I hope everyone is having a good evening. I am considering buying a 20' Wooldridge Sport Off Shore boat. I like to fish Puget Sound, The Strait of Juan De Fuca, Haro Straight, and the big lakes. So I am hoping it can handle some rough water, at least long enough to get back in.

If any of you have any experience with this boat and can let me know your thoughts I would appreciate it.

Mike,
I think Steelheaddude has a Wooldridge sport for sale in the classifieds on this site.Not sure if its the size or exact model your looking for but you should check it out.Great looking boat in the pictures.

Mike,
I think the 20 footer would be a good all around boat for what you want to do. I think they are great boats. I want the 17' or 20' sport with jet.

And I'm not just saying that 'cause my brother makes the boat tops for Wooldridge.

My bud has one of those, with a 25" 225 Yami on it no less, and he takes it out to Swiftshure and can hit 50 MPH in it. Pretty much all the boat you need for sure.

Wooldridge makes a fine boat, been down to see the operation in person, and they make a first-rate river boat. However, given that you want to fish big saltwater, why would you get a river boat tweaked to make it more ocean-friendly (16-degree deadrise, Wooldridge's steepest) instead of getting an ocean boat? Don't get me wrong, I almost bought a Wooldridge Deep Water, but it really is a river boat in ocean boat's clothing.

If you are stuck on aluminum, look at the Almar Sounder. This is a purpose-built ocean boat -- 20/24 degree deadrise, upswept bow, cabin, etc. I don't know how much you are wanting to spend, but the Almar is definitely spendy. Wooldridge ain't cheap either, though. I cringe when I see what guys spend to get into an aluminum saltwater boat, and I reckon how much more fiberglass boat they could have gotten for their money. I'm guessing you could get into a nicely rigged Seaswirl Striper 2101 Walkaround OB for what that Wooldridge will cost, and the Striper is a full 12" wider and has a deeper V.

We still have that boat and it's still for sale. She just sit's in the garage and collects dust..
Finegrain... There's much much more to how a boat ride's, handles and performes than just the deadrise

Thanks for all of the information, I really appreciate it. I was wondering about that 16" deadrise in the middle. At the Sportsman's show they had the offshore priced at just over 23K, which included the 115 Honda. I was impressed with the boat, seemed strong. All of the fiberglass boats that would be comparable where priced somewhat higher. I am going to visit the factory and take it for a test ride. At any rate I am going to continue looking. Hoping to buy by late Spring. Once again I appreciate the help.

Steelhead Dude, I will check out your boat on the classifieds. I think I saw it when I checked last week, but it was more of a river boat with a jet, but I will check again.

So many boats, so little money, and a big need to get out on the salt.

I would also look at Alumiweld, North River and Hewes. Go for a ride in rough water with at least 3 of the 4 to get an idea of what kind of boat they are. I would not buy a boat without a built in fish box in the rear of the boat. Trying to load a fish into a box in the front of the boat where you have to open the wind shield, is crazy in rough sea's. We put fish goo on everything from the back to the front of the boat, not to mention we also bruised the fish and ourselves.

Take a look at the northriver seahawk it is an awesome saltwater boat and designed for fisherman with a huge fishbox in the floor it rides awesome and has high sides and a wide beam just my 2 cents

look at the ACB boats in bellingham and the stabil-craft for down under . I rode in the 24 ft ACB and their is no softer riding boat on the water then it. It not only cut thru waves it settles in to them like a pillow.

Those acb boats are sweet but they are VERY!!!! EXPENSIVE I mean really expensive

make sure you give the Hewescraft Sea Runner a good look. Great boats for the salt. Wooldridge does make some fine boats.

Not sure as iIdo not know these boats but this hull seems like it may be close.


http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=31270&item=2459014246

2001 Harbercraft welded aluminum boat w/ tlr
Vehicle Description

This is a brand new 19' 2001 leftover Harbercraft welded Aluminum boat w/ Ez-Loader trailer. It performs well with either a prop or jet equipped o/b. It has a 16 degree "V" bottom. It was sent back to the factory and had new carpets, seats, and decals last year. It looks great! Call 1-888-676-8020, or 1-360-815-2999 cell for more info. Has full 15 year factory warranty. Check out www. harbercraft.com for construction details.

Once again thanks for all of the help. That is why I like this site. You have a lot of experience to draw on right at your finger tips. I will be exploring all of those options. Also, pretty well out of the ocean model, looking at the Deepwater, unless I go for another boat. Hard to balance quality, money, etc. Thanks again.

before i get accused of it, i'm gonna be upfront... i love aluminum boats and am highly biased. i own an almar sounder, and make it a point to check out the other aluminum boats when i see them on the docks or on their trailers.

first, you will get more for your money going with aluminum than fiberglass (almar did some runs on a stock sounder that were much cheaper than comparable fiberglass boats.) of course, there are some great deals on used fiberglass boats that with a repower will give you a ton of boat for your money.

when you're doing a test run on these boats, check not only how they run in rough water, but how they rest in rough water (you will be fishing, not cruising in your boat). i've seen the acb's mentioned and they look pretty cool... but for fishing they are way too narrow imo and the finishing is terrible (at least on the ones i've seen).

check out the types of aluminum boats used by people who work them... you find very few of the well known stock boats being used hard. for a less-expensive option, pacific skiffs are pretty nice boats, and offer better fishing configurations imo.

chris

Thanks Chris, that is real helpful information. I am going to be checking out Almar. Never thought to check the boat out idle in rough water, good point. I will also find Pacific Skiffs. I am sold on Aluminan boats for all the reasons you mentioned. Once again I appreciate the help. Mike

I run the Wooldridge Sport 2000 with a 150 merc jet. This boat is in the salt water more than the fresh, I would recommend the super sport- or the off shore model If you do not plan on needing a jet. I would also go with the suspention seats with any boat you decide on. I have them in mine and would never not have them.

P.S. Pacific SKiff or Cold water boat's are in the business park on the south end of Marysville.

I believe Tom Nelson of Salmon University fishes out of a similar boat and has lots of experience on the types of water you mentioned. He speaks frequently around the Puget Sound area and I'm guessing would be a good source of information.