Best handtroll boat 10,000 budget

elhewman

2011-04-10 06:09:04

First off, I will be mainly a weekend hobby hand troller and probably will start with Rods and reel. I am debating a hyper efficient relatively simple 24-26 displacement hull boat that cruises 7 knots max but burns 1/2 gallon hour. Or something that will blow out there in a heart beat but is still relatively seaworthy. Perhaps a dory hull with a less than 130hp four stroke. I suppose it would depend on a lot on location. Ultimately it will be the weekends and occasional week off during summer that I fish. What can catch fish better In your opinion? Seems my first idea is the seaworthy one and the latter would give me speed. Located In Sitka AK.

Thanks for any input!

Super Cub

2011-04-10 20:49:55

I have no experience up there, so I can't answer your question. However, I wouldn't downplay the seaworthiness of a dory hull. Unfortunately, most of them aren't self-bailing, but they are still extremely seaworthy. There is an old saying among the local dory fleet that goes something to the affect of "If the weather & seas are so bad that you are scared for your life, just curl up in the bottom of your dory until the storm passes." If you decide to look at dories, you might keep an eye on the Oregon Coast Craigslist; I have seen a few really nice ones the past few months (22-26' Crown, Chetco, Learned, or PC dories are popular here).

Salty

2011-04-11 05:23:35

I hand trolled out of a 19 footer with a 150 outboard out of Sitka for three seasons. Definitely recommend that route with rods.

ericv

2011-04-11 17:12:16

Like Salty, my first handtroller up here in S.E. Alaska was a wood, 19' Carolina dory with a motor well. The outboard I eventually installed was a 18hp Tohatsu (new and within budget) which pushed me at about 10knots. Fished with rods at times but had aluminum poles and davits. I am a doryman to the core even though our present troller isn't one, even considering to downsize to a Chetco, Crown, Learn or Harvey myself. At the right speed and load, like one poster said, they can weather some amazing seas. We don't see many up here but our fellow trollers along the Oregon coast are the absolute best folks when it comes to looking for advice. They say every child born in Pacific City, Oregon has a little dory clenched in their hand when born!

It's a "Fish or Cut Bait" scenario when looking at what type of HT boat to go for on a limited budget. Speed allows quick access and escape but higher engine and fuel costs. Displacement is hitting a few select spots and planning ahead for running for shelter, easy on engine costs and fuel.

Do check the craigslist site, especially the Portland, Oregon Coast, and Willamette (sp) Valley sites for dories if that's the route you choose. Also check out the Dory Page at: http://home.comcast.net/~dorypage/index.htm

Eric

entropy

2011-04-12 05:21:30

Don't know if this is what you are looking for but thought I'd pass it on. Found it while I was boat shopping.

http://oregoncoast.craigslist.org/boa/2319317479.html

elhewman

2011-04-12 20:38:07

Yeah pretty much what I am looking for right now. Problem is shipping so I will have to be around a 6000.00 budget if shopping in lower 48. Any Other skiff Ideas? Checking out every dory made right now from sizes 20-26'. Possibly bay runners or klamath style skiffs as well.

yak2you2

2011-04-14 05:58:01

Go to pictures and movies and look for my skiff trolling pictures. That is a 21 ft. fiberglass full gilnet skiff which is standard issue up this-a-way. Easily made into whatever you want it to be. Flatbottomed so you can go ashore, and very seaworthy. Trust me, you will be crying before the boat is ever in any danger. I've crab fished, trolled, gillnetted, sportfished, you name it out of them for my whole life. They pack a ton of weight, and with a minimal amount of care they last forever.

There a few for sale up here on the bulletin boards that are in your price range.

elhewman

2011-04-15 22:21:18

Would be very interested in finding more of the skiffs you are talking about. Seem to be up my alley.

Super Cub

2011-04-28 04:13:12

Are you looking at the awesome Crown dory on the Oregon Coast CL? I heard it was someone from AK, so I might buy the Oregon troll permit from him. If you are the one looking at that boat, it is a smokin' deal. A friend of mine told me in March that he "might" sell it this year; I was hoping he would wait until the end of summer to put it on the market (I would have sold my boat and bought it).

elhewman

2011-04-28 15:19:49

I was looking at that boat and another one as well but it looks like after my purchasing my permit that I am out of luck and will be fishing out of my 16' skiff until next Summer. Thats life, and I am sure I will have a better Idea of what I want a year from now.

Thanks for all of your help.

Salty

2011-04-28 15:29:07

My friend Randy Conrad started out in a 16 foot skiff and steadily moved up and is now a successful troller/longliner. Good luck, let us know how it goes.

Super Cub

2011-05-03 00:31:25

Well, did you see this one? http://oregoncoast.craigslist.org/boa/2358047156.html :D

elhewman

2011-05-03 21:58:54

That is a cool skiff and I love it. Might talk to my parents to see if they can check it over for me and make sure the hull is sound. If it was in sitka, it would be in my driveway.

Super Cub

2011-05-06 02:20:34

Not to beat a dead horse, but here's another thought: http://www.ifish.net/board/showthread.php?t=357104&highlight=permit

I could use the Oregon Troll Permit and maybe some of the hydraulics, which would leave you with a very inexpensive and economical boat with trolling poles. I might even have a line or two on some hand-gurdies to set it up.

elhewman

2011-05-07 05:36:31

Would love to work a deal like that but at his point the only boat money I have will pay for shipping. Just hoping to find a local skiff in good shape that is better than my 16 ft Duroboat...like a 18 bay runner or klamath since I could switch out power if need be. If there were Dorys here I could probably afford one like the vics craft you pointed out. Reasonable boats are a couple grand out of my price range for now. Oh well.

Kelper

2011-05-27 14:49:40

Be smart about things and get something that isn't going to kill you on the fuel. Lord knows it isn't going to get any cheaper. Find that balance of seaworthiness, ability to haul some fish, and fuel economy. It'll be hard to make any money if you are burning 50 gallons a day getting to the fish.

My little hobby troll boat is a 19' Pacific, with a 150 yamaha 4 stroke. It's a blast to troll out of, can be handled solo in the wind/waves while pulling gear, (no auto pilot) and can handle 2 half totes. Did I mention it's fun?

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