I am looking at getting a new boat. Of course aluminum, but my delema is alumaweld, duckworth, or north river. I am looking at 19-21 foot so it includes the new blackhawk, and intruder for alumaweld, the pacific navigator for duckworth, and the seahawk, for NR. I will be in the sound most of the time, in the straits, and the columbia. Really looking for advice on different boats, pros and cons. I have been to all the dealers and of course their boat is the best, all others suck. So advice from people who run the boats day in and out would be awsome.

Thanks

who has the opions that you like the most? there is always going to be +/- on any boat. NR would be my choice. they ahve been putting some real sweet rides togeather for bigger water. fro 21fter would look at twin yami 115hp and skip a kicker motor

Have you checked out Raiders? I was looking this summer at HewesCrafts and Northrivers, when I went to the Tacoma boat show and got a deal on a Raider I could'nt turn down. Raiders are fairly new they are built buy guys who use to build Hewescraft, and wanted to got on their own. Very similar to hewescraft but cheaper.I can give you a contact if interested. P.M

The Hewescraft SeaRunner is great choice. I have been in 5-6 ft seas in the Straits and my 22ft SeaRunner handled it well.

I have a few freinds who worked at hewes as I went to high school in Colville and they are great boats. They ride a little higher in the water than the Raider and of course living in Colville I know them too and friends worked there as well. Could not go wrong with either though like I said, the raider doesnt seem to sit as high for the larger H2O. Both tough boats.

If you are going to seriously look at the Hewescraft, be careful and really compare. I have owned 2 of them and am not impressed with the quality. I bought both boats new. The first was 179 with a 90 Yamaha. Fast! 40mph + but beat the heck out of you. I broke the hull and they bought it back and I got the 20 SeaRunner. Much better riding, but all of the accessories, from hinges to pumps to wipers, have needed to be replaced in the 4 years I have had it. It seems that it is a fresh water boat boat that doesn't hold up to the salt very well.

One suggestion I have for sure is to put hydraulic trim tabs on whatever you get. The $400 investment is well worth improvement in the ride you will get.

Best of luck to you,

Dolphin

I don't think any of them have the fit and finish of the duckworth. They are in a league of their own. The pacific navigator is a sweeeeeeet ride. I think the north river and alumaweld are more of a production boat. Nice boats, but just not as nice as the duckworth. I was looking real hard this last year at all these boats. I decided to wait to upgrade my sled. I was real close to going with the duckworth pn.

Best bet is to get out on as many different boats as you can. And make sure you attend the boat show in Portland. You won't get a better deal than you will there.

Kris

I'll put in my plug for Wooldridge. The Super Sport Offshore is a dandy hull. Wooldridge will work with the buyer on tweaks as to what is offered (seating, larger fuel tank, other options). Every company has something a little different - there are trade-offs and you have to pick the hull that works best for what you are going to do the most of.

If I had to go with the companies you listed, I'd lean towards the North River line.

I fish alot out of a 20 ft hews but after spending a day on the sound in a Northriver with the off shore bracket I was sold on em

I really like my Weldcraft. They are built in the same plant as Duckworth I understand.

My boat is a 2004 Maverick 18-6. It has held up well in the salt, is finished nicely, welds have proven to be strong and the outback bracket is great. It also looks great IMHO. I imagine the 2007 model is even better as they have done some fine tuning.

I'm with BushBear, I have a Wooldridge and it's a boat that will last , heck it's like driving a Panzer Tank! Don't have to worry about playing bumper boats at the "Meat Hole"!