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Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Member
Joined: 1/14/2008
Posts: 31
Location: Everett, WA
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Dave wrote:If you want to fish lakes, I would also recommend a Smoker craft in the 16' size. That will allow you plenty of room. I bought mine at the Smoker craft dealer in Everett next to Dagmar's Landing. I paid 1200. for my 12' Alaskan new and I bought my King trailer at Performance Marine in Everett for 700.00. They are a quality built boat that will last you a lifetime if you take care of it. Good luck and let us know what you end up getting. I'd have to agree. If you're looking for a fishing boat to get out on the water, then a 16' is a great size. You can easily fish 3 or 4 people out of it and still have a bit of room. I had a 12' for years and then stepped up to a 16' Lund. It's only got 15hp but is great for my dad, wife, dog, and me. I even built a front deck for the dog to sit and that has worked out great. As far as weight, my boat, trailer, engine and gear only weigh about 1000#. I use my Subaru Legacy sedan (2.5L engine, automatic, and AWD) to pull it and it does fine. It'd be nice to have the Subie with the 3.0L 6cylinder for a little more power but the 4 still works fine. The greatest factors in your first boat buying is going to be: How much do you want/are you willing to spend? What are you truly using the boat for? Fishing, waterskiing, tubing, cruising, or all of the above. Do you need lots of power and bells and whistles or will you be happy with a small engine, tiller steering, simple set up? What kind of tow vehicle with you be happy with driving on a regular basis? Remember, no boat will be perfect to fit all of your needs. Shop around and like said above, go to a boat launch and see what others are doing. I've seen a lot of families with boats too $big$ for their needs and the "family outing" turns into WWIII at the launch. 
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Rank: Commander
Groups: Member
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Joined: 3/1/2008
Posts: 313
Location: Hoquiam, WA
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i bought this in 2006, brand new for $6000, at Stevens Marine in Portland. Just checked the price hasn't changed alot  http://www.stevensmarine.com/smokercraft.php
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Rank: Captain
Groups: Member
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Joined: 5/15/2007
Posts: 804
Location: North West Washington
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saltyseadog wrote:hey dave is that lake sixteen? i know Bob Hawley of boat country well i like those silver streaks they sell  Hey Scott, The top pic is at Cranberry Lake at Deception Pass State Park and yes, the bottom pic is at Lake Sixteen. Nicely done!! I bought my Smoker Craft at Boat Country and they were great. I love my Alaskan and bought it because at the time I was very big so I wanted a boat with lots of free board. Since losing 163 pounds that is no longer an issue but I still love my boat which is well built and comfortable to fish from. I do recommend Boat Country; they were very nice to me. Dave
From 408 to 235 in 20 months! Losing 173 pounds feels absolutely amazing!
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Rank: Captain
Groups: Member
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Joined: 5/15/2007
Posts: 804
Location: North West Washington
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Nice boat Coatfishin! Can't go wrong with a Smoker Craft! Same to you Clark, Lund is a great choice!
From 408 to 235 in 20 months! Losing 173 pounds feels absolutely amazing!
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Rank: Advanced Member
Groups: Member
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Joined: 1/22/2009
Posts: 87
Location: Eastside King County, WA
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Something I'd suggest is going out in several different boats - either w/ friends, guides or people on this site looking for a fishing buddy for the day. After you try several out you'll start getting a feeling as to what features are important to you, and what isn't.
You also need to be clear in your mind how you are going to use it. Is going on rivers the most important? Out in the salt? Small lakes or Lake Washington?
As Wolverine said it is all about compromises - knowing what is important to you in a boat, and how you will use it is a key part in knowing what you should compromises or not on.
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Rank: Warrant Officer
Groups: Member
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Joined: 4/29/2007
Posts: 186
Location: Sammamish
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 You folks are awesome! I love this community. I will definitely do my homework, and save up first before I buy and not get in over my head. I will wait until I can afford what I want, but I think a 16' aluminum boat does sound like the place to start for me. I think if I wait for my ideal boat, then my kids will be out of the house before I can afford it.The wife would probably rather hang out in peace and quiet for a day while I take the kids out anyway. I am not looking to hit the salt, but would like to be able to go out on the big lakes around here like Washington and Sammamish. Boats on rivers scare me a little to be honest and so does the ocean. I am a decent pilot, but in-experienced and want to take things slow and work my way up. Growing up my family got a lot of use out of a little 17' cabin cruiser with at 115 outboard and we had great fun, but that boat was terrible ski boat and a terrible fishing boat - I was just too young to care. I really appreciate all the advice and it is ALL really valuable to me. I really look up to more experienced boaters and fishermen and I take all your input very seriously. It will be a while before I buy, but I will post pics when I do.
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Rank: Warrant Officer
Groups: Member
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Joined: 4/29/2007
Posts: 186
Location: Sammamish
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Bodofish wrote:I guess it all depends on your definition of "cruising". I wouldn't even begin to think about spending more than an hour or 2 with the full gang in a small boat. If you want to take them out in shifts awesome. Kids fighting and spouses cramped without adequate accommodations can be a real drain on a families well being. Sorry to kind of go sideways but I've already raised my family and I’ve made a lot of mistakes that I hope others can learn from. I guess I'm playing the devils advocate; I just hate seeing people getting into something that will make the family unhappy. I was a family man for many years and put off buying a boat (by myself) so I could provide the family with what “we” wanted to do. The main worry for me has always been not what I wanted but, what was good for the family. If you want a small boat so you can go fishing, then so be it, don't disguise that with "I want to take the family out.", you'll only make everyone else in the family hate the boat and fishing. Present it to the family as I need a boat for my well being because I like fishing and I'll take you all out as I can and I hope we will all enjoy it. Sorry to ramble on but I hope you can gleam something from my ramblings. A boat is a major financial undertaking for a family, no matter how much coin you bring in. I know a lot of you think of me as just a rotten old @$$ but my family has always come first and I have some awesome children that bear this out (and the cutest granddaughter you’ve ever seen). Please think and proceede very slowly with buying a boat that won’t make everyone in the family happy or will put a cramp in the finances, your family is worth way more than any old boat. A boat is an unnecessary item or expense that no family needs. When the time is right and you don’t need to think about the expense or the size of the boat, everyone will be happy and you will be the hero. Say what you will, that's how I think. Bodo - I don't think you are an old @$$ at all brother. I really appreciate you candor.
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Rank: Commander
Groups: Member
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Joined: 6/15/2008
Posts: 334
Location: kirkland
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Sounds like you have a plan mate....
Seeking the violent take downs
Thunder jet
V8 309 pump
HAL the tr1 auto pilot
T8 high thrust
LCX 28 HD
Fusion for the beat
Penns for the bang zone
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Rank: Warrant Officer
Groups: Member
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Joined: 4/29/2007
Posts: 186
Location: Sammamish
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saltyseadog wrote:sounds like mabye a smoker craft lodge or a tracer some kind of tin? open tiller?http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3FshOpPqj88 Classic video!
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Rank: Warrant Officer
Groups: Member
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Joined: 4/29/2007
Posts: 186
Location: Sammamish
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sickbayer wrote:Sounds like you have a plan mate.... Thanks man. BTW, I always wish I'd played rugby but never knew anybody who played until I was too old and out of shape. Seems like a fantastic sport to me.
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Rank: Angler
Groups: Member
Joined: 7/15/2008
Posts: 8
Location: Spokane 5 mile prarie
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Definitely check out Craigslist!!! I picked up this 1995 Smokercraft 18' Promag for $2000!! Yes it was a legal transaction. I called the guy two minutes after he posted the add. He was in a bind and needed $2000 ASAP. It came with a galvanized trailer, 140 Tohatsu, 9.9 4 stroke honda, bow mount minn-kota, two canon downriggers, depth finder, life jackets, etc. I scored the deal of a lifetime. The interior was trashed but some some new marine plywood,vinyl,carpet, and seats from Cabelas and the boat looks like new. So check Craigslist religously! Personally I think an 18' would be perfect for your needs.
chinookslammer attached the following image(s):
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Rank: Lieutenant
Groups: Member
Joined: 1/25/2009
Posts: 288
Location: stanwood
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sounds like a nice rig for 2 k 
fish on!
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