On Friday 30 November 2001 11:01 am, Willy Gevers spoke: > After the phenomenal silver season we just experienced, I have been thinking > about getting a small runaround to better chase salmon in. An ideal boat > would be stable, able to carry 3 people, (2 flyfishing and one driving), low > profile but relatively seaworthy for close to shore salmon fishing, and fast > enough to cover miles of shoreline. > > With no input or advice, I would pick a 15' Boston Whaler. Does anyone have > any input?
Boston Whalers are great boats, I was just today out on Lake Washington working, and there were 2 of us in the bow of the 17' boat, and there was no problem. I have also had 3 people in close proximity while hoisting equipment over the side. In short it is a very strong, stable boat. The problem that I have found with BWs are in rougher water, where they bounce and bash the waves due to the tri hull that gives them such stability. While they are a fine boat to fish in calm weather, I would hate to be 10 miles away in a storm. You might get there fine, but it will be slow. At work we also have a 5 meter Zodiac, which is a much kinder boat in rough water, due to the V-hull, and some attenuation due to the air bladders. I'm not crazy about fishing out of this boat due to the height of the bladders over the deck, and the small floor space of this boat due to the bladders. I have been considering buying a boat for sound use in the next couple of years, I am seeking an open bow and a semi-V or V-hull for rough water performance and stability. Rather than get into something as fancy as the Arimas, I have considered something like the Lund Alaskan Series (www.lundboats.com/html/alaskan.htm), and at this time, I think I lean toward tiller control. Not having a console opens up the boat to having more room for fishing. I first saw these boats on a fishing show about a Walleye tournament in South Dakota, where the lake was quite wild with waves. These guys had boats similar to the Alaskan with tiller control, and were in full control on this lake and able to fish easily. Now most of the fishing was trolling, so it had little to do with fly fishing, but the boats look quite adaptable. Rob -- Rob Blomquist Kirkland, WA
