Q's on New Boat Purchase

[ResQ]

One quick thought on those Ski posts that bolt on, They are not made for tubing. Can you? Sure, but it is VERY hard on the fiberglass and the pole. Just food for thought. Lots of boats in the PNW are aluminum, unless you travel salt. I like aluminum (I have had a few glass boats) because of the terrain. Beaching it. Its easier on the bottom of the boat on an aluminum. Glass boats are great, especially if they have a self bailing deck. For bass, I really enjoyed my old (2005) smokercraft sportsmans DLX 1660. Not much of a combo, but good stable platform. One thing to think about, if you are planning at all to target anything out of Neah Bay or CQ, Deep V is a must. High sides as well.

[downriggeral]

I live in the Spokane area and we have a dealer here with great prices on the River Hawk. They have a really nice hull design that is very fast for the HP used. These boats are finished nicely with full paint etc. Even have that great sport boat look with the top down. You can use these boats to both fish and ski. Guess it all comes down to what you want to use the boat for.

I find the problem with many of the popular manufactures is there is no room behind the top to fish if you have the top up and the back drop in place. This only matters if you plan on winter fishing with a heater!

Welcome to the area when you get here - Alan

[cobrar543]

I have been following this tag for a while. I am also in the market for a new boat. Sold my 21" Tiderunner a few years ago. It was a great bay boat but not for anything else. We have been deciding what we want in our new boat and have broken it down to a Deep V boat that can boat do the river heads, Lakes, and bay on not to nasty days. Started checking out the Tracker 18 Targa. Great looking and tons of options. But after reading reviews of leaks after a while more then once (more then 10 times, LOL) I got afraid. Read about the other brands you have all been talking about and after a trip to Cabels today, I really like the Lowes 16.5 WT. Width, length and low draw.

Has anyone had a negative or positive experience with this Brand or Style? I have been a member for a long time and trust the opinion here.
Doug

[Idstud]

I have been following this tag for a while. I am also in the market for a new boat. Sold my 21" Tiderunner a few years ago. It was a great bay boat but not for anything else. We have been deciding what we want in our new boat and have broken it down to a Deep V boat that can boat do the river heads, Lakes, and bay on not to nasty days. Started checking out the Tracker 18 Targa. Great looking and tons of options. But after reading reviews of leaks after a while more then once (more then 10 times, LOL) I got afraid. Read about the other brands you have all been talking about and after a trip to Cabels today, I really like the Lowes 16.5 WT. Width, length and low draw.

Has anyone had a negative or positive experience with this Brand or Style? I have been a member for a long time and trust the opinion here.
Doug

Did you look at the river hawks? Ive been looking at the 19ft one it has the outboard extended out higher sides. I liked the sport fish lowes but I have little ones and the higher inside sides won me on the river hawks.

[fishinChristian]

Boat shows are great ways to see what you want. Specifically, having boated and fished over 50 years, with every type of floating device you can think of, and a few custom jobs you may not, the best boat I've used is our 20' Thunderjet outboard. Stable, fast, light for length, good interior, economical and good on rough water, easy to trailer, durable, very customizable. They have fresh and salt versions with greater freeboard. I've had Lund, Hewes, alumacraft, MonArk, and been in Duckworth and many others. None have compared, or gotten my wife to enjoy boating/fishing as much. Great to overnight on as well. Everyone has different tastes, but there's my 1/4 cent's worth.

[ImaFrayedKnot]

Thanks a lot for all the input guys. The wife and I spent about 6 days heading through Canada and we just got in a few days ago. We got in just in time to settle into our temporary house, cook up some grub for Turkey Day and we'll be closing on our new house in a few days. Once that's taken care of, I'll be heading down to the dealer to solidify our purchase. I can't do it until our house closes, otherwise it'll screw everything up with opening a new line of credit.

Got into Cabelas today and wasn't surprised at how little their selection is. It got me curious and we stopped off at Dick's on the way back into town. Now, I find myself lost... Where does everyone go for their tackle? It's very surprising to me to find a better selection up north in Fairbanks, Ak over Post Falls, Idaho... I know there's a Bass Pro over in Tacoma but where do all the Eastern Washington folks do their business?

[hewesfisher]

Either of the White Elephant stores in town are good places to shop. I prefer the valley store as it's cleaner and laid out better. The Division St store is, uhm, rustic and eclectic.

I made a few trips to Post Falls after Cabelas opened, but not worth the drive. The sad part is when Cabelas announced they were building a store some of the smaller, well stocked stores with region effective gear and advice, closed their doors.

Really miss the good gear selection and friendly Pro staff advice from White's Outdoor and the well stocked Sportsman's Warehouse/Warehouse Sports. Have been to Dicks once, won't go back.

Black Sheep Sporting Goods in Couer d'Alene is well stocked but it's 46 miles - one way.

Other than that, I shop online. Don't have to burn any fuel nor waste a couple hours on the road.

[rseas]

A bit of a drive but still on the east side, Hooked on Toys in Wenatchee has a very good selection of multi species tackle and boating gear. The store is well staffed with knowledgeable local experts. They also specialize many other outdoor activities. And that's just the start of it. They have every toy known to mankind, stuff I had when I was a kid 50+ years ago.

[bassplayer17]

+1 love that store!!!!!!

[downriggeral]

I always liked the prices at The Elephant or Black Sheep in CDA. Warehouse Sports had great selection until they closed. A new one is about finished on Division close to Costco across from the old Lowes store. Maybe the great selection of tackle will return.

[hewesfisher]

I always liked the prices at The Elephant or Black Sheep in CDA. Warehouse Sports had great selection until they closed. A new one is about finished on Division close to Costco across from the old Lowes store. Maybe the great selection of tackle will return.

That is GOOD news!!

[hewesfisher]

Sportsman's Warehouse will open doors 2/27/15. Grand Opening set for 3/7/15 (dates subject to change). Finally, a local, well stocked, retailer without having to drive to ID.

http://www.sportsmanswarehouse.com/stor ... siteNo=237" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Bodofish]

Sportsman's Warehouse will open doors 2/27/15. Grand Opening set for 3/7/15 (dates subject to change). Finally, a local, well stocked, retailer without having to drive to ID.

http://www.sportsmanswarehouse.com/stor ... siteNo=237" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Good luck with that. They seem to open new stores, give them about 6 mo then move on. They've done a couple over here.

[hewesfisher]

Being Sportsman's Warehouse was here, closed, and is coming back, I think (hope) this one will stay awhile. At least I won't have to cross the border to buy region specific gear anymore.

[Bodofish]

I've got my fingers crossed for you. We just had a Bass Pro open up and the guys from there, that were at the boat show said they're working to get more regional specific gear in. And in the next breath they were hoping sales would be climbing enough to stay here and start competing with the 800 pound Gorilla... C, which is not too far in either direction. Competition is good in the retail sector, I really hope they make it. Not likely I'll be driving that far south but it keeps Sportco/OE and the big C honest.

[hewesfisher]

I hear you Bodo, but there really isn't any competition in Spokane now except for the White Elephant stores, Cabela's killed the rest of 'em off.