alhuger Posted July 16, 2009 Share Posted July 16, 2009 I am pretty sure I am going to buy a jet boat for next season. I'd like to get feedback from anyone whose willing to share it relative to my options. My needs are not ideal for picking a boat. I am in need of a boat I can take on lakes and still run skinny water. Ideally I would have something which was around 16/17 feet long, was light, picked up on step quick and allowed for deep and skinny water. I understand this optimal mix probably does not exist so I will likely end up with a compromise. The vendors I am looking at are: Outlaw Eagle http://www.outlaweagle.com/ http://www.outlaweagle.com/outlaw_5.html WooldRidge http://www.wooldridgeboats.com/boats/classic.htm Seems to have a good deadrise 17 in the front and 12 in the back for skinny water. Custom Weld http://www.customweld.com/ Alumafix http://www.alumafix.ca/showroom/index.php?...ge=DSCN1110.JPG The last choice is perhaps my favorite but a poor choice for a lake. I like the compromise of a 16 / 18 degrees deadrise on the bow with a 11 or so deadrise on the planing surface. I *think* that would be a reasonable compromise but I can only see it in a heavier boat than I want.. I like lighter because it's easer to get on step at slower speeds and given I am a novice jet boater I like the extra security that gives me when trying to sort out what is good water and what is not. In any event, any advice would be appreciated. al Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smitty Posted July 16, 2009 Share Posted July 16, 2009 Al: Make sure it has the "Cowcatcher" attachment to save yourself dents when you pluck those pesky fly slinging guys on the Red Deer. Dad and I had a custom made Marathon Marine (edmonton) jetboat, but we went back to a lund deep V for lakes, and we float rivers in an inflatable. Tough to pick an all-round boat in Alberta that can service different scenarios. What will be the boat's primary use? Answering that will help you lean one way or the other. I assume its fishing, but will it be mostly lakes or mostly rivers? After we faced the truth that the vast majority of our boat time is in bigger pike/walleye lakes, we went back to a Lund fishing machine (the inflatable awesome for pot hole lakes and for rivers, we're mostly walk and wade anyways). I'm saying determining those primary needs are best in figuring out which compromises are the best. Smitty. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tungsten Posted July 16, 2009 Share Posted July 16, 2009 I like the last one too,how much does a 17'6" weigh?If you went with the 80hp you would have no problem getting up on plain quickly with 3 or 4 people in it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reevesr1 Posted July 16, 2009 Share Posted July 16, 2009 Al, My recommendation is anything that holds 6'2", 195, bad casting habits. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HAMMERTIME Posted July 17, 2009 Share Posted July 17, 2009 Hi Al, I just bought a used 17 foot SeaArk with a 40/30 jet from Hyde Drift Boats in Idaho. The previous owner traded it in for a Power Drifter. I had Hyde set the boat up for rowing. Works good on the Bow River - If you put 3 guys in the boat over 200 lbs it's doesn't really plane properly. Three skinny guys and it fly's. Email me for more info. You can come over and take a look at it. Doug Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brad29 Posted July 17, 2009 Share Posted July 17, 2009 I saw the hyde powerdrifter that wetduck has, it was a pretty sweet looking boat. Send him a pm. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alhuger Posted July 17, 2009 Author Share Posted July 17, 2009 Hi Al, I just bought a used 17 foot SeaArk with a 40/30 jet from Hyde Drift Boats in Idaho. The previous owner traded it in for a Power Drifter. I had Hyde set the boat up for rowing. Works good on the Bow River - If you put 3 guys in the boat over 200 lbs it's doesn't really plane properly. Three skinny guys and it fly's. Email me for more info. You can come over and take a look at it. Doug Thanks for the offer Doug, I may take you up on it. Hope your enjoying it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alhuger Posted July 17, 2009 Author Share Posted July 17, 2009 Al, My recommendation is anything that holds 6'2", 195, bad casting habits. Hah OK, I will put that on my requirements list! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hawgstoppah Posted July 17, 2009 Share Posted July 17, 2009 Just make sure it can carry a couple quads. Might as well go "all in"... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
headscan Posted July 17, 2009 Share Posted July 17, 2009 Just make sure it can carry a couple quads. Might as well go "all in"... Actually we were planning on loading it up with yellow golf balls and scattering them around the river. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alhuger Posted July 17, 2009 Author Share Posted July 17, 2009 Actually we were planning on loading it up with yellow golf balls and scattering them around the river. Yet all the while being careful not to disturb our nets at the mouth of the confluence in April. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndyW Posted July 17, 2009 Share Posted July 17, 2009 Just make sure it has a livewell. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tungsten Posted July 17, 2009 Share Posted July 17, 2009 I like the built up transom on the Alumafix .It says put big HP on me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jksnijders Posted July 17, 2009 Share Posted July 17, 2009 Been looking recently as well, here's another http://alumacraft.com/jon-boats/mv-1650-aw-cc.php Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtforward Posted July 17, 2009 Share Posted July 17, 2009 Al Don't know how far along you are on a decision but if going outboard consider a 4 stroker....I know more money and weight etc, etc but I think they are a lot easier on the environment and a lot quieter when passing other fisherman. It's a consideration thing and it looks like the Bow (anyway) is going to see a lot more jets and anything to lighten the impact as seen from other fisherman (non jetters) and the environment needs to be taken into consideration. For the river 17'-18' 60/40 is a good fit and would probably fit the bill for most jet water here and most any moving water you might want to fish in BC. Lake is different and don't know if there is a config that can serve two masters. Hell don't be so cheap and just buy 2 boats! Have fun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alhuger Posted July 17, 2009 Author Share Posted July 17, 2009 Al Don't know how far along you are on a decision but if going outboard consider a 4 stroker....I know more money and weight etc, etc but I think they are a lot easier on the environment and a lot quieter when passing other fisherman. It's a consideration thing and it looks like the Bow (anyway) is going to see a lot more jets and anything to lighten the impact as seen from other fisherman (non jetters) and the environment needs to be taken into consideration. For the river 17'-18' 60/40 is a good fit and would probably fit the bill for most jet water here and most any moving water you might want to fish in BC. Lake is different and don't know if there is a config that can serve two masters. Hell don't be so cheap and just buy 2 boats! Have fun. I will be going to for a 4 stroke. I am not a huge fan of 2 strokes for all the reasons you mentioned. al Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pkk Posted July 17, 2009 Share Posted July 17, 2009 I will be going to for a 4 stroke. I am not a huge fan of 2 strokes for all the reasons you mentioned. al You wont have much of a choice, 4 strokes is all that is available in those sizes unless you are lucky to get a good used 2 stroke. and hey al, is your smart car able to tow a boat? PK Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pkk Posted July 17, 2009 Share Posted July 17, 2009 I am pretty sure I am going to buy a jet boat for next season. I'd like to get feedback from anyone whose willing to share it relative to my options. My needs are not ideal for picking a boat. I am in need of a boat I can take on lakes and still run skinny water. Ideally I would have something which was around 16/17 feet long, was light, picked up on step quick and allowed for deep and skinny water. I understand this optimal mix probably does not exist so I will likely end up with a compromise. The vendors I am looking at are: Outlaw Eagle http://www.outlaweagle.com/ http://www.outlaweagle.com/outlaw_5.html WooldRidge http://www.wooldridgeboats.com/boats/classic.htm Seems to have a good deadrise 17 in the front and 12 in the back for skinny water. Custom Weld http://www.customweld.com/ Alumafix http://www.alumafix.ca/showroom/index.php?...ge=DSCN1110.JPG The last choice is perhaps my favorite but a poor choice for a lake. I like the compromise of a 16 / 18 degrees deadrise on the bow with a 11 or so deadrise on the planing surface. I *think* that would be a reasonable compromise but I can only see it in a heavier boat than I want.. I like lighter because it's easer to get on step at slower speeds and given I am a novice jet boater I like the extra security that gives me when trying to sort out what is good water and what is not. In any event, any advice would be appreciated. al you really have to figure out what you will use the boat for the most. there is no one perfect boat for all applications. a lake boat and a river boat are 2 completely different beasts. they are all good boats that you have researched but all very different. Mikes alumifix out of Hazelton are fantastic boats (riden and driven lots of them right from the very first one he ever built) but is completely different than the Tomcat (which you have been in). i considered mikes boats when I made my new purchase but it is solely a river fishing boat. If you go with one of the larger boats I would recommend an inboard. call anytime, PK Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wingshooter Posted July 23, 2009 Share Posted July 23, 2009 I picked up a new rig this spring and I love it and I think my fishing buddies do too. I feel comfortable taking it out on a big lake as it is very stable. In the river it rows awesome and takes very little water 6 inches on plane. A little under powered with more than 3 guys and all their gear. But no battery to contend with and no center consol to get in the way. Aluminum floor is great too. Rowing frame is a little bit of a pain on a lake but it comes out with 4 straps. It only take 15 minutes to blow up and put the floor in. It will go 45- 50 km going down stream and 30 km upstream. If you are a thrill seaker get a huge gas eating noisey one which holds more beer (like the ones on the lower red). If you want to catch fish go light. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ÜberFly Posted July 23, 2009 Share Posted July 23, 2009 So is that your actually boat?! If so, you are not really fly fishing in the vid, are you... Hmmm... P I picked up a new rig this spring and I love it and I think my fishing buddies do too. I feel comfortable taking it out on a big lake as it is very stable. In the river it rows awesome and takes very little water 6 inches on plane. A little under powered with more than 3 guys and all their gear. But no battery to contend with and no center consol to get in the way. Aluminum floor is great too. Rowing frame is a little bit of a pain on a lake but it comes out with 4 straps. It only take 15 minutes to blow up and put the floor in. It will go 45- 50 km going down stream and 30 km upstream. If you are a thrill seaker get a huge gas eating noisey one which holds more beer (like the ones on the lower red). If you want to catch fish go light. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
headscan Posted July 23, 2009 Share Posted July 23, 2009 So is that your actually boat?! If so, you are not really fly fishing in the vid, are you... Hmmm... P Fish were all landed quickly and the hooks were obviously debarbed from what I saw. More than I can say about some fly fishermen I've seen. Also, I know lots of guys who both fly fish and use gear. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ÜberFly Posted July 23, 2009 Share Posted July 23, 2009 Yeah, I know, I was just busting his chops!! P Fish were all landed quickly and the hooks were obviously debarbed from what I saw. More than I can say about some fly fishermen I've seen. Also, I know lots of guys who both fly fish and use gear. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wingshooter Posted July 23, 2009 Share Posted July 23, 2009 So is that your actually boat?! If so, you are not really fly fishing in the vid, are you... Hmmm... P Yes I was flyfishing in two segments and yes we did catch a 23 inch rainbow and a 21 brown on the fly. The brown was on a size 16 sparkle dun on 6 X tippet and yes it was a 60 foot cast. I am a fisherman not a snob! I don't allow snobs in the boat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ÜberFly Posted July 23, 2009 Share Posted July 23, 2009 I guess I'll never be invited then!! LoL Cheers, P Yes I was flyfishing in two segments and yes we did catch a 23 inch rainbow and a 21 brown on the fly. The brown was on a size 16 sparkle dun on 6 X tippet and yes it was a 60 foot cast. I am a fisherman not a snob! I don't allow snobs in the boat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garlicmarshmellow Posted July 28, 2009 Share Posted July 28, 2009 I am a fisherman not a snob! Words to live by brother. Nice video and good quick releases Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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