NEED HELP IN BOAT SELECTION

[mickcermak]

Hey all,

I'm looking at a new boat - from Minnesota - been out here 2 years and its time. Left my deep V and river boat in MN with family. 50% of my time is skinny water rivers or larger rivers, 25% lakes (sammamish, eastern washington, potholes, etc) and the remaining 25% on the sound. Its tough to solve for all of those uses.

After lots of research I'm leaning towards a alumaweld free drifter or Koffler Power Drifter - each with between 6 and 8 degree deadrise and a jet. I really don't want to eliminate fishing the Sky, Cowlitz, etc so I think a jet and lower deadrise is a must but I also want to fish the sound from time to time. I fish primarily w. my 6 year old son so I'm not fishing the real shitty weather so I don't mind being selective on when I can and cannot fish the sound.

Any thoughts? People out there with a free drifter or similar style boat that fish the sound - what's your experience been?

Appreciate the help!

Mick

[Bodofish]

As long as you leave yourself an out when on the sound, like not getting tow far from the launch that's a great choice. The sides are high enough so it shouldn't be a problem anywhere. Have a look at the River Hawks too.

[Larry3215]

I agree. You wont be happy if you wait till the wind comes up and it gets rough, but you should be fine on nice days.

Were out yesterday and it was like glass most of the time.

[mickcermak]

Thanks guys...just curious what you guys run in the sound? And any better ideas for something that can be all-purpose?

[BARCHASER10]

18' North River Seahawk prop boat. Been a good boat for me but sometimes I wish I had a sled. Biggest boat I could still get in my garage, my 5th trlr boat. Sounds like you know what you want. Its always a compromise. The way these runs in the Sound are going, I'm beginning to wonder if any 30K+ fishing boat is a good idea.

[Larry3215]

Yeah, boats are always a compromise. Ive got a 'Northwest style' 20' Smokercraft aluminum. My two brothers and I are all old fat guys, so we needed the room. It wont do skinny water, but its good for every where else we want to go.

[sickbayer]

Absolutely a compromise, sound like you need the boat I just bought. Super pro v 20 river hawk, unbelievable bang for buck compared to other sleds.

[sickbayer]

I ended up with this one after comparing it to duck worth and alumaweld , price alone was enough but when you factor in seats on sliders, in floor storage fish box, anchor box gee I could go on. Also people I emails asking about them all said the same (they had 18 and 16' versions of the boat) rides unbelievably well in chop and many use them for crabbing.
The boat is at cabalas in Tulalip I'm picking it up after I get back from Maui. Since this is river hawk first year of production of these boats you wont see one at a dealer yet. If you wanna go look at mine do it. You be doing a disservice to yourself by not checking it out. It does not look wide in pictures but it has a 92" beam and 32" sides.and it only weighs 1050lb add the engines and nearly every car,suv can tow it.

[mickcermak]

thanks for the feedback guys - the RH is a nice looking boat. I can't find much info on the Super V. I'll have to run up to Tulalip

[sickbayer]

The super pro v just come out. The pro v 14,16 and 18 are all the same except length. http://Www.RHboats.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; has info but very little on super pro v.