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  MONTAUK in Bellingham, Washington Area

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Author Topic:   MONTAUK in Bellingham, Washington Area
dcarson87354 posted 10-30-2013 03:43 PM ET (US)   Profile for dcarson87354   Send Email to dcarson87354  
Hey Fellas, I am transferring up to Bellingham, Wa next Summer and need some advice. I currently have a 17' Montauk and am wondering if its a good platform for the area or if I should be looking to trade in for something a little more seaworthy. I love the boat but the thing knocks my teeth out in any kind of chop. Thanks in advance
JMARTIN posted 10-30-2013 05:17 PM ET (US)     Profile for JMARTIN  Send Email to JMARTIN     
Most of the time, a Montauk is a great boat for Bellingham Bay and Puget Sound. It depends on the weather. A Montauk is plenty seaworthy for the area. Bellingham Bay can get choppy and down right rough with wind and tide. It is a pretty big expanse of open water.

During the summer the wind is light and the waters of Puget Sound a mostly calm. I have ran up to Bellingham and out into the San Juans with a 15 Sport with no troubles. There have been other times where I have worried about my teeth in a Revenge 22.

I would bring the Montauk up and try it out. If you decide you want a bigger boat, the resell market for Montauks always seems to be strong up here.

John

DVollrath posted 10-30-2013 06:23 PM ET (US)     Profile for DVollrath  Send Email to DVollrath     
There are a number of Montauk's in the San Juan Islands. Many areas are more protected than Bellingham Bay, but some are not. I have no problem with the ride of mine in those waters, but my wife is not so enthusiastic some days.

Try it out and see. It is not a clear case of "yes" or "no".

You'll also need to plan on attending our Northern Puget Sound rendezvous next year. I can show you around the islands if you'd like. My route finding skills are legendary... :) Just ask John.

Dennis

mkelly posted 10-30-2013 06:39 PM ET (US)     Profile for mkelly  Send Email to mkelly     
I have a Outrage 19 and 15 Center Console, and both are great for the San Juans. But you will find some high-chop water, just as the other guys stated. [MONTAUK's] are all over the place; I wouldn't sell just yet. What's your power?
JMARTIN posted 10-30-2013 06:43 PM ET (US)     Profile for JMARTIN  Send Email to JMARTIN     
The air and water temperatures are much cooler up here. The Montauk might handle the water just fine but the crew might get chilly.

When Dennis says he will show you around the islands, he means just one island which you will circumnavigate in a counter clockwise or "to the left" manner.

John

kwik_wurk posted 10-30-2013 07:00 PM ET (US)     Profile for kwik_wurk  Send Email to kwik_wurk     
Summertime is rather decent boating, but not exempt from 3-foot wind-chop.

When I had a larger boat, I took the Montauk out more often because it was easy on the gas, I was typically solo, and I didn't need 27' of boat--So I sold it. But, compared to Mobile, Alabama, Bellingham, Washington is going to feel like the Arctic Circle for you.

If your boat is in decent shape, you can likely sell it for more than in Mobile, but it's about a wash considering the trailer and hauling expense.

jimh posted 10-30-2013 07:11 PM ET (US)     Profile for jimh  Send Email to jimh     
I was just out this afternoon. It was a cool Fall day. There was no wind. Lake Erie was dead calm. I was thinking how great it would to be to have a MONTAUK I could tow easily down to a ramp and enjoy a day like to day. Most people I know who have owned a MONTAUK and sold it tell me they regret it.
dcarson87354 posted 10-31-2013 03:57 PM ET (US)     Profile for dcarson87354  Send Email to dcarson87354     
Sounds promising. I have a 115 on the back. Definitely a huge change from Mobile, Al. I think ill combat that with some windproof attire. Thanks for all the responses. Dennis I may take you up on the circumnavigation offer once I get up there and settled in. Looking forward to some fishing up there as well.
PeteB88 posted 11-03-2013 02:13 PM ET (US)     Profile for PeteB88  Send Email to PeteB88     
Great place and bow deeply to those who transferred you to the PNW. I think it depends on what your intended use is. If your transfer covers expenses then why not take your Montauk with you? I totally agree with Jimh about being able to hook up and go - I kept my 13 for the same reason but believe Montauks are really like a big and much more capable 13 both I describe as Swiss Army Knife of boats.

My cousin lives there on the water in Bellingham and has a traditional PNW open water boat with high sides, pilot house and big water capable. Most are made of aluminum and the model variations are very interesting - even some designed like landing craft. His might be a SeaSport built in Washington state.

There are several manufacturers you can dig around on internet to find. I'd probably start with Wooldridge who are highly regarded for whitewater river jet boats. Their business is near Lake Washington in Seattle and the legacy of the family and their boats is profound. Wooldridge specializes in river boats but has been building a line of offshore boats for maybe 20 years or so.

Lots of boaters have C Dory boats too - kind interesting and a few in Michigan where I live. Some native Oregonians had mixed reviews on those boats but they really are a reasonable kinda entry level pilot house boat that can be towed pretty easy.

If you have any interest in running rivers, a river jet would be at the top of the list. Glen and the crew will get you up to speed on what boat would be best for you out there. I am not dialed into the latest models but they might have one that would be great for open water, bays and some river use (estuaries) -

SO I guess the answer if I were moving back out there, I'd take my Outrage 17 for sure, probably get Mills forward shelter and canvas set, boat heater (it's not all that cold but chill can go to the bone) and you want to stay out of the rain. Once out there I'd be thinking maybe a river jet (but you gotta be bad to the bone to run some of those rivers because you can lose your boat!). What you need to understand is there is so much diversity regarding water ways and conditions. Clearly cruising the San Juans is high on the list, fishing open water, touring around, spotting Orcas etc is way cool - Montauk works for all that.

Frogrock posted 11-06-2013 12:10 AM ET (US)     Profile for Frogrock  Send Email to Frogrock     
As John suggest, you should keep your Montauk. I have one and recently bought a 25' Revenge. I use both quite a bit. The wife loves the Revenge. I have even fished the Montauk out of Seiku (in the middle of the straits) for silvers in the early part of October. In May, I fished for Halibut just out of Sequim. However, you need to keep close track of the weather, because it can get nasty very quickly. Whalers keep their value around the area and should be an easy sell if you want to get something different.

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