Chuck-kn6ww
Recruit
- Joined
- Jun 5, 2003
- Messages
- 3
I am now retired and would like to begin to do some lake fishing in Oregon. No prior boating experience. Just my wife and I, oh maybe one other person but never more than four people. I "think I need" a welded aluminum 15' with a 25 hp 4 stroke motor. Would appreciate any comments or suggestions you may have. I am also confused about the pro and con of a side console vs tiller, windshield vs none. I can buy new but would rather get a like new "bargain". So much to catch up on and so little time. <br />Thanks, in advance for your thoughts on this.
Anyway Chuck: ob1jeeper gave a lot of good advise! Take the Coast Gaurd Aux boating saftey course! And get your wife to join you. It's a lot of fun and even after boating for years and working in the field I learned a lot and you will meet people in your own area that are looking at buying thier first boat also, and many seasnoed boaters alike.<br />I would like to add to ob1jeeper's idea: Find a marina that rents several boats that you are looking at and offer to pay for a full days rental, but explain that you would like to take several out for a hour and why. If you agree to make it during off peak hours and days they may let you. At the marina I worked at 10 years ago we would have said yes but you might have to call ahead of time to make sure the next one you wanted to try was available first. If you wanted to do it over several days. Just a thought.<br /><br />Bob: Heart warming reasons to get back to simple<br /><br />Marty: Totally agree but would add that, the smaller the boat,the quicker it is to get into trouble! And a tiller motor just adds to that factor! <br /><br />Chuck: Here is my spin: First take ob1jeeper's advice then look into two other types and try them. 1: A center console (steering Helm) which gives plenty of walk around room and a lot of deck space. 2: Don't buy until you have at least tried a Pontoon boat of the same size! Don't pass the ugly duckling up... boat her.. try one out! If most of my boating were going to be on lakes and the puget sound I'd trade in my river sled! We took a 15ft pontoon boat out on lake Tapps last week with 6 people and had room to spare! <br />Second Spin:<br />If your going to be down at SeaPAC next weekend the 13th 14th and 15th in SeaSide OR give us a call and I can hook you up with other Hams/Boaters that we are going to be staying with! We are going to be staying at the Royal Motel two blocks south of the convention center. Call and ask for my sign in name here Link Jackman or Call N7CEO Would be a pleasure to meet you in person. Or do a eyeball as we used to say 25 years ago