I’ve only owned my most recent boat for about 2 years, so I’m by no means any kind of expert. If anything, I will be sharing my journey of learning and mess-ups along the way.
I owned a 2017 20′ Alumaweld Stryker (http://www.alumaweldboats.com/Stryker-Sport-20.htm ) with a Yamaha Jet pump and kicker motor from 2017-2021. The boat has a 14-degree vee as compared to the more typical 6-degree commonly associated with “jet sleds”. This slightly deeper vee allows me to get out on the bigger water of the Puget Sound or Strait in most conditions. I’m also able to navigate many rivers with the Jet.
My current boat is a 2021 23′ North River Seahawk with an offshore platform, 200hp Performance Yamaha main, and kicker motor.
Boats are like fishing rods, in that they are built for specific purposes and a boat that can do one thing really well, can often not perform well in another application.
My jet boat, while quite versatile, wasn’t the best saltwater boat or river sled, but given a budget for exactly one and a passion for both, I was quite happy with it. That boat forced me to learn how to read marine weather forecasts to keep me and my crew safe while navigating big water.
My new boat is an awesome big water fishing platform that has allowed me to experience much more offshore fishing safely.
Boats offer incredible opportunities to experience the PNW Best Life. They also require a real commitment to learning how to maintain and operate to get the most out of them. Jet boats in particular, operating on rivers offers a steep learning curve with not a lot of great information out there on the topic.