Hewescraft or ThunderJet Time to replace the NR Scout

[geographic void]

Looking to Replace my 21' North River Scout. Love the boat, just a bit to flat and rough for my big lake fishing. (MN Lake of the Woods)

I grew up in N Id so I am kinda partial to the look of the NW boats, plus everyone here has a Lund. I was at the Spokane show last week and checked out all the offerings. The 2 that stood out to me at the show was the Thunderjet offshore (luxor I believe) and the Starcraft Islander. The only thing that the Starcraft had for me was a cuddy. I had never considered this but think it may be a great addition to keep the kids, and perhaps the wife, happy longer on those slow days. Later saw in the Hewecraft catalog that the Pacific Sport was a similar layout, plus welded and not riveted++

So I guess I am looking for opinions on the ThunderJet for overall quality and ride in rough lake water (3-4' chop) I liked the layout and storage on this boat and it seemed priced reasonably, just haven't heard too much about them.

Also on the Hewes. How does it ride. Aby drawbacks to a cuddy?

Also do allot of drift or anchor fishing, as well as trolling

Maybe a bit rambly for a first post, fast thinker slow typer:wink:

Thanks for the help.

Mike

[SOL]

Whatever you do, stay away from rivots! 3'-4' wind chop will tear rivots out! You might want to look into a heavier glass boat.

[lucky2]

Deep V hull on the hewes make it an excellent big water boat!

[geographic void]

Whatever you do, stay away from rivots! 3'-4' wind chop will tear rivots out! You might want to look into a heavier glass boat.

That's the way i feel. It supprises me with the rough waters on the big lake that there are mostly riveted boats. I want to stay away from glass as this is a shallower lake with the occasional rock. Also want to be able to beach the boat without worry.

[geographic void]

Deep V hull on the hewes make it an excellent big water boat!

Lucky, what boat do you have?

[trap50]

I don't have either but know people that do. Can really say anything bad about either. The Luxor is a nice set up. I'm also against rivots. You know Lake Pokegama. Grew up there in Grand Rapids.Going to do a Walley trip on the Columbia here in April. Have caught some nice fish there.

[lucky2]

Lucky, what boat do you have?
I have a 20' SeaRunner.

[backlash442]

What's the matter with a NR Seahawk?

[whatugetemon]

What's the matter with a NR Seahawk?

I was wondering the same thing. I have a SeaHawk and absolutely love it.

[geographic void]

I was wondering the same thing. I have a SeaHawk and absolutely love it.

Nothing wrong with the Seahawk that I know of. Havan't seen one in person. The thing that set the 2 above for me was the cuddy on the Hewes without going to a Huge boat and if I were to to with a "standard" layout boat I really liked the amount of storage that the ThunderJet had compared to the others I saw at the show, Duckworth, WeldCraft ect.

There weren't any North River boats at the show.

[geographic void]

I was wondering the same thing. I have a SeaHawk and absolutely love it.

Nothing wrong with the Seahawk that I know of. Havan't seen one in person. The thing that set the 2 above for me was the cuddy on the Hewes without going to a Huge boat and if I were to to with a "standard" layout boat I really liked the amount of storage that the ThunderJet had compared to the others I saw at the show, Duckworth, WeldCraft ect.

There weren't any North River boats at the show. I'll be listing my 21' Scout on CraigsList and here if anyone knows of any interested parties.

[tysdad]

http://www.ifish.net/gallery/data/500/Web_Jet.jpg


I love my TJ:thisbig: this much:dance:

[pathfinder]

100 % quality goes to THUNDER JET !
http://www.ifish.net/gallery/data/500/medium/100_1351.JPG (http://www.ifish.net/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/56181/size/big/cat//ppuser/12846)

[MP]

I picked up an 08 luxor offhsore. Picked it up on Monday. First cast will be saturday (it has never been wet).

I compared it to the Seahawk one booth over at the boat show (both 20').

I like the offshore bracket on the NR better however the higher sides and more options for the comparable price tag won me over. Mass amount of storage on the luxor offshore as well as dual wipers and suspension seats included.

I only went with the 140 and 9.9 e-start. I would have upgraded to the 150 but it just wasn't in the budget. The boat I did a river trial in had 3 adults in windy conditions with the top up and it did 38 (down stream into the wind and upstream with the wind gave the same speed) on the GPS. That will get me where I want to go even if I am not the first one there.

[Flatfish]

When in Rome......

Buy a Lund.

[troybuz]

Sledder, a fellow Ifisher, had this boat built. It's a perfect Big Water Boat, and priced about 1/2 of what it's worth.
see: 2004 Boice Jet Titan (Stock #442) listing

[geographic void]

When in Rome......

Buy a Lund.

Probably the best idea out there:-) I just like the strength oth the thicker hulls and welded construction. Crestliners are welded also but only have .125 on the botom and .09 sides. Plusses are local dealers and local resale for sure. I also prefer the storage options on these "midwest" boats.

May end up going that way but I really like the look, build and fishing area of the western boats.

Thanks for the input on the ThunderJet's. Seems like everyone is happy with their boats from all Mfg's.

What are peoples opinions on having big reverse chines or very small like hewes. Will the hewes be more rolly??

Advangages and dis of each

Thanks again guys

[rola76]

Based on what it sounds like you're looking for I too would suggest a Lund. I know this is a board full of sled/welded boat owners (I being one) but I grew up fishing out of a Lund and I can attest these things are built tough and solid. Look at all of the major walleye guys on the Great Lakes in rough conditions...a high percentage of them are fishing out of tournament-style Lund walleye boats. I know they're riveted but I personally believe they're build like tanks and can withstand the most brutal of punishment when it comes to rough water and cutting the chop.

On a rough day on the Big C or other place I feel MUCH safer and more stable in my dad's Lund than I do in my sled...that's the honest truth!!

[Two Fister]

Will the hewes be more rolly??

Yup. It's one of the tradeoffs. The deep v with small chines makes for a rolly ride at low speeds (trolling). It also makes the boat more sensitive to weight distribution and weight shifts. The boat will really cut through wind chop when at speed because of the deep v so there are advantages and disadvantages to the design. A friends 18' Searunner is much less rolly than my 20' SR was so they may have changed things up a bit.

I was told by one manufacturer that the larger reverse chines on aluminum boats (weldcraft, Thunderjet, etc) caused the boats to walk a bit during high speed turns. I couldn't say that wasn't just sales pitch as I haven't been in one, but it seems like you could get two different tracking surfaces if both the chine and the keel are fighting for dominance in a turn.

Both are great boats and the people that have them think they are the best thing going! Good luck on your decision and let us know what you pick!
TF

[foxer]

Thunderjet will be more stable side to side. A Searunner will ride better in the chop. Thunderjet will be a little "nicer" inside.

[JoshTDOR]

Hewescraft of Thunderjet, either way I think you will be happy. I was going to buy a TJ but found a good deal on my Hewes. My Searunner will take more than I care to be out in...:twocents:


http://www.ifish.net/gallery/data/500/medium/201075402_DSC_0079.jpg

[skaha]

I looked at both hews and thunderjet. looking for boat for larger lakes and comfort. Ened up with thunderjet 17.5 powerbolt with 16 degree hull and extended bracket.
--You might want to look at the TJ with hard top if you want some extra comfort feeling.

--I don't think you can go wrong with either, I went with TJ because in this area they were a better local dealor than the Hewes.
Both have factory back ups that was good.

--Neither one broke the budget.

--Only other I seriously conscidered was a silverstreak custom boat but the same problems with custom you cant get everything always have to compromise so went with off the rack.

[geographic void]

Thanks for all the opinions guys. Found a good deal on a 22' Ocean Pro. Now to just sell the sled and get it rolling:-)

[IDWITHELD]

Sledder, a fellow Ifisher, had this boat built. It's a perfect Big Water Boat, and priced about 1/2 of what it's worth.
http://www.rivercityboatsales.com/boats-for-sale.html see: 2004 Boice Jet Titan (Stock #442) listing

Did you notice the "30.4 hours" on the ticker! How the hell? That has to be a mis-print. 304 makes more sense for the year...but that boat looks immaculate which supports the 30.4 hour mark.
That BJ is one hot boat.

[Bronco74]

I have a Weldcraft Maverick 201, and it has plenty of storage. But I'll say this, the Luxor 20ft Offshore is darn near identical to the Weldcraft, and the NR is also really close baring some differences in hull design. What you won't find on the TJ or NR is a 62 gallon gas tank. I have a much farther range. All three have very nice fit and finish, with the TJ being the best of the three possibly. My credit card company loves filling up the gas tank this :thisbig: much!

[Bronco74]

Weldcraft Maverick 201 Boat pic - forgot to include.