which boat to buy????

[metalhead madness]

got money, need help! looking to get opinions on different jet sleds and motor options. runnin clack, willamette,summer skiin, high lakes

[Pete]

Hey, welcome to Ifish!

Go the Archives and search for "North River" ... you'll find a doozy of a thread! More than you wanted to know!

[willametteriveroutlaw]

An 18 or 20 foot willie predator with a 200 hp merc pump.. And a 9.9 4 stroke trolling motor. Good for it all except the water skiing.. Dosen't fit into my summer equation bass fishing + trout fishing + sturgeon fishing + summer steelhead fishing + springer fishing + Shad fishing = 0 time for waterskiing

[Mofish]

If you are looking for a boat that you can have for years and not have to replace floors, tanks and wiring get a Motion Marine. If you like the idea of in lets say 5 years replacing the floors, tanks and wiring buy a north river or wille.

Mofish

[TH]

Second vote for the Willie Predator open.
I bought a 22 1/2 footer with a 115hp 4 stroke last summer. It is awesome.. tons of room, rides real smooth.

[WaterDog]

:grin:

[DF]

WILLIE PREDATOR!
never been in one but they look like there great boats :grin:
I dont really like the way those motion marine boats look :tongue:

[rags]

Take a look at the Alumaweld Super Vee. I have a 19ft boat with a 150hp pump and love it. 9.9hp kicker is perfect. Great Clackamas, Willamette and all around boat. I bought it used. Looked at all the other boats and you couldn't go wrong with a Willie or NR. All great boats for the northwest.

[White Willie]

Willie Predator

[AllThumz]

I think the Portland Boat Show starts on January 5th. If you're allergic to aluminum, definitely don't go! :grin:

John :smile:

[wiser]

I'm partial to the Willie Predator but the Alumaweld SuperV, North River, Boice or even Motion Marine would probably all work for you. I'll still vote Predator. Six years old and the floor is as good as new.

[brshooter]

If you want to run the Clack, you will probably end up with a 10 or 12 degree vee. Better invest in some kidney belts like they wear for motocross before you take the family out water skiing. Shallow vee's are not much fun if you have much chop on the water from a bunch of waterskiers.

I would take a look at how much you really want to run shallow water. If it is not that important, I would consider a 16-18 degree vee.

I think you will be happy with what ever you get as long as you get out and use it. Everyone has their opinion on the best boat/motor combination. Ask 15 people and you will get 20 answers. Good Luck.

[Snapshot]

Stevens in Tigard has an older Boice 18' inboard that was pretty smooth runner when I had a change to ride in it. Good freeboard and enough power to do it all, including the skiing if someone could hold their breath long enough. But that is the story with all jet boats, they are slow out of the hole.

Back at you Waterdog. LOL. :grin:

A 32 degree forebow which slices waves. Combined with a 22 degree entry that devastates chop and passively melds into 12 degrees at the transom affording amazing stability, and shallow water capabilities.

[Salmonator]

My old Thunderjet was actually very quick out of the hole and would pull my 227lb butt out of the water like it was nothing. But like mentioned before, the chop would displace your spine unless you were sitting in the air-rides.

[Seefood Man]

Hey MM;
I have a 19' Thunder Jet with a 225hp V6 I/O. This boat is bullet proof. Look at the welds of all the boats, even look at the welds that aren't exposed. I think you will find that TJ are far superior. (I hope I don't get kicked off here) Anyway, when I ordered the boat I didn't get the suspension seats, and that was my only mistake. I went to Lake Powell and got caught in 60 mph winds that resulted in 6' to 7' waves. It beat the O-B-Jesus out of me, however the boat handled it great. When I got home, I was on the phone ordering the seats. With a 12 degree hull there are some trade offs, but I got the boat for the rivers anyhow. :smile:

[WaterDog]

OK, ******. :grin:



The 14 degree delta vee is a good compromise. Ride is not as good as an Asalter in the chop, but I wanted shallow running ability. Drives like a slot car, lots of room, power to spare, and not a single sliver of wood anywhere.

Banana's are optional. :tongue:

[Wood Shampoo]

Has anyone heard any good or bad about Design Concepts Boats out Chico California? They look like a good boat. www.designconceptsboats.com

[Dr Strangelove]

I know a guy who had a Motion Marine and when the weather got hot, the floorboards, which were polymer, got very squishy and disconcerting to walk on. I have a NR Sportster with ply floors and will probably have to replace them in 3-4yrs. But this boat is sex on water, drives like it looks. The sportjet doesn't smoke and is fast. And lots of room to fish. I hate V8 boxes, they are as convenient as a mother an law and wife on your boat. My two cents. Doc.

[Tacklebuster]

Jet,
I agree with everything that you had to post. I have a Weldcraft Renegade as well and wouldn't trade it for anything else. It has plenty of power with the 4.3 Vortec and has been a great boat to fish and play around in.
The only thing I would suggest is the upgrade to the air seats. I had her 11 miles out in the big blue salmon fishing this summer and was wishing I spent the extra money on the seats. I have an 8.5 kicker that trolls her real nice and she is pleasent on the eyes to look at.
The 302 option is a nice engine but in my opinion the 4.3 Vortec V-6 is the way to go. You get better milage without the loss of power. It still cranks out 225 horses and will jump out of the hole pretty quick.
I think the best advice for you to take is to do lots of demos. We drove about every sled out there and chose the Renegade. Find the one that feels and fishes right for you and your family. The dealer also has alot to do with it because you need a place that will offer excellent customer service.

[whitewaterbill]

Why is it neccisarry to replace the floorboards of a NorthRiver in 5 years? I must be missing something. Mine are 6 years old and just as they were when the boat was new....except for a few hits from the fish bonker that missed the fish...A little slime and a few cigar ashes. Guess I better go hose her out again.

Bill

[Thick-N-Thin]

Hey hold it! I haven't mentioned my boat....Another un opinionated suggestion :smile: Maxxum made by Unique in Eugene.

[Tilla]

OK after you've met all those manufacturers with SSD (Sled Salesman Disease). Call up Thorbuilt in Toledo Wa and get something you can use.

[jet]

Here is my .02 I had to own 2 boats glass and Alum. flat bottom to do it all, now I have just one

18' Weldcraft Renegade Inboards

The popular Renegade hull equipped with standard Marine Power 225 hp Vortec V-6 or the Redline Ford 302 V-8 coupled to an American Turbine pump makes this boat a great performer. If you are a stern drive enthusiast - not a problem - the Renegade is also available with a Mercruiser. It comes packed with many standard features and that legendary Weldcraft quality that you have come to expect, all for an affordable price. Whether it is fishing, water skiing, wake boarding or just a day on the water to enjoy; make the Renegade your companion for escaping the barriers of boredom.

Jet~~~

[Joe Schwab]

I'll take my Duckworth any day. Have owned fish Rite, Predator with no real problems. Just didnt like their performance and handling characteristics. I bought a 24 foot Magnum Pacific Pro in 1996 and took it to Alaska fishing under some horrific conitions, launching every day at Deep Creek. I've had it in 8-10 foot seas and never got a passenger wet. After 6 years of heavy use guiding inside and out my total maintenance costs have been less then $1000! I just took it in for a going over and other than a corroded switch and replacing some wires, two bilge pumps and a fuel guage, the mecanics say it is in great shape. The hull has experienced two weld cracks easily repaired. I attribute those cracks to extreme launching conitions in the surf at Deep Creek. The boat handles the Columbia River wind chop with ease. Air ride seats help. The only downside to a boat like this is slow trolling in tight conditions. Sleds are far superior for this type fishing. But when it blows and rains on the Columbia, the high sides and top are a godsend. I plan to have this boat until I get too old to fish or die. Most of the clients I take out love the boat. Oh yeah, the floorboards (carpeted) are solid. Not a sign of sponginess.

[Stz ll]

The floorboards in my Formula Vee are 12 years old and also are as good as the day I bought them. Maybe a bit dirtier but that is all.

[Ed]

Metalhead, I was looking for the "all around boat" two years ago. I wanted a to run smallish rivers, fish B10, sit on anchor comfortably, troll lakes and pull the kids. Additionally, I wanted a boat that could fit in the garage. After a great deal of shopping I bought a 19' Duckworth with a sportjet. 19' is the biggest boat I can fit in the garage (w/swing-away coupler). 19' is also, small enough for tight fishing while still big enough for B10. The SJ provides plenty of room while providing a top speed of 44 mph (gps). Also, anything under 20' costs less to maintain; single axle, no brakes, less to register etc. I recommend any of the 19' sportjet boats; Duckworth, Northriver, Wille etc. Good luck! PS: Buy used (1-2yrs old) or wait until the boat show. Ed

[HT Buzzo]

I've been looking for an "all-around" boat, too. Something I can take on the Santiams or upper Willamette in May, or out in the ocean in August.
I was out last year, 8 miles past buoy 10 in a 23' Cabin, and we saw lots of metal out that day, but is a 19' aluminam boat safe in 7-9 foot swells? Does it depend on how deep the vee is? If you have too deep a vee, you wouldn't want to be tooling around on the north santiam, would you?
I've heard for an all-around big river and ocean boat, the glass arima outboards are real nice.
Too many boats to choose from.
Tacklebuster? How long that Weldcraft?
Affordability is an option, too.

[Firedog]

My choice would be a Willie, but if you want a North River Call Dave Traaen over at North River in Clackamas and he will set you up, most honest salesman I have ever met. He fishes the Clack regularly and knows what you will and and wont need in a boat.

[ 12-15-2001: Message edited by: firedog ]</p>

[sinker]

Oh Geez, here we go, another North River thread.
:grin: :grin:

[Tacklebuster]

HT BUZZO,
My Renegade is 19 feet. It has been really good to me and has kept me safe and dry. I have no problems taking her out into the big blue providing the bar is safe enough to cross. I wouldn't do an ocean with over 8 foot seas though. It would be doable but the ride back would be a rough mother.

[Hookset]

No wonder there are so many boat manufacturers. Just so many opinions. My recommendation is to visit as many of the boat manufacurers as you can. See how the boats are built, the options that they include, along with standard options. Compare and it starts to become easier to decide. For me, the deciding factor was construction. Don't forget to ask questions about each particluar contruction method. After checking out a few boats, it becomes easier to seperate fact from myth. Pay attention to how the sides and bottom join the transon, the motor mounts (if inboard, latitude support, bulkhead/s, fuel tank, sides and bottom are joined, the transtition area where the bow meets the bottom contour takes the most abuse. Good boats are reinforced with a under floor bulkhead, a few good boats use two bulkheads. I know that most boats provide good warranty, except would you really trust a boat that had to depend on rewelding to cover design flaws? Aluminum stretches, flexes and becomes brittle, heating the metal to reweld often changes the tempermant, making good metal to metal bonding difficult.

With a boat that you intend to keep, start with purchasing a quality constructed boat and you'll have less to worry about down the road.

You'll also need to think of the most important feature and/or design your looking for. There is no one perfect boat, every boat is a compromise. To run shallow waters, you'll suffer running large bodies of water with wind waves. How many people will routinely ride in the boat? Your load will largely determine the size and motor required. From what you mentioned, sounds like a 12 degree sled, front windshield with inboard would suit you, around 20 to 22 foot with 78 inch bottom. The dealers/maufacturers can hlep you narrow this down further.

The boat show is nice, but unless you see the boat built from the ground up, it's like looking at christmas lights to me, looking at all the pretty colors.

Best of luck,

Gregg

[ 12-16-2001: Message edited by: Hookset ]</p>