what is the right boat for me?
As some of you know I've been hemming and hawing about buying a boat for 5+ summers and still haven't done it. Reason being, I simply cannot settle on what the best option is for me, to the point that I canceled an NRS order earlier this spring to give myself yet another summer to ruminate on it.
This year, I am getting more serious about it and want to either find a boat or put a deposit on a build for next winter. We are not getting younger and if I don't do it soon, it won't get done.
Our intention would be to use the boat primarily on lower gradient rivers in Idaho, Montana and Wyoming where we do 90% of our fishing these days. Main stem Snake in Jackson Hole, South Fork in Irwin/Heise reach, Teton in the valley, lower Henry's Fork (below Warm River), maybe the Box Canyon occasionally, Madison above Ennis, the Salt above Palisades in the Star Valley, and the like. Maybe an occasional float on the Trinity or lower Yuba in the fall or winter. I might haul it up to the Eel if I ever get back into winter steelhead fishing (doubtful). No serious whitewater, as I pay trained guides to take me on that. 99% of these would be day trips, we might do a South Fork one night camping trip once every year or two.
Originally I was thinking about getting a raft, as it would be more forgiving for bumping into stuff as both my wife and I become better rowers, but now I am considering buying a hardsided boat, considering the nature of the waters we gravitate toward and their wind exposure -- perhaps a Hyde Low Pro or Adipose Flow. I also like the Stealthcraft MiniFly. And I have a friend back east who builds boats that might cut me a deal.
90% of the time we would be fishing with two people in the boat, but I want 3 seats for the occasional visitor and/or a future kid. I want to buy something that will last us a long time, and have great resale value. I take care of my stuff and don't churn gear.
My budget is about $10k all in, could stretch to $12k for the right boat. Probably looking to find a lightly used 2-5 year old model or if the economy tanks, maybe a 2023 model that is gathering dust on the lot next spring. I found a used 2022 XL Hyde LowPro that is beautiful, but 17'+ is a lot of boat, I prefer something smaller and more stealthy.
Thoughts welcomed. FWIW I don't want to discuss my rowing abilities, rather what is the right boat given what we will be doing. Assume we are acceptable rowers now for the rivers we would tackle, and will get better with practice, lessons (which is part of our planned budget beyond the boat budget) and experience.
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Originally Posted by cutthroat22
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