New boat advice?

[King Kong]

Hello to all,
I am starting to shop for a new sled. This has been a long wait. I am looking for advice on which extras to look at. I will be primarily running the columbia and willamette with some adventures on big blue, but would also like run the clackamas and a few other smaller rivers. I have been seriously considering the Thunder jet Alexis classic 21' or the Thunderjet 20' sportsman. Also considering the 21' Northriver Ranger. Here is a tough question, inboard or outboard????????? Can you recomend an honest dealer?? I have talked with a couple but still have not developed any kind of trust. All I get out of these boat salesman is a grin and a price. Please offer any advice that you can on which extras to seriously consider when stepping up to one of these boats!! I appreciate any and all feedback.

Kevin.

[crabbait]

graemlins/eek13.gif GET DOWN AND COVER!! Here come the Willie Addicts, North River Fanatics and Thunderjet Afficionados!

Prepare for another bashing! Sportjets! Four Strokes! Yamaha! HONDA! 502cu V8s & Hamilton 212s! ALL YOU NEED IS A 14' ALASKAN!

Hear the rumble in the distance? They are coming.................. graemlins/eek13.gif

[fish_on]

Search for the North River thread. It has more info than your looking for, someone probably has a link to it.

[GutshotApe]

My advice is to avoid inboards (I've had 2 )because of the difficulty of working on them plus the increased risk of bilge explosion :shocked: . Need to have a launch ramp nearby to work on them as most pumps can't be run "dry". Outboard jets are easier to work on, I think.

[Nanook]

Stand by Waterdog......... :shocked:

[TundraIII]

Kevin, I have a sportjet and love it. It has been very reliable and the power is more than sufficient for my little 18 footer (175 sportjet) I would suggest the 240 in a bigger boat though. Dont worry about "cant run em dry" comment, the Sportjet comes with a built in water hose connection and its a snap. Good luck in your search, I dont envy you, boat shoping is frustrating. I have a Motion Marine and I'd buy another one in the future, but I'd probably say the same thing if I owned a Thunderjet or NR or... or...

[boater]

graemlins/lurk.gif

[get hooked]

If you're considering a Northriver, see Mike Blocker at the Clackamas Showroom. I've found them to be upfront and honest. Good luck.

[Silver Hilton]

In that size, inboard all the way. Much better fuel efficiency, and the inboard, in my opinion handles better for the steersman. That is, the feel of the wheel is better, because you don't have to turn 400 lbs of motor (or more). The outboards have a much lower gear rate in the steering to assist with this, and I feel that it makes the boat handle more like a cadillac than a porsche.

You'll see darn few boats that size with outboards, except for guides' boats, and there's a reason. Guides want an outboard in order to maximise floor space. Everyone else wants the ease of use, power, economy, and handling of the inboard.

[Deleted User]

I have the 21' North River Ranger you are considering. I believe it is now called a Commander. Mine came with the 350PFI and Hamilton 212. You may want to consider a
6 1/2' bottom with the inboard. It really adds space to the inside of the boat. I have zero complaints about my boat but the fact I wish I got a hard top and a TR-1 unit. Get everything you want on your boat so you wont regret it down the road.

Good luck and stay away from TJ's :wink:

Fool

[ 09-06-2002, 10:08 PM: Message edited by: Jett'in Fool ]

[Lepper]

Originally posted by crabbait:
graemlins/eek13.gif GET DOWN AND COVER!! Here come the Willie Addicts, North River Fanatics and Thunderjet Afficionados!

Prepare for another bashing! Sportjets! Four Strokes! Yamaha! HONDA! 502cu V8s & Hamilton 212s! ALL YOU NEED IS A 14' ALASKAN!

Hear the rumble in the distance? They are coming.................. graemlins/eek13.gif <font size="2" face="verdana,arial,helv">you forgot a few..... alumaweld,, suzuki....... on and on......

[GutshotApe]

Well, yes, if you want a big boat, inboard power may be the way to go. My boat is a 17' MidJet and the motor box takes up quite a bit of space. MidJet didn't offer any option or way to hook up a hose to run the motor/pump with the boat on the trailer. I don't know if MidJet is still in business - I doubt it. But in 1987 they made a good boat and it fits in my standard size garage. Let's see your 21' boat do that. :grin:

GSApe graemlins/program.gif

[boater]

i waiting for the good stuff, like, "my boat can run in 4 inches of water and i can also cross the columbia river bar in gail force winds" or "my boat has a 10 degree vee and goes thru 4 foot chop like nothing, you dont even feel it"

[Dr Strangelove]

1. How many people do you plan to have in your boat? &gt; 4 adults, go wider and longer - 6.5ft/21-23ft. If you need 175hp or greater (most boats do this big), go with an inboard. The four-stroke outboards this big are monstrosities and put alot of strain on the outboard brackets.

2. Fishing or dual purpose family/skiing? Jets are safer around kids and props eat bottom/stumps.

3. Will the size of a V8 engine box detract from your enjoyment? ie space to walk/fight fish/put skiis? If so, I'd go with a Boice V6 Vortec or a NorthRiver Sportjet. Or the outboards.

4. How much gas can you afford to burn? Jets burn much more than a fourstroke prop. Figures of 15-20 gallons per hour for a V8 jet at higher throttle are common. My sportjet at best gets 5-7 gal/hour on slow plane.

5. If going far into big blue for halibut and cost not an option, I would seriously consider dual outboards - see the North River SeaHawk on their website. Adequate Backup Power (no trolling back) is very reassuring. Twin 115-135 fours would be pretty gas stingy but pricey at the outlay. You could put pump units on these and run shallows if you got a boat with a 12-14 degree transom (pad) and a sharper entry (18-27 degree) for the blue waves. Wooldrige has a line of variable deadrise boats. Check with the other manufacturers. I have also seen twin "outback" sportjets on Motion Marine Boats, but they will suck fuel bad.

6. Sadly, you have to measure your garage very carefully if you plan to baby your sled indoors. Measure trailer fenders edge to edge, kicker hub to trailer hitch, ground to top of highest point of top with truck attached. I got lucky given a few mismeasurements. Most hardtops won't fit in standard garage. Hinged trailer tongues will save a few feet but give me the willies on how sturdy they look.

FYI I have a 1999 19ft North River 175 Sportjet and it is a great all around boat for less than $30,000 new with lots of options. Used cost me 2/3 that. Doc

[King Kong]

Thanks everyone. Get Hooked-thanks for the contact name. Silver Hilton-makes sense to me.
Oh Dr. Strangelove
1. Four adults most of the time. Wife and kids once in a while.
2. Definitely dual purpose. Fish and tow the kids on skis and tubes during the summer.
3. I dont mind the doghouse. It makes a great countertop to cook breakfast on.
4. 15-20 gallons per hour??? Wow. I can afford fuel but that seems excessive. What about a 350/335hp TBI???
5. Not really what I had in mind. I dont think that dual outboards is really applicable to my general use. Considered though.
6. The garage issue is a tough one. I am actally planning on puting one of those metal shelters next tomy house to keep the boat under. I do not have the space to keep a hardtop boat inside. I need 10' of clearance and only have 7'2" at the header. I have about 12' of headroom inside the garage. I will have to consider modifying the entry.
I will keep your boat in mind if I decide to downsize a little. Pictures? Why are you selling it?
Thanks again everyone.

[GutshotApe]

Oh yeah, Boater, my MidJet 17' can run in LESS than 4" of water :grin: . One big advantage of inboard vs. outboard is there's nothing extending below the boat's bottom with inboard power. Saw this benefit in person once up at Johnstone Strait in N. Vancouver Island. The comm'l. purse seiners were busy netting up the fish and one guy had his net anchored on rocks on the shore and then extending out to his boat quite a ways offshore. With my inboard I was able to run at full speed right over the top of his net (the comm'l. fisherman going nuts, yelling & waving his arms). My buddy's outboard jet got hung up on the net. He later ripped off his lower unit on an Umpqua River ledge that I would have been able to go right over. I said I'd consider outboard power but as long as it runs well I do like my inboard :wink: .

[Fish mojo]

Hey Jettin Fool,
Just curious, why do you wish you got the hardtop and why "stay away from the TJ's?

[Deleted User]

I just like the way the hard top looks and soft tops will only last so long. Looks at KillerTrayors boat( Post the pic here if you read this KT!) That hard top is sweet!

Did you see the wink after the TJ statement? They are fine boats. I was just getting my ribbing in as I love NR's!

Fool