Thunder Jet owners

Thunderstruck · 03-19-2001, 12:07 PM

I just ordered a 21' Alexis Pro Sport and was wondering if the 1/4 bottom and the chine gaurds are necessary. I will try running the Deschutes once I get a feel for the boat. $500 for the 1/4 bottom and $600 for the chine guards.

03-19-2001, 01:41 PM

Money well spent for running the Deschutes.

Doubletake · 03-19-2001, 03:40 PM

Ts, what are chine guards and 1/4 bottom? I bought mine last year and these did not come up in discussion.

Thanks for the info.

Doubletake

Salmonator · 03-19-2001, 04:29 PM

1/4" thick bottom, but must admit never heard of a chine guard. My guess it that it is an extruded chine, not overlayed? Or a cap on an overlayed chine?

Thunderstruck · 03-19-2001, 04:34 PM

Doubletake, What I meant by 1/4 bottom was is a .250 inch bottom instead of the .190 bottom worth the money. The chine guards are a .125 inch piece of aluminum that matches the shape of the chine(basically like angle iron). This is welded on over the existing chine the full length of the boat. I am assuming that the bottom of the chine since it is folded over from the side is only .125. This seems a little thin however the box that is made by the fold should be stronger than the extruded boats. I talked with Siglers and they call the upgrade to .250 bottom and chine gaurds a rough water package and it is $800.00.

whitewaterbill · 03-19-2001, 05:17 PM

Not if...But when you hit in Deschutes and (you will).....It won't matter how thick the bottom is. That is rock that is hooked to the mantel of this planet and it will open a jet boat like a can opener does to a can of soup. Go learn it with the best you can find before learning a very tough lesson!
Been there and done that!
Also learned it is over crowded and not worth the risk!

Bill

Brokenrod · 03-19-2001, 05:28 PM

Just a thought, has anyone applied UHMW to
the bottom of a jet boat?

tadpolly · 03-19-2001, 06:27 PM

I dunno about sleds.But I do know that the Deschutes is and will be terrible low this year.If you dont know it, then maybe this year would be better spent elsewhere.If you do know it, enjoy it early.Hate to sound like the Doom and Gloom crowd, but thats what it is.Next year....Good Luck.Mark

Thumper · 03-19-2001, 06:55 PM

Re-read the response from Slutgoddess. Best advice I have ever seen for jet boat owners. Rocks always win. The thicker the bottom aluminum, the more damage to important structural stuff. I once knew a guide who ran a fiberglas Barkley sled. Never dinged it up. He said that when in doubt, idle over the rocks. Never challenge them. Smart folks.

Killertraylor · 03-19-2001, 07:26 PM

The guys are right about hitting stuff - a rock will cut a hole in .250 as easy as .190 at high speed. But, the .250 is definitely worth the money - it makes the boat "sturdier" and more solid feeling. Also, if you hit sticks in the water they have a lesser chance of denting. My last boat, a 20' Weldcraft had the .190 bottom and it got a nice popcan dent in it up on the bow - I think from pounding on waves in the mouth of the Columbia, although Weldcraft was convinced I hit something - and maybe I did and didn't know it. Anyway, the .250 is worth the extra money - also, make sure your transom is at least this thick. Weldcraft used .190 on my old boat and it cracked after just 2 years. Man am I glad I got rid of that lemon and got my North River. Can't help you on the Chine Guard.

boater · 03-19-2001, 07:31 PM

what will happen if you dont buy the rough water package ? does this mean that if you hit a big wave it will dent it if you dont have it ?

new boat · 03-19-2001, 08:35 PM

Bought 23' Maxim couple months ago. Got the 1/4 bottom, don't have a clue about the chine guards. Love the boat. Get the Hamilton 212 and the EFI engine however.

ssteelheadsteve · 03-19-2001, 10:42 PM

Rookie boat builders usually reccomend 1/4 bottom.Bad Idea.If you rip .190 you will rip.250.The extra weight is a big NO NO especially on overweight Duckworths and Thunderjets.Oh yeah, forget the side glass and the hard top on the Deschutes.If your getting more than a 9 deg. hull you won't be running the Deschutes much this year anyway.You can expect August flows around 2600 cfs or less.Right now the Deschutes is running about 2000 cfs below normal.When you consider that Sam,Jim and Oscar all crashed flats on the Deschutes then you might get the idea.If you run the Deschutes long enough you will CRASH.I would suggest a smaller expendable training boat for Deschutes use.Please excuse me if you have already been that course. Did I mention that all the above mentioned famous guides crashed inboards as well ? This is my 26th year boating the Deschutes for pay for what it's worth...........Glad I kept my semi-V out board when I got my inboard.....Time to get it running again.

boater · 03-23-2001, 05:16 PM

very interesting posts here.

boater · 03-23-2001, 08:38 PM

there is a reason they offer chine guards, could be a weak point , i have never heard of this being offered in any other aluminum sled building company, have the salesman explain the need for this and at the same time have him explain why no other builders offer it. i`d save the 800.00 for new boat goodies, just my 2 cents...