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