aluminum boat options

dep

dep

Life of the Party
hello folks:

I plan to be in the market soon for an aluminum boat to fish the salt water, plus rivers - mainly the Columbia, and I would like some feedback.
My basic needs:

18'-20' foot
prefer an outboard
based on my budget (20-25K), the hull is going to be early 2000's, but with a newer outboard

from there, I am weighing my options: open boat with tiller or boat with a windshield.
obviously pro's and con's with both setups.

There is usually a good inventory available via Craigslist (a lot are in Oregon).
I am seeing boats with a center console and they look like a good option - so I would really like to hear your stories on these.

I appreciate your input.

dp (Dave)
 
I think 18-20 foot you can get away with having a center console, and have plenty of floor space. But, it really depends on the type of fishing you plan on doing, like exclusively fly fishing, or going to put down riggers and troll? Do you need/want to get out of the weather?

I think a center console will provide a good all around boat for the fair weather fisherman and great for fly fishing. But, if you are going to be fishing in snotty weather and want to sit under cover, you might consider a boat with a dual console, walk through window, and canvas top.

There is a sweet alumaweld 18 foot sport skiff with a center console I had my eye on up in Anacortes. I'd personally would opt for a center console, I'm not going to fish in the snotty weather, not that die hard.
 
weather protection aside, a tiller set-up provides more floor space if consistently fishing with two or more anglers besides yourself, conversely, a center console when fishing primarily alone or with one other makes for ease of operation and improved operator visibility. The mentioned Alumaweld sport skiff, or one similar, with it's generous entry V, wide beam and high sides would check all the boxes. Whatever you get make sure it's HP is right there at the max rating, the list is long of boat owners wishing they had more, not less, HP from their outboard.
 
Just got a 20' Alumaweld Stryker and wouldnt go any smaller, a friend had an 18' Stryker and was definitely a smaller dance floor!

I went with the Styker for the weather protection, sun just as much as the rain, maybe more, lol.
 
Alumaweld tiller operated boat would be great. They make one called Columbian I think. A flat bottom and then the SuperVee. I’m Not sure which is best for your application.

to my eye, they start to look like huge behemoth boats that require a lot of horsepower. I’m sure I’d get use to it though 🤣
 
I have a 20' Wooldrige Sport Offshore tiller. I prefer the open setup for mooching and fly fishing. Some things to consider driving from the back. Going slow you need to stand and drive to see over the bow. I don't mind this as I stand to drive most of the time. Any wind from the side and your getting wet. Sometimes that means rain gear when it's 80 degrees. The longest run I have made is an hour but holding on to the motor is going to be more fatiguing if you're making long runs. One of the positives is the ride is better in the back. Even in a deep V a metal boat is going to beat the shit out of you. Lastly I feel like I have more control of the boat with a tiller. The steering wheel somehow dampens the feel of the boat.
 
I'd go with 20' and the biggest motor you can if going over the bar and fishing salt is the plan.

Windshield vs not is personal preference. I have my 16 footer I use for local Columbia work and love the tiller with open layout. It's perfect for everything I do out here. Plus, my mother in law HATES it, so that gets me out of a lot of things I don't want to do. A few years ago I had a 20' Hewes open and did enjoy it, but once I get to the bigger sizes, I like a windshield boat. My windshield boat now is fiberglass and is exclusively for ocean work.

As far as layout, helm location, tiller vs helm, etc... that's going to depend on a lot of factors. If fly fishing is in the plans, go as open as possible. If you are doing much casting of any kind, open is good. If it's all trolling, then a fully covered helm and windshield is hard to beat.

You can find good boats from all manufacturers, just going to take some time to find exactly what you want. Don't "settle" for one with a throw-away motor unless you're ready to repower. Don't know how many friends I've warned about the "good deal" boat with an old Johnson two smoker they said they could get by with until they could afford new power. Lots of "I told ya so" situations.

Alumaweld will typically be your least expensive option as they usually use less expensive materials and thinner sheet aluminum. That said, they'll do everything the other boats will, just might rattle a bit more or other such slight discomforts.
 
all great info - exactly what I was looking for. I've been a guest on a few aluminum boats, so I understand the basics.
not going to be doing any fly fishing (I got other boats for that) or going over any bars (that's what Charter boats are for).
this boat will be for salmon meat fishing - down riggers, rod holders, bait (oh my) and getting dirty. typically spring, summer and fall.
my current 18 foot open bow Larson with a 140 suzuki needs to go away (I just replaced the ECU on it). its been a very good boat for me the past 15 years. It will be for sale soon - anyone? anyone?
I also totally agree with the motor horsepower and age.
I need turn key ready. rain gear is not a problem.

keep the thoughts coming, if there are any more. I am just kicking the tires right now. there is a center console 19' Willies with a jet pump on Craigslist right now (in Oregon of course) that has my eye but still hasn't sold. has my curiosity up.

thanks-dp
 
dep said:
all great info - exactly what I was looking for. I've been a guest on a few aluminum boats, so I understand the basics.
not going to be doing any fly fishing (I got other boats for that) or going over any bars (that's what Charter boats are for).
this boat will be for salmon meat fishing - down riggers, rod holders, bait (oh my) and getting dirty. typically spring, summer and fall.
my current 18 foot open bow Larson with a 140 suzuki needs to go away (I just replaced the ECU on it). its been a very good boat for me the past 15 years. It will be for sale soon - anyone? anyone?
I also totally agree with the motor horsepower and age.
I need turn key ready. rain gear is not a problem.

keep the thoughts coming, if there are any more. I am just kicking the tires right now. there is a center console 19' Willies with a jet pump on Craigslist right now (in Oregon of course) that has my eye but still hasn't sold. has my curiosity up.

thanks-dp
Click to expand...
How you going to fish the salt (from your original post) without crossing a bar?

As far as a jet pump: I'd stick with props. Unless you plan to run up the Cowlitz a bunch, there's really no advantage to a pump. A prop will get you everywhere you need to go in the Columbia.
 
Evan B said:
How you going to fish the salt (from your original post) without crossing a bar?
Click to expand...
According to listed location, @dep is the opposite of your situation. Salt adjacent (south sound), drives to fish the Columbia.
 
Josh said:
According to listed location, @dep is the opposite of your situation. Salt adjacent (south sound), drives to fish the Columbia.
Click to expand...
Ah, right. I had thought Sound as well, but I don't know too many people who do both Sound and Columbia, thus making sure.
 
yes, I fish the sound - typically areas 9,10 and 11. and usually from July - September. I spend most of my early spring and the fall fly fishing.
I would pull the boat to central Columbia River locations such as Vernita, Richland, Wenatchee and as far as Wells dam and up to Brewster. I don't know the lower river at all (hint, hint - take me fishing!)
I appreciate you Evan.

thanks fellas
 
dep said:
yes, I fish the sound - typically areas 9,10 and 11. and usually from July - September. I spend most of my early spring and the fall fly fishing.
I would pull the boat to central Columbia River locations such as Vernita, Richland, Wenatchee and as far as Wells dam and up to Brewster. I don't know the lower river at all (hint, hint - take me fishing!)
I appreciate you Evan.

thanks fellas
Click to expand...
Doesn’t sound like anywhere you need a jet for, but I don’t know the central Columbia at all.
I like center console boats for that sort of fishing, so long as you can stand comfortably when running. Better visibility than with a tiller or a walk through windscreen.
 
yep, that's a nice setup. Seattle to Bend is a Long haul.
not ready to pull the trigger yet.
 
Be patient and you will find what you want, it worked for me even though I wasn't ready to pull the triger, it was to good to pass up!
 
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