I have been primarily a river guy for the past several years, but after a real nice trip up to Vancouver Island on the salt, I am really thinking about expanding my horizons and looking at the possiblity of buying a boat suited to the salt and big water.

So here are my questions.

1. What seasons do you guys use your boats for? how many months you guys really use them? and what general areas do you guys fish during that time span? ie, Columbia in June, Westport in July, Vancouver Island August, Seiku? Buoy 10?

2. I was in an Arima 22 ft Sea Legend that seemed sturdy as heck, any suggestions or recommendations as to the quality/makes of boats I should look into? This boat will go offshore if I buy one and not just Puget Sound. Most likely something with a small cuddy that could sleep 2 and be in the 18 to 22 ft range so it can be trailered.

3. Any good places to shop for them? Quality dealers that have a nice inventory of used boats?

4. Anything else I should consider?

Thanks for the info, I know there are a lot of salt guys out there that seem to know a ton.

I use my boat about almost all year long for different types of fishing.

June-Oct: On the salt to fish all the returning Salmon.

Oct-Feb On the salt for Blackmouth in area 10 and a few other spots.

Feb- June- A few of the year round lakes for trout, Like Lake Washington, etc.


I think you really need to make a decision based on how much time you will really have to go out fishing in your boat, then make a purchase based on that decision.
If you are going to spend 75-100 days on the water next year, then hell yes, go out and buy a really nice big boat.

If you are thinking about the occasional weekend outing, maybe a 16-18 foot aluminum boat would suffice??


For used boats check out 3 rivers marine in Woodinville, they have a big offiste lot. Also Dagmars landing in Everett.

I do fish over 100 days a year, mostly in my boat but also with freinds in theirs. I have a 16 foot light aluminum prop boat (Smokercraft Lodge). I don't go out in the ocean as my inner ears are disfunctinal and I get motion sickness from just about anything. I do fish winter blackmouth in the Sound, springers at Cathlamet, kokanee at several lakes, Straits in July, B10 in August, Grays Harbor and Willapa September and October, and back to the sound for the winter. Also throw in steelheading on several large lower rivers - I can run in a foot of water on tilt with the skeg protector installed. And I spent 10 days fishing up around Port Hardy, mostly out of Telegraph Cove, last year in it. The light boat is necessary as I have to tow it with a minivan a lot - my wife has a horse trailer more or less permanently attached to the pickup most of the year. If you have a big boat you will also need a big truck. I also do a fair amount of fishing my myself. If you have a big ocean safe boat you will always need a fishing partner to help you launch and retreive it. You will also be unable to launch without a boarding float, and that pretty dramatically limits the launches you can use. I fish for results (had to puchase my second card in July and am most of they way through it already) and will hit the high percentage times and tides, often launching just for an hour of fishing at the perfect tide or to hit the first hour of daylight and limit out before work. Not real practical with a horse of a boat. I also can fish all day and run ten miles back and forth on 3 gallons of gas. Your big boat will use that much just to run back up to the head of the drift. Have to watch the weather, and have to be pretty tolerant of nasty conditions at times, but for me the small open boat puts the most fish in the freezer for the minimum amount of money and effort. <img border="0" alt="[Goldfish]" title="" src="graemlins/goldfish.gif" />

I have a medium sized inboard sled (19 ft). I fish about 30-40 days a year. The sled works for me, because it covers the COlumbia, the local PS rivers, and the Sound pretty well. Not perfect for any of them, but a darn good compromise. One of best things about a sled is ease of trailering - I can manage the boat by myself quite easily on most ramps, and don't need a dock.

Boats are a bit of a hassle. If you don't like boating itself, they can be more trouble than they are worth.

Check with 3Rivers Marine, call Bryan @ 877.661.1575, he will have a boat or find one for you.

I have a 27 Seasport and fish pretty much all year round. The boat has never been winterized. I fish the North Sound from November to April as seasons allow. I then fish either the West Coast of Vancouver Island or off the Washington coast from May until late August. Then I fish either the Columbia or Oregon coast until the end of October.
As for boats, I would strongly recommend that you stay at the top end of size range 18 to 22'. The coastal waters can flare up very quickly when your offshore and even fishing inshore. I have found that I prefer an enclosed cabin since much of my time is spent out there when the weather is cold and wet. It's nice to step in out of it once in a while. This is especially important if you plan to spend the night in your boat. When we go fishing we just drop anchor or pull up to a float and sleep in the boat. I would also recommend sterndrive vs outboard as it gives you the option for cabin defrost and heating and more battery charging capability if needed.
As for make of boat, I would recommend Seasport, Osprey, Almar or Glasply. You won't find a lot of these on the used boat market as they are quality boats and usually sell quickly when advertized, but they are available.

Great info so far, Thanks.

Hoghunter, I appreciate the specific details as you have nailed some of my major concerns.

Thanks again, anyone else out there willing to share?