What Makes a Great Lower Columbia and Ocean Fishing Boat?
Big, fast, and maneuverable. My custom-made Pic-Nic welding guide sled has particularly high sides and is nearly 30 feet long, 9.5 feet wide, extremely heavy, and features a 19-degree deep V hull from front to back. It's powered by a 2022 250hp Yamaha 4-stroke main outboard and a 2024 9.9hp Yamaha 4-stroke kicker.
The added weight means less “corking around” while trolling and running. The deep V design allows the boat to cut through waves rather than bounce on top of them. Its length allows us to ride over multiple smaller wind waves, keeping the boat stable on its long axis. The wide beam helps prevent side-to-side pitching and excessive rolling, even when there’s more weight on one side.
During Spring Chinook season, the Bouy Beer boat is outfitted with a fully enclosed top for the front four seats. We also enjoy a big buddy heater inside, making it much warmer than being in an open boat.
Take a ride on a windy day in a lightweight, flat-bottom Alumaweld, North River, or any other upriver boat, then hop into mine. You'll immediately understand the difference. This is a huge, well-equipped downriver sled, perfect for both lower river and ocean fishing.
