Reasons for Owning a Fishing Boat & Then Outfitting Them

 

   Most us fishermen/women who indulge in fishing will eventually become boat owners.  This is not to say the bank fisherpersons are outcasts, but the opportunities that boats provide when fishing in WATER that seem to be one necessity for fisherpersons to expand this opportunity considerably.  

 

   Here we will only be discussing boats that are readily movable to the fishing area by being a "car topper" OR trailerable.   There are so many different types of boats available now, that it can be mind boggling.  Each type of boat can be designed for different/specialized purposes.  I challenge you to find ONE boat that will fit ALL fishing needs.  As there are small 10' to 12' boats that fit well for small lake fishing for trout/perch/crappie or even bass.    While on the upper end of the scale are larger boats in the 26' class designed for more open water like LARGE lakes or OCEAN waters.  The reason my arbitrary 26' length is that about anything over that length requires special oversize permits to transport it on the highways, (wider) which takes it out of the normal "readily transportable" category.   Then of course there is a whole slew of boats that fit in between these two categories.

 

  Your First Boat ;  There is a saying that goes something like this.  There are two joyous days in a boat owners life.  One is the day he BUYS a new boat and the second is the day he SELLS it.  There is another that using the spelling of BOAT which translates to Break Out Another Thousand.   It also has been described as that a boat is a hole on the water that you pour money into. 

 

    For those of you who are uninitiated, anything associated with boats, (or about any recreational vehicle for that matter) parts or accessories seem to be way more expensive than any other normal item.  If you are worried about the expense of owning a boat, you may want to wait.  Even if you are very frugal and a Do-It-Yourselfer, it will probably cost you more $$ than you expect.  Boat ownership itself can be expensive depending on the boat you buy, BUT probably the MOST EXPENSIVE part is all the "other" stuff that goes with boat ownership and that you tend to purchase as part of enjoying your boat ownership.

 

   When purchasing a used (new boat to you), DO NOT get enthralled by how neat the boat looks, but DO seriously inspect the hull (inside AND out), the motor and trailer before making your decision to lay down any dollars.   New paint can cover many defects.  If any of these three has any defect, look farther for a major defect, you will regret buying it as you will (1) have mechanical problems, (2) structural damage of the hull, (3) or a breakdown along the freeway.  ALL these will cost money out of your pocket to get you on the way to recreational boating as you had envisioned.  If you can detect any issue, either pass on buying it, OR OFFER a substantial discount to your purchase price and be prepared to do the repairs yourself.  (4) How was it stored, inside or outside?  Many boaters only use it a few times during the good summer months, therefore these boats may have deteriorated considerably even though it is newer than a constantly used a recreational/fishing boat.  (5) Will it perform and do well in your intended type of boating????  Do not ask a ski boat to be a good fishing boat.  

 

    One major concern is does the motor fit/match the boat?  I have seen numerous combos where the motor was a replacement and not compatible with the boat.   It appears that the original motor died and the owner picked up a used motor, but did not truly realize boat rigging.  It did not work out, so they sold the boat to some unsuspecting boater.  This could be because an underpowered motor, wrong prop, OR the wrong shaft length.  The wrong shaft length could become an issue if say the 18 ' or more, Deep Vee bottomed boat was designed for an extra long shaft (25") and the "new" motor was only a long shaft (20").   Here the prop is not setting deep enough in the water to allow for full thrust of the motor and it cavitates (sucks air) as the RPM goes up.   The motor might be large enough to do the job IF it was pushing water like it was intended.  In this case, the boat may not even be capable of getting up on a plane.

 

    Another suggestion, NEVER go in partnerships on owning a boat, because these 50/50 partnerships usually turn into a bit lopsided, more like one horse /one rabbit (Been There-Done That).    I do know of one exception to this, where two older fishermen, one owning the boat and trailer, while the other owns the boat motor.  However you might consider partnering with someone who has, say an ocean boat, so you purchase a river boat, and share trips. That way you both win.   And at this time take into account the type of fishing you do, or intend to do, so that you can make an intelligent buying decision.

 

   Most of us do not really do a lot of research when we get involved with our first boat, but merely as what comes along at the price we can afford.  This can be disasters at times, as most of these boats would be used condition in this case and the new owner (you) probably would not know what to look for as to what/where to look for as condition.  Some, especially in wooden or even older fiberglass may have rotted or badly damaged parts which may be hard for the average person to detect, or encased in fiberglass that could be very expensive or even approaching non repairable.   Metal, (aluminum) boats if the older riveted type can also be almost impossible to completely repair as for leaking.

 

   Another thing to consider is the size (weight) of the boat will determine the size of the trailer.  This in turn will determine whether you need a trailer with brakes.  Trailer brakes on a boat trailer can result in yearly expensive repairs especially if the trailer needs to be backed deep enough to launch or recover with the axles in the water, this is especially so if used in salt water.  Therefore trailers without brakes and the smaller boats accompanying them can be a plus as far as maintenance.  This usually equates DOT's requirements to a boat AND trailer NOT exceeding 3000# as the prime factor in requiring trailer brakes.  This then also figures out to being about an 18' boat being the maximum for a single axle trailer with no brakes.  Then in consideration if you have a trailer with no brakes, your towing vehicle needs to be a MINIMUM of being a full size 1/2 ton pickup, otherwise you can have more weight pushing you than you have stopping power.  A small SUV will not be able to handle some even single axle boat/trailers unless they are in the 12' to 14' category.

 

   As for maintenance, it has been said to figure 10% of the boat's cost new as your average maintenance cost per year.  After numerous years of boat ownership, I can say that figure is pretty much spot on!   And all the new gear and gadgets!!   Once you get the boat, however, you're going to want to buy all sorts of stuff for the boat.  Like new rods, and as long as you're getting rods you might as well get reels, and then the wife needs some also.  Then Top O' The Line sonar with HD and side-scan is a MUST HAVE because a good salesman sounded convincing.  And then a aluminum arch to mount a radar on, because you MAY really need it a couple of times a year when you fish in the FOG at Illwaco/Astoria where it could save your butt, dodging commercial boat traffic.  And this is a good basis for the rocket launcher rod holders to store spare rods while fishing AND they look really cool up there. Where do you stop?

   If buying used, remember that at least 1/2 the value of the boat is in the motors. So before you lay out any cash, seriously consider to arrange for a mechanical inspection of the motor by a mechanic.  Low hours do not always equal a good deal... a boat with few hours that sat outdoors unused most of its life is not as good of a deal as a boat with high hours that was garage kept and meticulously maintained.

   Inboards are money pits for a saltwater boat owner.  Older two strokes can be OK, IF they were well maintained and taken care of.  Otherwise some are money pits waiting to happen.  Four stroke outboards are in high demand and bring a price premium up front, but a well-maintained one should give fewer $$$ headaches down the road.   Again, be careful when buying used!  Did the previous owner really rinse boat/trailer and flush outboards after being in salt water, if not, then the maintenance WILL be higher. 

 

   Then every owner has different view of acceptable yearly expense.   Each boat is different; use the boat in rivers or lakes the maintenance is considerably less.  Remember you need a place to store it when not on the water, this could be rented storage OR be sure when you buy a house that there can be boat parking available (and preferably not in plain view because of thieves).  These views can also change throughout a lifetime; marriage, kids, job location, buying a home and retirement.

   Now on the lighter side, any boat is better than none, and if used safely, can be very satisfying.  Bottom line, if you need to ask yourself  "can I afford a boat, or what will it cost to own one", don't buy one because you probably can not afford it.

 

   For the newbie, it may well be advantageous to bum a ride on as many different styles of fishing boats for a year, asking questions of the skipper and making notes.  But remember each boat owner has their own ideas.  Do not be afraid to ask questions, like how deep do you back the trailer into the water when launching/recovering and why?  Or why is your trolling motor on the side that it is?  Why do you prefer the fish box you are using instead of a insulated bag?  Where do you store your PFDs?  Explain to me your GPS/Plotter, what don't you like about it?  Is the wash down pump really needed?  How often do you have to replace the main battery or the convertible top?  What are your operating costs per day when fishing?  If you had to buy another outboard motor, would it be the same brand as you are now using?  When pulling into a dock, how do you make it look so easy?  Do you keep a log book of fishing / repairs?  Do you put fuel stabilizer in the gas?  Plus a slew of other questions.

 

   That covered, when buying a boat, there needs to be some method of transporting it unless you are fortunate to live on a body of water and have moorage.  Some will come with a trailer, others maybe not.  This can be "Car Topping" if the boat is small and light enough.  These are usually confined to 8' to 12' and being constructed of aluminum or fiberglass.

 

   Even if you have say a 12' aluminum boat that can be hauled in your 1/2 ton pickup, are you content unload/load the boat and all your gear while being at the bottom of the launching ramp?  As you get older this takes a lot of time (which can be holding up others at a busy ramp) and energy.  Therefore it may behoove you to consider a trailer even for your small boat.  This way you can leave all your gear/motor attached which provides a quick easy launch.  CLICK HERE for a link to this situation.

 

 

   Anything longer/larger would require a trailer to be used to transport the boat to your intended water.  Usually normal utility trailers are not used here, (however you will see a few).  Boat trailers are designed specially for this purpose.  Depending on the style they could have 2"x 6"carpeted bunks for the boat to lay on, OR rubber rollers which allow heavier boats to be easily winched the last few feet and into nests to tie the boat down.

 

 

   However one of the diseases associated with boat ownership is, you almost always end up buying a bigger one.  This is sometimes called 2 foot itis, meaning what ever you have, another one 2' longer would be better.  This disease may run it's course and as we age, as large boats may not be as advantageous as they may have been when we had a family at home.

 

   I also have a friend who sold a business that he had spent many years tied down at, and after visiting a boat show, his wife convinced him to purchase a 26' aluminum boat, they now had the money and after outfitting it the cost was approaching $250,000.   They spent many hours fishing saltwater, but this large a boat created an issue every time the recovered it onto the trailer as it took 2 people.  The bow was so high, the skipper could not see the trailer.  His son had to stand on the trailer tongue, hold his arm high to motion right or left on final loading.  They liked the big boat, but now also own a 20'er for more normal fishing.  This however would be beyond the average persons finances.  I say good for them, they deserve it.

 

    Another thing to consider, is where/how will you be using it?  If you want a all around boat that can be used on lakes, rivers or even oceans, the size/style dictates how/where you launch and recover the boat.  The larger it gets the more restricted you are to using a launch that has docks where you can climb board off the dock onto the side of the boat.  Whereas a 24' ocean cabin boat or even a 18' convertible top with a high bow and only access to the forward deck is through a forward hatch from the forward bunks can very well be used in fishing a large reservoir, BUT it your party wants to go ashore to explore, or for a beach lunch, getting off/back on over a high bow with hand railings can be very difficult without a ladder.  Some boats do have access to exit over the bow, even if a convertible topper, have no upper hand grab bars along the outer top if you have to walk along the side to get to the forward deck.   However most smaller boats have either an open bow where launching from a beach is an easy deal.   This is something to think about if you want to take a older family member or handicapped person out fishing.

 

   This may be fine for a younger crew, but will you want to take along your aging relatives who have mobility problems, how will you/they deal with that?  Where a 18' open (no windshield) or convertible topped, with a folding front center window and an open bow version is very doable.   I have a friend who is wheelchair bound who can get into my 18' open bow on a launching ramp (not dock) by having help getting down the ramp to the bow, then by him backing up to it and sliding backwards onto the boat, on top of my large ice cooler or anchor buoy, then in though the open center window, and we are off for a day of fishing.  This could also be done with many smaller boats, but my reason for telling this, is most people look to larger boats, and if you do not realize this before your purchase, you may have just spent a lot of money for something that could really hamper your style of boating activities.

 

   One day at an oceanside dock during salmon season, I witnessed a 26'+ boat launch.  At the prep area here comes this guy in a wheelchair. ???  The boat was outfitted with a davit on the Port stern corner.   Here the wheelchair bound fisherman (with his wheelchair fitted with lifting eyes), was lifted off the parking lot by a electric winch, swung aboard and they then headed to the ramp.   This all witnessed to me that determination and willingness to adapt can overcome many things if the mind is put to it.

 

   OK, we now have a boat and the means of getting it to water.  Did any accessories come with it?  How are you going to propel it?  Oars or motor power?  Seats, especially ones with backs on them are good?  Anchor?  Mooring lines?  Rod holders?  Depth finders?  Coast Guard approved floatation devises and lights?  However probably most important how conversed are you with water safety?  Are you as a newbie considering taking a boating safety course?

 

   For those of us who have basically owned boats all our life, the above sentence comes kind of second nature, but to a newbie, this could be very intimidating.

   ONE VERY IMPORTANT THING is be sure you get the clear title for both the boat AND trailer.   By this, check the Hull ID numbers on the boat where matching the numbers on the title (they should be on the upper RH  transom rear).  If they are missing on the boat, it is could likely a stolen boat, so look for tampering of these numbers.  If not, and it is old, or the numbers got lost, you will still have to jump through MANY hoops before you will become the legal owner.   If there is any question, you may be issued a temporary license for 3 years (in case someone reports it stolen and can verify).      When originally adopted by the USCG in 1972, 33 CFR 181.25 required that boats display a 12-character HIN. Characters 1-3 consisted of the manufacturer identification number. Characters 4-8 consisted of the manufacturer serial number specific for that boat. Characters 9-12 could indicate either the boat's date of certification or model year.   Prior to that there was no real clear directive.   SO, if your new to you boat was made BEFORE 1972, the DOL will probably have to assign a number (if you can prove ownership) before you can be issued a registration number that you affix to both sides of the bow.  This registration is a yearly license renewable before June 30th.   When installing these numbers, there are requirements as to location, contrasting color AND proper spacing..

 

   I am now 87 years old and have owned 25 different boats during my lifetime.  It seems that when I either built or bought. or rebuilt every one of these, most of these times, I was sure that it would be the last boat I would ever want.  However I did purchased a couple to sell/give to son-in-law or grandson.  Well, time changes, either you move to a different area where the type of usage of the old boat may not fit well, or your interests change possibly because of a decline in the fish you were after, or your fishing partner moves or passes away.  Maybe also there is a time in your life that work or family is more important, and your boat sits idle for a while.  Or your fishing partners, son/daughter even grandkids get so busy or move away that you can not operate the larger boat that was great when they could go to help launch/operate it.  Or you have found that those "Friends" who self invite and enjoy your hospitality, may over time wear their invitation thin.   Even that your medical condition deteriorates to the point that you have no choice, and you have to reconsider even if you can still participate in a fishing activity, OR at least downsize it.

 

   Again my suggestion is BEFORE you pick your first boat, that you try to go out FISHING with friends or neighbors on as many different styles/makes/models as possible doing likewise as many different types of fishing so you can get more educated in what you may need in your search.  Boats and gear costs MONEY, so the more informed you can be, the better off you will be in deciding what you really need in YOUR situation, which will save you big dollars in the long run.  Again, do not get caught up with the idea that a bigger boat is always better.

 

   The difference between a used mistreated boat and Pandora's box is that in the bottom of Pandora's box there was hope.  In the bottom of a used mistreated boat, you will only find rot and deterioration.

 

  Is it Cheaper to Own a Boat, or Hire Guide?  ;  The answer here could be different depending on your age and desires to fish when you have time.  By and large, YES it will be cheaper for the average person, (AND USUALLY MORE PRODUCTIVE) to hire a guide.  It also  has other benefits (if you live in a contented community) as to providing storage for it and the associated gear.  You will save on licenses, insurance, maintenance and other associated necessities needed for boating.

 

    However there are a few drawbacks here.  Most good freshwater guides are booked even a year out, therefore you need to do some long range planning.   And most guides want to book the whole boat, meaning you and your buddies all together.   Take it from me, I know a few guides quite well and trying to get myself as a single fisherperson wedged in, even if a cancelation pops up, has proved almost fruitless, (along with them even owing me a trip).   I have given up trying to be the one who books the trip for my buddies.  There is way too much backing out, (medical, or family issues etc).  And advertising in the local paper was a fiasco, as the fill in guy did not fit at all, just because he was a doctor and owned his own boat did not make him a fisherman by any stretch of the word.  

 

    And weather can change, OR the WDFW closes seasons abruptly, to where you may never know until the night before if you are going fishing or not even if you booked way ahead.  Then you are stuck with a motel room.

 

   Salt water charters are somewhat different, basically they have enough room onboard, and a much bigger boat to where the weather has to be BAD for them to cancel a trip.

 

    Then for those who are somewhat mechanically inclined, boat ownership could a way to go fishing when you want or have time, and at the same time adding to a hobby that can be very refreshing and exciting at times.

 

 

  Boats I Have Owned ;  Listed below are the boats / motor combos that I have owned, I will give a rundown of each, what I did to make them fishable and why I got rid of them.  There is probably no reason to go into why I bought them to start with.

 

(1)       1946      7 1/2' cedar dugout   --  I built
(2)       1950      12' barn board (didn't float)  --   I built it also (or tried to)

(3)       1958      16' plywood boat, 16hp Scott Attwater (56)   --  purchased  used
(4)       1961        8' plywood pram -- I built
(5)       1962      14' plywood rowboat,  4.5hp Johnson  --  purchased used, cut down to 12' to be able to sell it.
(6)       1963        9' plywood pram (sailing, with dagger board removed),    2 1/2 hp Elgin (49)    --  purchased used     
(7)       1963      12' Monk plywood, 10hp Mark10 Mercury (58)   --  I built in my basement one winter
(8)       1967      22' Monk plywood inboard, 318cc Chrysler  --  I bought unfinished hull & finished it
(9)       1976      15' Herters cargo canoe,  9.9hp Johnson (78)  --  purchased new
(10)     1978      16' aluminum Jon boat, 35hp Johnson   --  purchased boat new off factory truck that could not sell them to intended outlet
(11)     1979      12' Columbia fiberglass conventional hull,  9.9hp Johnson (78)  --   purchased new from Columbia factory at Rochester WA
(12)     1980      19' Caulkins Bartender 40 Mercury  --  traded for it used, never had time to use, so sold it
(13)     1982      10' Columbia (68) fiberglass tri-hull, 9.9hp Johnson (78)   --  purchased used,
(14)     1986      16' Lavero drift boat  --   purchased used with partner, never had time to use
(15)     1992      17' Glasply (73) 50hp Johnson (81)  4hp Johnson (70)  --   purchased used
(16)     1996      16' Peerless (59) 35hp Johnson (59) --   purchased used for son-in-law
(17)     1997      20' Tiderunner (92) 150hp Yamaha (92) 9.9hp Yamaha (92)  --   purchased used
(18)     1999      14' Sears aluminum   --   purchased used gave to son-in-law
(19)     2000      16' Hewes Craft (79) 40hp Johnson (71)  changed motors to 70hp Johnson jet, 9.9hp Johnson (92) -- purchased used         
(20)     2007        9' pontoon boat Outfitter 300   --  purchased new from Costco, had issues paddling it because of back isues
(21)     2008      10' Columbia (68) FG tri-hull   --   purchased back from previous buyer, my son, (& gave to grandson)
(22)     2009      18' North River Mariner (05) Evinrude 75 E-TEC (05), --  purchased used,  8hp Yamaha T8 (09)  - purchased new
(23)     2011      12' Columbia (68) FG tri-hull,   9.9hp Johnson (92)   6hp Johnson (84)  --   purchased used, sold to new son-in-law, got #24

(24)     2015      14' Olympian (80) FG tri-hull,  25hp Evinrude E-TEC (2012)   -- purchased used  (sold, but should have kept it)

(25)     2019      15' Glaspar (59) 65hp Suzuki (81) 6hp Johnson (84) --  gifted as junker, not licensed for 23 years & sat outside (sold)

(26)     2021      12' StarCraft (68) aluminum open boat   6hp Johnson (84) or a 12 volt electric trolling motor   (sold)

(27)     2023      14' StarCraft (74) aluminum open boat   15hp Johnson (90) or a 12 volt electric trolling motor 

 

(1)   As I was growing up we lived close (like a stones throw away from a small creek), which I fished a lot.   When I was about 9 or 10, after reading about Indians making cedar canoes by carving/burning out the inside.  Dad had an extra 7 1/2' cedar fence post log that was split down the middle.  It had a some bug infected/rotted section on one end.  I got permission to make a dug-out canoe out of it.  This log was probably 30' in diameter.  I spent a lot of time chopping, then would set fire inside to try to get it shaped into something that resembled a boat.  I finally got the sides whittled down to about 3" to 4" thick and simply gave up on getting them thinner.  The rear was where the rotted wood was, but I tarred it and then nailed  3/4" lumber on top of the tar, which pretty well kept most of the water out.  It had a round bottom and therefore was not the most stable boat.   And at that time, my marine engineering was limited, otherwise I would have made probably made it flat-bottomed.

 

This creek was not big enough to really go much of a distance, but there was a decent deeper/slow water between a couple of riffles, that became home to this little tub.  It soon became obvious that propulsion was best by just using a pole and pushing it around instead of trying to paddle it.

 

(2)  In an effort to improve on the above design, I used a couple of 3/4"x 12"barn boards (knots included) and used them for sides of my newly designed lighter boat.  Maybe with this I could float downstream a mile and ply the river with it.  The bottom was made of 3/4" x 4" boards nailed to the sides and another barn board for the transom.  I had hoped that these bottom boards would swell up when the boat was put in the water and pretty well seal thing up.  Well no such luck, and the boat sunk more than a few times, so that idea was a failure.

 

(3)  After we got married and before the kids came a long, we bought a used 16' plywood boat with a whopping big (at that time) a 16hp Scott-Atwater motor.  If memory is still with me, I think we paid about $250 for the boat and motor, but had to build a trailer.  The wife and I spent a number of days on lakes trout fishing and others at the mouth of the Columbia River salmon fishing in this boat.   

 

Then I started building a house, a son was born, the boat did not get used much.  Loaned it to a younger brother, who was trying to impress some girls at a graduation party on a local lake and he did not secure the fuel tank under the seat like I instructed him, which when he filled it full of fuel, the tank slid against one side and jiggled enough that it pushed this side out from the nails in the bottom chine.  Since it started leaking, the girls poked Kleenex into this 16" long crack.  Have you ever tried to remove this kind of a temporary repair?   I got as much tissue out as possible, screwed the side back on as best as I could and then tarred over the remaining Kleenex.   This pretty well did the job.  A friend came along and just had to have the boat as he had been exposed to fishing for catching black rockfish in local protected saltwater area.  I took him on a trip to his newfound waters, we caught numerous fish with the the boat performing well, so I sold it to him, and I continued building the house.  

 

 

 

(4)  After the house and garage/shop was built, there was a bit of spare time again and I built a 8' plywood pram.  This venture relied on oars for propulsion.  I fished a few local lakes for trout with it for a year. 

 

(5)  I then borrowed a 14' plywood rowboat along with a motor from a co-worker, proceeded to haul it in the back of my 1951 Ford 1/2 ton pickup to a bay where a river ran into that was notorious for sea run cutthroat trout and blueback.  The first trip there, I of course did not know where to fish, so turned and went downstream for a 1/2 mile.  No bites, so decided to run upstream.  As I was nearing the side creek where we had launched the boat, another boat came roaring upstream past me, creating a wake.   I pulled slightly out of the center of the river to let him go by and then WHUMP WHUMP.   His wake had covered up a dead-head root-wad that I went right over the top of, ripping a hole in the bottom about 14" long.  This was a rowboat with slats for the walking inside bottom which were about 1" apart.  Water came rushing in, I kept the power on the 7 1/2hp motor that I had also borrowed, headed to the other side of the river and the side creek where we had previously launched.  The boat was slowing down fast because of the big hole in the bottom with a lot of water coming in.  We barely made it to the boat launch as water was getting 6" deep inside the boat.

 

Guess what, I convinced him to sell me the boat.   I made a plywood patch, one on the inside and another on the outside of the bottom, tarred and screwed both to the hull and we continued to fish that season.  The only problem is that this 14' boat had considerable overhang on the rear of a 6 1/2' bed 1/2 ton pickup.

 

After the season, I made a new transom, fitted it into the hull 1' in front of the original transom, glued/screwed it in place, then cut off the excess.  I then pulled the sides loose on the front, shortened the bow by another foot, made a 2"x 4" bow plate and glued/screwed this together then again cut off the excess.  Now I had a shorter boat that would work better in this pickup bed OR offered a better chance of reselling it.  Which I did the next spring.

 

(6)  During this time I had the opportunity to purchase a 9' sailing pram from the same guy I got the 14'er from (he found a sucker).  The center dagger board had been removed and it was ready for a small outboard motor.   I had just traded for a non running 1947 Elgin 2.5hp outboard motor.   This boat, motor combo was used for duck hunting, lake trout fishing and many pleasurable hours on the water were spent in it.   However it was rather small with the 2.5hp motor was not large enough to buck the river current during a high tide run-off of the river we had found with the previous boat.

 

(7) Now that I was hooked on this fishing area and during the winter months, I took on building a 11' 6" plywood fishing boat.  My new house had a full basement with a fireplace.  I would build a fire in the basement fireplace and spent the winter months putting together this boat from plans I purchased from the Douglas Fir Plywood Assn. which promoted their product.  This boat was designed by a marine architect by the name of Edwin Monk.  This boat was made with oak ribs, chines, stingers, keel and bow material.  I special order 12' marine grade plywood.

 

The outer keel and side rub rails were boiled in water in a 4" steel irrigation pipe with one end welded in and over a fire to make the oak more flexible.  All the fasteners were brass screws.     One layer of fiberglass was laid over the bottom and up 3" on the sides.  The complete inside was painted twice with Thompson's Water Seal, then allowed to completely dry before the final paint was applied.  A special catch all drawer was made to attach under one of the rear side seats, while there was enough room under the other seat for the fuel tank.

 

When this was done, next came the chore of moving it up and outside.  I got my brother-in-law fishing partner to help, we removed the floor above the outer stairway to better allow this new boat to come out the door, turn 90 degrees and go up the outer stairs.  One more coat of paint and it would not have made it.

 

I purchased a used 1958 Mercury Mark10 10hp outboard motor to accompany this new boat.   Then I made a boat trailer mostly out of large used water pipe to fit the boat and the front axle spindles off a junked out 1936 Chev.

 

This little boat served me well for about 5 years until I got the urge to go to bigger and more glorious things, like make a larger boat.   I then sold it to my father who had just retired. 

 

 

 

(8)  I had been looking at larger boat plans for about a year, even purchased a couple of sets of plans for 18' and 20' models.  Then one day in the local newspaper there was a unfinished 22' plywood hull advertised for the price of $200.   Upon inspection, I found it was also designed by Edwin Monk, the same marine architect as designed my 12'er.  I managed to borrow a car moving trailer and with help of a couple of friends hauled it home.  This was just a bare floatable hull.  The previous owner had drilled the keel for installation of a inboard motor and accompanying rudder.  The one thing that did not really thrill me was the keel, ribs and bottom stiffeners were made of spruce.

 

I spent a goodly number of months getting the hull finished which included a cabin, bunk, sink and head.  The motor was from a Plymouth car my father-in-law owned which had a 318ci V8 motor.  I found a used marine transmission and bought a flywheel housing to adapt the two.  The (2) 20 gallon fiberglass fuel tanks were made off a plywood mold then mounted up under the overhang in front of the transom.   Fuel level was obtained by not painting a 1" vertical strip on each corner as a visual indicator in this somewhat clear tank.   Marine water cooled manifolds were purchased, as well as a marine gear type water pump.

 

This boat was used for sport salmon fishing out of Westport WA. the next year on every week-end.   The next winter this boat was slightly modified and was used the next six years as a commercial salmon troller.  Every week-end and all vacation days were taken during the summers.  This fleet of small commercial boats were nicknamed the "Kelpers" as we were small enough that we could not carry any ice, fished closer to shore where kelp usually was present and we had to be back in port at night because we could not carry enough fuel to stay out.

 

During this time I was running a part time gunsmithing business, but lived on a out of the way county road.  I had the opportunity to trade properties with someone who lived on a main highway but had a couple of young children and wanted a less traveled road to live on.  We traded/moved and remodeled the existing garage into a gun shop.  This location was what was needed to jumpstart my part-time business which within four years turned into a full time family business.   Needless to say, business came before pleasure and the boat sat until someone driving by inquired, then soon became the new proud owner of a commercial fishing boat AND the licenses required.

 

 

(9)  Without a boat but still yearning for some boat type fishing, and after about wearing out a Herters catalog , I ordered a 15' Herters single ended cargo canoe.   This took a couple of months before it came in.  I purchased a new 1978 9.9hp Johnson, but did not have a lot of time to use the two.  Finally I got it put in the local river and proceeded to make a downstream run.  Problem was the motor was more powerful than that round bottomed canoe could withstand where we got a VERY sensitive unstable situation at anything over 1/2 throttle.

 

The boat got little use for the next 2 to 3 years because of the business, and I finally sold it, but kept the motor.

 

(10)   My father-in-law happened to hear of a long haul trucker from Arkansas who was making a delivery of aluminum Jon boats to the Pacific Northwest, but the company he was to deliver to for some reason was unable to pay for the boats he had onboard and was to deliver.  The word is that he called his home office and was told to sell the boats to get enough money for fuel for a return trip.  I bought a 16' Jon boat and the father-in-law bought a 14'er.

 

On this boat I fitted it a center console and a 35hp Johnson outboard.  It got used a couple of years in the bay / lower river, but the business kept keeping me busier that I wanted, and a newbie river fishing guide twisted my arm enough to let me part with this one.  He used it for guiding on the Cowlitz River for many years.

 

(11)  OK, maybe if I had a smaller boat again I might be able to do a bit of lake or lower river fishing even though the business was going strong.  There was a fiberglass manufacturing company in a close by town that occasionally would sell 2nds.  These 2nds were boats that the glass might not have been as thick in places that they did not want to sell as first class, so would part with them at a discount.    I purchased a 12' conventional shaped hull model and used the 9.9 Johnson that I had kept.    Great boat, great performance, but the only thing I found was that with someone sitting in the bow, it was hard to control as far as steering (too much bow weight at faster speed).   A friend owned the same size and brand but in a tri-hull design.  Very stable boat.   But I kept this for a few years.

 

(12)   About this same time, I had acquired a Alaskan pop up camper from a hunting partner.  Again the business was going great and  if you are a good gunsmith, you are snowed with work during the hunting season so have little use for a hunting type camper.   One of my neighbors had acquired a used 19' bartender boat with a 50 hp Mercury.  These boats are a double ender with the motor in a well near the stern.  Very seaworthy boats.  We made a trade.

 

At this time I did not have room to store any boats inside so had to cover them with a tarp.  Business kept growing and my time kept getting short with longer hours spent in the business.  This boat sat in the back yard for a couple of years and I was afraid that it might deteriorate to where no one would get any benefit from this fine boat.   So I sold it to a person who realized what it was and it's possibilities.  It is still being used on the lower Columbia River.

 

(13)   During this time I would attend a couple of gunshows a month, promoting the business.  My show partner lived near the area where we used to fish on the bay.   He was prone to do a lot of trading.  So from him, I acquired a 10' Columbia tri-hull made by the same company I had previously owned the 12'er.  This little boat worked great as a car topper for my Toyota pickup.  I used it for a number of years, then after my son got married, he was looking at it, used it, then bought it so he and the new bride could enjoy fishing.   She as afraid of the low freeboard, so I bought tit back and gave to grandson.

 

(14)   A friend was working for me and he used to Steelhead fish a lot. He had the chance to buy a used fiberglass drift boat, asked if I was interested in becoming a partner in it.   We bought it and his dad built a trailer for it.  Work was so much that in a year we never used it once, so we sold it.

 

(15)   We finally got the business to where I had at least Sundays off, and purchased a used 17' convertible topped Glasply with a 50hp Johnson outboard from a friend that was getting old enough that both he and his fishing partner brother both had Arthritis and Asthma so bad it took trade offs even for them to load the boat on the trailer.  This little boat and motor was a great combo.  I made time to fish it in Puget Sound, Willapa Bay, Columbia River and the Pacific Ocean with it. 

 

However one trip to the Columbia fishing Buoy 10 area was a day I should not have been there.  The plan was to have the son-in-law and grandson meet me at the Illwaco launch.   That day weather was not that great, but before they got there, I looked southward, saw a blue hole in the clouds, thinking, OK the weather will clear up.  Wrong, it got worse once we were in the river, rough, rain and wind.

 

It was so rough that this little boat bobbed around like a cork, and heading into the wind/chop, we took more than one wave over the bow, up onto the windshield and under the snapped on convertible top.  Boy that water was cold in your lap.  The only boats that were catching fish were larger ones that could weather these waves, and even they were working at it.   We were trolling south, but the lines were going under the stern as we were being pushed north.   I decided that we had better call it a day, told the son-in-law to pull in the lines.  He got one in and on the second, (mine) hollered "SHUT IT DOWN, SHUT IT DOWN".  OK I did, but we were then drifting close to a pilling breakwater just south of the Chinook channel entrance.  I asked what was wrong.  "Your line is tangled in the prop".  Get it and the other in and we need to get out of here NOW. 

 

OK, I fire up the large motor, but when trying to put it in gear it dies.  Try it again, dies.  It appears that there was so much monofilament line wrapped around the prop shaft that the motor would start in neutral, but there was so much resistance that it could not overcome, to allow the motor to run while shifting into forward.  Basically dead in the water, and those piling was coming up on us fast.   I dropped the 9.9 Johnson kicker motor down and it started on the 2nd pull.  We came all the way back to the Illwaco launch on the kicker.  It was rough enough that at times it's prop was out of the water. 

 

After the boat was loaded and pulled up on top of the parking area, I walked back, inspected the tangled line situation AND kissed that little motor.  There was a larger boat there near us where two fishermen were also removing line from their twin rotating Volvo outdrive.   One saw me kiss the kicker and I overheard him tell his partner "I would like to know what happened over there, but I don't want that guy pissed at me".

 

Needless to say I had motivation to look for a larger boat if I was to continue any kind of this type of fishing.

 

(16)  Purchased a 16' Peerless plywood boat with a 35hp Johnson from a friend for my son-in-law.  But he lost his job soon afterwards and I sold that boat (which I never got fully paid for).

 

(17)  In my search for a larger boat, I remembered from a couple of years before when three of us took our boats to Neah Bay halibut fishing and one of these boats was a 19' Tiderunner.  Very nice, seaworthy boat.  Watching adds and dreaming, (we) the wife and I took a add from Fishing and Hunting News, headed to Tacoma to find the Tiderunner plant.  When we found an abandoned location, but with a sign for their Gig Harbor location.  OK, a side trip to Gig Harbor where we looked at new boats on display.  But they did not have the 19'er on the floor, however the salesman said "come with me as they also rented moorage and there were 2 fishermen who had theirs moored that he was sure would not object if we looked at them".

 

Price was a bit more than I anticipated with the extras I wanted if they were to build me one.  So the next week I called back and inquired, "do you have any used 19'ers".   No, but  we do have a used 20' on consignment and a used 22' that we took in trade.  Another trip up and I made an offer on the 20'er.  This boat was 5 years old, in excellent shape and had a 150hp with a  9.9hp Yamahas.  It only had 53 hours on it.    The next day I got a call and the boat was mine if I was still interested.

 

It appears this boat was only moored in a yacht club, used to get the owners into a social club.  It to took many months to get this non fishing boat outfitted into a fishing boat.  It was used many years fishing from the Columbia River, Westport,  Neah Bay , Canada, Port Townsend to Olympia WA. salmon, halibut and bottomfishing.

 

I usually took my son, son-in-law and grandsons out.   Later the son bought my business and his spare time diminished considerably, my daughter and family moved to Montana, so I lost my fishing crew.  About this time I got pushed into taking a friend and his father-in-law's vacation at the time they wanted to go.  They paid my fuel bill, offered a meal or two at their RV.  I paid the moorage, upkeep on the boat, oil mix for the 2 cycle motor, insurance and the bait.  Hell, I was chartering but got no reimbursement.  I let this happen for 3 years, then when I finally had enough, requested a better compensation, that friendship pretty well ended.   On one of these trips I had a partial retina separation in my only eye (I have a prosthesis in the other).  I was not sure what was happening so toughed out two more days on the boat.  At the end of that trip, I finally had time and made a trip to the eye doctor where emergency room laser surgery was performed.

 

I had gotten burned out by their "friendship" and my allowing it to happen.  The boat sat for a year and then when I finally got back into the mood to fish again, I wound up having to rewire some of the ground wires to the motor as some of the wiring had corroded and the whole boat probably needed to be rewired.  The economy had fallen badly and my efforts to sell it proved fruitless, so it just sat for a couple of years. 

 

(18)  In about 1999 I got the hankering for a smaller river / lake boat and purchased used 14' Sears riveted aluminum, which I used my old 1978 9.9 Johnson for power.  The trailer needed repairs, which I did.  After a few trips to the bay, this was not quite enough boat for that area and my type of fishing, so I then gave it to my son-in-law.

 

(19)  In In the meantime I purchased a 16' Hewescraft jet sled which had a 1970 40hp Jonson jet for power.  This motor appeared to have never really been run on this boat as things did not function well.  The motor needed a complete engine rebuild.  It also had the old style jet's shifting unit that I could not get to operate correctly.  I then purchased a 1980 70ho Johnson and fished it a year with the prop for power.  I then converted it to a jet unit which functioned quite well.  I extensively modified the hull seating design and used extensively in bay and river fishing for a number of years. 

 

All the while, I would start up the Tidreunner's motors every few months then tried to sell it.  The economy was down and those that were interested did not have any money.  When a retired auto mechanic showed interest in it, I finally stripped the Tiderunner of the kicker motor, radar, 2nd sonar, Port-a Potty, etc.  And sold the trailer for $1000 and gave the boat away.

 

I was using the Hewescraft mostly in the bay and lower tidewater rivers, but never really got to where I was comfortable running the jet in swift river water.   Running upstream was no problem, but going downstream, you have to be going faster than the current in order to maintain control and things can happen fast.  Maybe I am to old to learn this.   

 

I bought back the (#13) the 10' tri-hull and a 6hp Evinrude from my son. 

 

The daughter moved back from Montana and one grandson is a fisherman so I kept this 10'er boat but, put his name on it in my will.  One of the reasons for me keeping it is they live in a house with no off street parking and in a pretty high crime area.   But because this 19 year old is pretty much a loner and in a different area from where he grew up and liked to fish, I then physically gave these to this 10'er to him.  Now he can haul in the back of his 3/4 ton Chevy pickup.

 

(20)  The rage seemed to be floating the rivers.  I bought a 9' pontoon boat.  Used it twice and decided that this was not for this fat boy with a bad back.

 

(21)   See # 13

 

(22)   Next in 2009, I located a 3 year old used welded aluminum 18' North River Mariner with a Evinrude 75 E-TEC motor   I later purchased a new 8hp Yamaha T8 (hi thrust with power tilt) as a trolling motor and made some modifications to the boat to make it more fishable for me.    This boat is not the ultimate, but does what I want, IF I watch the weather when I want to go to the ocean salmon fishing.  It is small enough that I can launch/recover and comfortably fish it alone if I can not get anyone to go with me.  The convertible top gives protection from the rain and what sun we get here in the pacific northwest.  The motor is not overly large, gives me good fuel economy in today's high fuel prices and gets an easy 32 mph with 2 persons with a full 35 gallon fuel tank.  That is good enough for me, as speed can be the worst thing you may do to get into trouble on the water.

 

This was not the boat I really was interested in, (however very similar as I was looking for a new 18' Hewes Craft) but this one happened to be the one I could afford at the time, and we do catch fish out of it as witnessed below.

Still keeping this one, but needed a smaller boat that can be towed by my SUV for lake fishing.

 

 

 

(23)  After giving the 10' tri-hull to one of the grandsons, I traded a neighbor for it's larger brother, a 12' that I intend to use as a car topper on racks on my pickup truck.  Then I traded a rebuilt 1974 9.9 Johnson for a 1985 6hp Johnson that I use on this boat.  The plan was taking it to British Columbia as a car topper for a week's fishing trip, and using it nearer home in upper tidewater salmon fishing in the fall if 2012.

 

The wife does not normally fish with me, but on our Canadian trip she did a few times and she caught some trout. 

 

 

(24)  The #23 performed well for what I wanted it for, but times change.  My wife developed a rare spinal cord type injury type disease (PLS) that effects her balance (falling a lot and even breaking arm bones), the nerves to her legs and hands are deteriorating to where even though she wears a "Life Alert" necklace 24 hours a day, I am becoming her 24 hour caregiver.  This has considerably changed my salmon fishing to where I do not feel like I can be gone for more than 2 or maybe 3 hours at a time if she is watching TV or laying down resting. 

 

OK, we live close enough to a couple of major rivers, or Puget Sound, where I may be able to sneak out alone under this allocated time.  Here my 18' river/bay/ocean convertible boat is slightly overkill and fishing alone on rivers, the convertible top is a hindrance.  I, having owned numerous of these tri-hulls, knew their seaworthiness.  I found their larger 14' brother, which would fill that requirement.

 

The nameplate says Olympian, but was made by the same Columbia Fiberglas company as it's smaller brothers.  They basically took the 12'er , lengthened it 2', widened it 6" and deepened it at the rear 2 1/2" and 5" at the bow.  I essentially wanted another lake/river open boat like the 12'er but with a bit more stability as I wanted to be able to fish the lower sections of a medium sized river close by.  It is a long story in restoring this boat which is FOUND HERE.   I then found a 2012 25hp Evinrude E-Tec with very little usage, as it looks like it is new, and has plenty of power, plus a electric trolling motor.

 

In restoring this boat, which was purchased in October 2015, also made a winter's project where I could do the repairs, yet be close at home and yet be readily accessible via the wife's cell phone call if needed.  This project has extended into the late summer/fall of 2017 when all the inner parts were completed and then the boat was stripped down, and rolled over to inspect and do the exterior fiberglass hull repairs.

Never really got a chance to use it.  Got remarried and this boat was not really compatible for 2 older people, so sold it.   AND LATER KICK MY LOWER ANATOMY FOR DOING SO, as she passed away within 9 months.  But that is life.

 

 

(25)  My main boat #22 had sat for over 5 years (used once) because of my wife's medical condition where she required 24 hour care.  The motor developed a corroded steering column shaft because of inactivity and rust from saltwater, to where major repairs are needed. 

 

I had traded off our car for a small SUV so the wife had better access in and out.   And I gave my towing pickup to a grandson after his car died, and even if I wanted, could not tow this boat with the SUV because of weight constrictions.  My wife had passed away.  So I needed a smaller fishing project boat, but finances were very limited.

 

This 60 year boat became available from a relative, being from an estate, sat outside uncovered and not licensed for 23 years.  She is basically a runabout or ski boat, so it needed a internal overhaul to make it into a fishing boat.  The outer fiberglass hull is in really good shape, just all the other things were deteriorated.

 

The motor was a 1981 Suzuki 65hp and I mounted my 1984 6hp Johnson as a trolling motor.  The Suzuki required minimal maintenance to get it running fine.  For a link to it's restoration CLICK HERE.

 

It took all summer to restore this boat to fishable condition, with more as a winter project of replacing the rotted floor and seats.

 

Sold it the year after completion because it really needed a new higher windshield and matching convertible top.  And I did not like the remote controls, along with I really missed the open bow access.

 

 

(26)  Bought an old 12' StarCraft aluminum open row boat.  So now have a smaller boat that can be towed behind my medium sized SUV and the Class "B" RV van.  Or put it in the river and not afraid of running it on a gravel bar and not being able to get it off.  Can also use it for non motorized lakes.   Just need to make a small trailer for it now.  Sold it after acquiring #27.

 

(27)  Bought a slightly newer 14' StarCraft aluminum open row boat.  This one will replace the #26 12'er as I found that it was just too small for me and the waters that I may fish.   Initially I was looking for a 14'er when I bought the 12'er, because in looking for about  a year, I could not find a 14'er that was in a condition I was willing to accept OR newer ones that were way out of my price range, so settled on a 12'er.  My mistake.

   Most of the improvements/modifications that I had done on the 12'er were transferred onto the 14'er as it is the same make/model, just slightly wider and longer.   What a difference 2' makes on this size.  Now, I have two left, this one and my larger 18' North River.   This one for lakes and tidewater in coastal rivers, and the larger one for saltwater.

 

 

And I tore the Evinrude E-TEC apart and repaired the seized steering shaft that was on the (#22)  North River.  Now back to the North River that will be towed by a 2006 Ford F-150 pickup.

 

  Overview ;   All this above is to portray that OK, maybe I am a boat junky, but times do change, and your needs may also change for what ever reason.  Your geographical location may change because of a job change or heath reasons.  Fishing will very likely be different in other locations.  AND there is really NO "One Size Fits All" boat, some may be close however.  Your prime concern when using any boat should be safety.  Some boats will simply not be safe in some locations/conditions.  While a 20' cabin cruiser would certainly have problems in a shallow 10 acre pond. 

 

   One of the first rules on boat ownership is there is that NO BOAT IS A COMPROMISE for all types of fishing, and there are only compromising fishermen.  And remember the perfect all-around boat is usually the one the other guy has.

 

   If you are a dedicated fisherman, some of us fish for relaxation, others because you like to eat fish, (or have to eat fish because of diet constraints).  Others like us retired geezers simply have worked hard all our life, saved our money and now have time to enjoy what we like to do, as long as we can stretch the ticking clock and banana peel  out, or need a reason to get out and breathe some uncontaminated air.

 

   As you can see from my life history of owning boats, they were mainly results of opportunity and/or my ability to cover financially at that time.  If I had unlimited funds and could have a boat built for my current fishing desires, yes I could very easily put together a wish list.  This boat/list however would be totally different now, than it was 15 or 20 years ago.   However if you visit many marine dealers, they SHOULD be able to, by asking your fishing type/styles provide you with pretty sound information based on previous boat owners needs.  BUT be careful of the salesman who wants to dump something on you, does not offer a trial run, or wants you to lay cash or credit card on the line NOW. 

 

   Join a fishing club or two, let it be known that you do not have a boat and would be interested in sharing expenses in your effort to find the right boat for your needs.  You might even learn new styles of fishing than you never even considered, which will ultimately govern what boat you may need.  Think about what you might need, not only now, but down the road and take your time.  Remember the word BOAT, you can spend a lot of money by making bad/hasty decisions on buying the wrong style of boats.

 

   Like I mentioned early on, each fishing boat will be outfitted differently and you can learn by observing and asking questions.  This type of learning is a lot quicker than you stumbling around rather blind, and not understanding what is happening.  I personally do not care who thought of a good idea first, but if it works, then thank the guy and follow his lead.

 

    For more information on outfitting and fishing tips go back to my BOATING RELATED ARTICLES.  

 

 

 

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Originated 02-29-2012, Last updated 10-09-2023
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