Plenty to see at Anchorage boat show

When I reported that none of the three Cook Inlet agenda change requests were accepted by the Board of Fisheries at their workshop session last week, I must have been asleep in my chair (actually, I probably was). Glenn Haight, the Executive Director of the BOF, contacted me to correct my error. ACR 7, pertaining to commercial set net regulation changes requested for the North Kalifornsky Beach area was accepted and scheduled to be heard later in this year’s board cycle.

The main ACR of interest to Valley residents was asking for ADF&G step-down authority to restrict the Kenai and Kasilof personal use fisheries. That one was not accepted because it could be better addressed at the 2020 Upper Cook Inlet meeting, which is part of next year’s board cycle.

Now that I have corrected my error, let’s delve into this week’s subject matter. If you’re reading this on Friday morning, you have the rest of today and tomorrow to visit Dewey’s Cook Inlet fall boat show currently running at the Northway Mall in Anchorage. I went in to see the show earlier this week and was impressed with the quality of the boats and their pricing. Boy are new boats ever expensive!

There were large 26 to 28-foot ocean going boats by both Hewes Craft and Duckworth. These boats included twin outboards and trailers. I didn’t climb inside to look, but I expect the new owner would have to supply his own electronics. However, the boats were ready to run once fuel was added and lubricating fluids were checked.

I would love to own one of those boats, but the $150,000 to $175,000 sale prices, depending on manufacturer and model, are out of my price range!

The next step down in size had both soft and hard topped boats in the 20 to 22-foot range. Again, nice looking boats complete with outboards and trailers, but still running in the $50,000 to $75,000 price range.

By comparison, I was able to purchase a used but well maintained 20-foot Thunder Jet with an inboard, 350 cubic inch marine engine and three-stage outdrive in 2006 for around $20,000. This particular boat had originally seen service as a sportfishing guide boat and was then sold to an individual. That person sold me the boat. The amazing thing to me was that the engine only had around 475 hours on it when I bought it.

The former owner just wanted to walk away from the boat, so it came with fishing gear, landing nets, a second anchor with chain and line, plus a top-end GPS/depth finder and CB radio already installed and operational. The instrument panel was well done, and the front seats were top-end and designed to give a smooth ride. It came with heaters, something my wife appreciated. This boat was new in 1998 and I was told it sold in the $49,000 price range back then. It had a lot of bells and whistles!

Several modifications to the front deck and transom had been made by the previous owner. I had several more done to make operating the boat a little more user friendly, including converting it from a half hardtop to a full hardtop and repainted. I haven’t done it yet, but two people could overnight in the cabin for a night or two if conditions required it.

The guy who brokered the deal for me was a good friend and had done most of the maintenance on the boat for the two previous owners, so he knew the condition of everything. My friend had developed and patented modifications to inboard impellors for speed for this type boat and had modified two of the three impellors in my boat. I don’t drive it fast, but my friend could run that boat like you wouldn’t believe!

After I agreed to buy the boat and the deal was complete, my friend told me another guy was waiting in the wings if I had passed on the purchase. The price to this second potential buyer was $23,000, and he already had the check written! I got a great deal!

The boat show also had a good assortment of jonboats with outboards and trailers on display. Some models would make good moose hunting rigs for several of the Interior rivers if a canvas cabin was added over the center console. The front deck has space for ATVs and hauling capacity.

Take a look if you’re near the Northway Mall in the next couple of days.