Jetboat options/upgrades

[Jettin' Fool]

My new boat starts this week and I want to make sure Im getting all the goodies. What options did you guys get that you cant live without? Is there something you didnt get and wish you did? If there is something I didnt think about, I still have time to add the option this eary in the process. Thanks guys!

[brshooter]

How about some background. What kind of boat are you buying? Where and what will you be fishing for?

[Hookset]

A washdown sink for your hands. I don't have one and now wish I did. I can still modify a sink to work. I'm always rinsing bait and fish slim from my hands and a sink would be great, better the hanging over the side.

Other options are storage, never fails you always find a way to fill every nook and cranny up with stuff. Be sure you've got lots of storage. I like a built in fishbox with running water, washdown hose, built in bow lights, auxilary lights around your work areas (at least 2), better grade hardware for boat top, bow mounted chalking brackets, clear coat over zolatone, non-painted diamond aluminum (paint comes off anyway, just leave it unpainted) looks better IMHO. There are probably other options just depending on your boat. Like brshooter said, your going to have to provide more details about your boat type.

hook

[Jettin' Fool]

Its a 21'NorthRiver Ranger. I will use this boat for everything. Salmon,Trout, site seeing to skiing.

[Rubber Robin]

A double battery system provides cheap insurance. Also, install the onboard charger so you can plug in and always be sure that both batteries are fully charged.

If possible, run your trolling motor off the main gas tank which means 4 stroke? Less mess and hassle.

Shock ride seats for the Captain! Helps prevent crushed vertebrae! Very back friendly.

Back drop curtain. It's nice to shut out the rain and wind when it is coming sideways up the Gorge.

[Killertraylor]

I recently bought a 23'NR and your boat should come standard with lots of goodies - air ride seats, top, dual batteries, dual bilge pumps, etc. I added a full hard top to mine (I hate dealing with Canvas) and a custom splashwell for my outboard that allows me to walk back on each side of the motor to fight fish. I also got the Panther bracket for the trolling motor - hydraulic is great! I went without the fishbox in the bow as I didn't want to clean it all the time and I have plenty of room for a big cooler to keep the fish in. I added a big light on the back for the back deck - great for cleaning up when you come back at dark - and also 12v lights inside the hard-top. I drilled through the top of the gunwale and put in an offshore-type rod holder that sits flush with the gunwale and holds my net outside of the boat. I had 54" bench seats put in and had a pad made to turn them into sleepers. NR does an excellent job with paint and I had my boat custom painted to match my truck - I don't think they charged extra for that - just give them your paintcode off your truck and they'll do it. I also had welded cup holders put in up front - only about $40 and I use them all the time. You might also get some better cleats and have them put them on. The std. square shaped NR cleats are terrible in my opinion - they don't hold enough wraps of rope - I like a longer cleat that will take a few wraps. Finally, I'd look seriously at the Motion Marine anchor system - I love mine - it holds the anchor up over the bow of the boat. I also got a Motion marine stern anchor holder that holds my pyramid stern anchor and I got their tackle box that I mounted under one of my bench seats that holds 3 of those clear plastic Plano boxes. Good luck with your new boat!

I forgot to mention extra 12V recepticles up front on both the driver and passenger side for cel phones, tv's, etc. They are cheap and I use mine all the time.

[ 06-18-2001: Message edited by: Killertraylor ]

[Jettin' Fool]

Killertraylor, Sounds like you have a pretty sweet boat! Thanks for the excellent reply. I was thinking of getting Linex sprayed in the bow to prevent dents and scratches. Any other ideas from experienced jetboat owners?

[nwjetboat]

Update on Killtraylor's idea for net holder. Have NR use the round stock for rod holders, and weld flush with gunnel, weld some 1/2 inch solid stock in the bottom in an X pattern to keep the net handle from sliding all the way down. Have them attach bilge hose and run it under the floor. No water on the floor, and if the tube follows the hulls side angle the net will always hang and drip away from the boat. I have a NW jet and had them mount the net holder along side window, just in arms reach.
I love bow rails, if you ever need to chock over 3 ft at anchor, you just move back to another spot on the rail, bingo, boat moves over.
Dual Bilge pumps, that way no "after paint" holes.
I had swivel seat bottoms installed, that way you can turn the air rides around, slide them to the mate with the benchseat and 6'2" of fisherperson can take a nap on slow days. Also seat boxes have oval access holes so I can stow bow, stern, and docking lines out of the way.
Passenger wiper switch, that way they are not reaching onto the instrument panel trying to find the wiper switch.
Rocket launcher, keeps the extra rods out of the way.
Some guys over here spray linex on the swim platform also.
Spending someone elses money is sure fun.
Good luck with the boat.

[ 06-18-2001: Message edited by: nwjetboat ]

[Killertraylor]

The line-x is a good idea. I put some of it on my bow where the anchor rope rubs next to the bow cleat - it's held up well so far. North River puts a nice tacky sand in the bow so you won't be slipping. I almost forgot - I had them enlarge the bow scuppers too. They have tiny little 2" oval holes on each side - I had them make mine 4" long so more water can run out faster - that makes a big difference when you take a big wave over the bow. I had the bow rails and stern rails put on and mounted my Scotty rod holders to the rails. Make sure they put a through hull in the back - they had to install mine in Portland when the boat arrived so I'd have a place for the fish finder cables. I assume you are getting the inboard - I'd have that extra seat installed in the walk through area behind the motor cover - I think you could use it for trolling. NW Jetboat was right - it is fun spending other people's money! I really liked his idea of the independent windshield wiper switch - sometimes one side keeps getting hit with water and the other side is dry and the wiper just squeaks on the dry windshield - I hate that! I also added a 800W Power inverter to run my Tv/vcr/dvd player - got to watch movies on those slow springer fishing days! You should go down to Roseburg and watch them build your boat. I did and got some great pictures and it was cool to see all the supports and great welding they did - you'll never get to see that once they put the floorboards in. Good luck - I'm excited for you - you'll love your boat!

[FM2]

Hey fishlipz: I had a 21 NW Jet and the item I put on that was the best thing since the gilley cutter is a Nautimatic trolling system. This uses a compass, gyroscope and computer to guide your boat and is controlled by a handheld device. This definitely freed me up to help the doughy's with their fish. Very cool system, they have a website, check it out. Also I installed fish on seats on the engine cover for those "nice" days and this also provided additional seating room. Good luck !

[FM2]

Don't forget a good VHF and antennae, very helpful in many situations. Also a good gps is nice to have along with a high end fish finder but you probably already knew that [img]images/icons/tongue.gif[/img]