Buying a Boat

There's no better time to save BIG $$$

Than late fall and into Winter

Back to SportsmanShow.net                                               © By John L. Beath 

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The west coast is a boaters paradise--but only for those who own a boat or have access to one.  If you don't have access to a boat, ownership should be carefully considered.

What kind of boat should you buy?

What size and style should you consider?

Hopefully I can help you solve the  "What do I buy? boat blues."  Many boat buyers are searching for a multi-purpose boat.  By evaluating your needs you can find the right boat to suit your needs.  A few questions you should ask yourself can save you time and lots of money in the long run. 

 For instance:  Are you going to use your boat in the lake, river or saltwater, or maybe a combination of the three?

Are you going to water-ski, fish, or cruise?

Do you want a boat big enough to sleep on?

What kinds of fishing are you going to do and how often?

Are you going to moor your boat or trailer it?

Do you have a car or truck to pull the boat you intend to buy?

Are there adequate launches where you plan to fish?

 These questions are easy to ask, but not so easy to answer.  Most first time boat buyers don't know what they want, or what's possible with each individual boat. 

Considering the complexity of the questions, it boggles the mind to consider the many possible answers.  The following examples are only guidelines to begin with--nothing is written in stone.  Use common sense and knowledge gained from your research to help you determine the right boat for you! 

If you plan on fishing small lakes for trout or pan fish an 8 to 12 foot boat should suffice.   Boats in this size class are made of wood, fiberglass, plastic, rubber and aluminum.  Any one of these will do the job nicely.  However, to be repetitive, you should match your needs to the style and size of boat you purchase.

If you don't have a truck to haul your boat with, an inflatable boat might fit the bill.   Or you could buy a trailer to haul your boat.   Most small cars are capable of towing small to medium sized boats with the proper hitch (this will be covered later.) 

 If you duck hunt you might consider a flat-bottom "John" boat.  The standard 12 foot aluminum semi-vee hull is by far the most popular style of small boat.  I highly recommend buying used when buying a boat in this size class--you can save a bundle.

Finding a boat in the 14 to 20 foot class can be a horrendous undertaking to say the least.   One old saying may help you choose the length of boat to buy in this size class.  "The bigger the boat, the bigger the water."  This simply means if you plan on year-round fishing in nasty weather and water conditions think big, (17 feet and above.)  

 Several more questions need to be asked to determine the right boat for you.

How much money can you spend?

Is your car or truck large enough to pull a boat in this size class?

Do you mainly salmon fish in saltwater or steelhead in the rivers?

  If you mainly salmon fish in saltwater it might be to your advantage to shop for a boat with a deep-vee hull style.  This style of boat is capable of pulling water skiers, provided they have an adequate-sized motor for the task.  They can also be used in large deep rivers such as the Columbia, lower Skagit, and the Snohomish to name a few. If you plan on water-skiing a lot you might consider a bow-rider.  If you want a place for the family to duck out of the weather, or use a porta-potty, you might consider a cuddy cabin.      

 How do you fish for salmon?

 This question can further complicate the boat buying process.  If you mainly troll, any 14 to 20 footer properly equipped with a trolling motor will do the job on the inland waters (Puget Sound region), weather permitting.  If you're a die-hard moocher, jigger, or bottom fishermen you will want to consider a boat that offers fishing from stern to bow, (i,e, center consoles, pilot houses, bow riders, or fully open style boats.)  

 Steelhead fishermen have very difficult decisions to make when choosing a boat.  Should you buy a flat-bottom sled equipped with a jet-pump on the motor?  Or should you compromise benefits gained (the ability to run in extremely shallow water) from a flat-bottom boat so that you can use your boat in the saltwater?  Many flat-bottom jet sled owners do take their boats in the saltwater.   There are some disadvantages that should not be overlooked; A jet-pump motor doesn't respond as positively as a prop motor.  Wind and currents make it more difficult to maneuver, and the flat bottom gives an extremely rough ride.

 Several boat manufactures offer dual-purpose jet-sleds.  This style of boat has a slight semi-vee.  These boats won't be able to run in extreme shallow water like a flat-bottom sled.  However it can be used in saltwater  too.  You will have a smoother ride but not as much control as a prop motor. This brings to mind another option, a semi-vee sled set up for an outboard motor.  You simply purchase a standard prop type outboard and a jet-pump.  When it's salmon season use the prop, when it's steelhead season remove the lower unit and bolt on the jet-pump!  Two boats for the price of a jet-pump, not a bad option.

 Boats in the 21 to 26 foot class are not cheap, even if you buy used.  Big boats, as stated earlier, handle big water.  They are more expensive to maintain, and you need a truck to pull them.  If you moor your boat you loose versatility, therefore we will concentrate on trailerable boats.

 Most of the big boats have deep-vee hulls and they're very heavy.  Because of this, big boats are without a doubt more comfortable to ride in, "a definite advantage."   Many boats in this size range have porta-potties, stoves, sinks, and ample room to sleep 2 to 4 adults.  

If you're a serious bottom fishermen who fishes Swiftsure for halibut, a big boat is a must.   Apply the same questions  previously asked to help you decide just how big of boat you need, and what style to purchase.

 Motors, I/O or outboard?  This is strictly preference, both are very efficient by today's standards.  Another old saying comes to mind when thinking of boat motors.  "The bigger the motor the more gas it takes to operate it."   I would advise buyers to not under power their boat however.  This mistake can cost more in the long run than buying the extra gas it takes to power a larger motor.  

 A good hitch can make the difference between pulling your 17 foot boat with your mid-sized car you already own or buying a truck.  Last time I checked it was cheaper to buy a good class 3 hitch than it was to buy a new or used truck.  A class 3 hitch will cost about $250.00 to $300.00 dollars.  This includes the hitch, installation, wiring and tax.  Please note: always check with the welding shop and or car dealership to make sure your car or truck's motor, running gear, and transmission will handle the task of pulling your new boat.  

In closing, it can't hurt to shop around and ask lots and lots of questions.  Don't be afraid to ask even the most obscure questions.  Warning:  Don't believe everything the sales person tells you.  Once you've narrowed the field, go to a busy boat launch and ask boat owners how they like their particular brand and style of boat.  Also ask what they don't like, this can be very helpful information.   

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