Weldcraft has been building robust, heavy-gauge fishing boats for six decades. Designed for serious anglers, the Ocean King 240 fishing boat offers more interior space, comfort, and performance, engineered to be a “sanctuary of stability and versatility” for demanding water conditions.

Ocean King 240 Specifications and Hull Features

Measuring in at 27 feet 3 inches overall with the offshore bracket, the Ocean King 240 is slightly longer than its 24-foot designation. The beam is 8 feet 6 inches with a bottom width of 7 feet 6 inches, giving it a solid platform for comfort. The sides are .125 inches thick aluminum, and the bottom is upgraded to .25 inches for added durability, ideal for rocky shorelines, ice, or rough water.

The bow features a 32 degree dead rise, tapering to 28 degree midship and 18 degree at the transom, complemented by a full-length reverse chine. The design channels water away, enhances lift, improves fuel efficiency, and keeps the ride dry in chop. The model we tested carried a 425 HP Yamaha, while 2025 models are rated up to 400 HP, with an 84-gallon standard fuel tank (upgradeable to 121 gallons). Maximum capacity is 1,485 lbs of passengers and gear.

Standard features on the Ocean King 240 include a welded bow rail, diamond plate self-draining floor, spray guard, anchor locker, and optional anchor roller. The wide, 39.5 inch sides provide exceptional protection against splash and waves, crucial for fishing in large bodies of water.

Ocean King 240 Comfort & Cabin Amenities

The cabin is designed with comfort and usability in mind. Captain and passenger seats are heavy-duty suspension models, with optional heating. Bench seats along the sides convert into a bed, ideal for resting while underway. Storage is abundant in the Ocean King 240, with compartments beneath the seats, in the cabin, and along the roofline with secure mesh covers.

Optional features like a diesel heater and sliding windows can extend your boating season by keeping the cabin warm. Additional amenities include a glove box, cubbies for phones and small gear, and optional electric head with holding tank, providing convenience for longer trips.

Ocean King 240 Helm & Electronics Hub

The helm on the Ocean King 240 is a true command center, featuring multiple integrated Garmin 1243xsv screens for navigation. The autopilot on the kicker motor allows hands-free trolling from anywhere on the boat, while the stereo and radio ensure connectivity and entertainment. Standard switch panels, trim tab controls, and USB ports make managing electronics intuitive. The helm layout supports fast, precise maneuvers both in rough water and at trolling speeds.

Ocean King 240 Cockpit & Fishing Boat Features

The cockpit is where the Ocean King 240 stands out. Wide, 8 inch gunnels act as a blank canvas for customization, with room for rod tracks, downriggers, and mounts. Storage runs along both sides, including rod lockers and compartments, tackle, and hoses. The composite deck is fully self-draining, grippy, and easy to clean.

The rear features the standard offshore bracket, moving the main motor off the transom for better performance and providing ample workspace. Beneath the cockpit on the Ocean King 240 are large fish boxes, live wells, battery access, and plumbing for optional wash-down pumps. Additional fold-down steps double as extra seating or boarding aids.

Ocean King 240 Performance

With six adults on board, full fuel, and gear, the Ocean King 240 cruised comfortably between 20 and 30 miles per hour at half throttle, with a potential top speed of 54 miles per hour. The reverse chine and carefully designed dead rise provide a lift that reduces drag, channels water away, and keeps the boat remarkably dry.

Maneuverability & Stability

Despite its 27 foot overall length, the Ocean King 240 handles like a smaller boat. The reverse chine and robust hull geometry allow precise control at both low trolling speeds and high-speed runs. Stability is exceptional, even with multiple people moving around, thanks to the wide beam, reverse chine, and trim tabs.

Durability

Weldcraft’s welded aluminum construction, upgraded bottom thickness, and composite deck ensures that the Ocean King 240 is designed to last. With nearly 60 years of boat manufacturing, Weldcraft continues to deliver boats built for commercial or serious recreational use. There is no wood anywhere in the deck or cabin, eliminating the potential of rot.

Comfort

The Ocean King 240 balances space and usability perfectly. Heavy-duty seats, bench-to-bed conversion, optional diesel heater, and weatherproof cabin design allows for long days on the water, regardless of the weather. Storage is abundant and strategically placed for convenience and safety, making the boat feel organized and comfortable under full load.

Fishability

The Ocean King 240 is purpose-built for anglers. The cockpit layout, wide gunnels, offshore bracket, live wells, and versatile rigging options make it ideal for trolling, downrigging, or multiple fishing techniques simultaneously.

Rigging

Factory rigging is highly capable, with options for custom electronics, rod holders, track systems, and downriggers. The layout of the Ocean King 240 creates a blank canvas, allowing anglers to tailor the boat to their style and fishing objectives, whether targeting salmon, trout, or other large freshwater species.

Value & Price

The starting price of the Ocean King 240 is around $160,000 for a standard model, and reaching over $200,000 when fully loaded. The Ocean King 240 is a premium boat investment. The price reflects the lifetime hull warranty, Weldcraft’s decades of experience, and a boat that is truly built to last. For serious anglers or families navigating big water, it’s a buy once, buy right proposition.

Who Is This Fishing Boat For?

The Ocean King 240 is designed for tackling large lakes, northern waters, and regions with unpredictable weather. The cabin, modular design, and heavy-gauge construction make this boat ideal for extended trips, and rough water. Whether fishing solo, with friends, or with family, this boat offers a stable, and highly capable platform for all water adventures.

The Weldcraft Ocean King 240 proves itself as a high-performance, versatile, and durable fishing boat. From cockpit to cabin, it’s built to handle big water and keep anglers comfortable, productive, and confident.

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Duckworth 21 Discovery Boat Review | The Ultimate Fishing Boat

Chinook Salmon Fishing in the Puget Sound

The post Weldcraft Ocean King 240 Fishing Boat | Tested and Reviewed on the Great Lakes appeared first on Hazeadventure.

Preparing for the Day on the Water

One of the first lessons in chinook salmon fishing is that preparation matters. Stopping by a local tackle shop, we picked up essential gear: Gamakatsu circle hooks, swivels, Seaguar line, and beads. The bait of choice included anchovies in several sizes, all rigged to run behind flashers and downriggers.

For newcomers, downrigger fishing can feel intimidating. Unlike other types of fishing where you’re constantly holding the rod, this style relies on heavy weights and precise depth control. The goal? To drop your bait to where salmon are holding, often 140–180 feet down, and let the gear do its job.

Learning the Techniques of Chinook Salmon Fishing

On Puget Sound, tides and structure play a huge role. Running flashers with anchovies and adjusting depth with Canon downriggers gave us the best chance at drawing bites. The action can be subtle—sometimes nothing more than a light bounce on the rod tip signals a strike. When that happens, reeling down quickly and popping the line off the downrigger clip is key to setting the hook.

We learned that chinook salmon fishing windows are often short, tied directly to tide swings. Missing that bite window can mean a slow day, but even then, the time spent learning and experimenting is invaluable.

The Thrill of Hooking a Chinook

Patience paid off. After hours of trolling, the rod finally bent, and the fight was on. Watching the chrome flash of a chinook salmon rise from the depths was unforgettable. Some were wild fish that had to be released due to their intact adipose fins, but the hatchery fish provided the reward of fresh salmon fillets for dinner.

Catching a first king salmon is a milestone every angler remembers. The excitement on board was contagious, and soon another chinook was on the line. These fish hit hard, run fast, and test every part of your setup.

Why Puget Sound is a Salmon Fishing Paradise

Beyond the thrill of chinook salmon fishing, Puget Sound offers an unmatched variety of opportunities. Depending on the season, anglers can target not only salmon but also halibut, lingcod, and shellfish. With stunning scenery, strong fishing traditions, and access to the Pacific Ocean just beyond Deception Pass, it’s easy to see why Puget Sound is considered the cradle of sport fishing in Washington.

For us, the trip ended with the perfect combination: fresh halibut and chinook salmon cooked the same day they were caught. Few things capture the essence of the Pacific Northwest better than that.

The post Chinook Salmon Fishing in the Puget Sound appeared first on Hazeadventure.

21-Foot Boat Specifications and Hull Features

The Duckworth 21 Discovery is 23'4″ long (with offshore bracket), 98″ wide, and weighs 2,288 lbs dry. It comes with a 65-gallon fuel tank (88-gallon option available) and can be powered by up to 250 HP (our test had a 200 HP Yamaha). Its unique extruded chine and full reverse chine bottom improve lift, planing, fuel efficiency, and speed.

Standard features include a welded walkthrough windshield, self-bailing bow, bow storage, rigging access panels, and side rod racks. Additionally, trim tabs are included, crucial for levelling the ride in varied conditions.

Discovery 21 Comfort & Cabin Amenities

The Duckworth 21 Discovery excels in comfort. It features upgraded suspension captain seats and two 37-inch rear bench seats that convert into a bed, offering versatile lounging. The composite floor effectively prevents rot. Beyond this, our model's partial hard top with sliding windows and a Wallas diesel heater work together to extend the boating season. Inside, the cabin thoughtfully includes ample storage, lighting, and grab bars. Another plus, one bench is specifically designed to accommodate a portable potty.

Helm & Electronics Hub

The Duckworth 21 Discovery's helm is a well-designed command center, offering easy bow access through an arch doorway. The dash features a large 16-inch Garmin GPS Map 8416 for navigation, sonar, and motor data. Another useful option is the Garmin autopilot for the kicker, which allows hands-free trolling. Essential electronics like a Rockford Fosgate stereo and Garmin VHF radio are included, alongside a tilting helm, trim tab controls, and USB charging ports.

Duckworth 21 Discovery Cockpit & Fishing Features

The aft cockpit is the fishing hub, with extruded gunnels for robust mounting. Another handy option was the lockable rod locker and a wash down pump.

A standout feature is the “fisherman's transom,” a workstation with a large fish box/bait tank and cutting board. This, plus the offshore bracket, keeps the main cockpit open and spacious. The wide bottom allows an optional transom door for easy boarding. Important access points for the bilge and batteries are conveniently located beneath the transom.

Performance

With a 200 HP Yamaha and five people, the Duckworth 21 Discovery reached about 43 mph, with a comfortable cruising speed of 32-34 mph at 4500 RPMs. Its aluminum hull ensures efficiency and quick planing.

Maneuverability

At 23 feet, it handles like a smaller boat. The extruded chine and advanced Garmin Kraken (bow) and autopilot (kicker) systems allow precise control from anywhere on the boat, whether fishing or cruising.

Stability of the 21 Discovery

Because the 21 Discovery has an 8-foot beam and reverse chine, it has exceptional stability, even with multiple people. Trim tabs further enhance this stability underway.

Durability of the Discovery 21

Built from heavy-gauge, welded aluminum, Duckworth boats are designed to last a lifetime and backed by a lifetime hull warranty. The composite floor eliminates rot concerns, common in wood-based construction.

Comfort of Duckworth Boats

The 21 Discovery offers roomy comfort, enhanced by options like a semi-hard top and diesel heater for extended seasons. The upgraded suspension seats absorb chop, and the deep-V hull provides a smooth ride.

Fishability of Duckworth Boats

This boat is highly fishable with an open layout, versatile transom workstation, and offshore bracket. Integrated Garmin systems and a remote kicker boost trolling efficiency. Ample storage and wide gunnels make it an angler's dream.

Rigging the 21 Discovery

The factory rigging is top-notch, with excellent fit and finish. The boat offers extensive customization, from a bare-bones setup to a fully decked-out vessel like our test model, accommodating diverse fishing styles or family cruising.

Value of the Duckworth 21 Discovery Fishing Boat

The Discovery 21 is priced around $120,000-$140,000. However, the 21 Discovery is a premium investment that is worth the price tag if you can afford this price range for a premium fishing boat you can leave to your children. Duckworth's 50 years of experience, lifetime hull warranty, and reputation for durability and ride quality justify the cost.

Ultimately, the Duckworth 21 Discovery is for those seeking a versatile, durable, high-quality 23-foot boat for fishing or family outings, especially in cooler climates where the cabin is an asset.

To maximize my time on the water in the Duckworth 21 Discovery, I used a few key fishing apps that make my fishing trips incredibly smooth and efficient. Check out the fishing apps that truly make a difference!

The post Duckworth 21 Discovery Boat Review | The Ultimate Fishing Boat appeared first on Hazeadventure.