Feedback on North River's Seahawk Inboard Deep V Jet?

hawgspanker · 01-11-2009, 08:15 AM

I have a 20' North River sled with a 12 degree bottom, and get slapped around quite a bit on the Columbia. I am looking at the Seahawk inboard jet with a 16 degree hull and wondered if anyone has any experience with this boat in deep and shallow water. I need a jet where I fish due to the large number of dead heads that come and go all the time. Of course North River swears it handles beautifully in all water, but now that I am older than any salesman I have seen in twenty years, I've learned that sometimes they have trouble with the truth. Can anyone help me with info from their experience?

Thirsty for knowledge.

tomictime · 01-11-2009, 05:16 PM

20 degree or more is considered deep V
all other things equal, more V is better for ride, worse for power requirements and more tender at rest.

Sounder · 01-12-2009, 10:54 AM

A friend of mine has a 22' with an 18 degree deadrise and a 40 degree entry. 8.5 beam. Has a 212 hami mated to a 360hp 6.0L. He's an avid diver in puget sound and wanted something other that and outboard to tote around 6 guys and 12 tanks. He does some shallow water fishing (snohomish river, estuary sturgeon, etc) but he bought it for primarily for puget sound use. It's a nice boat that serves its purpose for him well. I'd be pretty scepticle with that hull running a 12" riffle though.

hawgspanker · 01-12-2009, 03:48 PM

Thanks for the input. Does anyone have any input regarding its handling in corners?

Sounder · 01-12-2009, 04:53 PM

I've seen this boat down at Chinook. Maybe you could contact the owner about it?

http://sidewindercharters.com/

WaterDog · 01-12-2009, 05:42 PM

I would look to see if it's a "vee" or if there is some sort of delta pad in the hull. For water flow it should have a pad. I would bet it corners fine. I did not look at them at the show that close but I think it's not a bad design as long as you don't need to run real shallow or run any whitewater. If it's got a delta then it will run 12" easy.

If it were me, I'd go for their 23' with the walk around doghouse. That is similar to how I have mine set up but mine is not a NR.

hawgspanker · 01-12-2009, 08:13 PM

Thanks for the great feedback, I have to admit my ignorance-I've heard of a delta pad, but I have no idea what one is. What is it?

RiverJohn · 01-13-2009, 07:23 AM

We were anchored on the big C last year near the Sandy mouth. When there was a lot of boat traffic going by I did notice the flat bottom sled next to us smacking the water almost violently. I fully understand the annoyance.

In our Seahawk there was very little bounce and no "Smack" at all from the waves.

imo the Inboard Seahawk would be a nice way to go "If" you need to navigate some modest white water.

In my wildest dreams I have thought if I lived on the Clack or Sandy that it would get me down to the big water without the launch crowds etc.. However I have ZERO experience as to how well the SeaHawk inboards do in the white stuff.

As you say - They CLAIM they can navigate the skinny's.

Good luck !

RiverJohn · 01-13-2009, 07:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hawgspanker

Thanks for the great feedback, I have to admit my ignorance-I've heard of a delta pad, but I have no idea what one is. What is it?

The Seahwak inboards do have the Delta Pad. If you are talking about the flat-squared transom bottom typical on Jets. (for flow) ?

WaterDog · 01-13-2009, 07:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hawgspanker

Thanks for the great feedback, I have to admit my ignorance-I've heard of a delta pad, but I have no idea what one is. What is it?

A delta bottom looks like this.....

The length of the flat part (delta pad) varies by manufacturer.

One other thing to note, riffles are one thing, real whitewater is another. A seahawk with a pump is not a "whitewater" boat. There is way too much bow shear and you can easily end up in big trouble. You'd be amazed at how in a strong current and 2 or 3 foot waves will shove a bow around. You dont really want to punch though waves in whitewater, you want lift to go over it.

FishRCutBait · 01-13-2009, 11:53 AM

I purchased a 22' Seahawk back in early 2008, and I was really interested in the inboard version because I occasionally use waters East of McNary Dam where there are lots of rocks and the river depth is very deceiving! They let me test drive both an inboard and outboard at PPM.

I don't have a lot of pump experience other than running my buddies boat at times, but with that said I thought the inboard ran strong and handled well. Because of the deep bow it does not handle like a traditional inboard that will skid out of the turns more so than this boat.

At the end of the day I went with an outboard for all that room, and the fact that inboards are so loud. Because I didn't need my boat to run skinny water the pump really wasn't needed. I certainly wouldn't purchase this boat to run fast water as I think its a compromise you will be sorry for. If you want it to avoid hitting rocks and other river hazards other than white water and still retain the benefits of a deeper V, then I think this would be a great option to have. If I lived where I would use the boat more East of McNary Dam and similar waters I would have gone with the pump.

hawgspanker · 01-13-2009, 02:27 PM

You guys have helped me tremendously with excellent advice based on knowledge and experience. Thanks for the effort, I could not have gotten this anywhere else. I am going to go with the IB jet.
I hope one of you catches the first springer of the season.

foxer · 01-13-2009, 04:27 PM

...And of course we will need pictures

AlseaAssassin · 01-15-2009, 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WaterDog

A delta bottom looks like this.....

The length of the flat part (delta pad) varies by manufacturer.

One other thing to note, riffles are one thing, real whitewater is another. A seahawk with a pump is not a "whitewater" boat. There is way too much bow shear and you can easily end up in big trouble. You'd be amazed at how in a strong current and 2 or 3 foot waves will shove a bow around. You dont really want to punch though waves in whitewater, you want lift to go over it.

Waterdog speaks the truth, like anybody who has navigated serious hydrolics (insert Snake River) punching hydro's will result in punched out windshields. I would think the steep vee in the front would cut a hydro rather than lift over it.

RiverJohn · 01-16-2009, 06:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlseaAssassin

Waterdog speaks the truth, like anybody who has navigated serious hydrolics (insert Snake River) punching hydro's will result in punched out windshields. I would think the steep vee in the front would cut a hydro rather than lift over it.

Agree

I think the more I think about it the more I would select the NR "Trapper" if I went inboard. It was right up there with my choice of a Seahawk when I went outboard.

It is an awsome inboard and imo would be great on the Big C as well, it does have some depth to it, at least more than some of the flat bottom jets.

hawgspanker · 01-18-2009, 05:31 PM

thanks again, I'll look at it too.

Tacklebuster · 01-19-2009, 12:06 PM

I guess I never really understood the concept of a Deep V boat powered with a jet. Jet powered boats were made to run in skinny water thus the flatter bottom. Deep V boats were made to run in deeper more open water. Power a Deep V aluminum hull with a jet..... I don't get it. Burn a lot more gas, need way more horsepeower than you would with a prop..... Am I missing something?

BIGCSS · 01-19-2009, 11:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tacklebuster

I guess I never really understood the concept of a Deep V boat powered with a jet. Jet powered boats were made to run in skinny water thus the flatter bottom. Deep V boats were made to run in deeper more open water. Power a Deep V aluminum hull with a jet..... I don't get it. Burn a lot more gas, need way more horsepeower than you would with a prop..... Am I missing something?

The efficiency of inboard jets is getting almost as good as outdrives and the maintenance aspect is way lower. Also there is nothing protruding under the hull that can be ripped off or damaged by a submerged object. Most of the big ferries and alot of the new large fishing boats are going with jet drives due to the lack of required maintenance and less chance for damage.

shawn b · 01-22-2009, 07:39 AM

well im kinda new here. and was wondering if any body wants to go up the clackamas sat or sunday i have a 22ft comander and want to learn the river..... the more boats that want to go is even better thanks

OB1 · 01-22-2009, 07:52 AM

Sounds like an interesting boat.
I had a 20FT Duckworth Silverwing and it was great boat for skinny water but it would beat the heck out of you in the ocean.
I now have a 20FT Seahawk and love the way it handles off shore.
Miss the the skinny water but I have friends with those type of boats.

RiverJohn · 01-23-2009, 07:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tacklebuster

I guess I never really understood the concept of a Deep V boat powered with a jet. Jet powered boats were made to run in skinny water thus the flatter bottom. Deep V boats were made to run in deeper more open water. Power a Deep V aluminum hull with a jet..... I don't get it. Burn a lot more gas, need way more horsepeower than you would with a prop..... Am I missing something?

You are right on the money imo.

I think some want a "do both" type of setup. The best parallel I can think of would be a "Hybrid" bike. Part trail, Part road.

Me thinks there is a boat for everybody, but no single boat that does everything "exceptionally" well.

Alot of guides will switch from OB prop to OB Jet based on season and water, but use the same hull. I know Jack Glass takes his Columbia props off and puts on Jets for Winter steelies. Same sleds. The Yellow Bumble Bee looking ones.

WaterDog · 01-25-2009, 07:57 PM

Go over to the Hamilton USA site and look at all the different boats that are jet powered. Everything from ferry's to catamarans like a Maxweld. I was talking to a Hamlton Rep just yesterday in Boise and he was showing me pictures of 160' oil rig support boat that was jet powered. When someone hears "jetboat" they think old berkly or jacuzzi pumps which are crap compared to todays modern jet drives. The engine tech is different so engines are far more effcient. Many still get OB jet effcientcy (the lack of) confused with inboard jet drives.

Jetboats are not for everyone. Some guys don't have the nads to use them as intended. I find running whitewater and the skinny fun and challenging. I no longer own a boat just for fishing. Mine also hits the salt now and then and it works fine. Most probably would not believe me if I said I average 5.5gph or cruise at 6 to 7 gph in 6500# jetboat.

I think the seahawk jet fills a nice need even if it is a NR.

snaggedup · 01-26-2009, 11:24 PM

I have a 22 ft seahawk w /400 hp jet .Thou I haven't run it in any skinny water I think it would in moderate
chop etc; well. Sitting at the dock the water line is just at the top of the transducer mounts welded to the transom , approx. 12'' at rest . mI fyou want to do big water of the bar and some skinny water to is the way to go. Much better ride than my commander .

RiverJohn · 01-28-2009, 06:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by snaggedup

I have a 22 ft seahawk w /400 hp jet .Thou I haven't run it in any skinny water I think it would in moderate
chop etc; well. Sitting at the dock the water line is just at the top of the transducer mounts welded to the transom , approx. 12'' at rest . mI fyou want to do big water of the bar and some skinny water to is the way to go. Much better ride than my commander .

Any way you could post a couple pics of the Seahawk Jet ?

Nice ride !

Tacklebuster · 01-29-2009, 07:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WaterDog

Go over to the Hamilton USA site and look at all the different boats that are jet powered. Everything from ferry's to catamarans like a Maxweld. I was talking to a Hamlton Rep just yesterday in Boise and he was showing me pictures of 160' oil rig support boat that was jet powered. When someone hears "jetboat" they think old berkly or jacuzzi pumps which are crap compared to todays modern jet drives. The engine tech is different so engines are far more effcient. Many still get OB jet effcientcy (the lack of) confused with inboard jet drives.

Jetboats are not for everyone. Some guys don't have the nads to use them as intended. I find running whitewater and the skinny fun and challenging. I no longer own a boat just for fishing. Mine also hits the salt now and then and it works fine. Most probably would not believe me if I said I average 5.5gph or cruise at 6 to 7 gph in 6500# jetboat.

I think the seahawk jet fills a nice need even if it is a NR.

I don't really think it's about the "nads" or lack therof.... Maybe it's the fact it just doesn't excite them as well as it does you. I did the jet boat thing cause it seemed pretty fun but found myself really not having that much fun running the skinny water. Something about fishing just pretty much dominated my time and found less time to do other things with my boat... Except getting the cracks fixed