Hello
I want to begin by saying thank you to all that participate in this forum. I found the discussions and candor invaluable during my boat selection process. Plus entertaining...
For the last several years I've fished Central Puget Sound in a 22 yr old 16' Tracker with a 2 stroke 75 hp Merc. I'm fortunate that I have a couple of fishing buddies, one with a 18' Grady center console and the other with a 21' North River. The first hand experience in the two boats gave me a good frame of reference for deciding which direction I wanted to go (glass vrs tin).
My GW buddy recommended Parker and Arima. I couldn't afford the Parker, and really didn't want anything more than 19' as I spend considerable time solo, and can be a little "challenged" when docking in wind. Figured a smaller boat is more my speed. Another buddy pointed me at the Stabicraft, which I must say for an aluminum boat is damn nice. But glass was my first choice (and in my case more affordable).
Once I started investigating Arimas in earnest, I became more and more impressed. Plus the enthusiasm of this forum was a factor in my purchase decision. Long story short, I'll take possession shortly after the Boast Show of my brand new Sea Chaser 17 with skip tower, factory down rigger rails, powered by a Yammie 90 hp. Have dual batteries and a Garmin echoMap 94sv. I told Terry at Jacobsen's that I feel like a kid on Christmas Eve, too excited to sleep. My better half is getting a little irritated with me though, just can't understand why I spend hours searching, reading and watching Arima info on the Web.
Once I start familiarizing myself with all there is to learn on a completely new boat, I'll probably be looking for advice. But in the meantime, only a couple weeks to go!