How does your inboard jetboat ride?

[KROY]

I have a 1990 18’ Formula V with a Ford 302. This boat really beats me to death in rough water. I’m thinking about upgrading to a bigger boat and I wanted to find out how other boats ride in the rough water. It seems like everyone I see with big inboard jetboats is going a lot smoother than my boat. I want to stick with the inboard jetboat design that’s about 21’. So, for all you big inboard jetboat owners out there, how does your boat ride in the rough water?

Thanks,
Ken

[Bobberdown]

I have a weldcraft Renegade. Its 18 Feet long and has a good v all the way back to the pump intake. This thing rides much better than my old sled but like all sleds can still pound you when there is a big chop. The make the same boat in a 20 foot version and its called a Saber. Very nice boat for a reasonable price. My uncle had a 21 ft Thunder Jet and it had a very nice ride in rougher water. But as you may or may not know they are pretty proud of the Thunder Jets.

[Saukie]

If its paid for and is in sound condition...why trade out...I went to a 23' FB Alumaweld, 1984, and talk about taking a beating in big water....but I won't trade the room and shall water abilty for anything, since 80% of my fish requires that, but for the other 20% I just suck it up. However, I would love to have a Vee...If I could, given the wifes blessing, I would have a boat for every water situation...

[KROY]

Your right Saukie, why trade a good fishing boat that is fine for 80% of my fishing? That really doesn't sound logical but here's the scoop. I try and take my wife and kids trout fishing and playing when I'm not chasing bigger fish. The kids are getting bigger and the boat is getting smaller. My wife says, "We need a bigger boat and I really like those Northrivers a lot." It might not be logical but I'm not letting that one pass by. I like the Northrivers also but there are other good boats out there. I don’t think anyone is going to let me test drive their boat crossing the bar or running the Columbia in a bad wind chop so I thought I’d get some other opinions on how the boat rides in rough water. It might be a year before I sell this one and get another but I’m not letting that opportunity get away. Thanks for reply info on how your boat runs.

[Mark]

I have a small outboard and would also like to upgade. How to the big inboard jets perform on open water?

[Nanook]

No inboard jet rides like this one. images/icons/grin.gif

http://www.willieboats.com/images/asaltor1.jpg

[SlabQuest]

If you run 2 identical boats side by side, it will appear to the skipper of each boat that the other guy is getting a smoother ride images/icons/cool.gif

[Salmonator]

I don't think the question should be how one particular brand rides in rough water, but how much of a V do I need for what I am going to do. Then find out what manufacturer's make a boat you like with that particular deadrise. If you ride in 10 different brands that all have the exact same degree hull I doubt you would find much of a difference between any as far as taking a beating. Now as far as getting on plane, turning and other performance particulars thats a whole 'nother story in my opinion... Joe

[Saukie]

Kroy, I heard ya loud & clear...I looked very hard & long, since 1991 at boats...in my personal view the NR are by far the best all around boat, family water fun, mainly fishing with the 72 bottom for room. The fit & finsh with the full gauges and one lever control, MAN..those are sweet boats...most of all the buddies I have that have boats, Ducks, Aluma have driven my partners NR 20' with the 212, they all want to sell their boats now...The Duck is 18'/66" BTM w/302..he had leaking issues, bad turning in tight turns, it runs wet over the bow. The 20' Alumaweld my other friend has is nice, but lacks the control the NR has and the cost to feature in less too...

[Thunderstruck]

Kroy,

I have a 2001 21' Thunder Jet Alexis Pro Sport with Air ride seats and in a heavy chop it will make your teeth hurt. images/icons/shocked.gif The only thing that will improve the ride is a deeper V.

Thunderstruck

[Phil Layer]

Kroy,

My buddy has your boat except with a 115 Merc outboard. My back hurts just typing about it. **** , that boat is painful!

I don't think the inboard/outboard makes much difference in choppy water.

[Doubletake]

Kroy, Joe hit it right on the head, there is a lot of differences in the different brands but ride is all in the degree of the hull. Look at what you will be using the boat for most and then make a choice. I think you would do well to make a choice on the type of hull you want for the type of water you will hit mostly and then look at the different brands. Good luck

Doubletake

[boater]

joe, i have to disagree with you on the 10 boat theory with the same deadrise, a boat with a lets say 12 degree deadrise through out the hull will not ride as good as a boat with a 12 degree hull and lets say a 17 degree dead rise in the bow, the 17 degree bow at the point of entry will smooth the ride out more than the boat with the 12 degree entry. on flat water you wouldnt notice it but in the chop there is a definite difrence. just my 2 useless cents worth.

[Salmonator]

Boater, I agree it would be great for low throttle "pushing" in chop but you will still get your butt kicked with a 12 degree hull V no matter what the bow entry is if you try to get on plane.

[boater]

thats your opinion, but not mine. also, to rookie jet boaters, if you were in a sled and it didnt corner good, you were leaving the turning work to the turning strakes on the boat and thats not good, in tight turns on fast water you need to "stick" the boat to the water by using the throttle.

[willierower]

Is there such a thing as a smooth riding Aluminum jet boat?
My dad just got a 21' Custom Weld Storm. I have only ridden it one time. It seemed to ride nice. We were in a bay and there was a lot of wind chop. It got kinda bouncey ging through that, Its wasnt anything uncomfortable. We went out on the Bar and turned around, We got going at a pretty good clip over the bigger swells, We actually had the boat airborn. That was a little rough, But not too bad.
Custom Weld Boats have a radius bottom. The Bow has a very deep V and as you go towards the back of the boat it gets less and the bottom is actually rounded. You will have to see it for yourself to understand it.
My dads last boat was a 22' Willie Predator. It didnt ride all that bad either. I think the fact that it was heavy helped out with the ride. It had a hard top and a big block i it. The New boat is fairly heavy also, Hard top and fish platform.