20' northriver scout

[hog on]

I'm looking for some information from some of the guys out there running this boat or boats like it,i'm looking at this boat as a possible dual use,run with a 115 pump then switch over to a 35hp prop for fishing the kenai..first question do you think this boat will do ok with a 35 hp... is the 115 enough hp with the pump...# 2 what do you guys overall think about the northriver boat????? if you had a choice between a willie and a northriver which way would you run....all info on the northriver scout would be greatly app....thank you very much

[airsick]

I haven't run this boat but to answer your question about North River boats in general they are some of the best out there. I recently purchased a 20' Seahawk and love it. I compared many of the other boats like it and the fit and finish of the North River beat the other hands down.

[trap50]

I'm thinking you would be under powered on both counts.

[danger]

Way under powered on both instances. Not a lot you can do on the Kenai, but running that boat down here I would go with the 200hp pump.

Danger

[snit]

Underpowered on both accounts, but you're stuck with the 35 on the Kenai!

I found a like new (used) 20.5' Predator last year for my cousin. It had a 40hp Honda on it for some with reason. It was an Oregon boat but he took it to AK for his personal boat, as he's a guide on the Kenai. He didn't like the Honda (tiller too short), and he didn't want to pay to have it de-tuned so he sold the engine and bought the new 50hhp Yami and had it factory detuned.

WOW. I was impressed!!! Also, his boat has the combed WIDE gunnels, higher sides than most Kenai guide boats, diamond plate floor, and 5 full seat boxes with Bentley's...so it's a heavy boat. It zips along nicely with 4 of us, but with 5 it bogs down.

Hope this helps!

[nunyet]

I have a alumaweld 19.6 66 inch bottom with a 6% v ,called a free drifter, the boat only weights around 1000#. I have a 115 optimax pump this motor runs the boat well, 4 people and gear up from the mouth on the D and is very easy on fuel.

nunyet

[tunasurprise]

Both the engines you mentioned are small. I currently fish from the exact boat you are talking about with a 12 degree bottom. The boat has a 150 Yamaha two stroke and a T8 and performs great I would not like to run the boat with a 115 jet. This boat would be nice with a 200 two stroke but with four guys steelhead fishing the 150 does a great job running at 4000 rpm.
The fuel efficeince of the 150 Yamaha is also very good.

[luckyr]

I am running a 130 honda and a prop on my 19' scout. I dont beleive your going to be real happy with the 115. Is it a two or four stroke? It comes out about 80hp after the pump. A 115 prop would be fine. The 35 horse would take for ever to get on a plane if it ever got there. The boat's over all quality and design is good the only thing I would change is face the back locker the other direction so it doesnt fly open when unlatched and under way. The Willy is a nice boat also but it is going to cost you a few more bucks.

[RascallyRabbit]

Where do you plan on running it with the 115/80 Jet?

I do feel that it will be under powered with the 115/80, basing it on the fact that I have one on my 17'10" Northriver Scout. I also have a 30HP Yamaha that I would never even consider putting on my Scout, because I'm 100% sure it would never get up out of the mud.

Have you thought about a Flatbottom possibly like the 18'10" at Performance Marine in Roseburg (It's a Northriver), and would definitely handle the 35 better than a Scout would.

Steve/RascallyRabbit

[Coastalfisherman]

I run a 150 prop on my 20' Fishrite and it takes all that power with 5 POB. I would think that a 35hp would get the boat moving, but never close to a plane. Not sure that you need to get up on step. I have run both the Northriver and the Willie boats. The Willie is a drier ride, and I think that it planes better than the NR. The NR is heavier than the Willie also. If I did not already have my Fish-Rite, I would own a Willie.

[Flatfish]

What is the most popular boat up there(amongst guides)? If half or more are running the same brand hull, there is your answer.

That I have seen, boat makers are rather competitive price wise. And in the big picture, for what you are talking, a little money one way or another should not deter you.

Shop around, and buy the best boat for your needs. Cost is only one detail in the big picture. A boat is a tool. Buy the best tool for your needs, and you will be happy.

Mark and the dog.

[Remdrake]

I think you would be underpowered. I have a 19ft North River Scout with 6 degree bottom and I power my boat with a Yamaha 115 4-stroke Pump. Boat does fine with 4 people, even had 5 before (took a little bit to get going). I would definately go with a 150 pump and I prefer the 4 strokes, cleaner, easier to maintain, last longer, great fuel economy. Others will argue the other way but in rivers I fish it works great. I never understood why someone would float all the way to the end of the drift and then have to quickly jet out or get in trouble. Seems to me that I have caught all my fish before that point and the 2 boatlength area I need to get on plane is plenty. Definately get a Stainless Impellor, it helps alot! My T8 kicker is also plenty of power for my boat and would assume it would work great on yours. Just my two cents, hope it helps!

[hog on]

You guys are great,the rivers i'm running are here in alaska,the pump would be used on the big su, and the prop detunned 50 would be on the kenai, Currently in alaska there's a ton of willies and very few northriver boats,last season on the kenai i notice the 20' scout with a 6* bow,nice boat,why are there not more of these boats in alaska??? If your running both Jet and prop off the same transome what shaft length do i need,or should i say the most convient,remember theres 2 different motors. I know that on my long shaft jet i need a 26'' transome and for the prop i need the 21'' transome,how do i make this work with one transome,do i need to go to the extra long shaft prop and the long shaft jet????. If money wasn't a option i would own 2 boats.....is there anywhere i might find a good used nothriver or willies in your neck of the woods....once again thanks for your time,,,,if any of you guys want info about alaska fishing or hunting please send me a PM and i'll see what i can do...take care and merry Xmas.:smash:

[reelfine]

I've owned the 17'10 Scout (12 Deg) with a 115 4-stroke, and currently have a 20' Scout (6 deg) with a 200HPDI.

I will never own another 4-stroke Jet again unless I am forced to. There is no comparison in getting on step from rest. No doubt, the hull makes a lot of difference (6 vs. 12), but I can get on step within my own boat length, without even opening the throttle fully. With 4 POB, I can still get on step within my own boat length (but opening the throttle). I don't care about top end, I don't even know what my top end is. But I know that if I need power, I have it in spades.

I love the 4-strokes for their efficiency and quietness, but you'll never convince me that they are a good choice for a jet. If I ran a prop, no question it would be 4-stroke. For a pump, it's gotta be 2-stroke.

[Scout20]

I to have that same boat - 20ft 12degree with the 150VMAX. Awesome boat so far but do not have any experience yet on small rivers. I would think a 115 pump would be straining to get the boat on plane. Before I purchased I thought about the 17'10 Scout with the 115 Yami 2 stroke and was told that would be a great combo. Unfortunatly I think yamaha discontinued this motor:confused:

Mark