Fishing with Rod Discussion Forum
Fishing in British Columbia => General Discussion => Topic started by: nickredway on December 10, 2009, 09:07:22 PM
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Thinking of picking up a boat over the winter, was hoping to use it on the Fraser to hop around between bars. Any ideas on what I should be looking at?
Many Thanks,
Nick
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That question is too broad - you need to narrow it down a bit.
How many people, what species are you targetting, your towing capacity, and the biggest consideration is your budget.
You can go after a $750 12' aluminum with a 9.9hp or up to and beyond a $60,000 310hp, 22' aluminum jet.
Do you want a multi purpose vessel - given our diminishing opportunities on the Fraser?
In the end it comes down to money and how much of it you're willing to commit, only to have is resting in your yard or garage.
There is always good deals in the classified, craigslist, this web site. Heck, I've got a 1448 jon boat with a 30hp and electric bow mount motors posted here somewhere.
For the Fraser - start with an aluminum boat. Power is always a debate - usually prop drive is less expensive to own and operate if you respect and learn the river.
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Thanks Reiber - don't have much budget, just looking for something suitable to put in the Langley, Chilliwack, Mission, Hope area and get between boat access bars and maybe use for lake / camping etc. To carry 4 max will mainly be targeting Salmon. Can i get something half decent for a couple of grand?
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I doubt you will be able to get a decent aluminum boat for less than $5000.
You can look at 15' to 18' fibreglass boats with an outboard between 60hp and 100hp (inboards are too heavy and sit too deep in the water).
Try to avoid 'Deep-V' boats as these are designed to cut waves in the ocean and will sit too deep in the river.
There are plenty around in this price range ($2000).
Look for one with the features that you want (closed-bow, full canvas, kicker, seating, etc).
Wait for January-February for the best prices.
You'll probably need at least a small pickup with a V6 to pull it with.
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very nice thread.
Dear Rieber,
what size and type of outboard engine do you recommend for a 16 to 18 feeter for Fraser River, let say with a load of 5 persons plus gears and looking for a decent speed around 30 to 35 MPH??
thanks.
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30-35 is pretty fast but quite comfortable. I have traveled at 45 mph up the Fraser but in all honesty I start clenching up - expecially when I'm not the one operating the boat. It is pretty fun though.
It might be pretty hard to get a 16' aluminum boat with 5 adults and gear up the river at 30-35mph without exceeding the hp rating on the boat. Most modern 16' aluminum boats, even the heavy aluminum river boats, are rated at 90hp max - I believe. Probably only rated for 4 persons as well. I think the best you could do with your load would be 38mph - give or take a few.
Heavy aluminum 18' river boats are mostly rated to 115hp max - I believe.
I personally like my boats to be pushed by the max rated hp - sometimes I've over powered boats and while I would never advise it, it is safe if you respect the power and weight. Let's face it, everything has a safety factor built into it.
In my opinion, if you intend to frequently load your boat with 5 people and want to travel up the Fraser at 35mph, then go for an 18' aluminum with a minimum of 90hp and to the max rating of 115hp, if that's what is rated for your boat.
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Thanks Reiber - don't have much budget, just looking for something suitable to put in the Langley, Chilliwack, Mission, Hope area and get between boat access bars and maybe use for lake / camping etc. To carry 4 max will mainly be targeting Salmon. Can i get something half decent for a couple of grand?
Yes you can find something suitable in aluminum on a trailer for $2000 that will get you around on the Fraser and lakes or camping but it will be and older set-up, 25-40hp - tiller steering and no windshield. This is about the only time of the year that you will find that deal and you'll have to look around for it. That open boat in the Fraser in late fall and winter sucks as well - too cold without a windshield and canopy. That's where Easywater states $5000 for a decent aluminum boat.
You can safely run a fibreglass boat in the Fraser. I've done it several times but I don't like it, Well it's not too bad in the Spring - high water. But not too much fun in August for Sockeye when you want to beach the boat. It sucks trying to move a boat off the bar when it washes up a bit on the bar or tide drops enough for the back of the boat to ground out. You need to pull the boat onto a stick to keep from damaging the hull too much.
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i got a 12 foot princecraft with a 15hp on it and it works fine on the fraser. 2 people max though. on a trailer i paid 2500.
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go to craigslist Seattle click on "boats" then type "sled" into the search.
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island boy says that his boat is ok for the Fraser R but I assume he boats on the river from Maple Ridge east. If he boats west of Maple Ridge than he must be extra careful as there are times where the river can be very dangerous for that size of boat.We had an older k & c 13ft runabout fiberglass with a 35hp outboard. We learned to boat the Fraser R. from New West all the way to Sandheads in that boat. When I told a chap about it he said "I WAS CRAZY". Also to let him know when I was going to Sandheads so he could listen to the radio...(waiting to hear about a drowned boater) Recommend min. 16-17ft 45hp 7ft beam windsheild for lower Fraser with good freeboard. Once even got scared(well not scared but ...put it this way "very concerned") in our Arima as we hit 5-6ft steep waves...luckily with the bow ...yes on the Fraser.
Well for 3 yrs we used that 13 ft k & c boat with a total of 600hrs on the water & 99% of the time we had no problems at all.
BUT: Aprox. 5x we really feared for our lives !!! Once coming back from New West travelling west we had these 4ft swells that were going west. Yes these gentle swells were travelling down the river...then about 1/2 mile to the port side were these 2 MONSTER TUGS going up-river at full power. They also were not towing anything. There must of been 40 5-6ft steep wake waves that came right at us. Think 80% of the time I just closed my "eyes"as the waves hit. 3-4 waves went over the windsheild. -- Then with this same boat we were crossing the main river by Steveston Is to go up to Ladner & we had following waves that were in the 4-5ft range pushing at our stern. Literally in a snap of your finger our little 13ft boat was sideways to the waves. These waves were caused by the incoming tide. By instict I turned the wheeel hard & hit the trottle..."just in time". What I'm saying is...be very very careful on this river as it changes like how some people have mood swings!!!! Also get to know the hidden dangers as some snags are just under the surface by mere inches. I know of 2 places where snags are & in areas where there's lots of boat traffic.
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Trust me after 40 yrs of river fishing both sides of the border,,,,,SMALL is NOT good. !6-18' is plenty if good freeboard or very flat and /wide . NEVER scrimp on horse power. Spend a few more bucks and save your life. I see just way too many underpowered and undersized on the Fraser,,,,we call them DEATH traps. Its just NO place to take chances.
I run a 17' custom made small sled with a 90 jet outboard ,,,,lots of power and an 88" beam and have had some scary times when those river tugs come by throwing a 5-6 ' wake. BE safe guy..............
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Thanks for the replies - can someone explain what the freeboard is?
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Thanks for the replies - can someone explain what the freeboard is?
here
freeboard means the distance from the waterline to the upper deck level, measured at the lowest point of sheer where water can enter the boat or ship
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Thanks - will keep researching and saving the pennies!
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Cant go wrong with a 16 ft aluminum and 25-40 hp.
Lund and Princecraft make great boats as well as many others.
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I think the gentleman needs to go and take a power squadron course, don't think I would be getting in a boat with some one that does not know what FREEBOARD is. ;D ;D Probably does not know what port and starboard is either, maybe we should try for bow and stern. ;D ;D ;D
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Thanks for that comment Speycaster. Did I state I had any boating experience ??? FYI I have actually set foot in a real live boat on the ocean a few times in the past. Whilst I do know the difference between Port and Starboard you're right about something - I wouldn't dream of taking responsibility for a boat and passengers with little to no clue and would have taken the Power Squadron course by now had I not been working all over the Island and up in Whistler for the last year. It's kind of hard to get any regular practical experience if you don't actually own a boat. Don't worry I won't be going out alone but with one of my more experienced and less patronising chums :)
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Basically what I'm getting is that I should be looking an aluminum, at least 16', designed for river rather than open ocean and with plenty of HP. Looks like I am going to be saving for a good while longer to get something decent. Further to this does anyone have any advice on a boat setup that would be suitable for both the Fraser and perhaps Burrard inlet / Howe Sound?
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Glad you are going out with some one with experience, glad you know about the power squadrons. As a past instructor of power squadron courses I highly recommend taking basic boating. Seen too many dead bodies of people that lacked the skills to operate the equipment that they had bought. Many people get caught in bad weather in boats and do not know what to do when this occurs. Remember every thing that happens and learn from the mistakes, every one makes them it is jut that the more experienced boaters can recover from their errors. Those with no experience end up in the water, then the fun of hypothermia begins. ;D
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Just in the last few yrs.in the area I've heard of 6 boating accidents & many examples of boats being pushed to the shoreline by crashing waves. Sadly some of the mishaps have at least 3 deaths & other examples injuries. This is just some I heard of by chance & sure there are alot more...that I've not heard about.
Having a safe boat is the 1st step & the other step is to operate it safely. Speed & not keeping your eyes where ya going will make boating more dangerous.
Also getting caught in bad conditions as speycaster says. Good to boat when the tides are high & winds are light. Check the marine weather report & also the tide tables.
Also like to wear amber ski googles when going a higher speed. They take away the glare & also stop the wind from watering your eyes.
As to answer your question...good Fraser & Howe Sound /Burrard Inlet boat ...I'd sujjust a 17 foot Double Eagle or 17 ft Arima with a 70 to 90 hp min.
It's amazing how a 17ft Arima is so much more boat than the 16 but it really is. We have a 16ft Arima which is good for 2 people but ya have to watch what type of conditions ya go in but am really amazed how safe & stable this boat is. The Double Eagle is also a verystable boat.
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If youre sticking around the chilliwack area you probably dont have to worry about 5 to 6 ft swells.I have a 14 ft G3 aluminum made by yamaha it cost 2000 dollars tax in.I had a four stroke honda 9.9 wich I picked up for $1800 I usualy only went out with one other guy and this set up was fine I could move pretty quick up river.Some of the biggest problems on the river arise from guys going way to fast.Any over two people and we moved considerably slower wich was still doable because I tend to launch near the spot I plan on fishing.ALWAYS TRAVEL UP RIVER TO YOURE DESTINATION.If you have a mechanical problem wich you will at least you can float back down to to launch.I resently sold my 9.9 and picked up a 20 hp jet for $2000 this moves me and three other guys at a real good clip up river . took it out once with a few buddies for a test drive .Cant wait till june now.
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I always try follow that same principle: Launch and go up river to fish.
Yikes - fishing the low end of the Fraser sounds pretty scary for a small boat.
I'm always around the Chilliwack area - and those pesky jet boats sure can throw a wake that keeps me on my toes.
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If youre sticking around the chilliwack area you probably dont have to worry about 5 to 6 ft swells.I have a 14 ft G3 aluminum made by yamaha it cost 2000 dollars tax in.I had a four stroke honda 9.9 wich I picked up for $1800 I usualy only went out with one other guy and this set up was fine I could move pretty quick up river.Some of the biggest problems on the river arise from guys going way to fast.Any over two people and we moved considerably slower wich was still doable because I tend to launch near the spot I plan on fishing.ALWAYS TRAVEL UP RIVER TO YOURE DESTINATION.If you have a mechanical problem wich you will at least you can float back down to to launch.I resently sold my 9.9 and picked up a 20 hp jet for $2000 this moves me and three other guys at a real good clip up river . took it out once with a few buddies for a test drive .Cant wait till june now.
Do you mean 20@ the jet so 30 at the crank?I had a 30/20 on a 1448 jon and it would just move 2 people upstream.You need at least a 60/40 to move 4 people and a 300lb boat upstream.A 40/30 would doit but you woundn't be going very fast.
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Rieber quote: "Yikes fishing the lower end of the Fraser sounds pretty scary for a small boat"
Yes it can be. If ya know when to go out then it is quite safe. Low winds & long lasting high tides are the times to hit the lower Fraser.
Must of been 50 or more boats out at the mouth of the Fraser R. & alot of them were quite small boats ...even cartoppers but the water conditions were ideal most days. (pink run)
When there is heavy NW OR W even SW wind & tide changes it can be scary even in a 20fter near Sandheads!!! Mind you once seen 3 guys in a small rectangle wood boat with oars ...maybe 9ft long 4ft wide with 5 inches free board on the Fraser near Steveston Is. If a tug went by they would of be swamped. :o
Also on a very high tide a man decided to go out in the MIDDLE OF THE FRASER R across from Steveston Is. in a 10ft pump up air boat. Powered by 2 little oars !!! Ships & tugs went by him within 20 yards. :o (wife & 2 small girls were also in that little boat)
We went over to him & asked if we could tow him closer to the shore (he resisted as maybe he did not trust me...possibly he thought we'd tow them too fast)
Anyways I returned to him a second time & explained that he could trust us & I'd tow them very slowly. This time he said "ok". Just that with those little oars of his he was going no where fast.
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nickredway just ignore the condescending comments. I guess some were born knowing what freeboard is while most of us schmucks have to learn that. Majority of the people here are generous with their responses so ask any question you want. I hope you find the boat you want.
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Nope was not born knowing what freeboard is, that is what power and sail squadron courses are for. Knowledge is the difference between live people and dead people. Those who spend the time to acquire knowledge live and those that don't stand a good chance of lowering the population of the earth. Not that that is a bad thing. Fewer people is always desirable. ;D
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Hi,
I would like to know what would you think about this 17 feet trucker for Fraser R. and possibly for some lakes??
With Fraser I mean mostly the upper part from Langley on.
how safe and practical is this for Fraser and for lakes?
Is it the right boat or it is totally the wrong one?
What consideration and suggestion would you have??
It is powered by a 40Hp motor.
here are some pictures:
(http://pic100.picturetrail.com/VOL784/12760868/22777330/380779096.jpg)
(http://pic100.picturetrail.com/VOL784/12760868/22777330/380779136.jpg)
and comparing the above the following one as an example:
a 16 feeter with 3cylinder 60HP motor.
http://img705.imageshack.us/img705/8420/boatzeee2.jpg
after openning the link please click on the photos.
thanks in advance.
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azafai - I think that boat in the picture would be kick azz on Fraser and lakes.
Carpets wouldn't be my choice but that can be changed if you wanted to. Chinook slime makes carpets stinky. :P
I would enjoy the heck out of that boat.
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You will need your pleasure craft operator card. The course is on-line and you can can take the test on-line. The RCMP are checking these on the water.
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i would take the test soon if u havent got it all rdy they are going to up the price and it will have 50 questions instead of the 30 or so it did have
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I have been a towboat Skipper, on the Fraser River for thirty years. You have to have a lot of respect for the river, you can get in to problems really fast. I run a 14-foot Lifetimer with a 40 /30 jet. The boat has no tunnel. In the past I have run an 11-foot glass boat, with a 15-horse power motor with mechanical problems, wouldn’t do it again. I have my 40/30 jet winterized and oil change every year. You can run a 12-foot Princecraft, [ nice boat ] with a 9.9 if you know what you are doing. Be safe out there.
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azafai, that boat looks perfect for the Fraser or small lakes. I have a 16.5 Lowe Big Jon that is great for the Fraser and it looks similar (the one pictured is more set up for fishing). Nice and wide and very stable. Can fish a few guys out of it and stand up without worry. I have never felt unsafe with it int the Fraser above Mission. I have an old 35 hp prop that gets three guys going on step no problem. Much faster and efficient than my 50 hp (at the power head) jet.
Compared to the other link you have there I would say that they would both be good for the upper Fraser and small lakes but the lower one would enable you to take on some bigger lakes or the salt. The jon boat style of tracker there should cut the waves fairly well if it has the semi V front but I wouldn't want to be out in anything more than moderate chop with the flat bottom.
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thanks a lot all of you
I really appreciate
I might came some other question
thanks again in advance.
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I run a 14 foot Livingston with a 40 hp Merc prop outboard and never had any problems in the Fraser. Been running that boat in the upper above the Wack and in the lower around Steveston for the last 5 years. You just have to pick your weather. I have also run smaller boats in the upper, but IMO a 14' is the minimum that I would want to run.
Have a great day
Rob.
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Hi all
I know this an old thread, we're also looking for boat that can do it all but I doubt it possible.
Would. An older double eagle be okay on the Fraser?
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Something that I am surprised hasn't been mentioned yet despite being old is it depends on the type of salmon fishing you are going to do. If you are bar fishing, planning on hauling anything you catch up onto the beach and just using the boat as a transport from launch to bar, that can use a different kind of boat than if you are planning on casting and/or chasing after fish in the boat. It always cracks me up with the guys in their sled with the build in cabin where they only have a little door to get up front and inevitably the guy up front catching a Chinook and off they go, except no the guy is stuck up front and if the fish decides to head behind the boat, he can't see what is going on and it is a mad scramble.
If you are planning on chasing fish, especially Chinook, I would recommend a couple things to look for. Easy access with a pole with a fish tearing line from front to back. A non flat bottom as the bigger fish are going to give you fits with a flat bottom as they will come up under the boat and stay there and you won't be able to get a net on them.
If you are planning on casting from the boat repeatedly, make sure there is open space to be able to do so. I was laughing at three guys fishing from a sled where the front was unfishable so they were all in the back and they were playing musical chairs as there was only one place to cast from. A guy would cast from the starboard side, then take a couple steps to the port side, then would take a couple steps aft after the next guy cast so that he was in the aft port side of the boat to crank up and start his rotation over again. Even two people on the boat would have been a huge mess.
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Was budget ever discussed?
At the most basic, a RELIABLE 9.9 and a 12ft tinny will get you safely between most shores and bars mid river safely. Provided you use good judgement.
A 14' with a 15-20hp will be MUCH better for just little bit more out of pocket. Way more space to move about, carry an extra person...
With a 12', by the time you have your gear, your fishing partner's gear and day bag + cooler and other odds and ends it starts to get real cramped, real fast. 14' is just so much better without getting too much heavier or needing much higher HP#s to move you along.
I went from a 12ft to a 14ft + 20hp and will never look back. But I also trailer my boat, so a 14 might be tough to lift off a roof rack or out of the back of a truck and hook up your motor etc...
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I'm in the market for a bigger boat, have a 9.9 hp and 12 ft aluminum but have been told it is too small and I'd prefer something bigger and safer so we can have 3 people in the boat. What do you suggest? 14ft? 16ft? Which motor? prop or jet?
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Really depends on your budget first. Then what type of fishing and where you plan on going. Also, how many people you plan to fish with most regularly. Kids, tow vehicle, etc...
Jets are only really needed if going into skinny water. For me, the loss of power, hit to fuel economy and desire to have a more 'jack of all, master on none' approach eliminates the need for a jet.
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I'm going to send you a pm if that's fine?
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word
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http://bellingham.craigslist.org/boa/4614951849.html
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http://seattle.craigslist.org/sno/boa/4611012747.html
May be better to wait until the off season to purchase.