River AND Sea (Sound) boat

[BothellFisher]

First time poster! (Obviously) Treat me like a newbie if this is a dumb question. This is my first boat. I’ve looked both on this forum and the answers I’m looking for are sparse and the exact question has t really been asked

I’m hoping there’s a fishing boat out there that can both access rivers (Skagit, Columbia, Cowlitz) in possible low water scenarios and handle the Puget Sound. Most forums say to pay attention to weather when out on the ocean in a river boat and I completely understand that, but what are other cons of doing this, assuming it’s an actual possibility.

if in fact this is a doable thing, some specific boat options would be incredible. I don’t mind buying new, but if possible will look for cheaper used option. Budget is MAX $50k.

thanks in advance everyone! Hopefully we can make my boat owning dreams happen!

 

[Stinnett21]

I'm not a coastal boater but this plan sounds dangerous. Sounds like you need two boats.

 

[BothellFisher]

I’m not a boater period and figured this was a possibility. hopefully there is such a boat.

 

[southkogs]

Depending on what low water looks like in those rivers, I'd suggest a center console with an outboard. Bigger rivers here in TN, (Tennessee, Cumberland, Mississippi) will handle pretty large boats, so they would easily do dual work going out into the Gulf Of Mexico. Some of our smaller rivers (Caney Fork, Elk, Stones) shallow up quite a bit. You would have a hard time finding a boat to do double duty.

I see a lot of Carolina Skiff boats along the coast of Florida doing kinda' what you're talking about.

 

[tpenfield]

The ocean waters are going to be the most demanding on the boat's capabilities (wind, waves, etc.) . . . so get a boat intended for the ocean (a Center Console most likely) and use that on the rivers as well.

In the rivers, you may be concerned about depth, but with an outboard, you can always run slowly with the engine tilted up a bit in the shallow areas.

 

[Sprig]

It all depends on what you refer to as shallow. Are you talking 6 inches or 6 feet or what? That’s what’s going to determine what boat. Most boats that can run real shallow like jet sleds are not great for the sound or ocean. The depth of “shallow” will rule out a lot of boats. So define low water or shallow.

 

[jumpjets]

I live on the NC coast, and people do this all the time. It’s not uncommon to see a 16’ flat bottom boat over a mile offshore in the Atlantic. It’s also common to see a 60’ hatteras yacht in a shallow river.

Buy whatever Boat you like. But:
1. Know your boats limitations
2. Know your limitations as a newb.
3. Be mindful of the weather forecast
4. Be mindful of the tide.
5. Do what other people do. If you’re the only one on the water, it’s because everyone else knows something you don’t.

a good weather app, tide app, and navigation app on your phone can really save your bacon.

 

[BothellFisher]

you guys are awesome. I knew i came to the right place. I'll be doing much research in the coming months before I purchase for next year. I'm thinking of building a Lowe Fish and Ski. Something to make the family happy as well. Can't be too selfish