Am I the only one on the water with an antique jet?

swartzfab · 10-07-2009, 11:12 PM

5 years ago I bought a 1975 whitewater 18' sled with 2 75HP pumps off CL for $4200. At 34 years old this year she is looking well used but by no means used up. I never owned a real boat with a title before in my life, but it sure looked good out on the north fork lewis, so I figured what the heck. Now here I am 2 powerheads later, a pretty decent 2 stroke outboard jet mechanic. I found that my sled likes to be run at full throttle and slides over the water like an air hockey table, at anything less than 30MPH it tracks like a stick in the mud. I've caught sturgeon from st helens to bonneville in some scarry looking water, and run the north fork lewis from the mouth to the dam in low water, run the slot through the middle of happa island on one pump in low water. This year we are average 1 1/4 fish per rod for the north fork. I work on some sort of problem with the boat every time we go out, and it seems like a fair trade to me. Alot of posts here are all new boats with new problems. Sometimes I wish my kicker would fall off, or get stolen so I'd have an excuse to just damn buy a new one that is more user friendly! I dont use bumpers or worry about scratches and big rocks and logs, it just floats and you couldnt pick out a new scratch if you tried. Is there anyone else out there "in my boat" so to speak? Does anyone else own a whitewater or other ancient old sled?

your thoughts on this would be appreciated

lurking_out_loud · 10-08-2009, 07:29 AM

I've got a 1974 Hewes River Runner. Loaded with 1984 Merc 115 w/pump, stainless 4 blade impeller, and a Toms Hot shoe so it will turn, this boat scoots right along. Bumpers, what are those?

UnoMas · 10-08-2009, 07:42 AM

Cool post. Maybe could be on the general discussion board?

I own a 20' 1981 whitewater sled. It's repowered with new yami's, but the boat is solid. I haven't seen another one around... Scratches, dings, who cares? The thing is a tank, and is a rocket up and down the river! They sure made a good boat.

swartzfab · 10-08-2009, 07:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UnoMas

Cool post. Maybe could be on the general discussion board?

I own a 20' 1981 whitewater sled. It's repowered with new yami's, but the boat is solid. I haven't seen another one around... Scratches, dings, who cares? The thing is a tank, and is a rocket up and down the river! They sure made a good boat.

Your whitewater would be the sixth I have ever seen (if you have a pic) no 2 alike, and the one I saw getting on I5 this week looked almost exactly like mine, with the exception of an inboard, semi closed bow, and looked to be about 20 mabe 22 foot. I recognised the back end of the transom instantly and sped up to check it out. seems like they may have been in the custom sled buisness

SnapperBlue · 10-09-2009, 07:59 AM

I work for Oregon DEQ and we've got a Whitewater Marine that we use for electrofishing. I think it's a 1972. This thing is a tank! Over 35 years of hard core (essentially commercial use) and it's still in great shape.

It got in a major wreck some years ago. The bow was caved in and an aft quarter panel buckled enough that it pushed up the floorboards. I think it went to Steven Marine for repairs. They hammered it out and put on a skin of body filler -- you'd never know it hit anything.

These hulls were probably "overbuilt" compared to todays engineering. I think one of our newer boats would have been "totaled".

Interestingly I saw the only other WW Marine I've seen in 20 years at Willamette Park a few weeks ago. The owner had picked it up for $500 with trailer and a new canvas top! I couldn't believe it. He was working on the inboard engine, but the hull was perfect. Wish I could stumble on something like that!

Thumper · 10-09-2009, 02:01 PM

Whitewater Marine jet boats were the top of the line 30 years ago. Made in Oregon City, they were pretty much fully custom. My only complaint about them is that they tended to be narrow at the bottom while having trays that did not extend out very far, so my toes always hit the sides before my knees would contact the trays. Made them feel kinda tippy, though they actually were not.

If you find a good used one, grab it!

AlseaAssassin · 10-13-2009, 02:41 PM

As she looks now.

Before the restoration work she still caught plenty of fish.

Here's my old 1987 WW Marine. She's 19.5' and wide with an inboard 302 to Hamilton 772. Bought her 4 years ago and it's been a constant work in progress. I've replaced the floor (which was terribly rotten yet I still fished out of it for a two years), marine carpeted the gunnels/doghouse, changed to electronic ignition, acid washed, polished, new chairs, steering system, exhaust manifolds, and on and on.............. Not to mention I took all the rust off the trailer and rewired the lights this year. It's been alot of work but it's finally getting to the point where I can trust her (knock on wood). It's proven to be a great fishing platform.

Nalu · 10-15-2009, 09:26 AM

We have a 1985 Whitewater 21' inboard sled with a 351. She was custom built (like most were back then) and we have owned her since new.

I recall traveling up to O.C. to check on her progress with dad when I was a kid (15). He had some design changes made, rails, locking rod storage, etc. When it was finished, it was exactly what he wanted, and I remember him telling my mom that he wasn't going to buy a new boat for a long time...... Knowing my dad, this was a pretty lofty statement......

Here we are 24 years later, and this boat has stood the test of time. It has run rivers, bays, and in the ocean all over the place. I remember being 16 and my dad letting me have the keys to the truck and boat so I could take it out on the river by myself.

We've been through numerous tops, replaced the engine a couple years back, new impellers in the pump a couple times, the zolatone is gone in many places, going on the 4th kicker, and had countless numbers of fish in her. Every time we think of a new boat, we just shrug and say.... what are we gaining? It's fun to think about...but it would be pretty hard to actually get rid of this one...it's a battle wagon, and it runs and runs.....

In the next couple of years I hope to restore it so it looks like new.....then maybe 25 years from now my son will do the same thing.

Lead Bouncer · 10-15-2009, 07:57 PM

Try to keep up.....

Sincerely,

Mr. Jones

swartzfab · 10-19-2009, 08:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lead Bouncer

Try to keep up.....

Sincerely,

Mr. Jones

I bet you a dollar, you'd be scared to follow me up the river, and my boat leads bud!

fishkisser · 10-21-2009, 05:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by swartzfab

I bet you a dollar, you'd be scared to follow me up the river, and my boat leads bud!

Chill Dude ... Don't you know a joke when you read one ...

swartzfab · 10-26-2009, 07:44 PM

put another 30 miles on the boat in 2 days, and a buck in the bow! filled my deer tag in a secret spot down on the river! I bet nobody ever did that before in my boat, even in 34 years of hard fishing! blood in the boat is blood in the boat, so the team decided to rename the boat "Game Getter" (I am assuming somone called this boat by name in her younger days) a paintjob is currently in the works, using it as a duckhunting platform, time to go camo!

swartzfab · 10-26-2009, 07:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fishkisser

Chill Dude ... Don't you know a joke when you read one ...

I was making fun as well, have any advice for a guy looking to go for some abalone for the first time?

fishkisser · 10-26-2009, 08:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by swartzfab

I was making fun as well, have any advice for a guy looking to go for some abalone for the first time?

Get a wetsuit ...

Sobie2 · 10-28-2009, 10:05 AM

Ah the beauty of aluminum...

media blast it, polish it, shark hide, or etch it. A fresh coat of aluminum epoxy paint, or new vinyl graphics makes them look new again. Even a spray can cammo finish can bring back an aluminum boat. Pretty much only the actual styling of the boat and motor gives away an aluminum boats age. AlSeaAssassin... your boat passes as a much newer boat, but those who know will know when looking at the older hamilton jet drive... sweet boat, must be a proud owner

My buddy still runs an 1984 alumaweld flat bottom 16' center console with a 1894 50 hp merc jet. Its a blast even today on just a trickle of a stream. His he bought about 5 years ago with a fresh spray can cammo finish.

Being an Alaskan, I see a lot of 1970s and 1980s rounder cowl merc jets... darn things still run. Check out craigslist for a walk back through time.

Sobie2