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Picking a boat help

1K views 7 replies 5 participants last post by  coruptone 
#1 ·
Hey guys.
Ive been tossing around the idea of purchasing a boat and I really feel like I would use it enough to justify having it. I have been looking on Craigslist for awhile now but I guess I'm stuck on a few questions specific to the area. I have never had a boat, so I'm kinda clueless on the boat necessities of the area.

1) outboard-prop or jet? I will be doing a lot of fishing in the summer and hunting in the winter. I dont like the inefficiency of the jet, but I like the accessibility of using it. That being said, can I use a prop on the snake in some places? Ive been down it a few times in kayaks and it looks pretty deep in most areas? I understand its a risk.

2) I've seen a few bass boats that would be awesome but the low profile scares me on the river. Comments on that? I THINK I would like something with more side walls but do I really need it?

3) Can you change the lower end seasonally? Jet-winter, prop-summer?

4) What do you guy hunt out of?

I would fly fish out of it a ton. Crappie and bass fish out it. Troll for KOKs, really every kind of fishing in every water body near by. And hunt from every water body near by.

Thanks guys
 
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#2 ·
I have had both Jets and Props. I personally prefer Jets. The Snake is full of rocks and gravel bars. Its scares me running a prop. I am sure you can switch out the foot seasonally. I just sold my boat to make room for a baby. It was a 18 ft Hewescraft with a 150hp Jet. It went nice! It all depends on what you are going to use it for. If you are mainly going to be on the river I would suggest a Jet and aluminum boat. You will hit things and bang it up. Fiberglass with break. Something with a good high wall would be nice, that will be better for the lakes when it get windy. If you are wanting to hunt with a blind on it, you wont want a windshield. I would just park mine and hunt from the island or bank. I liked my rivieted boat. They are a bit lighter than a welded boat and will flex if you hit something. Welded boats do not have as much flex and you have the risk of breaking welds. On the flip side a rivited boat will also have some sort of seepage.
This is what I think would be Ideal for you, never having had a boat.
16-18ft at least 48" Wide on the floor.
Jet foot. HP is up to you. I like something with some go.
Console steer. This makes it easy to see and navigate. Tiller motors can be a pain some times.
 
#3 ·
Me and my dad converted a 16 ft express into a bass boat platform. Have a 90 hp prop. bought it as a jet and discovered it was a pain in the ass the clean the weeds out from running the snake. We converted to a prop for that reason and that we are in a bass club and fish almost every weekend. We cant afford a big bass boat at the moment so we made due. We have a boat blind on it for hunting season. We left the deck on the boat last year and it worked great. We run a stainless steel prop for fishing and aluminum for hunting season. As long as you somewhat know the channel and shallow areas on the part of river you want to hunt you should be fine. Explore the section in the day before you try to run it in the dark. Also a hand help gps works great! I can upload and image of our boat if you would like to see how we do it. We purchased the boat for 2400 with a 36hp mud buddy motor and a solid trailer. Its a very sturdy boat, semi v, and handles great. When we were in flaming George last spring, we got into some 8 and 9ft swells. Wasn't the best ride but we made it back. It goes 40mph and powers through 3footers.

Idahobass
 
#4 ·
18ft Jet Lowe Roughneck. mod V Works for everything I need and then some. I do alot of fishing fly and bass out of this boat
as well as hunting. its got a 115/80 outboard with a 3 inch tunnel. The tunnel helps with the moss but on this river you will get moss so its nice to have a trim. Makes cleaning the intake out alot easier. I like the jet due to the fact that I can get alot more places than with a prop. Ran a prop for about 15+ years on the snake It can be done but.. and its a big but.. You better take a back up prop and shearpins cus you will hit things.. Been there done that.. The river changes from year to year. A mud motor would work as well but not sure how it would be on the lake or big water. I know they work good on the snake. Yes you can swap out the lower unit prop to jet as often as you would like. I have gone thru a lot of boats till I found what works best for me and my style. You will get all kinds of replys for prop or mudmotor or Jet. You need to get what works for you and your style of hunting and fishing. For me it was the lowe roughneck. Good luck and let us know what you find. :thumbsup:
 
#5 ·
I really appreciate everyone's input. I guess I need to get a boat and figure out what works best for me.

Bass: put a pic up. I would love to see how it looks.

Cootkilla: your boat sounds awesome. pics as well if you would.

I guess what I need is up to me to discover. Does anyone have some suggestions for what not to do.
 
#6 ·
the most inportant thing to remember if you buy an outboard jet or prop that when it gets freezing temps outside dont lift your lower unit out of the water. you can freeze your cooling ports and seize your motor and then you will be up S#^^^% creek if you know what i mean :fingerhead:
 
#8 ·
AH one of the boat owners happiest days , the other is when he sells it!!!! :grooving: just kidding. I myself i have had 2 boats,4 jetskis and now a canoe(and i may be the reason you cant ride personal watercraft on the salmon river by Riggins ) but i can tell you that steelhead fishing on a standup is a kick in the butt :thumbsup:
 
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