Need some opinions on a 15 foot aluminum boat with an Evinrude 50hp prop.

Here's what I know:
Late 70's Semi V riveted hull
50 hp Evinrude w/ controls
Forward steering wheel
Windshield
Fish finder
EZ loader trailer
Never been in a river
No dents
On it's 3rd owner
Always garaged

I want to use the boat for areas like the Snohomish, Sky and not too far out in the bay. I'm not looking for a boat that can do it all just something that can get me into silver's, King's and Steelhead.

Being that it's riveted what are some of the problems I'll encounter if any?

What's the difference between a welded and riveted boat? i.e. handling

For those of you that fish the Sky during higher flow will I be able to get around with the prop out back?

I've never looked into jets. What a rough cost to convert a older prop to jet? Is it worth it?

Anything else I should look at feel free to inform me. Any questions ask away.

Thanks Rick

I may be a little biased because I am selling one, but I really liked my 16' with a 70hp pump. With the pump on it, it will go about 23mph. With a 50 horse on a smaller boat you will probably get the same mph. with a pump. Mine had a center console in it that I converted to a tiller. It gave me about double the room to fish. I would never go back to a center console in a smaller boat, it just takes up too much room.

The pump conversion, if you can find the pump, will cost about 1200 bucks. Depending on who you get the pump from and what kind of impeller it has.

Like I said, I'm biased, I have the 16' valco sled w/70 tiller pump (with the orginal prop lower unit) for sale in the classifieds here on this site. Take a look and consider my comments on the center console disadvantages.

Aaron