answrsnow
Boats · Top 10

Top 10 Boats for the Pacific Northwest 2027

By Kory White · Updated Oct 2026 · 4 min read
Thunder Jet Alexis Pro
Direct answer

The Thunder Jet Alexis Pro is the best boat for the Pacific Northwest, with the Hewescraft Ocean Pro 240 at #2 and the North River Seahawk Outboard (23') at #3. The ranking favors hull depth, fuel range and horsepower for open Puget Sound and Strait chop.

At a glance

#PickMax HPBest for
1Thunder Jet Alexis Pro350 hpAnglers running the Strait of Juan de Fuca or San Juans who want a full hardtop and big fuel range.
2Hewescraft Ocean Pro 240350 hpFamilies and anglers who want Puget Sound's longest-running offshore-capable aluminum hardtop.
3North River Seahawk Outboard (23')300 hpAnglers who want a deep-V proven in big Pacific water, scaled down for the Sound.
4KingFisher 2725 XRS400 hpSerious offshore anglers who want the most horsepower and fuel range on this list.
5Raider Pro Fish 240300 hpAnglers wanting a heavy-gauge (.250") welded hull built in eastern Washington.
6Boston Whaler 220 Dauntless250 hpBuyers who want the only unsinkable hull on this list plus a nationwide dealer network.
7Duckworth 20 Advantage200 hpAnglers who want a light, easy-to-tow aluminum boat for bays, rivers, and protected Sound waters.
8Weldcraft 200 Rebel Outboard200 hpFirst-time boat owners wanting an affordable welded-aluminum entry point.
9Wooldridge Alaskan (20')250 hpRiver and shallow-bay anglers who need a jet drive to run skinny water.
10Ranger Tugs R-29 S320 HP (Volvo D4 diesel)Couples who want to cruise and overnight through the San Juans and Inside Passage, not fish from a console.

Pick by what you want

Best overall
Thunder Jet Alexis Pro
Biggest range
KingFisher 2725 XRS
Best center console
Boston Whaler 220 Dauntless
Best for rivers
Wooldridge Alaskan (20')
Best for cruising
Ranger Tugs R-29 S

The ranking

1

Thunder Jet Alexis Pro

Thunder Jet Alexis Pro
Answrs VerdictPNW's benchmark hardtop for big-water salmon and halibut trips.
Max HP: 350 hpBeam: 102" (8'6")Fuel capacity: 100 USGHull: 16° deadrise, progressive TJ-X deep-V

The Alexis Pro has an 8'6" (102") beam, a progressive TJ-X deep-V hull with 16° deadrise, a 100 USG fuel tank and a 350 hp max rating on the 24' model.

Go ifAnglers running the Strait of Juan de Fuca or San Juans who want a full hardtop and big fuel range.
Skip ifYou only fish calm, protected bays and don't need offshore-grade depth.
Why #1 over #2: Its 16° deep-V hull matches the Ocean Pro 240's 350 hp and 100 gallons with a sharper entry for chop.
2

Hewescraft Ocean Pro 240

Hewescraft Ocean Pro 240
Answrs VerdictThe Sound's longtime default big-water aluminum hardtop.
Max HP: 350 hpBeam: 102"Fuel tank: 100 gallons

Hewescraft's Ocean Pro 240 is rated for 350 hp, with a 102" beam and a 100-gallon fuel tank: built for long runs out of the Sound.

Go ifFamilies and anglers who want Puget Sound's longest-running offshore-capable aluminum hardtop.
Skip ifYou need something small enough for tight driveway storage — the 240 is 26'+ on the trailer.
Why #2 over #3: It carries 100 gallons and 350 hp, more than the Seahawk's 300 hp max.
3

North River Seahawk Outboard (23')

North River Seahawk Outboard (23')
Answrs VerdictA deep-V workhorse built for the roughest PNW water.
Max HP: 300 hpBeam: 8'6"Hull: Precision-welded deep-V aluminum

North River's 23' Seahawk Outboard has an 8'6" beam, a precision-welded deep-V aluminum hull and a 300 hp max rating.

Go ifAnglers who want a deep-V proven in big Pacific water, scaled down for the Sound.
Skip ifYou want a hardtop as standard — the base Seahawk OB ships with a canvas top.
Why #3 over #4: It is a lighter, simpler 23' hull than the 27'11" KingFisher, easier to trailer and launch.
4

KingFisher 2725 XRS

KingFisher 2725 XRS
Answrs VerdictThe most horsepower and fuel range of any boat here.
Max HP: 400 hpLength: 27'11"Beam: 8'6"Fuel capacity: 120 USGStarting price: $264,013

The KingFisher 2725 XRS is the big-water pick: 27'11" long, 8'6" wide, rated for 400 hp with 120 USG of fuel. It starts at $264,013.

Go ifSerious offshore anglers who want the most horsepower and fuel range on this list.
Skip ifBudget matters — it's the priciest confirmed number on this list.
Why #4 over #5: Its 400 hp rating and 120 USG of fuel beat the Pro Fish 240's 300 hp and 95 gallons.
5

Raider Pro Fish 240

Raider Pro Fish 240
Answrs VerdictThick-gauge welded aluminum built for abuse, not easy towing.
Max HP: 300 hpLength: 24'8" (26'10" with bracket)Fuel capacity: 95 gallonsWeight: 4,000 lbs

Raider's Pro Fish 240 is 24'8" (26'10" with the bracket), weighs 4,000 lbs, holds 95 gallons and takes up to 300 hp.

Go ifAnglers wanting a heavy-gauge (.250") welded hull built in eastern Washington.
Skip ifYou want a lightweight, easy-to-tow rig — this is a 4,000 lb boat.
Why #5 over #6: Its 95 gallons and 300 hp out-range the 220 Dauntless's 80 gallons and 250 hp.
6

Boston Whaler 220 Dauntless

Boston Whaler 220 Dauntless
Answrs VerdictThe unsinkable, nationwide-serviceable choice for the Sound.
Max HP: 250 hpLOA: 22'0"Beam: 8'6"Dry weight: 3,040 lbsFuel capacity: 80 gallons

Boston Whaler's 220 Dauntless is a 22'0" center console with an 8'6" beam, 3,040 lbs dry, 80 gallons of fuel and a 250 hp max.

Go ifBuyers who want the only unsinkable hull on this list plus a nationwide dealer network.
Skip ifYou want maximum fuel range for long Strait of Juan de Fuca runs — its 80-gallon tank is the smallest among the bigger boats here.
Why #6 over #7: Its 80 gallons and 250 hp beat the 20 Advantage's 42 USG and 200 hp.
7

Duckworth 20 Advantage

Duckworth 20 Advantage
Answrs VerdictLight, towable, and built for protected-water days.
Max HP: 200 hpLength (incl. bracket): 22'10"Beam: 7'9.5"Dry weight: 1,785 lbsFuel capacity: 42 USG

Duckworth's 20 Advantage runs 22'10" with the bracket on a 7'9.5" beam, weighs 1,785 lbs dry and takes up to 200 hp with 42 USG of fuel.

Go ifAnglers who want a light, easy-to-tow aluminum boat for bays, rivers, and protected Sound waters.
Skip ifYou regularly run open water in the Strait — its 42-gallon tank limits range.
Why #7 over #8: Its 7'9.5" beam is wider than the 200 Rebel's 7'8".
8

Weldcraft 200 Rebel Outboard

Weldcraft 200 Rebel Outboard
Answrs VerdictThe smallest, most affordable welded hull on this list.
Max HP: 200 hpLength (incl. bracket): 20'6"Beam: 7'8"Dry weight: 1,656 lbsFuel capacity: 42 USG

Weldcraft's 200 Rebel Outboard is 20'6" with the bracket, 7'8" wide, 1,656 lbs dry, with 42 USG of fuel and a 200 hp max.

Go ifFirst-time boat owners wanting an affordable welded-aluminum entry point.
Skip ifYou want a dedicated offshore boat — this is a 20-footer rated to 200 hp.
Why #8 over #9: Its outboard setup suits salt runs better than the Alaskan's 50-gallon river jet layout.
9

Wooldridge Alaskan (20')

Wooldridge Alaskan (20')
Answrs VerdictBuilt for shallow rivers, not open Sound water.
Max HP: 250 hpLength overall: 20'9"Beam: 82"Fuel tank: 50 gallons

Wooldridge's 20' Alaskan is 20'9" long with an 82" beam, a 50-gallon tank and up to 250 jet hp: the river and shallow-water specialist.

Go ifRiver and shallow-bay anglers who need a jet drive to run skinny water.
Skip ifYou mainly fish open Puget Sound or the Strait — jet boats aren't built for sustained open-water chop.
Why #9 over #10: It is a true fishing boat, where the R-29 S is a cruiser.
10

Ranger Tugs R-29 S

Ranger Tugs R-29 S
Answrs VerdictNot a fishing boat — the pick for PNW inland cruising.
Max HP: 320 HP (Volvo D4 diesel)LOA: 33'Beam: 10'Draft: 30"Dry weight: 10,500 lbsFuel capacity: 145 US gal

The Ranger Tugs R-29 S is the cruising pick: 33' long, 10' wide, 30" draft, 10,500 lbs dry, a Volvo D4 320 HP diesel and 145 US gal of fuel. It starts at $409,937 ready to cruise.

Go ifCouples who want to cruise and overnight through the San Juans and Inside Passage, not fish from a console.
Skip ifYou searched for a fishing boat — this is a cruising trawler, built in Kent, WA.

How we ranked these

We ranked each boat for the Puget Sound and Strait angler first: hull depth, fuel range and horsepower for open chop, with the Ranger Tugs R-29 S last for inland cruising. Facts are taken from each maker's own published information; check the official site before you buy.

Questions people ask

What's the best boat for Puget Sound fishing?

The Thunder Jet Alexis Pro and Hewescraft Ocean Pro 240 are the two most established picks — both are welded-aluminum deep-V hardtops with 100-gallon fuel tanks and 350 hp ratings built for Sound and Strait trolling.

How much horsepower do I need for Puget Sound?

The boats built for open Sound and Strait water on this list run 300-400 hp (Seahawk Outboard, Pro Fish 240, 2725 XRS), while protected-water boats like the Duckworth 20 Advantage and Weldcraft 200 Rebel top out at 200 hp.

Is a jet boat good for Puget Sound fishing?

Not really for open water — the Wooldridge Alaskan's jet drive (250 max jet hp, 50-gallon tank) is built for running shallow rivers and bays, not sustained Sound or Strait chop.

Max rated horsepower at a glance

Duckworth 20 Advantage200 hp
Weldcraft 200 Rebel Outboard200 hp
Boston Whaler 220 Dauntless250 hp
Wooldridge Alaskan (20')250 hp
North River Seahawk Outboard (23')300 hp
Raider Pro Fish 240300 hp
Ranger Tugs R-29 S320 hp
Thunder Jet Alexis Pro350 hp
Hewescraft Ocean Pro 240350 hp
KingFisher 2725 XRS400 hp
Max rated horsepower, as published by each maker. Picks without a published figure are left off.

Official sites

Sources

Prices, specs and availability change; confirm on the official site before you buy.