Home Forums Fishing Saltwater Tell me about West Coast Saltwater boats.

Hi Sam,

I will second the Hewescraft vote. I've had a Searunner for years, and really like it. The Hewes is not as nice as a North River or Wooldridge, but is well made, sturdy, and much more reasonably priced. From my experience, I see more wealthy, older guys without kids in the fancier boats (i.e. not me!). Think about what capability you really need. It's kind of like the guy who buys a 1 ton diesel to go to the grocery store and Cabelas. Do you need/can you afford a 1 Ton Dodge Cummins diesel, or will a 1/2 Ton Toyota Tundra work for you? For me, Hewescraft = Toyota.

Mine is used mostly for fishing and crabbing, and also plays double duty with 3 teenagers and friends skiing and tubing on rivers and lakes. Aluminum is the way to go IMO in the PNW. It's great to beach the boat for island camping and cooking up the days catch.

As already discussed, a deep V hull is the ticket for rough water. The same goes for good suspension seats - your back will thank you.

You'll probably want to be in the 18' to 22' range size wise, depending on the size of your family. Mine is an 18' with 90HP, which is plenty for me and uses gas sparingly.

If it will be kept on a trailer, a bare aluminum boat has a lot going for it, except the ride in rough going.

Another thought, the extended transom on the Hewes 18ft boat has more inside space then the 20 foot with the wet transom. So you are getting a lot more space even though it's 2' shorter ( in theory) you also get the transom platform with a swim ladder to get in and out, as well as storage for things you don't want inside the boat. Like crab traps, buckets, bumpers, and even an ice chest of some sort.

I never owned an extended transom boat before. With this one I would never own one without an extended transom again! It's especially nice with a fast deceleration and no chance of water coming in over the stern wall/ motor mount. Leaning into it with your thighs while fighting big fish is an added benefit I never imagined as well.

Look at the use of space and the extended transom option close before you choose. Hewes has some very clever designs to use the most of it's space.

Xtraero Boats makes a really nice looking ride.

Their shop is across the street from one of our warehouses. Wandered in one day and am impressed with their boats. Not the typical stretched river sled with a pilot house slapped on.