Boice Jet Boat - Have to Hear This!!!

[NETONE]

Ok...I am an Alumaweld owner..Best Friend Has Northriver another Duckworth...We all can spend hours/weeks talking this...BUT...Last night at the boat show I had the great pleasure of meeting Justin Boise, those that follow & go to the Rogue Races will know of him...After going top to bottom on their boats I have to say Justin knows boats beyond those I have talk to..and the Boice boat really is a full function boat. Today I will be running the Clackamas with Justin, if it handles and runs as I hope to expect...well...lets say...may be a Boice running the local area very soon...Those have not seen the video by Boice...you have to watch it...you will see things that will totally blow you away...

[JPSFISHY]

Saw him running up in McKiver yesterday. Intereseted in a followup when ya can.

[NETONE]

Well...Sure glad not alot of fishing folks on the river today in the Clack....My heart is still pounding and my mind can not believe the demo...Up to this point I was sold on Northriver...(Looking for that one solution purpose boat)...the Boice I ca honestly say runs tighter than the Northriver and man can Justin drive a boat...I was able to take the wheel in the Clackamas Pond...I played for 30 mins taking tighter turn I could NOT get that boat to wash out...Even going up river we ran several loops around a gravel bar...amazing!!!!As for fishing...will be no different than anyother Jet...Guys....LOOK THIS BOAT OVER...well worth your time if your in the market....so much I am getting one...anyone want my 22' Alumaweld????

[FishinMission]

Yeah...I saw you guys go by today too.

Mark

[Mofish]

I must say I was not going to boat show this year but I had to see this Bocie boat.

If your up to driving 245 mile to get warrenty work done and your into river racing then you should buy one, if not you should look around a little more.

Sorry I would buy a smokeycraft before I would buy a Boice.

Mofish

[Mofish]

PS I have 23ft Motion Marine.


Mofish

I tell it how it is. :cool: :cool:

[whitewaterbill]

NETONE...

Must agree with you on the handling of the Boice boat. The radius bottom and dynamics of how it handles are second to none.

I have a great boat built by another builder but wish I could build the handling of the Boice Jet into it!

Justin has a knowledge of boat building and cutting edge break throughs from his boat driving and racing experience that will make him a great success.

Did you demo in his "rock hopper" or another boat.

The "rock hopper" is totally unbelievable!!! Way out in front of the rest!

Bill

[Chris Sessions]

I'll second that Bill!
Justin and his dad built some handling design features in the Boice boat that are revolutionary and second to none. I would love to have one! or two!!
CS

[TheRogue]

Ok, I'll chime in here.

I grew up around the Boice family. Went up on the passenger boats many times, had a few free nights at Paradise.

Yes, Justin is pretty young, as designers go. But, he's drawing on an awful lot of historical background in his family and the area he grew up in. He probably ran the river in a jet boat from Foster Bar to Blossom Bar at an age before most of us backed the parent's car out of a driveway. Some of his designs are a little odd (The Eurosport model and that oversized bow you can get don't turn my crank).

I haven't been in one at anchor or trolling at slow speeds...so it's hard to say how it would track in the current/wind. Probably with the sharp vee bow, pretty good.

Yes, it's a long way for warranty work....but that never stopped a lot of Willie owners, or NorthRiver (which didn't have a local presence until a few years back).

MoFish.....are you saying if you moved to Grants Pass, you'd dump your Motion Marine and buy a local boat?? :grin: :wink:

Kyle

[highwater]

I say all boats have good things and a few not so good things. I returned my motion boat.......cost me lots of dollars, marked it down for education. The ARK even ran aground! poor design? bad wood? over loaded? wasn't made in Oregon...... lots of people looking for it, must be something special. Time to go for a boat ride.

[Snapshot]

MoFish, I fail to see the issue. Nothing every happens until the warrent is over and out by at least a month. Then we have our favorite mechanics working on the problem around here. It is possible to take a boat south for repairs and get it back quicker than from some of the shops around here. Have you waited for someone to tune up a boat for more than a couple days. How about a month at some places? We don't take our chevys or Fords back to Michigan after the warrenty has expired. We have them fixed here.
The Boice has an excellent design and handles great. There is an older one at Stevens Marine that I have run and it handles better than most under power. High freeboard and safety should be a consideration. Sometimes I feel for the guys in some of the sleds at buoy 10. From what I have seen, the Boice may be the best all around design. If I had enough money and one less wife. Then, I would have both money and a Boice.

*Fish only bite wet hooks*

[Frozen Boater]

A radius bottom? I guess someone should tell them to call Glen Wooldridge, I have a radius bottom on my 1989 Classic inboard, 12 degree bottom.They used this design for a while, then went back to the original design.I can't tell much difference in handling between this and the old style in the same design of boat. Are they using a pre-flex hull like Harborcraft? I have seen lots of damaged boats that were said to be stronger than others, but they needed lots of spendy welding work to fix the damage! Check out Boice boats web page on all of the first ever boating accomplishments :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

[Ramstrong]

Net,

If you buy one of his boats try to get him to throw in some nights at the family lodge (paradise bar). Mighty purdy land out there on the rouge. I've seen justins advertisements, and was wondering how practical a fishing boat he made. Boy he sure can fly in his race boats though.

[CATCH AND EAT]

Being the only Drift boat seemingly on the water Monday we saw him blow by us in front of Larry's. Nice looking, healthy sounding boat. Hope he did'nt hit any of those trees flowing down river. The water was really rippin.

[Beer Waggin]

The one thing I noticed about Boice is that it seemed to have a lower free-board. I didn't take a tape measure to the show, but I will have one when I meet him at Clackamette park this morning at 10.
:grin:
I also wondered about the tracking ability of their hull while trolling.
Another thing to consider is that Justin says that he doesn't fish. You have to wonder about a boat that has been designed to nothing more than run up a rapid filled river rather than accommodate an avid fisherman. He almost sounded like he was in the business just to make money to support his passion for racing boats.
I'll let you know what I think in few hours.

[WaterDog]

That was the one thing I didn’t like about the Boice. The interior looked like a ski boat. :rolleyes: It was real obvious fishing is not a priority. I’m sure we’ll see a few of them around after the show. They are nice boats but I can cut cookies, make sharp turns, all while staying on plane without breaking loose as well. :smile:

[Lured In]

Yeah well my Dad can beat up your Dad... :tongue:

Although I haven't been in a Boice, I own a North River and love it. I have been in a Duckworth, Alumaweld, and a Motion Marine. Engine power aside, for what I use mine for, the only thing that matters is versatility. I would venture to say most of us, myself included, couldn't or wouldn't drive any of our boats to the limits of what they were manufactured for.

Yes Wooldridge has a "radius" bottom, so does NW Jet Boats. From what I saw at the show, the terminology is the same, the technology is different. Does a radius bottom help you when you are trolling or anchored up is a great question. Certainly one I would like to know the answer to.

For the time being I will continue to love my NR and they will get first shot at losing my business in a couple of years.

BTW did anybody look at the ThunderJet selection? I was very impressed and the boat show pricing looked pretty good. Any Thunderjet owners care to comment?

[Beer Waggin]

I too, loved my NR. Probably going to be another one on order very shortly after today's experience.
Let me tell you about my little trip to Clackamette park for the infamous boat ride in the Boice "I need a new watch" Jet.
We were running about 10 minutes late, so I graciously called Boice's office at 9:45 so that they could get a hold of Justin and let him know. We get to the park at 10 minutes after 10:00. No Boice. We wait about 10 minutes and call his office. His secretary was once again nice enough to call Justin and see where he was at. She called me back and informed me that he would be at the park in about 20 minutes. No big deal, we'll just run up the road to McCrap-hole and grab a burger.
30 minutes later, no Boice.
40 minutes later, no Boice.
At 11:15 I call back to his office to get his cell phone number, cause now I'm a bit ticked off. His secretary can no longer get a hold of him, his cell phone goes directly into voice mail. Hmm...... Screw this guy. He obviously has better things to do than to demo a boat to a potential buyer.
You'd think with only a couple of chances a year to sell to the largest market in the state he'd be bit more punctual. :whazzup:
My thoughts on Boice, if his service or quality is anything like his punctuality, you could expect his boats to sink the first time they hit the water. I'd buy an inner-tube with a Minn-Kota strapped to it before I'd buy one of his boats.

[ 01-11-2002: Message edited by: NorRivDave ]</p>

[BigFish]

NRD,

That was my first thought when I saw them at the show. There is no free board at all and no way would I want to be at buoy 10 in one of them.

I'm ordering a NorthRiver tomorrow.

[TheRogue]

Southern Oregon boats....designed for fishing the tidewater sections and the very mild "white water" of the lower Rogue and Umpqua (upper Umpqua is a different story). This means very low sides and generally a low bow.....to fight the wind better. If you've fished that country before, you've notice that most boat tops have to be crawled in and out of as well, because they're generally 4 feet tall.

You'll see that with all the boats manufactured in Gold Beach, as well as most of the older models from the Grants Pass boat builders...until they realized that there was a bigger market out there that demanded higher sides and bow.

kyle

PS...MoFish, you never answered my question! :wink:

[ 01-11-2002: Message edited by: TheRogue ]</p>

[Deleted User]

I just love jet boat talk....Makes me want to get out for a ride. I checked out the Boice web page. I still think North River makes the prettiest, baddest boat on the water :tongue:

[Bob Barthlow]

I just checked out boice's website,looked at every picture.....twice,and kept coming up with the same question? are these even fishing boats.I didn't see any mounted kicker motors ,rod holders,anchor systems.All I saw was stuff like ski towers , ski lockers,bright paint and fancy upholstery.Maybe they can build me a sprint boat yes, but a fishing boat, I'LL KEEP MY SUPER VEE..


:whazzup:

[cannonball]

Im on my second jet boat, since i live in the bac country of south central washington i choose NW Jet. I chose the boat for its fishability, comfort and preformance. Please think of a couple things before you purchase. First, is the boat built for how you will use it. Second is there a dealer close by to handle the small (or big) problems tha may appear. Third, if your married and or have kids, is the boat suitable for their needs as well as yours. :grin: :blush: :grin:

[whitewaterbill]

Chinookslayer,

You said it very well....Before you pick on Justin's Boat....Go drive one first....A real eye-opener!

While most of us ....including me fish out of sleds more that we run rapids....The most challenging thing we do with sleds is run rapids...

I think his boat will troll and anchor as good as any and will out perform most if not all in the technical water as it just plain goes any direction you point it....No slide......

If all you do is motor out to the fishin hole and drop anchor....you can't apprieciate what this boat will do.

If you still get a kick out of running some waves and driving around some rocks now and then.....that is where you will find a difference.

Bill

[Grass Hopper]

If you like race boat builders and people with a history in the business check out MIKE BOULTON. WAY MORE EXPERIENCE. With designs for all styles of boating and A WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP behind him. Mike can built the boat your looking for. He also raises his sides up to 6" for a bouy 10 boat for only a couple hundred bucks. They all use the same power trains and you can have warrenty work done on them in a number of places. If your worried about hull failure you shouldn't buy it in the first place. The radius bottom has been in Custom Weld boatds since the mid 80's. Instead of a single 12 degree break you have 12 1 degree breaks. creating the same vee over a larger area. The idea behind this is that as you run through heavy currents the boat will handle smoother and not hook every time you hit changing current lines. Good for trolling in the river. Yet doesn't help performance on calm water. Rides rougher and doesn't track as well or break the chop as well. Does ride a bit shallower.

[ChinookSlayer]

I am new to IFish, and new to full size boating. I finally registered (i.e. ex lurker) just so I could make a post on this thread. I had been looking at getting a sled for quite a while, and finally made the jump. Yes, I bought a Boice Jet! Before I found out about Boice, I was sold on purchasing a NorthRiver. After visiting the show last year, it was real obvious who had the nicest fit and finish; NorthRiver and Duckworth. This year I looked over the Boice boats as well. The workmanship is right up with the best of 'em. After reading several long threads on IFish, and doing my own research, I had narrowed things down to the NorthRiver boats, until I found out about Boice Jet.

My basic criteria was, I wanted a boat that did everything, did not hammer me to death while riding around, and also looked great. Simple enough. The looks are easily done. To me, "everything" meant I wanted to run a river, run up and down the Columbia, and cross the bar without endangering myself or beating myself to death. Towards this end I was looking at shallow running capabilities, overall ride quality, and height of the sides and transom (free board). The only boats I tested were NorthRiver and
Boice Jet. There simply is no comparison. Anyone who says different has not yet ridden in a Boice Jet. The Boice Jet has the radius hull, as already mentioned. You cannot get them to slide. Justin's design hang's on until both of your eye's are on the same side of your face. Far as free board goes, check the spec’s for his Torrent series. Boice Jet has all the same dimensions as the rest of the manufactures.
Another Boice boat at the show is his EuroSport. That boat does have less free board, but the designed usage is for different water. I was also impressed with his canvas top; built well and I could (6’ 4” tall) stand up without hitting my head.

One item not mentioned is their Wave Cutter Bow. To look at it, it is not real obvious that it works (to me the novice anyway). However, after going for a test ride, it is simply amazing. When I visited Boice Jet in Gold Hill, the Rogue was all blown out, but we went anyway. Justin took the boat through some 5 foot standing waves. The boat did not hammer, and no water came in the boat. His boats are very dry. He also
blasted through some 20" standing waves without even slowing down. I could not feel a thing. The boat just went through as if you were on a lake. Like I said before, you need to go for a ride before you can really appreciate the boats design. Justin also gave me a ride on the Clack. Nothing changed, the boat performed just as well. To me, the ride was not any rougher than my friends Arima. Now that is saying something for a sled!

One funny item I had while looking at boats, is a comment made by a NorthRiver salesman. First off he states that Justin can really drive a boat, which is true. Then he tells me that if you are an expert driver like Justin the radius hull works well, but for normal people like you and I, then the NorthRiver design is a lot easier to drive. All I can say is I had no experience, and the Boice Jet design was very easy to control and handle and out performed the NorthRiver.

Far as fishing room goes, you should look closely at the engine boxes. From what I saw, Boice Jet has a comparatively small engine box, leaving more room for big feet when fighting fish. I was not able to test the boat for trolling and so on, but from what I saw, they track and run true. You can drop your hands off the wheel, and run back and drop the kicker motor without having the boat turn into someone else’s way. During the test ride on the Clack, Justin held the boat in position in the current while we talked. What I
noticed was he was not having to constantly correct the position. I bought the boat for fishing primarily, and from what I have seen, I won't have any disappointments.

NRD, it is really too bad you did not get a ride. I can understand your disappointment in being stood up. You might still give Justin a call, just to see what happened. I have been impressed when working with Justin. He went out of his way to make sure his customer (me) was satisfied, and did a good job of answering questions with fact, not opinions.

I don't even have the boat yet, and I am already passionate about it! All I can say is, I did a lot of research before making the purchase. Now that it is said and done, I would do it again (his and hers?). Mind you, other boats are good, it is just the Boice Jet boats are better. :grin: