A good evening to all of you. I would be interested in hearing from anyone who has experience with Tiderunner boats. I test drove their 195 model today and it was real nice, although a little short on room. I am on the edge of purchasing a Wooldridge 20 foot Offshore Super Sport, but I thought I would give a glass boat a go. I fish salt, lakes, and the Columbia and the Wooldridge looks like a great boat. I test drove it on Lake Washington last week on some chop and it does pound a little with that 16 degree deadrise compared to the Tiderunners 24 degree deadrise. But it handled the waves just fine.

At any rate a lot of compromises have to be made. Just interested in some opinions. You all have been very helpful in the past.

Thanks.

Mike

I dont own i tiderunner yet, but i have spent some time in them. I cant believe how stable they feel in rough water. I had the 19 of westport a few times last year, it was great running in the swell and it fished really well in heavy chop. Ive had the same experience in a 16' there. If you are thinking of fishing any rough water id recommend one.

Mike- I've had 2 Tiderunners thru the the years- an 18' and a 22'. Both were excellent boats for stability and for ease of fishing. I looked at the new Palmer versions the other day and found the craftmanship to be lacking-The trim was poorly done on the boat I looked at- this is not a show stopper but the one thing I didn't like was the abscence of a drain hole in the fish box. It is not removable, which means everytime it is used you will have to use a sponge to clean it and wipe it dry.

I can't speak highly enough about Wooldridge boats. Can't tell you how they compare to Tiderunners--don't think you really CAN compare aluminum to glass anyway. But sure loved my Wooldridge.

The only major thing I don't like about my Tiderunner is that the sides aren't high enough. Whether you have inexperienced fisherman or kids in the boat trying to fight fish, they need the higher sides to lean against. Now the new Palmer boats may have higher sides, I haven't got to check them out that close, but they are great boats for the sound a the lower CR. I've even taken it across the bar at Westport and Illwaco but you got to make sure you do it in ideal conditions. They definately are not the most sea worthy big water boats out there but very reliable.

Thanks for the replies, I appreciate it. Mike

Mike,

I own one of the new Palmer models that they just re-did. I have the 190 without the extended motor bracket. I can't say enought about the ride with these boats. They will outdue any aluminum or Arima out there. I just had mine up at Sekiu last week and it takes the chop and ground swells excellent. My buddies both have Arima's and Hewes Craft. You get beat up compared to this boat.

You will need to put a set of trim tabs on the boat if you plan to have a kicker motor mounted. Palmer will do this for you, if you choose.

The fish boxes do come out, there are two deep trayed fish boxes that can be removed.

I recently purchased a 1989 19'6" Tiderunner (from an ad on this board). I haven't had it long, but the early report is I LOVE IT!. Seems to handle rough water VERY well - I don't even notice waves up to about 2' when I'm cruising.

I also love the design - the builders devoted a lot less space to the walkaround portion of this boat, and more to the cockpit and cabin. It has the roomiest cuddy cabin I have seen in a boat of similar size. The sides are plenty high inside and out - plenty of freeboard, and plenty of height for fighting fish or for keeping kids safe. I don't know how the new Palmers compare. I have heard that they are using the old Tiderunner molds, and I heard from somebody else that they burned all the old molds. Who knows.

It does have a tendency to rock and roll a bit side to side, and is quite sensitive to weight distribution side to side. I would say trim tabs are a must.