I have been looking for the best combination of powerboat for river steelhead and decent rough water characteristics for salmon on the sound. Thinking moderate (12 degree?) jet...any suggestions or experience. I am thinking 2-3 yrs old and under 20k.
Hope this doesn't turn into a war, just looking for ideas.
Thanks.

been looking for simiular boats for awhile, though more for sound and lakes than rivers. Really like the fishrite, alumaweld, willie and hewescraft boats i've seen. Think I will wait alittle longer to save more pennies so I can get the one I want. Used aluminum are tough to find, but check out 3 rivers marine web site and stevens marine web site. 3 rivers marine stevens marine

I've got a 19' Custom Weld. Mine came with a 115hp outboard prop, and it has an 11 degree hull in the back.

If I were to buy the boat over again, I'd make sure it had air ride seats, those boats are so stiff, and with an 11 degree hull you get the [Bleeeeep!] beat out of you on choppy days... get the air ride seats...

I love my boat, though... there's a couple of things I've changed and made custom, and a couple more that I still hope to change, but it's a good all-around boat... I've used it in the Lewis, Cowlitz, Columbia, and extensively in Puget Sound, Sekiu, Barkley Sound, Quatsino Sound, all the way out to about 6 miles into the open Pacific, halibut fishing.

-N.

goforchrome, Check out Three Rivers Marine in Woodinville. They can help you out. Good guys to deal with .

Goforchrome, you are on the right track with the compromise 12 degree V up front in the hull. When tapered toward a 3 to 5 dgree V at the back, preferably with the flat 3'X 12" 'shoe' at the back of the hull bottom, you will have a relatively smooth ride out in the bay yet be able to run the shallow rivers when used with a jetpump. The 2 most prominent examples of that are the superb Willie Preditor V sled, and the Alumiweld Super Vee Pro. They both come in windsheild and open models. Other good brands with this type of multi-purpose boat are Northriver, Wooldridge, Hewes, Motion Marine, Duckworth, and many others. They all have evolved into very good all around boats. ...

For river use, such as up the Skykomish or Cowlitz, I strongly recommend you not go deeper than a 12 degree front V. Such as a 16 degree will be more prone to over-steer going up river against currents. And they are more difficult to keep in line when backtrolling them. ...

You live in Redmond it says? In the Seattle metro area there should be a steady flow of late model used good sleds in the big papers, Boat Trader monthly mag at mini-market stands, and at used boat lots. In addition to checking for weld cracks in the hull (especially around the chine), be SURE to have a good independant mechanic do a compression test on all the cylinders of the large jet motor. Then do a test run out on the water where they can listen to the motor. A good mechanic can tell of possible probs just by listening to them - except the all important compression test. ... Good luck.

RT

Hey there--

I'm running an Alumaweld Stryker 17' that has a 10 degree vee and is supposed to be good in the rivers. I haven't run mine in anything but lakes and the salt.

First, I think the tiller Stryker model is now the Super Pro LS while the windshield, forward control version is still the Stryker.

RT suggests a flatter deadrise for use in the rivers, but that is likely to beat the stuffing out of you in the salt. My boat with a 10 degree is plenty uncomfortable in the right kind of water-- not really rough stuff but chop. It's not so bad at the stern, but passengers get bounced. On the plus side, this is a great rough-water boat being very stable and seaworthy. I've had it out in some nasty water in the western Strait that scared me-- afterwards.

I really like my boat,but there are some things I would (and likely will change) that are minor and specific to the use I give it.

However, I'm not sure how well this boat would work with a pump because the weight I have on the stern now-- 50 and 6 hp Yamaha four-strokes-- affect the ride adversely. I know that I can't trim the boat to get the best ride without it porpoising in certain kinds of water. It's not a fatal flaw, but it's one that you need to be aware of.

Whatever you do, don't look at Wooldridge...you'll just get depressed. I've been looking at Alumawelds and all others mentioned here. I looked at Wooldridge the other day and they are awesome. Their 17ft boat is huge compared to others and built like a gunship. The downer, they are expensive and won't fit through my garage door. 90" beam!!! on a 17 foot boat. Wow.

Funny....Wooldridge was at the top of my list...

Take your ugly sister (Woolridge) or the prom queen to the dance. They'll both dance, but who do you want to be seen dancing with.
When performance isn't the difference, which I don't believe it is in this case, I'd be looking at something other than Woolridge. I think my 19 1/2 Willie Predator with 115 Merc four stroke pump will perform as well as any in the places you've described. Plus, the dance is a real pleasure.

Agree with kjackson,the Stryker is a good compromise in price,quality and all around use.
The Stryker cannot match a Willie predator,Hewescraft sportsman or Custom Weld but it's solid boat. Weak points in 98 were a riveted and glued splashwell and open bow with no side drains. These were easily fixed.
Price new with 50hp 4stroke merc.,full top inc.backdrop,ezloader trailer was 14,500. Add about 3000$ for a kicker,2seats,depthfinder and other goodies this was all my budget could take.
Whether to spend this on a new boat or used boat was a tough choice,time will tell.

You cant go wrong with a NorthRiver! Handles like a Porche and has the best looking lines on the market. Air ride seats are a must and worth every penny. Im sure you could find a used 19' at that price range.

Check out www.ifish.net and do a search on North River. There is a post that has HUNDREDS of replys and great info on several boats.
Good luck

In a word, WOOLDRIDGE! What an awsome boat. I own a 1999 Alaskan II (20 ft with 8ft beam). I love this boat. Have had it in the sound and the rivers, SKY and Cowlitz. It has tons of room, plenty of storage, a great anchor system, and the 150 Johnson has plenty of power. True, this boat doesn't care for the 1 1/2 to 2 ft chop when a southerly blows up, but you will never get the best of both worlds without a compromise someplace. The Wooldrige tunnel allows this boat to corner without a hint of rear end slide...What a dream to run!

Goforchrome........ That sounds like my boat. Im trying to sell it, E-mail me if you are serious. I will fish you a day, and you can decide for yourself!!