Help with welded boat

[slaydown]

Hey boys,
I have been on idle since selling my 17ft fibreglass (bought 1st house)
I am finally looking for a boat again. I want a 16ft aluminum and plan to fish inshore.
What brand do you guys recommend and what should be the minimum hp rating?
I want used and hope to spend under 15 grand and I know this might be a little low.
Any info is greatly appreciated.
Cheers.

 

[JAC]

Do you want a open boat or a windshield model with a soft top

 

[Dave S]

This is the type of package you would likely be looking for. This is sold though, just an example.

http://www.usedvictoria.com/classif...Harbercraft---60-hp-Mercury-4-stroke_21509222

 

[slaydown]

I think I would like a closed bow for increased safety, and that boat would have been perfect.

 

[nomad14]

http://vancouver.en.craigslist.ca/nvn/boa/4407907853.html

 

[Theb55]

It all depends on the type of water you intend on using it in. If you expect a lot of water over the bow an open front with access through the windshield is not good. Great on lakes where you want tongi out and relax.


Sent from my iPhone

 

[Seafever]

A lot of those "open bow" welded aluminums (like the Harbercraft in the Vic Craigslist picture) are open bow....yes.....but they are self bailing (see the drain port on the side up front).

 

[slaydown]

I was wondering about those bows, they are self bailing? So are they still pretty safe. And I will be using this boat for ocean fishing (not open water but inside)
fraser river and some lakes. I have been looking across the border but with our dollar I am not so sure it is worth it.

 

[Seafever]

Lots of guys like those self-bailing bows.......they store their prawn/crab traps upfront in those.


Lots of guys use that kind of boat on the ocean. They'll self-bail......of course if you're taking 10foot waves over the front in a 50 knotter...could be a different story....

But for average seas......good.

 

[UkeeDreamin]

I had a very similar Harbercraft up until this spring and the bow is indeed self-bailing with no way for water to get into the rest of the boat. Used it offshore (no further than Lighthouse Bank) on good weather days, throughout Barkley Sound and all over Shuswap and Adams Lakes. In contrast, that Legend doesn't have a sealed bow and is open under the windshield into the rest of the boat. My buddy has the same boat. Loves it for fly fishing medium to large lakes - tons of room up front to cast from. Not extremely beamy and the carpeting throughout would be a pain on the salt chuck. My two cents.

Ukee

 

[Birdsnest]

I run a 22' weldcraft ocean king with the open bow and walk through window. Fantastic use of space and I am comfortable using in in off shore and I do so where I can pick my days....however.....the open bow does have issues. It is self bailing and will drain the water when filled in 30 seconds(if the scuppers are free). When the bow is full with 600 lbs or so of water stability becomes an issue. I would say that the open bow is not for everyone. I am very comfortable with mine and I think running boats all my life helps with this. But i know others who have been terrified with this configuration taking on a greeny.
Its just so nice to be able to walk through the window to the front of the boat. On nice days you can go up there away from the others and have a nap or a pee. On tuna trips its not uncommon for someone to be up there in a lawn chair. Its a great space. I would not have my boat any other way.

I should add the the majority of water that come into that front space is the consequence of how the throttle is managed. Still not for everyone.

 

[Seafever]

Regarding Legend boats:-

First thing I look for in a boat that's used in saltwater is the rear splashwell.

Most coast boats have them but many many lake boats do not.

Sometimes it's the water behind you that you worry about.

Like if you are backing up in chop etc........you take some water over the stern and with the splashwell it will selfbail....with a lake-type stern (no splashwell) it's coming in the boat.

If your boat is big enough that it has a subfloor and a bilge pump you might be ok.....if it doesn't then you get your feet wet or worse.

Legend boats don't seem to have much if any stern splashwell on any of their models.

 

[Dave S]

Stay away from boats like that legend. It's a Bass fishing boat and not a good rig for the ocean IMO. Harbercraft and boats like that are much more suited to ocean fishing. Learn about specs like thickness of hull, dead rise, beam, freeboard, gunnel height.

 

[slaydown]

Thank you very much everyone for the input, I think I will go with a boat more suited towards the ocean. This first hand info is priceless and has answered questions I had not even thought of. I'm just hoping a deal comes along soon.