As my boys get older I'm thinking of getting a boat. Probably fresh water only, lakes and rivers such as the Snake and Columbia. Comfortably fits four. Small enough to hug the shoreline without too much hassle, big enough to handle some chop if wind picks up. The impossible do it all boat.

What would be some ideas to look into?

Thanks

The best buy will be someone's cream puff--a name brand boat/motor/trailer that has been lightly used and lavished with care; not some fixer-upper. 4-stroke motor. Side or center console. Glass or welded aluminum.

I think Most serious fisherman on the snake and Columbia run an aluminum with a jet. I would want a PNW style like a North River or Wooldridge around 20’ with a windshield and a canvas enclosure.

I would also prefer an inboard jet vs. and outboard but that’s just a personal preference….. I’d also have a 36v trolling motor on the bow with spot lock and the biggest lithium batteries I could afford.

I know a guy who has a 21 ft hughescraft with a minkota ultrex and 3 big 12v lithiums, he can run his spot lock in a river all day (8-10 hours) and still have juice left over. Has a remote so he can reposition the boat and even troll at slower speeds without having to get off his azz.

And if your running REALLY shallow, put a winch on it too and carry a spool of mule tape 🤣

V bottom deep waters flat bottom run in shallow waters. Also jet engine runs in shallow the other is deep. Just something to think about with rivers are shallow lakes.

First and most important question is what kind of water do you intend to fish most? Like several have mentioned jet or prop?? For me the easy answer is its got to be welded aluminum and there are plenty of boats made up in your neck of the woods that are great all around boats. I had a 17' Duckworth with a prop for 30+ years and it worked great for lakes, rivers including the Columbia and bays for crabbing. Duckworth still makes a really nice 20' boat which would be a good size IMHO. Just about a month ago thats what I did, sold the Duck and bought a brand new Weldcraft 20' Angler. Duck and Weldcraft are essentially the same hull these days and owned by the same company.

Also, do you want an open boat or a windshield style boat?? Both have pros and cons depending on your use. I've always liked a windshield boat for when the weather gets nasty but everyone has their preference.

Some boats you may want to look at Thunderjet, North River or even a Hewes or a Raider which makes a really nice boat. The other thing to look at do you want a traditional style transom if going prop or a off-shore type transom? I went with the traditional style since I fish alone much of the time and for me anyway its much easier to troll with that set-up versus the off-shore style which makes running a kicker much harder. Below is the new boat the first day we had it in the water, so far its been a really nice boat and it will see lots of fishing this summer including some nice days in the ocean for rockfish and lings/crabbing:)

We have a 16' Crestliner that is built like the Queen Mary.

I'm thinking aluminum for sure. Likely won't do a lot of shallow stuff. Not opposed to a jet though, just think I'd need it far less. I wouldn't mind an open boat, but already know the wife will be cold without some wind protection in the mornings. Maybe she'll just come along on nice afternoons and me and the boys can do any weather fishing... an electric trolling motor up front is a yes. I do like North River and Alumaweld, and lots of options with both. Don't know other brands too well though.

Establish your budget first.

This is the Crestliner, it's loaded down with junk.

That’s so helpful wabi🤦

You know I’ve been through a few boats. I’ve made the mistake of trying to make everyone happy. Never again. Most of those people never even went out more than once or twice. Buy what suits your desired fishing and is safe for your boys.

For me, an open/tiller boat is the best fit. You get to use more of your boat without the console. That means an 18’ will fish bigger than a 20’ console boat. Easier to garage if that’s a consideration. Easier to handle on your own, less gas to tow. Your family sits in front of you where you can see them. Drawbacks is spray, weather, and you sacrifice motor HP because most tiller boats have a lower HP rating.

Something like the Alumaweld Adventurer come in 18/20/22’. The family sits in it, not on it. There is enough bow deck storage for two batteries for a 24v trolling motor. A 60” shaft 80# Terrova i-Pilot is what I had on my Duckworth. It was just fine and would last all day. If not going in the salt, no need for a kicker.

Try to get at least a 72” bottom and I really like reverse chines. Bery stable, even when sitting on the gunnel. Duckworth just came out with an Advantage Tiller in a 20’ model. I liked my Duckworth a lot, hated the full windshield.

If you plan to get downriggers, make sure the gunnel is able to support it. Some boats have weight/length limits. The heavy gauge welded boats generally don’t.
You could also drag it out to the coast and do some saltwater fishing, crabbing, and shrimping.

Imagine this without the windshield:

'
If you're going after big fish like salmon and steelhead it is nice to fight them out of an open boat.
Fair to say that most guides use open boats.
The wife and kids will appreciate a windshield boat.
Inclement weather and it's the windshield boat with top for the win.

Budget and type of water your fishing are major factors.
I’ve been a boater in one way shape or forum my whole life.
We currently have 2 boats. For small inland lakes, I take my young fella fishing in our 16 foot aluminum boat with a 30hp Yamaha 4stroke outboard. When we go out on the larger lakes with the whole family, we use our 22 foot Searay bowrider with mercruiser stern drive. We also tube, kneeboard and water ski behind the Searay.

Well good for you for recognizing that a boat and boys go together like hot dogs and baseball. I think back into what kind of boat from what you plan to do in it. I take the "Barbie Fishing Team" out fishing a couple times a year, and I take them tubing a handful of times a year, and I go fishing about twice a week on average. I have a Ranger 1850. Plenty of choices out there but don't get into analysis paralysis. Kids don't stay little for very long.

'
If you're going to be in the Columbia and the wind comes up, you may have to fight 3-5ft wind waves on your way back to the boat ramp.
Get something that can handle those conditions.

Also, always check the weather and if you feel the wind coming up, reel in and get closer to the take-out.

Boats are very application specific. I'd look at what other people in the area use.

Watch Criagslist, Facebook marketplace, and https://www.boattrader.com/
Used boats can be a much cheaper than new and many haven't been used much.

I like the idea of an Alumaweld Adventurer, have fished in one and dealt with chop. But then think maybe something with wind and rain protection...

Rain coats and face shields!

I've run 20ft tillers from ponchetrain and the Gulf of Mexico to ft.peck only thing bad is the spray in a big cross wind. That said my wife convinced me to get a pontoon for taking out my parents, set up with the right trolling motor and electronics it's a dream to fish off. Haven't had my tuffy out in 2 years. Fishing toons have lower side fence to help with wind effects. Tuffy is for sale if anyone in the Midwest is looking

I have had a Hewescraft Sportsman 180 with a 90 Yamaha 4 stroke since new. Has been perfect for my fishing. Large lakes and sometimes big waves. Usually fish with 3 of us. Have had 5 adults on board (none of us are small). Bought new in 2010. Prices have more than doubled since then.

Another option is one of the multispecies boats from companies like Lund and Alumacraft. They have full windshields, front decks if you ever get into bass fishing, and seating for a family that can be removed for more space. They also come with ski pylons if you want to tow a tube or do some other water sports types of things. The Lund Impact 1875 and Alumacraft Competitor 185 come to mind. If rivets bother you, just remember these boats were designed to be used in the great lakes and do just fine.

An advantage these boats have is storage. They have all sorts of locking compartments for rods, life jackets, tackle, etc. They also come with stowable bimini tops.