Aluminum Jet boats school me im slowly looking ... and considering one

[benbo30]

Well im more and more looking for an aluminum jet boat at least 20' -24' , i have been looking at duckworths as they seem to be a nice boat , right now own a 22' baja family boat , so one questions is this would a aluminum jet boat be a semi comfortable boat to take the family out in the summer? we tube and wake board and just like to enjoy the water as much as we can. i dont do alot of fishing but would like to do more and more of it as life and time would allow me to ... i just feel that a aluminum jet boat i could get multi-use out of it. Let me know your inputs and opinions

This is my current boat.

[huntnphool]

Lots of things to consider. Know right off that you are going to trade comfort of ride for versatility. Most manufacturers take the length out of the middle of the boat, this makes a difference when moving around inside.

Its a completely different type of boat to drive but I find them much easier to maneuver than a prop, and being able to hit the river is a great option.

Make sure you get as much power as you can afford, you will lose up to 30% through the pump.

If you have any specific questions just post them up or send a PM, I'd be more than happy to share info, even take you for a ride if you want.

The third pic is Bone fighting a sturgeon.

[cohoho]

I agree with Rob on the versatility of Jet boats.  I have ran them for years in AK and a good bit down here.  It really depends upon what you will be doing most.  If you want to run everywhere most of the times, then a Jet is great option.  If you need room in the back deck area and set on a jet boat get a raised deck model as the dog box cover takes alot of room.  I had a 22 foot TJ Rio Classic, but the darn box in the middle was really an annoyance for most of my fishing.  But if you want to run in the ocean and big water you will get beat up in a jet.  You will get beat up on decent wind chop and you will get beat up on low waves too...  Just thoughts to consider....  No way around it with the low degree bottom and shallow front end.  They were never designed for that.   But I cannot run my larger offshore boat where I used to either, no I have to take the long way around, instead of straight across the middle of shallow water  You will see Jets out in the bigger water, but I have begun to like comfort in the past couple years and like riding without the need for a kidney belt.  If jet rode well on crappy water, they wouldn't need factory suspension seats installed....    When we tubed with kids I had to throw and extra 50 foot of tow line on as the 454 kicked out to much spray and was like needles pelting the kids faces....  Take a ride in one for sure..  Go visit Wooldridge shop, as they are the premeir Jet boat designer.  Lacking on frills, but hull design is the very best!    TJ - frills are good, but crappy hull design.  NR - Has both frills and a good hull, same for Duckworth...  No experaince with the others...

[CAMPMEAT]

My friend works at Hewescraft. Clarks-All-Sports in Colville has the best price on them anywhere in the state. Call and ask to talk to Gary, the owner, @ 509-684-5069

[Superfly]

Call me, I use to sale them, I can help.....

Thanks
Joe

360-888-7772

[Elkrunner]

My brother in law has a custom weld jet boat that we wake board and tube behind.  I really love being in that boat.

[Superfly]

My friend has a murder boat, very nice.....

peace
Fly

[benbo30]

Thanks for all the inputs , and yes I would be looking for one with a raised deck on rear , not gonna go with new looking to get something used , as far as power what kind of engine should I be looking for ?

[Cap.Silver]

Had a Thunder Jet with Mercury 165HP sport jet -hated that thing ...... the dog house is in the back middle ,vibrations through the hull during "The take off" ,bouncing around in small swells . On the other hand it was easy to launch by myself ,relatively fast (if you had a flat water ) ok to maintain. If I would buy another aluminum boat I would most likely look for offshore bracket type (but they are in the way too  ) I have figured long time ago that you would need to have at least 2 or 3 boats ( Ocean,river,duck)  :chuckle:There is no such thing as perfect boat that I know of yet

[rasbo]

Had a Thunder Jet with Mercury 165HP sport jet -hated that thing ...... the dog house is in the back middle ,vibrations through the hull during "The take off" ,bouncing around in small swells . On the other hand it was easy to launch by myself ,relatively fast (if you had a flat water ) ok to maintain. If I would buy another aluminum boat I would most likely look for offshore bracket type (but they are in the way too  ) I have figured long time ago that you would need to have at least 2 or 3 boats ( Ocean,river,duck)  :chuckle:There is no such thing as perfect boat that I know of yet

oh yes there is, your buddies boat  no worries mate

[huntnphool]

I'm running a 6.0L Vortec 6000 (LY6) that's putting 411 hp to the pump. My boat is 22' long and will top out at about 53mph.

[cohoho]

454...  Only....  I never had a power issue any where and no matter how many people, gear, weight I had in it.....  Pull three/four/five tubes, whatever...  Of course gas gauge moves as quick.  Opened up I could run 51mph...  Too fast for 99% of the water I was on.  The nice thing about a big block can run low rpm at a good speed and actually save fuel...  Just be careful on ride expectations as that is a sweet boat in your picture, ride won't be close....  And lastly, with any JET, - Get the biggest heavy duty suspension seats made... And be prepared for a bumpy ride on any chop, wind waves, and atleast you'll notice ripples too....  And if you ever decide to run BIG Rapids, you'll want that extra power for sure...

IMO - if you do not run shallow rivers like the Cowlitz, three S rivers or such, a jet is not needed in this state for the most part.  Really think where your planning on running the majority of the time and go with that route for  boat....

[huntnphool]

I pulled the big heavy bulky suspension seats from mine when I ordered it and put in a air ride pedestal, it works well and cleared up a lot of room in the boat too.

The nice thing about the jet is you can take it anywhere, few limitations, and being in Eburgh I can see you pulling up on the beach at Quilomine Dunes a lot.

[benbo30]

I pulled the big heavy bulky suspension seats from mine when I ordered it and put in a air ride pedestal, it works well and cleared up a lot of room in the boat too.

The nice thing about the jet is you can take it anywhere, few limitations, and being in Eburgh I can see you pulling up on the beach at Quilomine Dunes a lot.

Hehe yes I will be pulling up on that beach quite a bit , that's why I was thinking jet so that I can go anywhere . I like to explore sometimes on the water and with my boat I can only get so close.

[benbo30]

Look what I found http://spokane.craigslist.org/boa/3459863881.html , plenty of seats for family multiuse right there and most of all its yellow you can't miss me

[MADMAX]

Have had 3 aluminum boats

I had 1 jet a "NW jetboat" 20 ft nice loud flashy 351 HO with a 212 hamilton pump shock seats, 3/4 hardtop
Loved it, it loved gas.

Gas goes to 2 bucks a gallon so I get a 22 ft Hewescraft searunner with a 150 Honda
sips gas
Just a little big for one guy handling at the ramp

dropped to an 18ft duckwork with a 115 yammie
love it, handles easy at the ramp and sips gas

so my 2 cents is as follows
If you positevly have to have a jet
look at NW jets
otherwise consider aluminum with a prop

[Rick]

 consider aluminum with a prop

I agree.

Unless you run a lot of shallow water a jet doesn't make much sense.

You'll need to buy 30% more engine than a prop and burn 30% more fuel.

The hull design you'll want with a jet won't ride well in any kind of chop.

Tubing and boarding behind a jet sucks.

[Cap.Silver]

As you can see here on this picture the dog house on the TJ was just huge .......

[benbo30]

Engine size doesn't matter to me as far as power I'll go big block if I have too , my boat has a 454 in it  so I know all about fuel guzzling....... Not.really wanting the prop , id prefer jet for the simple.reason of when I want to go shallow i.can

[huntnphool]

Engine size doesn't matter to me as far as power I'll go big block if I have too , my boat has a 454 in it  so I know all about fuel guzzling....... Not.really wanting the prop , id prefer jet for the simple.reason of when I want to go shallow i.can

Mine burns about 8 gallons per hour at 3200rpm's.

[benbo30]

So is there anyone here in eastern washington that has a jet one that would be willing to take me out so I can get a feel for one? I live in ellensburg .

[HUNTINCOUPLE]

Maybe check with some dealers.  Some will take you out to show you what these boats can do.

[MADMAX]

NW jets in Pasco will take you out and let you drive one I am sure.

http://www.nwmarineandsport.com/New_Boats.htm

[Rick]

So is there anyone here in eastern washington that has a jet one that would be willing to take me out so I can get a feel for one? I live in ellensburg .

Buying a boat is no different than buying a car. You'll want to test drive both before you buy.

If a dealer is worth doing business with,they'll launch a boat and go on a test drive with you.

[Craig]

Get the best of both worlds. Get a Yamaha boat. they have 19'-24' boats. duel 160HP jets and comfort for the family. We tube and do light fishing ( trout, bass ).

my boat


my same boat with the tower I hope to get soon. The kids want to learn how th wakeboard

[huntnphool]

A buddy of mine has one of those AR 230's, fun little boat. Over the river and through the woods AR230

[benbo30]

Get the best of both worlds. Get a Yamaha boat. they have 19'-24' boats. duel 160HP jets and comfort for the family. We tube and do light fishing ( trout, bass ).

my boat


my same boat with the tower I hope to get soon. The kids want to learn how th wakeboard

after i bought my baja boat i seen one of these yamahas and really liked them  , wakeboarding is fun once you learn to get up 

[KFhunter]

If you want to ski, tube, wakeboard get something else.  big globs of water in the face sucks.  The wake sucks, everything sucks about being pulled behind a jet.

Stay away from that yellow duckworth its old school for new school price. That berkley pressure pump is ancient and won't pop you out the hole like a newer volume pump.  And a 4bbl carburated redline engine will suck fuel like no one's business. And stay away from most duckworths for that matter.  There are better boats for the $ than a duckworth.  Not that they are bad boats, they are just over priced for a 7 step polish job and a name with die hard fan base.

I'd also stay away from hewes craft unless you are a budget minded fisherman. 

You haven't convenced me you need a jet, everything points towards a glass boat.
your wife will hate the aluminum, and when all you can hear is chop banging the side of your boat like a hammer and you can't hear AC/DC rocking through the speakers you'll hate it too.

You can beach a glass boat, just can't go banging it in like a jet.  Trim up and take your time and pick your spot, or better yet anchor it out and tie off - that'll force people to not track mud and gunk in anyways.

Also, just because you have a jet doesn't mean you can go screaming through the shallows, you'll suck up gravel and weeds and plug your grate, and unless you have a stomp out you'll be going for a swim to pull the weeds so that pump can get some water - that sucks in the winter, trust me, I've come out blue lipped doing that more than once.

[Craig]

You can get a pretty good wake off a Yamaha. put some fat sacks in and the right length of rope and you dont get faces full of water. Its not going to be nearly at good as the wake from a $100,000 Mastercraft or Tige wakeboard boat. but for $30,000 and just messing around it works.

If something gets sucked into the jet you can access it from the swim deck. no need to go for a swim.

[KFhunter]

I've skied behind a 14' jet race (sprint boat) well in excess of 500 HP doing more than 80 mph on the water.  The boat had open headers and the sound behind that thing at 80+ was, inspiring 

you had to hold off to the side as the water balls would have tore your skin off

only did it once, to say I did


it was kinda like this one

[Elite1]

hey there , don't know ya , but i agree with cohoho . i have a 25ft wooldridge super sport drifter with a 380hp v-8 jet . i love it . had it biult with a lot of changes from the standard model . have loved every minute that i've been in it . the guys down there are more than willing to work with you .

[Cylvertip]

I am working on a custom layout which will be a combination Bass  ( big front flipping deck) / walleye boat( short windshield and seating for at least 4) layout.  Motion Marine out of the Portland area has the "outback" set up with a sport jet in either 175 or 225 I think.  You don't loose very much cockpit space and get 85-90% efficiency compared to a prop.  Mine will most likely be built off of their Fishing Machine platform. 
I won't own another glass boat if I can help it.  If you want to do more than go in circles on the lake, I think aluminum is the way to go, as it's a lot more forgiving if you kiss something, or and if you are going to run in rivers, that's an easy one.  I've ski'd, boogy boarded, and wakeboarded a good amount behind an inboard Duckworth.  Did not notice any difference as compared to being pulled by a high powered runabout.

[basin212]

Maybe you might want to try and open your horizons or search engine. 

Try  these guys   www.edgemarine.com







and they catch fish

[huntnphool]

and they catch fish

Too bad they can't help grow some hair on your head.

[Austrian Hunter]

Some cool boats!!!!   

[benbo30]

nice boats for sure

[basin212]

and they catch fish

Too bad they can't help grow some hair on your head.

 

[syoungs]

If your still thinking jet, and want to go out for a ride along, ill be glad to take ya out and let you play with mine. Its a 19'6 Nw jet freedom series with a 351. Lots of better choices for all around boats.

Jets can be expensive to maintain. Super thirsty, and rough riding. But running on the yak and in hells canyon, they are awesome!

[benbo30]

If your still thinking jet, and want to go out for a ride along, ill be glad to take ya out and let you play with mine. Its a 19'6 Nw jet freedom series with a 351. Lots of better choices for all around boats.

Jets can be expensive to maintain. Super thirsty, and rough riding. But running on the yak and in hells canyon, they are awesome!

I might have to take ya up on that offer .... you ever come up and run it around vantage or ellensburg ?

[syoungs]

Cant say I have had it up that far. Its honestly overkill for my uses 99% of the time. But I love it. 

[demontang]

Best advise I can give is make sure you get a good pump!! I used jets on the columbia for work and there is a major differance in the pumps. Some jump up fast so dont. The good one will not wounder when you are cruising like the cheaper ones which drove me nuts. I have ran a 26ft north river with a 460 in very shallow water and at speed it was a blast in the wind and rough water they will wear you flat out vs a prop.