Boat Information/Advice for Beginners

[DanielOcean]

I need to learn a lot before I even start thinking of shopping for a boat, and willing to bet I am not alone. You can read a lot of simple articles like the one I found HERE. However, I want to hear from those that have the experience here locally. I think understanding boating would make me a better passenger too.
The primary knowledge I am seeking is that of the powered river boat variety. @Salmo_g I loved that boat we were on where you were able to change from simple outboard to oars. I have no idea what kind of boat that was but it was great. I see the boats that the guides are using on the Cow and I know those are super pricey but I want to understand them from a boat mechanic point of view.

So I would love to hear your knowledge and advice. Some simple questions to get the ball rolling.

1. What are the biggest mistakes that you see rookies make when they are in the early stages of boat ownership?
2. What are the things that you have learned that you would tell someone "stay away from that"
3. Do you have any resources that can be added to this thread that would benefit a beginner.
4. Hull types
5. Motor types

 

[Scudley Do Right]

What are you going to use it for?

 

[DanielOcean]

What are you going to use it for?

Rivers going up and down.

 

[Rob Allen]

Run as far and as fast as you can from any and all Force brand outboards..

 

[RCF]

The two best days of owning a boat:

The day you buy it and the day you sell it. In between it is expensive...

Buying a boat is like buying a bag of Frito Lay's. Bet you can not have just one...

 

[Matt B]

Rivers going up and down.

Which rivers and which parts of them?

 

[Bambooflyguy]

I’ve seen so many boats end up like hot tubs and motor homes......they get used a lot when “new” but after awhile they get used less and less especially if they need work. We owned a Toyota Sunraider motor home for 33 years, just sold it last year even though we retired last June. It sat taking space in the driveway, cost for insurance and tabs. My .02

 

[Evan B]

I've had great luck with the boats I've owned. Not money pits and used the hell out of all of them. Modern outboard motors have come a very long ways and are extremely reliable machines.

@DanielOcean look in to the Clack Power Drifter.

 

[DanielOcean]

This is my frustration. I google "River Boat" and I get ads for cruises. Lets try cowlitz river boat. Nope

 

[Evan B]

This is my frustration. I google "River Boat" and I get ads for cruises. Lets try cowlitz river boat. Nope

Have you Googled "Clack Power drifter?"

 

[DanielOcean]

This is cool to me What setup is this?

 

[Bambooflyguy]

Looks like a regular 14’ V bottom aluminum boat.

 

[Yard Sale]

Have you rowed rivers much yet? If not I'd suggest starting with a raft. If you have some experience but not much go for an aluminum drifter. Learn how to read rivers. Lear when you need to make moves and how big the moves are. Learn the waters you want to run. One thing about jet boats is you have to be on step(planing) to have any control. That means stuff happens fast when you are going downstream. Then while you are out there you can observe what kind of boats other people are running and narrow your search down a bit.

 

[DanielOcean]

I was advised to stay away from flat bottom cause they can drift on turns? You all agree?

 

[iggie]

They do drift in turns. With experience it can be used to advantage.
All boats have good and bad qualities.

 

[kerrys]

I was advised to stay away from flat bottom cause they can drift on turns? You all agree?

…and deep Vs are tippy. Also, a V hull can dig into a wave during a turn and cause a sudden lurch or broach. Every hull design has advantages and disadvantages. Some say a flat bottom can cause cavitation by trapping air under the boat and delivering that air to the motor. Likely more of an issue with jets than props. I tend to agree and think a modified V is a more efficient hull design for jets.

 

[Evan B]

 

[Stonedfish]

For the Cowlitz, I wouldn’t recommend a Bayliner…..or a jet ski.
SF

Morons & Water don’t mix: Is it time for a boating license?

How is it that we make kids wait until they’re nearly adults to get a drivers license but we let any moron who can afford a boat drive one? Just doesn’t make sense…especially when…

fishwithjd.com

 

[Mossback]

^This^

Although if I had to choose, I'd go with the Jetski...

 

[Scudley Do Right]

This is cool to me What setup is this?

I don't know much about rivers. I have taken a prop boat in the lower part of a river quite a bit. If go with something like that I'd put a mac's river runner on it. Keep the outboard unlocked so it can flip up. Also have an extra prop handy. If you do it long enough you're bound to clip something.