So, I've decided to buy a boat. I primarily intend to use the boat for fishing/crabbing (sound, lower snoho, maybe some lakes), but I've got a wife and two small kiddos too, so they'll want to tag along and do some tubing and whatnot sometimes too.

I'm looking in the 14-16 feet range for now (I know that when the kids get bigger, we may need a bigger boat). However, since I am a relatively inexperienced boater, I thought I'd seek advice from the great minds of PP.

So, any comments on pros/cons of the following:

http://seattle.craigslist.org/est/boa/5101940717.html

http://seattle.craigslist.org/est/boa/5108571061.html

I realize they aren't exactly apples to apples.

Thanks for any advice!

in general I am an advocate of 18-20 foot boats for a family of 4. its what I have and i can remember the kids sleeping under the walk around portion of the deck. it was about 2 feet deep and 2 feet high at 5 ft long section of the cuddy cabin.
that said i would pick the aluminum for your needs if they are the two options. a new boater needs to be able to access the front of his boat. and thats's tricky with the Arima. not that it cant be done, just tricky. as you are learning you will go to fast to docks, or logs to tie off to and you will want to avoid collisions. as you get more experienced you will use the motor to get your self out of those situations. but in the beginning you will have an urge to run to the front.... and some tides and river flows and wind combinations will frustrate you to no end and you will just want the boat, any part of it, back to the dock.
have fun figuring it out. and do not rush the decision.

Good info from cncfish, so true about access to the bow, especially for a first-timer!

You are going to hear a ton of people recommend that a bigger boat is always better. In some cases yes, in others it just isn't so. Things like storage, the place you will use it most and ability to captain the boat all come into play when deciding how much boat to get. We ended up with a 16.5' fish/ski set-up that has been great.

We were in a similar situtiaon as you earlier this year. We made the call to get our first boat, have two little kids that will be with us almost always when we are on the water and wanted something that was "all-around" in nature. Here are the things we decided were not negotiable:

Aluminum hull: Neither of us have experience running a boat, aluminum is more forgiving when it comes to beaching and approaching the dock too fast

Deep-v hull: The wife and kids are with me almost always, a smoother, drier ride is paramount for us. We didn't/don't need a boat that will run small rivers and weren't getting a jet

Weight: The boat has to trailer-able and not just by a 3/4-ton diesel. I have a Tacoma and plan on running to EWa to fish the big rivers and reservoirs over there, a 2,000 lb hull just wasn't going to work. We also wanted to be nimble and be able to run to any of the local PS lakes to dump in the boat

Top: Some sort of canvas-system for keeping the kids out of the sun is a must. I am sure it will be nice for rain when I am out fishing, but we haven't experienced that yet, only used it for shade

Ability to pull skier/tube: We ended up with a fish/ski boat that has a spot for a ski pole, haven't used it yet, but is s pretty slick set-up

Of course there are a ton of other things to consider, but for us during the purchase of our first family craft, the above were the most important for us. Good luck on your search, you won't regret it once you pull the trigger.

Thanks for the tips. I'm having trouble finding info on the Harbercraft 148 Chinook. Apparently they were bought by Kingfisher. Anyone familiar with this model/brand?

Well when buying used your buying a hull attached to a motor and it is the motor that can and likely will bust your butt. So is a search to find the hull you need with a GOOD motor. If your financing banks will only go so far back in years regardless if the motor is much newer and that is where the best prices reside. A good older hull with a newer motor. Folks cannot finance them so the price is lower.

Deep Vee is best but in aluminum used can be hard to find because most are 14 degree dead rise ( stern ) or less. 14 degrees is OK but below that your ride will suffer. 18 or better is best and in used boats the Thunderjet Luxor are around more than other brands. It makes a difference as I have a TJ Lux 20 and my brothers is a Duckworth Navigator, both have 150 hp motors, and in a run across the bay in 12 in to 18 in chop the Duck cannot stay with me and it is 14 degree dead rise.

Your on the right track searching around. Oh, Kingfishers are good boats but they are best well above the size your looking for. The smaller KF are not any better than a dozen other brands out and about. http://www.kingfisherboats.com/

Lots of good info by Chuck S, Rivrguy, cncfish, Beancounter.

It truly depends on how you want to spend time on the water, and where you want to go. A 14-16 boat is perfect for plenty of folks, but it depends on what you want to do.

There is a horror story of a Harbercraft boat on bloody decks or aluminum alloy boats, can't remember which. Might take a look. Don't know anything else about them, other than couple people very unimpressed with welds.

Nothing under 16'.......nothing over 20' for the first boat. lots of good opinions up top.Good luck,

SZ

I second the quality motor vote. Not absolute way to predict it but just keep in mind a 115 is probably approaching $10,000 new.
Also, I'd get an aluminum boat 17-20' with a windshield and above all else, a motor with fewish hours that has been maintained. Anything that has spent lots of time in the salt I would stay away from unless someone takes unusually good care. Look for corrosion signs.

I have owned many boats, started with a 12' moved up to a 16, then a 14, a 24, and now a 20'. I will say this: I think your minimum requirement should be an 18' especially if you plan to go out in the sound. You lose SO MUCH freedom of movement and BEAM width (stability) from a 16' to an 18'. I cannot count the number of days we have been out in the sound and it went from glass calm to 2-3 foot chop, back to glass calm; this generally occurs due to tidal current direction and the wind. If its blowing 10-15 kts and is following the tide/current, it will stay very calm. The second that tide changes and the wind is blowing over top of the current, it will quickly set up a 1-2 foot or more wind chop. 16' and under boats are "safe" in most conditions on the sound, but not very comfortable, especially for youngsters and/or with a large crew on board. The difference between a 16 and an 18 is like night and day in a chop, as well as with the amount of fishing and people space you will have.

If it is feesible as far as your storage requirments and budget, I will really keep your eyes out for an 18 footer. They are small enough to handle by yourself on and off the trailer, but large enough to feel safe and comfortable in most conditions. The cost associated with going from a 16' to an 18' should be fairly negligible depending upon what type layout platform you choose to go with.

I really appreciate all the pointers. Thanks.

Any thoughts on spectrum boats or Force motors?

http://seattle.craigslist.org/tac/boa/5126184552.html

"may the force be with you, and not behind you!"

X10; and probably older than MPM!

Think minimum 16 feet with plenty of free board for use on the Sound plus a reliable main motor and small kicker (or, gasp, oars). You do not want to be broken down and adrift with no way to reach the nearest beach. Kids might think it an adventure; wife not so much...

And, of course, the budget????

Fishing partner had two Force outboards, a main and a trolling motor. They weren't reliable. I wouldn't pay above the boat value on a package with a Force engine.

Any thoughts/comments on these?

http://skagit.craigslist.org/boa/5130659332.html

http://bellingham.craigslist.org/boa/5126830594.html

http://skagit.craigslist.org/boa/5131026687.html

I'm trying to stay under $5000 or so, but could go up a bit for the right bells and whistles (bimini/canopy, downriggers, good seats/layout, etc.)

I was kind of leaning toward that Pro Tracer 162 until your post, Chuck.

I've actually got a little Honda 4 stroke I can use as a kicker, so I'm not as concerned about the lack of a kicker/trolling motor, although the price should reflect that.

I'm not sure I see the downside of buying a 16' boat for now, with the understanding that I'll probably want to sell and go bigger in a few years. I'm not sure if an extra 3-4 years of use on 10-30 year old boats/motors/etc. will affect the resale value so much that I'll be losing a lot.

The Starcraft would be great, and has a better price, but I'm more concerned as to the condition. Haven't seen it in person yet.

Well, after looking at the Tracer and the Starcraft in person, I'm no longer considering the Starcraft (although it might be a good buy for someone willing to put a few hours into cleaning it up), and seriously considering the Tracer.

MPM, you are getting some good advice here. If you are definitely getting a boat, there is nothing wrong with getting a 16'. Most importantly, you'll find out if you actually use the boat or not. If you do, you'll decide very quickly that you need/want something bigger. If you don't use it, and it hasn't broken down, then you can sell it and move on without much of a loss. Regardless of the boat, I think you just need to be aware of a couple of things. First, you are buying at the worst time of the year. Everything you're looking at would be $1000 cheaper if it wasn't July/August. Who wouldn't want a boat in this weather? Things feel different in the winter when the boat is taking up garage space or sitting outside getting rain and leaves on it all winter. Second, like any well used car, if the motor goes, so does the value and functionality of the boat. So, just be aware of what you'll do if the motor craps out. Fix it? Repower with new motor? Repower with used motor? Sell the boat without a motor? In any of these situations, the original math goes bad in a hurry. It is how lawn ornaments are born and marriages get ugly.

My advice would be to wait. Find something in late fall or winter that you can treat as a project (any boat you buy WILL be a project) that will be ready to go for next spring. Look at something like an Olympic or another classic NW boat with some form of canvas and windshield. Ideally, find a boat that comes with all the small stuff: safety equipment, downriggers, crab pots, etc. All that stuff adds up in a hurry. Also, make sure the trailer is in decent shape. Finally, make sure you have the time to not only use the boat but to maintain it once you get it. If it is something you are using in the salt, take 30 to 60 minutes after each trip to flush the motors and get the salt off of everything.

Good luck! My boat brings me a lot of pleasure and is one of the last things I'd want to give up but sure takes a ton of my time and money.

AP a.k.a. Kaiser D enjoying a new stocking hat on his boat.