A sad, sad day.

[Leatherneck]

Today I sold my 16foot Alumaweld Stryker. The good thing about it was that I sold it to a very close friend. Now....the hunt is on! I'm either going with an 18-20 foot sled or Thunder Jet that will be more versitile for the whole family's enjoyment. You know, all the bells and whistles. So, what do I do, can I get some opinions here please? I fish everywhere from Craine Prarie to the Columbia and would like to start fishing out in the ocean. I have a family or four and often take a few extra friends. The question is ...... do I get a 18-20ft sled with all the room or do I get a boat with the windshield and top. I like the sport jet. This might help, I don't run river's so a prop on a 18-20ft sled would be no problem.

[skrimmy]

Yeah, but do you want to follow Bill and Jennie across T-Bay? :grin: :grin: Won't do that too easily with a prop!

[CohoKen]

I had the same problem, too many in the family for a small boat. I ended up with an Alumaweld Intruder, 20', with, yes, a prop. This boat has an 18 degree botton and does the big blue real well. I fish from the ocean to Portland on the CR. I have only one complaint and that is the dealer, not very thorough in putting a boat together. Too many trips back to the dealer to get it right. Other than that is has been a great ride. :grin: :grin: :grin:

[Salmonator]

Ever thought about a fiberglass boat with a cuddy? I started with an 18' alumaweld center console, then to a 22' thunderjet hardtop, and now a 20' trophy O/B. Since I don't run any shallow rivers anymore the trophy has been the best all around family boat. Tuna, halibut, springers, sturgeon, water skiing, and a warm dry cuddy for the kids to play/nap in or myself to sleep in. If you think you need to go aluminum you won't go wrong with the thunderjet.... Joe

[gimmeumpqua]

I appreciate your dilemma...

I just ordered a North River 21 ft Seahawk after ruminating over brand vs.Jet vs. Prop vs.this vs. that for 8 months, and have visited and evaluated 8 different aluminum boat factories. The most important thing is to buy what you are planning to use it for. If you want ocean bay and deep river, forget the jet. You won't need it. Kind of like a 4WD for the highway. If you want the shallower rivers, you'll need a jet, but beware that the boat owner is usually handling the boat while others do the fishing. As far as manufacturers go, and after visiting 6 "Alumaweld similar" factories and seeing how these things are built, I came to the conclusion that they are all built about the same, and therefore no matter which boat you choose, are essentially structurally equivalent. There really isn'y any crap out there. Just different configurations....and prices.

I chose the Seahawk as it was the best "bang for the buck", I live nearby where I have access to service, and it was important to me to have a wider bottom for better flotation so I can get through a shallow 3ft with my kicker at low tide in certain parts of the river if I have to, with excellent deep water stability.

Hope this helps,

Kurt

[Jettin' Fool]

I secong the vote for North River! I dont run rivers much but it sure is nice at Tillamook Bay and other places where it gets shallow real quick. My father in Law was up at Crane Prarie recently and found a stump with a chunk of prop wedged in it! Go with the jet!!

[1pump]

IMHO, I wouldn't bother with a jet unless you really need it. Props are far more efficient, not to mention a lot faster. I'm partial to outboards for interior room considerations, plus you can switch off between prop & jet with an outboard if you get the urge. And props aren't a big deal to repair if you chew one up, as long as it isn't stainless.
I remember a thread not too long ago debating the pros & cons of open tiller, center console and forward helm boats. You might want to take a look at that. And I'd avoid a bow-rider if you want to go out in the ocean. Swamp too easy. :smile:

[Seefood Man]

Hey Leatherneck I'm selling a really nice Thunder Jet, It's loaded. It's on the boat 4 sale board.

[Nanook]

[ 11-25-2002, 10:35 AM: Message edited by: ****** ]

[Jettin' Fool]

What is that thing :shocked: http://www.click-smilie.de/sammlung/wuerg/wuerg011.gif

Fool :grin: :tongue: :grin:

[Nanook]

[ 11-25-2002, 10:35 AM: Message edited by: ****** ]

[gimmeumpqua]

What I ment by "basically the same" was the construction integrity leading to durability, ie; the spars, welding techniques, materials. Of course there are some differences, but basically the durability of the boats are for all intents and purposes identical. Of course there are differences in design that may affect your decision, goes back to what type of usage you intend to require.

Kurt

[BigWaterBigFish]

Salmonator makes a good point for versatility. I gave up the metal for fiberglass last year and am very happy. I got into a Striper 18ft Walkaround w/cuddy. Outboard, plenty of room to store stuff, cuddy for napping or "personal time" plus a port-a-poty for the girlfriend. Small enough for lakes and flatwater ventures, deep V and plenty of power with a 115hp for big water. Spent most of my time this summer out in the ocean. The only time I get a little spooked is pulling up the anchor in the Columbia when I've been sturgeon fishing. Best, I can tow it with an in-line 6 ... didn't need to buy a new truck to pull the new boat.
Friend in Hood River is putting his '98 Willies Predator up for sale, comes with 115hp Yamaha, has the windshield and cover, very nice front seats w/side bench seats midship (both built over storage boxes), he's trading up to a Motion Marine or Thunderjet (21 + foot). He keeps in good condition (former autobody shop owner). Let me know if you'd like to get in touch.

[TundraIII]

I have to disagree with Gimmeumpqua, all aluminum boats are NOT "basically the same" when it comes to hull construction. If they were all built basically the same my boat buying decision would have been alot more diffucult! I have yet to ride in an Alumaweld in the 18ft length that remotely compares to my 18ft boat. Width of the gunnel alone will change how a boat feels and rides in a very dramatic way for example. Hull designs my look similar in construction but some differences however subtle they may seem can make all the difference.

[ 11-18-2002, 12:05 PM: Message edited by: TundraIII ]

[ReelMcCoy]

It appears you may have spent some ttime in the corps.

I have a 19' ThunderJet that I would be willing to take you for a ride in.

In my opion (for what it's worth) is if you are going to spend the money on a sled get one with a pump. There are some trade offs with a pump. First the fuel economy will be less. Second if you go with an outboard four storke pump there are some issues with weight. There are some who will argue this point. However the boat will sit low on the rear end if you put a four stroke pump that has the same out put rating as the max HP of a two stroke with a prop. I am talking foot pounds of torque not actual HP. If you intend to run any fast water the more power the better. There is nothing that will compare to running out power halve way thru a set of rapids.

If you are not going to run fast water there are a lot of aluminum V hulls that will give a much better ride than any sled.

As an example of the use of a sled we fished the Wilson Sunday. It was a low tide when we lanched. There is no way I could have got my boat up the river with out the pump. The water was to low to even push it up river. I have to admit it is a little unnerving to fly up that river at fifty at first light when you know if you stop you have to wait for the tide to come in. And by the way that is just up to where the speed limit takes affect.

I have a 21'1/2 glass boat as well the advantage over it is there is less maintaince on aluminum and there is 2,000 lb difference between my 19' sled and the glass boat.