I'm looking to buy a small boat to do some fishing out of. With all of the options out there,
I have gotten a bit overwhelmed.

It would be nice if the boat was small enough to get on top of my full size van but large enough to hold two fishermen.
Most fishing will be done in the sound esturaries, lakes, and Yakima river. I do a little fishing for steelhead and salmon
but since this is my first boat, I don't feel comfortable jumping straight into big W. Washington rivers. Hopefully, boat number
two will be a 16ft drift boat after a couple years of rowing experience.

Here's my questions:

1) Pram vs small drift boat?
2) How well do the small drift boats perform? 14ft or less.
3) Material: Aluminum, wood or fiberglass? Which holds up best to saltwater? Lightest? Maintainence?

Thanks for the help.

P.S. Great website.

surffish,

Welcome to the board. Something you may not have pondered would be giving a cataraft a try. Extremely underrated, versatile boats. Lightweight (depending on size of tubes and frame material), durable, and they pack easier.

I have been most pleased with my Outcast Pac1200. It's a 2-man or a 1-man. Pick you up some good tubes and have Osprey (handle here on the board) custom-build you a frame.

There's a growing number of catters out there, and I'll leave the rest up to the more experienced guys to pick up and help ya out.

Surffish
I'd think it over a bit and even go rental route before you spend your money. Try them both, the two fishermen part is my concern. My feeling is you know what you want in boat number two so why throw the money away one a number one? You can buy used drift boats and they are very light to pull if your not using a scooter to pull it. Anything Vwee size or better is all thats needed.
Driftboats are easy to row and have high sides. You only need to stay away from swift water etc. I
don't think there is a much better choice, for what you discribe as your interest, than an aluminum driftboat. Stay safe. Live long enough to be able to take on less stable craft that will add to your pleasure on the water as you aquire more skill. That driftboat will take a lot of errors on your part even if its only 15 feet. But a 16 takes no more skill and is still a little more stable. That's how I see it anyway. Buy used
as there is little that can harm them if the bottom doesn't have a hole in it. For you puposes find one that has lots of scratches or a few dents. Take it out for a try on the closest water.
If it doesn't leak its a keeper. The uglier the cheaper it will be. You and your other fisher will make it home. Thats worth a hell of alot in my book. Even if you have to save for a little longer before you can buy, think "safety first". You show your smart for asking for opinions. You prove it by stating you need to learn how to row. My answer is no better than anyone else so read them all. It's your decision. Good Luck!
P.S. If you use aluminum in saltwater use a "zinc"
to avoid pitting. Wash her off with fresh water after every use. That's not much effort!