Hewescraft or Jetcraft Opinions Please

backlash442 · 01-19-2004, 07:45 AM

Was at the Sacramento Boat Show this past weekend. Narrowed down my choice to the 16' boats. Biggest reason is I like the high splash well that both have. Impossible for my 22 month old to climb out into the splashwell. Nice boxy fishing area with high gunnels. I thought I was going to go with a NR Revenge or Alumaweld Stryker but they are very similar in design. The splashwell is very low. Daughter can climb all over and out of those two boats. Not to mention the sides too. I also didn't like the aluminum "support" that ran down the sides of the NR. I don't know what else to call it since there was no rod holders installed.
Price wise the Hewescraft and Jetcraft are about the same. The NR was actually a couple of k cheaper out the door with same options.

Flatfish · 01-19-2004, 07:50 AM

Alumaweld and NR may be willing to build it how you want it....It can't hurt to ask.

I dunno much about either boat you talk of. We see a lot of Hewescrafts here on the bigger rivers. They seem to do well. I don't know if they make a jet pump boat or not.

I thought Jetcraft went out of business? Maybe Hewes bought them out?

Good Luck.

Mark and the not very helpful dog.

Dr Strangelove · 01-19-2004, 08:05 AM

Jetcraft closed local doors by literally chaining them and made an unannouced mass layoff, moving from OR up to British Columbia about 2 yrs ago. Most people I know refer to the hull as very rockered, inclined to porpoise, and overall, "Jetcrap".

Hewes on the other hand is the best value for the money available. It may not be as glamorous as a NR or Boice, but people who own them love them. I really like the Honda outboards they put on their boats.

Muddy Water · 01-19-2004, 08:18 AM

I've been looking at boats too. My issue is that I have a 17' boat, and my family is outgrowing it. My kids are 5 and 3, and we need more room. Before you know it, your 22 month old will be wanting to wake board.

As far as Jetcraft goes, I believe it was moved to Canada and they are built by Harbercraft now, but still carry the Jetcraft name.

In my opinion, NR was the best looking, best built boat for my needs. Make sure you get the set up you want. What's your engine preference? Most dealers only sell a particular brand, so keep that in mind.

backlash442 · 01-19-2004, 09:09 AM

Jetcraft porpoises? Usually associate that with running downhill in large swells. I'll be fishing lakes and MAYBE the ocean on the right day but not likely.
I like the Merc package because the engines are EFI. I will do a lot of fishing at 7000ft or higher. I really don't know how carb 4 strokes run at high altitude. Salesmen ALWAYS tell me no problem for the Yamie or Honda.
Not sure if NR can do anything about that support that runs down the sides. Same with that backend. Although they might be able to put something in there that raises the transom level. I did like the Mariner and so might have to see what kind of deal I can get on that since I'm already up a couple thousand over the Revenge with either Hewes or Jetcraft.

uboatcdr · 01-19-2004, 09:10 AM

I have a Hewes Craft and really like the boat.
Semd me a email and I can give you some good info.

love that boat.

love2fish · 01-19-2004, 09:49 AM

I have a 20' Jetcraft, and I love it. It does porpoise at high speeds in calm water, but if you just cut back on the throttle a little it goes away. Mine is an older one with a 351 and 3 stage Kodiak jet. I have had really good luck with it.

love2fish

Beerbelly · 01-19-2004, 01:11 PM

I have a 16.2 Jetcraft and it does not porpoises if it did I would trim it up with the motor.

Mrdorkfish · 01-19-2004, 01:24 PM

I own a HewesCraft and if i'm not using it..i just look at it :grin: I love my boat. It is a 16ft Sportsman powered by a Honda 50 and Honda 8hp kicker. I can go 31 mph according to my gps and feel that is sufficient. Very safe..stable. Couldn't resist

MrDorkfish [img]graemlins/dork.gif[/img]

Some guy named Louis

[ 01-19-2004, 02:44 PM: Message edited by: Mrdorkfish ]

backlash442 · 01-19-2004, 03:17 PM

Mr Dorkfish, do you ever fish high altitude? I'm really curious to know how the Honda runs. For that matter the Yamaha too. Also why the kicker? Doesn't the 50hp troll slow enough? Thanks and nice boat!

No Wishin Just Fishin · 01-19-2004, 03:19 PM

20 foot Hewescraft with 90 and an 8 goes 35 with 4 people best boat for the money

Mrdorkfish · 01-19-2004, 03:32 PM

backlash442, Negative on the high altitude question...You might want to shoot an e-mail over to Honda and ask if there are adjustments made to motors destined for certain geographic locations..Or..That dealer should run/adjust that motor before it leaves the lot. I have the kicker for trolling only...less hours on the main motor..i have used the 50 for trolling and found that is works great..but it's also nice to have a back-up in case sump'n goes wrong with the big one.

Like that would ever happen to a Honda.

MrDorkfish [img]graemlins/dork.gif[/img]

Some guy named Louis

garyk · 01-19-2004, 03:38 PM

Here's some Hewes-talk by mostly Ifishers:

http://groups.msn.com/HewescraftBoat...s&all_topics=0

01-19-2004, 03:50 PM

North River

FishFreak · 01-19-2004, 04:06 PM

Backlash..... I too am a proud Hewes owner. I have the 18' Searunner and I loooooove my boat. I have a 90 Yami and am very pleased with it. (so far no altitude expeditions) I did just buy a 8hp kicker. I was hoping the 4 stroke would troll slowly enough but I think I'll be happy that I added the 8.
The searunner has a steeper variable dead rise than the sportsman and has the wave splash wall in the back.

Bluetick · 01-19-2004, 04:36 PM

I have a 19' searunner, very happy with my first aluminum boat, lots of room and 3 adults fish with plenty of room. I do see it porposing on accasion but just trim the outboard down, I also see it list to one side or the other but I will fix it with a hydrofoil this spring. It is easy to pull the list by turning away from the the angle it list's to then straightening the boat back out. I am very happy with it. I run a 115 merc and a 8 hp honda kicker.

TH · 01-19-2004, 05:44 PM

I agree with ******... :smile: North River.....

I would love to see a fourm like the one to the link above for other boat manufactures.. say NORTH RIVER.. that would be awesome!
Any ideas?

Spoiled Daddy · 01-19-2004, 05:57 PM

Backlash442,

We have a Hewescraft 18 Searunner with the Honda 90/8 combo. We travel to Odell, Wickiup and Crane Praire several times a year. At those altitudes, I do loose a little power in the big motor. I do not pull skiers or wakeboards, so the loss is really not noticed. I have the 8 HP kicker for trolling verrrryyyy slowly for kokanee and the local rivers for fall chinook.

We really like the boat and motor package we got. It has served us well in the ocean, lakes and rivers.

SD

Lured In · 01-19-2004, 06:41 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ******:
North River

<font size="2" face="verdana,arial,helvetica">:shocked: :shocked: [img]graemlins/eek13.gif[/img]

Hey Ol' Bear...are you feeling well?!? No shameless plug for Willie? :tongue: :grin:

J/K

turtlesoup · 01-20-2004, 10:38 AM

From what you pointed out was important for you and your family was that you want a boat that is safe, durable and a quality boat. I feel that both the Hewes and Jetcraft would meet your needs. What I have seen in the 16' Jetcraft now built by Harborcraft is a roomy and stable boat with a full width raised splashwell that those with youngsters would feel very safe in. I believe that because of the formed in reverse chines that you will find this boat to be very stable and that the lifting strakes will get you on plane quickly and keep this boat tracking straight as opposed to boats without strakes that wander while trolling or anchored up in a hog line or channel. Also, the finish is a much cleaner finish because of their Pre-Flex technology eliminating heat prints you see from added stiffeners. You may have found porpoising from the old Jetcraft company but not in the ones that are built by Harborcraft today. But whatever manufacturer you choose I suggest a carb free diet at higher altitudes and go with the EFI 4 Strokes. Good luck

WaterDog · 01-20-2004, 12:11 PM

Hewes does NOT own jetcraft.

HARBORCRAFT bought out Jetcraft. Which would explain why Jetcraft and Harborcraft share the same brochure.

[ 01-20-2004, 04:46 PM: Message edited by: WaterDog ]

hookumhi · 01-20-2004, 12:18 PM

check out Boulton before you buy , Mike Boulton does a great job working with his customers creating custom boats [img]graemlins/applause.gif[/img]

backlash442 · 01-20-2004, 12:26 PM

RiverRouge, Hewescraft does not own Jetcraft. They are located in Wa. Matter of fact I do believe the larger Harbercraft boats are still made in Or. but not 100% sure. The Jetcraft boats are made in Canada.

Guys at NR are still in the picture. Looking at the Mariner since the price difference between a 16 Jetcraft and 17 Mariner isn't that much.

turtlesoup · 01-20-2004, 03:25 PM

I know for a fact that the Old Jetcraft manufacturer owned by Bruce Wassom in Medford sold out to Harbercraft of Canada in 2001. Like allot of companies they downsized in Aug. 2002 and closed the Medford facility. All of the Harbercraft/Jetcraft boats are built in Canada. They are not affiliated with Hewes what so ever. If you want to get accurate information you can go to their website or for what's going on in the boating world you can go to boating industry online. It's a great source.

flatbottomboy · 01-20-2004, 03:34 PM

Bluetick, just wondering how fast your sea-runner with the 115 would go with say 4 people, and is it a 2 or 4 stroke and do you have any preference? I would like that exact boat but havent heard much about your settup. Please respond!

uboatcdr · 01-20-2004, 03:53 PM

Hewes Craft is in Colville Wa, Not Canada. They do
not own JetCraft. Thats were I picked up my boat.
Hope this clears things up.

porter · 01-20-2004, 04:07 PM

I have a 1997 Jetcraft. I like it and works well. If I was buying new and had a choice I would buy a USA product over a Canadian product. I Don't appreciate companies moving their plants outside the U.S.

RiverRogue · 01-20-2004, 06:12 PM

Sorry for the confusion. I was wrong about Hewes buying Jetcraft. My point was however that what the parent company did to fellow Oregon workers was wrong and I for one will not even consider buying a Jetcraft now or in the future.

RiverRogue · 01-20-2004, 11:33 PM

I believe Hewes now owns Jetcraft? And that they are made in Canada now. In light of the fact that while Jetcraft employees were enjoying their annual company picnic, Hewes cleaned out the Jetcraft facility, closing it, moving all to Canada. No warning to the was given to employees. I believe it to be underhanded and certainly unfair. I will never buy either boat. Pardon me if I dont have all the facts here, but I believe this to be basically true, as I was in the market for a new boat when it occurred and that is as it was related to me.

turtlesoup · 01-21-2004, 08:16 AM

I use to have the same problem with buying stuff that wasn't made in the U.S. I mentioned it to my Dad and one day and we had quite the discussion. Boy was I in for a surprise. I would have had to throw out about half the stuff I own. I didn't realize how many recreational items I own that were made outside of this country as well as the Chevy engine I had in my car and the computer that I use to write this and the fishing gear and television and the list went on and on. I don't think we stand a chance of buying everything from within our borders so I just quit fighting it and said life's to short and let's go fishing and rip some lips.