From the information I have collected, sleds go in rivers and handle well. Drift boats do extremely well in rivers but have alot of work involved. A jet boat can go in river and ocean settings. I dont know d@#$ about boats and am looking for someone to give me some tips on what to purchase for rivers in the Northwest along with if possible to go and venture out in the bay with some downriggers. I fish the Nooksack, Skagit and many others. Also fish big waters like the Columbia and Fraser. I may be way off in my views, please help me change them correctly. Sorry about seeming annoying but would like to know so I can start searching more speciafically on boattrader.com for a boat to fit my needs. Thanks :p

If you intend to fish rough salt you probably do not want a flat bottom sled. It'll beat the crap outaya. Get something with maybe 12 degree at bow, and 4 at stearn. If you want to get shallow in the rivers you better get a jet. And remember you lose about 30 percent of your horsepower to the jet pump. So an 85 hp motor puts out 60 at the pump. I'm not an expert by any means. But, I hope this helps.

What's the minimum recommended sled length for fishing coho and kings less than six or seven miles out? I can dream as long as I don't start negotiating down payments. HT

Remdrake,
There are several good posts on this topic. Try the search feature. I just recently purchased a Harbercraft 1600 with the intention of putting a pump on the back and running all the types of water you are talking about. When I was searching I realized I would have to compromise and settle on a boat....my boat is fairly stable in the salt, but won't run real skinny water in the rivers. So far I'm happy with my choice although I sometimes wonder if I should have gotten into an 18 foot model.

Buzzo,
Interesting question....my boat has the exact same dimensions as the 18 foot model except 2 feet shorter. I've been told by passerbys I wouldn't have any problems taking her out of Westport. At the same time some guys I've talked with who fish off the West side of Vancouver Island recommended NOT taking any boat less than 18 feet offshore. I personally think my boat is going to be as sea worthy as a larger boat (18ft) with similar specs. However, all this speculation is dependent on weather and sea conditions. If its anything other than calm with no wind I wouldn't be comfortable in a boat under 20 feet and preferably larger.

Looks like your fishing all the same water as me. I've fished drift boats and sleds in pretty much all the rivers you mentioned except the Fraser. In the Fraser you really only want to fish from a sled so when you hook one of those big springs you can run him down and than run back to the hot spot. I use to really like using a drift boat but the Nooksack is just getting way too much pressure. If you don't mind having boats all around you than the drift boat will suit you fine but you'll always need a fishing buddy to fish with so you can have another car to run back up river to get your trailer. This time of year if your fishing the Sauk the best way to go is with a drift boat since the regs won't allow you to fish out of a sled but you can use it for transportation. I've had a sled for about four or five years now and actually just upgraded last year to a new Alumaweld. I personally really like running a sled cause I can get where every I want in a hurry and if there are people around I can always go find some quite water away from the crowds. You can also just run out and fish for a few hours if you can't afford to go for the day which in a drift boat your committed to fishing a whole drift once you drop the boat in. I also like the fact I can fish all by my self and quit when ever I want or even fish the upper section and than take the boat out and fish the lower part of the rive if things aren't up to par. Much more flexibility with a sled. I would recommend getting a sled if your pocket book allows it. You need to be a bit more careful with a sled since everything happens a lot fast when your crusing at twenty to thirty-five miles an hours. Good luck on your decision.

Can you put a top on a sled or is it always uncovered while fishing? I have only seen jet boats with covers. Just curious about those days when theres a little rain or something, what do you guys that own sleds do? Thanks for all the input and I am really leaning towards a sled at this moment. :p

Real fisherman don't have covers on their boats, Seriously, the best sleds for hardcore fishing don't have covers so you don't have anything in your way when your fighting that fish and it's making circles around your boat. My advise is buy a good rain suit. Besides the hard driving rain is part of the experince! I would also advise you to get a tiller motor if you can since you can back troll so much easier.

I have a beautiful top for my sled that has never been used. In addition to the previous top downfalls, a top makes a great sail and a crummy window.

if you know how to handle a boat a top will be no problem while fighting a fish, i would never own another sled with no top especialy for as much as it rains around here. i have a switch for the wipers hooked up to the back of my boat so i can turn them on and clear the window when i`m fishing, as far as hardcore fisherman only owning boats with no tops, all i can say is

this might help a little

a sled is a boat with a flat bottom and no v (angle) at the bow, or stern. they are kinda like a johnboat. sleds were the first boats used with jet engines. sleds usually did not have a good chine or a ceel. they slid around corners and took a little getting used too. sleds were replaced by shallow degree v boats. there are still a couple outfits making them. a sled would be good for rivers, but would give you a wet, rough ride in a small 2' swell, because the bottom beats the water.

most newer jet boats have a v shaped bottom. there are many different v angles which are known as degrees. the degree is usually flatter at the stern like 10 degrees and get steeper at the bow, or entry point, 22 degrees. the v shape causes the boat to spilt the water giving it a dryer smoother ride. this style of boat is what most people call a jetboat.

the driftboat is powered by oars, and is not really in the same class as the sled or v.

hope this helps.