questions from a prospective boat buyer

[brshooter]

I am a new member to the IFISH community. My wife has given the OK for a fishing boat as long as it has room for her in it. We have been looking around for a while and are leaning toward a 19' North River with the 175 hp Sportjet and a 8 hp 4-stroke kicker. Any suggestions? A friend said to inquire about the 240 hp sportjet. North River said it is a $1900 upgrade and will add about 7 miles per hour. Is this worth it? What about stepping up to a V8 and a two stage pump? It would primarly be the just the two of us and mayby the brother-in-law and his son on occasion. Are we going to be underpowered with the 175 sportjet?
I can see us fishing the Columbia, Tillamook Bay, and learning how to navigate in the smaller rivers such as the Clackamas, Sandy, Deschutes. Will this boat be adequate?

[Salmonator]

My buddy has a 19' w/175 sportjet. Plenty of power for the boat even with 4 people. Make sure you sit in the 19 footer as well as a 20 or 21 footer. The 19 footer will get a little crowded with up to 4 people and gear (crab rings, tackle boxes ect). If it's in the budget and you can tow it I would bet that a 20 or 21 footer with the 240 SJ would be a sweet combo. I think you also gain a few inches of side height with the bigger boat but not sure. Also consider a 16 degree V. My only regret after purchasing mine was the 12 degree bone-jarring hull. Great for running shallow but rough out on the bays... Sal

[boater]

i personaly would step up to a V-8, i just bought a new inboard sled after owning 3 outboard jets, i realize the sportjet is more efficent than an outboard jet, but the bottom line is that its still an outboard powerhead. i bought a 350 with a 212 pump and couldnt be any happier with it. good fuel economy, great power and a heater too boot. btw- i almost bought a northriver, they look nice but i dont like all the bondo they use to make them look good so i bought a wooldridge. just my 2 cents worth.

[WaterDog]

There are so many different makes and models its tough to choose. For the boat you mentioned, yeah the 175 is enough. But look at other sizes, other makes, and concider a V-8. If you fish a lot in the winter you'll love the heater in a V-8. Also go on test drives!!!!! It takes some time but there is no way you know how the boat handles when you've only been in it while on the trailer. Look at details like tackle trays, storage, and fasteners. I'm not going to rag on other brands but I looked for 5 years before I bought. Something as minor as a rattling hasp will make you wonder whose brain child is that. Shows a lack of attention to detail.

With the upcoming shows you should have a good opportunity to check around. Go for the one that is best for you and good luck!

[Deleted User]

I own a 19' North River with 105 Merc outboard and couldn't be happier with it. I can not imagine needing the 240 hp. I have had 7 adults in my boat and still able to get on step and run 34 mph. It runs 39 mph with a normal load. The outboard sure is nice as far as added fishing space as well as unplugging the jet when needed. What are you supposed to do when you plug a sport jet? I believe go swimming. I test drove two sport jets and was impressed with the way they handle but would go with an outboard for a fishing boat. I do wake board behind mine also. I am a big North River fan after owning one for three years!

[salmonquest]

I have a 19' North River outboard. It is the third boat that I have owned. This is the highest quality and best thought out design I have had. I spend almost all my weekends on board and fish everywhere. I have a Mariner 105 jet and have never had a problem with it. It cruises at about 38 with a top end at about 47. I had a dealing with the company recently about a warrenty issue and North River went above and beyond what I thought was needed. I wouldn't trade this boat for anything. Go with A North River, you can't go wrong! By the way I have had this boat for 5 years. I bought it new in 1995.

[This message has been edited by aquaglide (edited 01-02-2001).]

[HOGTIDE]

I've always owned Alumaweld. But, if I ever switched it would be over to NorthRiver. They do the sweetest welding job in the business. I have talked to several different guys and friends that own 175 Sportjets and they say they have plenty of power.

Everyone likes the benefits of a big v-8, but for Fishin', they take up a LOT of useable space.

Remember, in most welded boats if you step up from a 19' to a 20' boat, you also gain 6" in bottom width =quicker planing and less draft.

Sounds like your gonna have fun deciding whatever...gosh, I love boats!

*I went into a long discussion of my tour and comparison of all western tin boat factories on the Pisc. Pursuits site a while back. You might want to look that up.

[Fish4Fun]

This is a really hard question to give an answere to, everybody likes different sleds for different reasons. I looked for 2 years before I traded my outboard Duckworth for an inboard Weldcraft. The bottom line is that all of the manufactures make a nice boat, Some nicer than others. What sold me was what I was getting for the dollar. You will find that some brands have a lot of standard items to where the competitor makes them an option. The best move you can make is to go after the package deals. I went with the Weldcraft 20' Dart, 6 1/2 foot bottom, 99" beam. everything was standard on this boat. All I added was a stern cover and a welded kicker bracket. 350 chevy V8, suspention seats, fixed frame top, Paint and a ton of other things all standard. This will help keep the price down too.

Fish4Fun

[Pete]

Lots of good information:
- get a 16 degree hull v. 12 degree
- faster planing, higher sides on a 20'
- package deals save money

To that I would add a couple things:
* See how the top stores when not in use - does it fold out of the way or does it fold down where it might be in the way?
* Do you really want a jet or would an outdrive prop on a SportJet work better?
* Will you really use it on the Deschutes...Rattlesnake takes some horsepower to get through.
* Don't forget to have enough power points installed for phones, GPS, coolers, lap tops, TVs etc...
* Can you keep the top up when you are driving?
* Where does the side tray hit your leg when you lean against the inside of the boat: in the thigh or in the shin ... it matters when you're fighting a fish in rough water.
* How are the seats layed out, for fishing or for card playing?
* Where will you put the fish box?
* Does the boat have a clamp cleat on the bow for easy release, or a T-bar type of cleat?
* What guages will you get? Tachometer, fuel guage, ameter, hours meter, jet psi...
* Dual battery system?
* Dual fuel for 2 cycle SportJet and 4 cycle kicker?
* Windshield wipers?
* Steering control for the kicker? With the SportJet you'll have to run back to the kicker and sit in the rain for trolling unless you go with an autopilot system.
* Galvanized trailer with dual axels ... it'll save your ass if you have a flat and it'll make launching easier.
* New truck to comfortably fit all the new friends who will want to go fishing with you.
...and welcome aboard Shooter!

[This message has been edited by Pete (edited 01-02-2001).]

[Jetman]

I have a 19' North River with a 175 sportjet in the 16 degree. This boat performs exceptionally well in rough water and draws 8-12 inches. You'll need to really evaluate your primary uses and decide what will be your best choice. The last time I talked to North River they were working on a 14 degree model to see if they could compromise on the benifits of both. The 16 with a 175 doesn't break loose on a hard turn, it just knives the bow in and turns around NOW!! Like was said before do your homework and take rides in as many as you can.

[Beer Waggin]

Shooter, Come see me and I'll show what a 20 footer with a 350 will do! I looked at a sportjet before I bought my new North River. My biggest concern was power out of the hole with a boat load of people. Mike and Jordan at North River have a lot of knowledge and they won't try and talk you into anything, but their advice is unmatched. If I remember right a 20 footer was only a $500.00 option over the 19 footer last year and you get the tandem axle trailer to boot.
p.s. Don't forget to get cup holders. I did and have had many of beverages spilled, not that big of deal unless the dog is laying down.

[Ed]

Shooter,
I purchased a 19' Duckworth w/175 Sportjet last summer. I swore I was going to buy a V8 but I eventually chose the 175. Since my wife was actively envolved in the selection (she was signing too) there were some compromises that were reached. The reasons I (we) purchased the 175 over a V8 were performance, room, and value.

The 175 is quicker out of the hole than the same boat with a 302 V8 and the top ends are about the same. I realize a 351 will do better than the 175 but... Also, inboards handle better than outboards. You don't have to turn the wheel nearly as much from lock to lock (left to right). Reverse power and steering is an issue also. Reverse buckets on outboard pumps are small. The reverse buckets on inboards, including the 175 are large thus reverse power and maneuvering is great.

The V8s take up a lot of room especially in a 19 footer. I was restricted on boat length so adding extra length was out. I had a 22' glass boat with tamdem axle etc. It was a pain to store, park, and maneuver especially at crowed ramps. I needed the biggest boat I could get that fit in my garage. That was the 19' with a swing-away tounge. Also, the V8 added more weight which required surge brakes on the trailer which in turn prohibited a swing-away tounge.

Finally cost. V8s are more money. I looked at two 19' Duckworths. One had a V8 and the other had the 175. The V8 cost about $1000 more than the 175. The V8 was essentually bare. The cost difference is really much more than $1000. I got the following just for the cost difference: side paint, padded motor cover, 9" side and transom rails as opposed to none on the V8 (this is a biggie. 9" rails are sweet for fishing etc), swing-away tounge, dual wipers, spring-ride seats, sleeper seats, rod holders, kicker plate, and a galvanized welded Tricker trailer.

We are very happy with our boat. It has been in the Columbia (B10 and Bonny), the Alsea, and very low water Santiam. The 175 really pulls a skier/tube very well. It's a great all around baot. I realize North Rivers are very popular, but I recommend that you and your wife visit Sigler's Marine out on east Sandy and take a test drive. He carries Thunderjet also. Good luck!
Ed
PS: Don't forget to add the cost of the kicker in with the boat http://www.ifish.net/forum/images/graemlins/smile.gif

[brshooter]

Thanks for all the feedback. I'm anxious to get the boat, but it looks like I still have a bit of homework to do. Sounds like it is time to hit the boat show this weekend and do some more looking.

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BIll