how old the motor was, and how many hours it has on it if unable to do a sea trial with it. Is it a 2 stroke or 4 stroke? Many newer boats are using 4 strokes now. If looking at a 4 stroke, I don't think you'd go wrong with a Yamaha or Honda. But, they are not cheap either. 2 stroke, I'd stick with Johnson, Evenrude, or a Merc. Those are the engines that I grew up with. :)

Sam

[Michael Dunn]

Yes, that's my main concern on buying a used boat, getting an outboard that's been well maintained, flushed out with fresh water, etc. They are spendy. I would like to stay at 40hp or less for fuel economy as well. If I found th right deal on a boatwithout motor I'd consider that and buy a new o,b.
Thanks. Agree on Yamaha or Hondaa for new.
Outboards are expensive. I don't really know how you'd check out an outboard with out taking it out on the water. I'd be concern about how old the motor was, and how many hours it has on it if unable to do a sea trial with it. Is it a 2 stroke or 4 stroke? Many newer boats are using 4 strokes now. If looking at a 4 stroke, I don't think you'd go wrong with a Yamaha or Honda. But, they are not cheap either. 2 stroke, I'd stick with Johnson, Evenrude, or a Merc. Those are the engines that I grew up with. :)

Sam

[hendersonbaylocal]

13' Boston whaler montauk. Best saltwater boat ever. End of discussion.

[frankrutledge]

This is my two cents. I love Whalers and aluminum boats, but you are totally out in the elements. More and more I'm seeing wise buyers picking out older boats (not dropping the customary 40k) and attaching nice 4 stroke Honda's. Really when you think about it glass older boats are bullet proof. They are partially, or mainly enclosed but if not, they at least can be. The motor is removable so if you decide to upgraded in a year, you take that with you and sell the boat separately. Plus being that they are a bit heavier, helps the ride. Plus, plus, it helps to have the width the of the gunwale for attaching down riggers. plus, plus, plus,battery storage and a place down below to take a (you know what) if you had to........ It just make a lot of sense. I like fishing in the sound, I have been doing it all my life and Will continue. I also search craigslist daily for boats, (not that I can afford one), but if I could, I would get an (and this is more than 5k) Arima. They are locally built, in Auburn I hear.....
my .02
F. :o
http://seattle.craigslist.org/sno/boa/435711040.html

[Michael Dunn]

I think that your advice Frank is spot on. Worth more then 2 cents even. I've only begun to look and I was thinking aluminum primarily because of weight and ease of launching solo and towing, although I live about 6 miles from the launch on Vashon so towing's not too big of deal with my v-6 Tacoma.
Not totally hung up on aluminum.
I saw the boat you linked to on craigs and it piqued my interest although I still want to stay down in the 40-50 hp range but maybe that's not a reality for the boat I'm lookin for.

There was an 18' aluminum Spectrum on Craigs a week ago but it's gone.
Anyone know about those?

This is my two cents. I love Whalers and aluminum boats, but you are totally out in the elements. More and more I'm seeing wise buyers picking out older boats (not dropping the customary 40k) and attaching nice 4 stroke Honda's. Really when you think about it glass older boats are bullet proof. They are partially, or mainly enclosed but if not, they at least can be. The motor is removable so if you decide to upgraded in a year, you take that with you and sell the boat separately. Plus being that they are a bit heavier, helps the ride. Plus, plus, it helps to have the width the of the gunwale for attaching down riggers. plus, plus, plus,battery storage and a place down below to take a (you know what) if you had to........ It just make a lot of sense. I like fishing in the sound, I have been doing it all my life and Will continue. I also search craigslist daily for boats, (not that I can afford one), but if I could, I would get an (and this is more than 5k) Arima. They are locally built, in Auburn I hear.....
my .02
F. :o
http://seattle.craigslist.org/sno/boa/435711040.html

[Smalma]

Frank's advise is spot on. Buying a solid hull looking to repower can be the cheapest way to get into boating with a solid dependable outfit but as always the buyer needs to be careful and fully check the hull out.

Don't forget to look closely at the trailer and whether you need to replace etc. While the cheapest of the 3 componments it is true bummer to be broken down along the freeway and believe me that if it happens it will almost certainly be at the most difficutl spot on the way to the launch.

One advantage aluminum has over glass is the ligher weight which may be as much of an issue in powering the boat (you can get away with a smaller OB on the lighter boat) as towing it.

As always one enters the boating arena it is compromises and more compromises. Suggest that you develop a lists of absolute needs, wants, and secondary considerations and use that to compare potential outfits. I shopped for two years for my "retirement boat" and two and half years later with lots of hard use I have not regrets.

Tight lines
Curt

[frankrutledge]

Michael,
Here is another one.

http://seattle.craigslist.org/kit/boa/434997163.html
F.
Boats (prices) are negotiable items!

[sroffe]

I like Boston Whalers too. Owned a 17 foot Montauk with a 70 hp Johnson. My wife and I camped off of it one year in the San Juans. Even though it was open, it has a full canvas cover to enclose the occupants. That was neat, but, it was custom. Good memories with that boat.

For a Puget Sound boat, I've thought that the C-Dory's were kind of a sweet little boat with a small cabin/wheel house on it. However, I can see we're starting to get out of teh 5K budget here.

Wish you well on your search....

Sam

[frankrutledge]

Micheal, this is a good one too. I personally like the enclosed cabin, as opposed to an open bow. The enclosed cabin lets ya lock up the reels, rods and downriggers. Sorry but I can't stop looking. :beathead::beathead:
F.
http://seattle.craigslist.org/oly/boa/436629153.html

[Michael Dunn]

I know. I've been eyeballing that one and emailing the gent a couple times. Trouble is I'm in the U.P. all week and not able to act on it. I can't stop looking either freind. That's about what I'm looking for though. If the motor has some life left in it I would think it's a pretty fair deal.

Micheal, this is a good one too. I personally like the enclosed cabin, as opposed to an open bow. The enclosed cabin lets ya lock up the reels, rods and downriggers. Sorry but I can't stop looking. :beathead::beathead:
F.
http://seattle.craigslist.org/oly/boa/436629153.html

[Be Jofus G]

Outboards are expensive. I don't really know how you'd check out an outboard with out taking it out on the water. I'd be concern about how old the motor was, and how many hours it has on it if unable to do a sea trial with it. Is it a 2 stroke or 4 stroke? Many newer boats are using 4 strokes now. If looking at a 4 stroke, I don't think you'd go wrong with a Yamaha or Honda. But, they are not cheap either. 2 stroke, I'd stick with Johnson, Evenrude, or a Merc. Those are the engines that I grew up with. :)

Sam

Take it to a shop. Have the compression checked, especially on those old 2 strokers, Have the drive and seals checked. Pull the cover of the case and look for corrosion. If the heads on the bolts or screws look corroded, walk away. Ask for records, when was the last tune up? If the motor is over 5 years old, when was the last time the rubber was checked and/or replaced? Pull the spark plugs, are they a nice golden color or are they black as cole? Ask the guy to fire it up. If he doesn't have a set of earmuffs to hook up to a garden hose, walk! Does it smoke really bad after running for 5 minutes? does it stall at a low idle? Does it vibrate excessivly or sound like it is missing? Is there fresh grease on all of the hinges? Ask what brand of fuel premix he used If he doesn't know or if it is the garbage used in a weedwhacker walk. Dude a new motor is going to cost you a lot more than 5 large. Look for a refurbished used moter from a good marina or shop that will stand behind their work. Good luck man!

Also, I forgot. If you're going to use in in the salt, you need 2 motors not one. Make sure you get a dependable kicker.

[Merch]

I had a 15 whaler super sport with a 75 Suzuki and a 6 Suzuki and it was an awesome puget sound boat. Big enough for some rough stuff but small enough to launch off the beach if you had to. I took mine everywhere, South Sound, Port Townsend, Sekiu, Grays Harbor, you name it it did it.

Had a 17 also but the 15 was sooo easy to manage by ones self. Wish I still had it...

Merch

[frankrutledge]

Take it to a shop. Have the compression checked, especially on those old 2 strokers, Have the drive and seals checked. Pull the cover of the case and look for corrosion. If the heads on the bolts or screws look corroded, walk away. Ask for records, when was the last tune up? If the motor is over 5 years old, when was the last time the rubber was checked and/or replaced? Pull the spark plugs, are they a nice golden color or are they black as cole? Ask the guy to fire it up. If he doesn't have a set of earmuffs to hook up to a garden hose, walk! Does it smoke really bad after running for 5 minutes? does it stall at a low idle? Does it vibrate excessivly or sound like it is missing? Is there fresh grease on all of the hinges? Ask what brand of fuel premix he used If he doesn't know or if it is the garbage used in a weedwhacker walk. Dude a new motor is going to cost you a lot more than 5 large. Look for a refurbished used moter from a good marina or shop that will stand behind their work. Good luck man!

Also, I forgot. If you're going to use in in the salt, you need 2 motors not one. Make sure you get a dependable kicker.

Good advice above, Have it checked if you can. My other 2 cent's is, if it comes with an older 2 stroke, great, as long as it runs good. You can pick those up pretty checp if it quits. But, pick up a nice 9.9 Honda or even a 15 for a kicker, only would get a 4 stroke here. That smoke just ruins a trip sometimes with headaches.
F.
Michael, Ya that is a good one. Is the U.P. upper penn?.....if so, are you fishing?
F.
:thumb:

[Wayne Jordan]

I'd recommend getting an open bow boat if you intend to fly fish from it. Make the deck area as clean as possible because fly line has a bad habit of wrapping around anything and everything. Glass is pretty, but you'll cringe whenever you go over those unexpected boulders when chasing fish along the shoreline. I guided off the coast of Maine from a Lund Alaskan, and worked on a 100' boat in Key West before moving out to Seattle...

My buddy who still guides in Maine has a Pacific Skiff. I had the chance to take it out when I went home this summer. This probably what I'll be buying when I move back to Maine in the next couple of years....

[Jeff D]

For 5K, my opinion is your best bet is a 15-16 aluminum skiff with open floor (no bench seats), a console and a 4-stroke outboard. Then ensure it has running lights, anchor with lots of rode, extinguisher, bilge pump, battery/alternator, VHF and sonar.

These boats are light so you'll have to watch the wind and not run too far from shore, but they are tough and don't cost a lot to repower. They DO NOT ROT! Having a console makes the trip comfortable, but will cost less than a windshield and windows, etc.

Put your money into the basic hull and a good motor. The older 2-stroke motors are the hole you throw money into the water :) and cheap for a reason. (Can you tell I'm not good at working on motors, esp. while drifting toward the main shipping chanel)

I'm sure you are also keeping in mind weight for towing. Also storage. Don't buy a nice boat and then have the pretty cushions fade and rot in the rain. Aluminum is easy to maintain.

My last boat was an old fiberglass boat, and while it always made the old guys long for days gone past, it just made me nervous the transome was going to fall off because a stringer was rotted somewhere I couldn't see :(

[gt]

don't cheap out now, check out www.westportyachts.com, hire the crew and go fishin' :)


(try the photo tour to blow yur mind.)

[hendersonbaylocal]

http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/boa/437158067.html

[frankrutledge]

http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/boa/437158067.html

I gotta say I love whalers and almost bought one this year. I don't know if anyone saw the 20' Boston whaler outrage with a 200 2 stroke for 8k. an unbelievable deal. granted you had to drive to Quilcence to see it and that was the reason it didn't sell in the first day, but a great boat. That said, one of the reasons I'm glad I didn't buy it is because it's exposed. The older whaler shown is small, exposed and comes with a 2 stroke, but you can't add a smaller 4 stroke kicker to it. older glass boats on a trailer, that are taken care of, won't have rot, they will most likely provide some protection from our common weather, and have the adequate gunwale and transom for down-riggers and kickers. Those are just the obvious things the others are the ability to cruise to your fishing spot with more comfort, have a place to have a porta potty (and don't laugh), and for me a place to be able to lock up those rods and reels are nice. Here is one of my qualifiers for getting a boat for fishing the sound, since I start pretty early, I want a place to close off and have an air-pot of coffee. Just one of my wishes.
I think now is a great time to get a deal on a good used boat. Damn I wish I could buy a boat!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:beathead:
F.

[Nutty Squirrel]

I am seriously thinking of selling my 14' Livingston that has a oil injected 30 Yamaha 2 stroke and 2004 Yamaha 4hp 4 stroke + Shorelander trailer all in excellent condition soon. It's a very clean boat with low hours on the both engines (I will have to verify on the meter but it's under 100 on the 30hp. The kicker probably has less than 25). I have been religious about always flushing the engine throughly when I get home and washing whole boat and trailer down as well. Always coverd or garaged. The boat is very stable and seaworthy. Whaler's are great, have a great history, classic lines etc. but they are a wet ride since there is little freeboard if you are looking at a 13'-15'. If you are looking to spend 5k or less you are looking at a 13' or 15' that needs TLC. Good luck finding a Whaler in W. Washington for less than 4.5k with anything newer than a 15-20yr old Merc. A classic 17' will set you back 9-10K (used of course) & a 16' Dauntless is very nice but very pricy. A friend of mine has a new 15' Whaler and it's great but also 20K+. Duroboat's are good too and about 5K for a used boat.

I feel my Livingston is a much dryer ride than a Whaler and more stable due to it's wide beam, freeboard and catermeran style. I use it to cross the sound to from Shilshole to Jeff Head W. Seattle to Dolphin Pt. and Tofino B.C and fishes two people very comfortably. Top speed is about 22 mph with downriggers/gear and two guys. For O.B. I would stick to a Yamaha or Honda but can't atest to newer Mercs. Johnson/Evinrude were great in their day but have heard they are not what they used to be. I have also heard that Honda parts are much more than Yamaha but I wouldn't know since the only thing I have had to change on my Yamaha is a fuel filter and sparkplugs. My asking price for Boat, Trailer both engines + anchor, bumpers, lines, fishfinder, and more would be $4700 or $3900 without the Yamaha 4hp 4 stroke. Everything is turnkey. Attached is a ok picture

[Benni]

gotta give another thumbs up to whalers. grew up fishing on them, and recently bought a used 13 footer for the sound. it took some searching, and time but i found a newer one (2002 with 40horse merc) for under 8k, the size and the money were what i could afford. it does great around the sound, and being a whaler, i feel totally comfortable in medium swells that the sound has to offer. great open bow for casting, fishes two easily. of course i want a bigger boat, maybe some day. it would be nice to get out of the wind on occasion!! the design of the hull on whalers is made to shed water away from the boatm thus making a dry ride.

[Michael Dunn]

Thanks for all the replies and advice fellas. This mightr be my last chance to get on line for a few days. Thanks for the boat pic. I may be interersted. Talk this weekend maybe. I am in the the UP in Michigan this week and not always able to get to a computer. Wish I was fishing but helping my wife get her Ma re-located. She lives all alone on Lake Superior and winter is coming!

[Richard]

13' Boston whaler montauk. Best saltwater boat ever. End of discussion.

13' Montauk?

[Richard]

[QUOTE=Jeff D;285645]For 5K, my opinion is your best bet is a 15-16 aluminum skiff with open floor (no bench seats), a console and a 4-stroke outboard. Then ensure it has running lights, anchor with lots of rode, extinguisher, bilge pump, battery/alternator, VHF and sonar.

These boats are light so you'll have to watch the wind and not run too far from shore, but they are tough and don't cost a lot to repower. They DO NOT ROT! Having a console makes the trip comfortable, but will cost less than a windshield and windows, etc.

I'm sure you are also keeping in mind weight for towing. Also storage. Don't buy a nice boat and then have the pretty cushions fade and rot in the rain. Aluminum is easy to maintain.
QUOTE]

There are a lot of good reasons to go aluminum or fiberglass, but I would suggest aluminum . . .

A couple of additional reasons to go aluminum:

Usually lighter than the comparable fiberglass, so you can use smaller outboards like you want to use.

Because it's lighter, it's easier to pull with a vehicle, easier to launch with just one person, and easier to maneuver around when putting it away/storing it.

When fishing the Sound, particularly for cutts, you'll be up in shallow water and may occasionally ding the hull. An aluminum boat handles this a lot better than does a fiberglass. The glass tends to scratch easily.

Less maintenance.

Aluminum really holds its value well. Except for Whaler, Grady Whites, and a few other brands, fiberglass can really depreciate.

[D3Smartie]

having fished a lot of days on the sound from both aluminum and glass boats, glass is the hands down winner if you want to be able to fish every day and not worry about your back. I fish out of a 17' grady which have been going for about 10-12.5k on craigslist. My friend just sold his lund and bought a 17' whaler. (an old outrage i think) And it was 11k.
The aluminum boats are easy launch and beat around on the beach. they are not a comfortable ride in any sort of chop and basically can ruin a day of fishing if the wind comes up. There is an ease that comes with having an aluminum boat and it stays in your price range, but your days out on the water are limited by weather.
If you want to fish year round in the sound from a smaller boat, i think you need a glass hull. if you want to fish just the nice days, then an aluminum boat will get the job done.

[Nutty Squirrel]

13' Whaler Montauk? Doesn't exist as a model as far as I know. The classic 17' Montauk is a classic though. I thought the budget was 5K or less and now people are recommending boats that cost anywhere from 9K for a 1980's 17' Montauk to a Pacific Skiff which are 15-30K. It's fun to dream though. Under 5K look for a 15' Arima, 14' Lund, 13' B. Whaler 14' Livingston, Duroboat & maybe a smokercraft Alaskan model. If you are set on a Whaler goto: http://continuouswave.com/whaler/reference/ or check out http://continuouswave.com/whaler/cetacea/ if you just want to drool over nice photos. This is the best site there is for used Whaler information. Good luck.

[gt]

there are all sorts of plusses and minuses to whatever boat you look at. no matter, it will always come down to a compromise.

when i was shopping my spec sheet for reelfast, i also looked at several high quality glass boats. you may be surprised to learn that at least 6 different mfgs use the same sort of foamed in, sealed construction that made whaler, at one time, a one and only stand apart from the rest of the boat building industry, not any more.

while i found two glass boats that were close to meeting my spec list, neither one of them could match a single and important factor, weight. let me be more specific, reelfast is 31.5LOA, mounts twin yamaha 150s and can hold 135g of fuel. with 40g of fuel on board, 5 deep cycle batteries, both motors and ansillary gear, she weighted in at 5,100#. the closest glass boat in the same length, without motors, fuel batteries.......weighed in at 6,500#.

what that translates to is speed, fuel economy and a better carry capacity. having run aluminum boats in moving water as well as blue water, i can testify that they take a beating without complaint. in fact, reelfast already has several 'battle' scares which would have not been a pretty thing had she been made from glass.

however, aluminum in saltwater is going to require your attention. being a 'less noble' metal, you will need to be attending to cleaning her up with some religious zeal. watch the anodes carefully and if you are going to moor your boat, you had best invest in a bottom paint job, two parts - a barrier coat followed by the actual bottom paint.

if you are shopping actively for a glass boat, check the current web sites to investigate just how they are laid up. you will be surprised to learn that boats mentioned in this thread are still using the old style wood stringers put in place with a chopper gun. the glass boats i had my choices down to were vacum bagged and were totally composite in their construction. a bit more $$ but zero worries regarding eventual water penetration and rot. that will be one of the things you will have a very hard time investigating in a used glass boat with wooden stringer system.

but no matter what you do, its going to be a compromise so get used to living with the various shortcomings and just go fish!

[Michael Dunn]

What do you think of this for $2500?
Actually belongs to a freind of mine that commuted from Bainbridge to the locks in it for a few years. Has a different motor on it nowI guess. He built the house.
I'd need to get my own trailer.
C:\Documents and Settings\Dennis\Desktop\Toms Boat.jpg

[Michael Dunn]

Crap. Can't seem to attach the photo he sent me.
The boat is a 19 Southern Skimmer that he built his own house on. It looks really well done. 90 Horse o.b. and not exactly what I was lookin for but could fit the bill.


What do you think of this for $2500?
Actually belongs to a freind of mine that commuted from Bainbridge to the locks in it for a few years. Has a different motor on it nowI guess. He built the house.
I'd need to get my own trailer.
C:\Documents and Settings\Dennis\Desktop\Toms Boat.jpg

[D3Smartie]

what do you want to use this boat for?

[Michael Dunn]

Try again.

[frankrutledge]

It looks fine, but I'm not sure (of course) how sea worthy it is. It's sort of a hybrid Whaler and fishing boat. What I see it doesn't have is a deep, or somewhat deep hull to combat ferry and other fishing vessel wakes. The fact that your standing in a shallow boat, but in a home made cock pit make me wonder if it's not a little dangerous. a sort of false sense of security. I'd try for something that was built to be what it was, by an engineer, taken care of, powered by motors that where taken care of, and a trailer too. I wouldn't settle for something that is home made.
Good luck on your moving the in-laws.
F.

[D3Smartie]

havin seen Tom;s boat A LOT, i would say its a decent boat for the sound. Any rough weather and you arent going fishing though IMO. He has taken it across in some rough stuff though.
The cabin is well built so i wouldnt worry about that part too much. A good fly fishing boat and one i wouldnt worry about beaching on a gravel beach.

[Michael Dunn]

what do you want to use this boat for?

Fishing the sound. I live on Vashon and would be primarily fishing Dalco/Pont Defiance.