Thinking of buying a new or used 23-24 foot sled in the next 6 months. I was just looking for input from some of the guys who own them. I would like to get something that will fish at least 4 anglers while sidedrifting, also would like something that could be occasionally used in Puget Sound for trolling and trolling the Columbia as well. Can you save alot of money buying the boat and then powering it or is it best to go with a ready to fish model. I really like the Willie Predator. Thanks for the input in advance.-TBJ

Koffler.....

Keith

Personally if I were to get a sled that big it is hard to beat a Super Vee PRO. On the other hand I own a 22ft Thor and think it fishes as good as any boat I have ever been in. I havent been in a 23 or 24 Koffler but Stldr1s 20.6 koffler is as good if not better then any boat out there as far as tracking and shallow water.

Koffler
Thor
Alumaweld
Willie

Wooldridge... unless you want another cookie cutter boat

Might consider purchasing your main and kicker in OR and installing yourself or having it done seperately. I beleive in WA you pay tax & license fees on the entire amount of the vessel. So if your vessel's value does not include the expense of the motors you will save... and on top of that you won't pay tax on motors purchased in OR

Just looked at the Kofflers. Nice. I have'nt looked at the Custom builts but have heard really good things about them too.

You cannot beat a Super Vee Pro. My 23 will fish anywhere up to 6 guys comfortably.

Love my Wooldridge. Can go anywhere in it.

TBJ,

Friend of mine has a North River who'd be up for a demo for ya.

http://www.northriverboats.com/boatmodels/modeloverview/4

A boat ride demo or a fishing trip demo? heh heh. I can get new Yamahas at cost for this particular venture so I am likely going to get them seperatly, that is if I dont find a fairly new rtf model somewhere.-T

I don't think you can go wrong with ANY of the well-known manufacturers boats personally.

Alumaweld
North River
Willie
Wooldridge
Koffler
Fish Rite

Lot's of others out there too.

buddy has a 23 supervee pro, man that boat is sweet. cant beat it.

U shuld getta reely big lowde one (

im startun to wury ubout my favriet spun n spiner kumpny

Don't forget tp check out the Duckworths....I've fished out of em and they are really nice.....

Does anybody want to say what the bow rise degree indicates?
How about inboards such as the Merc 150?

I've seen jet motors on standard hull designs which seems to defeat the purpose of wanting a jet motor cuz the hull isn't made for shallow water. I would assume the flatter hull are less stable in rough water.

If I get a sled I'd want to be able to take it in salt water as well. Alumaweld Predators and NR Scouts seem to have versatile hull designs. What about the adapter I've seen to change from prop to jet drive?

Thanks for the information, Mikey the Iraqi soon to be milkbottleMikey again........

I have had both 23 Alumaweld Super Vee pros in 6 and 10 degree bottoms. The 6 is the easiest to run on Rivers such as the Cowlitz and Lewis for side-drifting. Put a Bay kit on it and it runs somewhat ok on the Big C while being as little poundy.

The 10 degree was a way better riding Big C boat but horrible for side-drifting. Spent my whole day on the kicker keeping the boat fishing.

Now that the Cowlitz after this summer is going to the dogs for summer fishing I am going back to the 10 degree boat as I will be spending more timeon the Big C in the summer.

Realistically a guy needs 4 boats but fanacially thats hard to do.

Well put J and L

Test drive sleds with the jet tunnel and without and then make your choice. Personally, I wouldn't buy another sled without the tunnel, it gives you great handling and super shallow capabilities. I have had a 22` Wooldridge open guide classic tiller and have now a 17`6 Alaskan center console open. Definitely top notch handling and a great feeling of going anywhere. I have also owned a 23' Super vee with a 6 degree bottom and it was a great fishing machine for sure, just not the handling abilities I like, although you do get used to controlling your slide around corners after a while.

My next boat coming next summer will be a 20`6 or 23' Alaskan 2, open tiller, with the E-tec for the main.

Have fun.