Boat opinions

I have been boating most of my life in New England, but not recently. I grew up around small power and sail boats and spent many years with sailboats from 12 feet to 45 feet. I am looking in the Pacific northwest for a small boat I can tow with my Jeep Wrangler. I am planning to be in the Hood Canal, Puget Sound and perhaps the San Juan islands. The plan is to cruise some, crab, shrimp and fish some, mostly just my wife and I. Occasionally, I would have a couple of guests.

I have been looking at a used Hewescraft Sportsman 160. I visited a local dealer and he told me that particular model is better for lakes and rivers and would not be comfortable in any kind of chop. I looked at a Pro-V 18 and he also had last year's model of a Sea Runner 190.

The Jeep has a towing capacity of 3500 lbs so I think that eliminates the Sea Runner. The Pro-V would just about max it out. I would prefer a late model used boat, but new isn't out of the question. I don't own a home in Washington and stay in an RV when I am here. I would need to store it in the winter, when I am back in Arizona.

I have been out of the small boat world for a long time and don't know a lot about some of the west coast brands. I would love some recommendations for competitive brands and models, as well as any other comments you might have.

Thanks in advance.

Something to think about….Smaller boats on “open water” are doable, but your windows of opportunity is very limited.

Started with a 19’ cuddy. Ran the boat to death, but really had to pick my days. Didn’t take much to get bounced around like cork.

Now running a 22’ Walkaround. Twice the weight of the 19’ boat. Now the go, no go criteria, short of a gale, is how bad do I want to get beat up.

Cost me a vehicle upgrade, but well worth it

Keep in mind that 3500# tow cap on your Jeep, includes the extra weight in the tow vehicle, not just what is being towed. Supplies, passengers, coolers etc all should be figured into the tow weight. Perhaps a bigger tow vehicle might be in order to get you into the size boat you really need.

It might be possible to increase the towing capacity of the Jeep. Heavier shocks and springs might be enough. If there was a sub model of your jeep with a higher capacity, that would tell you that yours can be upgraded.

I know a guy ( bk2life on S10 Forum) in Arizona who would likely be able to do the work, or point you to someone reputable. I forget where in AZ though. I say likely because most of what hep posts about his work is paint jobs and work on older cars. He is definitely capable, I'm just not sure how much of the more standard service stuff he does.

I have a Jeep Cherokee ( 2015) that has a 4400 tow capacity but it does have a factory tow pkg.

All those bodies of water can go south quickly. I grew up in the PNW and have been on them in not so nice conditions. But when they are good, oh man it is amazing.

Like you i am not familiar with brands but when visiting the folks on Lopez Island I do see a style of boat. Closed bow, stand up covered cockpit. When you drive up to anacortes for the ferry there are many boat yard/sales lots along the way. I would take a trip up and spend some time watching and looking.

Lopez has one kinda grim 'resort', orcas is better and there are Airbnb on both island. That's how the folks found their house. Rented for a summer and talked owner into selling.

With 3500 lbs, you will need to stay aluminum. Two engine set up.

redneck joe said:

All those bodies of water can go south quickly. I grew up in the PNW and have been on them in not so nice conditions. But when they are good, oh man it is amazing.

Like you i am not familiar with brands but when visiting the folks on Lopez Island I do see a style of boat. Closed bow, stand up covered cockpit. When you drive up to anacortes for the ferry there are many boat yard/sales lots along the way. I would take a trip up and spend some time watching and looking.

Lopez has one kinda grim 'resort', orcas is better and there are Airbnb on both island. That's how the folks found their house. Rented for a summer and talked owner into selling.

With 3500 lbs, you will need to stay aluminum. Two engine set up.

Click to expand...

Walking, looking, and asking owner's questions.....right on!

Thanks for all the replies. The Wrangler is the only vehicle I can own. I 4-wheel in the Arizona desert in the winter and flat tow it with a motor home. Sounds like 3500 lbs is the limiting factor. I have heard the word 'cork' a few times.

Been boating since I was a kid and have owned boats for 50+ years. Look for a heavy gauge aluminum boat. There are several great manufacturers and some in the Pacific Northwest . My choice is Alumaweld (made in Oregon). I’ve had alumawelds for 20+ years. Specifically look for an Alumaweld Stryker. If you can find an 18’ or 19’ Stryker it would be a good boat for the sound. I spent time many years ago boating that area. I think an 18 or 19 footer with say a 115 hp motor and trailer would be within your weight limits. I find the Stryker to be a very good rough water boat. I’ve come back to the launch here in the California delta through 4’ roller waves and did just fine, felt safe. I use the boat mostly for fishing in the California delta, lakes and saltwater bays. For the sound where you are I would not want less than an 18’ boat. I think less than 18’ would be dangerous when the winds come up and it gets rough.
Keep in mind while you can modify your vehicles suspension to make it tow better you cannot increase the manufacturers tow capacity. It is what the manufacture states it is and only the manufacturer can change that and that never happens. The problem is that if you have an accident while towing heavy over your capacity your liability can increase dramatically.

There is not a lot weight to a wrangler and although it may pull a large boat the boat may win the tug of war on the ramp. It definitely limits your options.

Yeah the styrker was what I was thinking of.

With the 202 specs from the website, with a 140 tohatsu and trailer you should be in at about 3100 lbs. The merc 115 is 50 lbs lighter but that should be enough hp. 38 gal fuel so about another 200 lbs. So with gear you would kissing the high end of your capacity but make sure you put trailer brakes on it.

Would you recommend an Alumaweld over a Hewescraft? There is an Alumaweld at Master Marine in Mt. Vernon (https://www.mastermarine.com/New-Inventory-2025-Alumaweld-Boat-Stryker-X202-17099963?ref=list). It shows the boat with a 115 Yamaha and a single axle trailer without brakes. According to a sales guy I spoke to last week, in Washington, any trailer over 3,000 lbs needs trailer brakes.

According to the website, the approximate weight of the boat is $1,685, but I can't tell if that is the boat weight or boat/motor weight. I'm in Anacortes for a few days and plan on taking a ride over there tomorrow.

That is boat weight only, check my link to mfg website. The 115 will be under 400 lbs. The x in the model number is for the outboard bracket that gives you more interior room but adds weight.

Yes - a wet ramp or a ramp covered in slime/vegetation/sea gunk can even make something with 4x4 struggle.

Another thing to consider with the weight of towing on your Wrangler is the brakes. They don't put large pads and rotors on a Wrangler like they do on trucks that are expected to be carrying or towing heavy loads. Depending on how far you plan to tow, this should be factored. I would a 19ft boat push your Wrangler if some driver pulls out in front of you, or a deer darts out from the side of the highway. A lot of accidents happen because of stopping capability, not towing capability.

You have a delicate tightrope to walk here. A boat big enough to handle the ocean but light enough to not kill you on the road.

Trailer brakes

Trailer brakes are a legal requirement where I'm from and in Washington. I have been dragging that Jeep around behind a motorhome for years. I installed a supplemental brake system in it and would never tow without it.

I am going on a test ride on a x202 on Wednesday. It looks like the boat for me. Thanks for all your comments.

I'd be interested in what power you end up with.

That’s a sweet boat. I’m guessing this won’t be a hard sell.