Welded Hull Draft Specs

[pickardjw]

Do the aluminum boat manufacturers that are popular around here not list draft in their specs?

My search for a new boat has evolved a bit. I've firmly decided to go with a windshield boat with a bimini, preferably in the 17'-21' range with an outboard and prop/pump lower units.

Want to be able to run the Snake and Missouri for hunting access but also get out in the sound, buoy 10, etc. So there's going to be a bit of compromise in one of those scenarios. Safe bet seems to be to go with a shallower drafting, river focused but ocean/sound capable boat. But I'm curious what the draft difference is in a more sea worthy hull type.

I'm having trouble finding that info on the more ocean focused models like the NR Seahawk, Hewescraft Sea Runner, Alumaweld Intruder, etc. compared to what I assume are more river focused models like the NR Commander, Hewescraft Sportsman, and Alumaweld Stryker.

Coming from the fiberglass boat world in the Gulf it's commonly listed. Just looking at Contender and Grady White draft is listed with all the other typical specs...

Is there any way to figure out draft on these models so I can make a more informed decision while I'm surfing the used market?

[MADMAX]

Call these guys

https://nwmarineandsport.com/

I bought mine years back and sat under it with the owner explaining all of that to me at the Puyallup sportsman show

[Stein]

As a certified HW boat consultant, I advise you to get two boats.   

I don't recall it being listed on any of the boats I have owned, mostly I would guess because it doesn't matter for prop boats with medium to deep deadrise.

Honestly, I would actually have two boats, a more comfortable salt boat and then pick up a used duck/river tiller boat for the rest.  In my opinion, low deadrise, low draft and ocean capable are kind of two mutually exclusive features.

[pickardjw]

As a certified HW boat consultant, I advise you to get two boats.   

I don't recall it being listed on any of the boats I have owned, mostly I would guess because it doesn't matter for prop boats with medium to deep deadrise.

Honestly, I would actually have two boats, a more comfortable salt boat and then pick up a used duck/river tiller boat for the rest.  In my opinion, low deadrise, low draft and ocean capable are kind of two mutually exclusive features.

Any chance you know the winning numbers to the next powerball lotto? Haha

Not sure if ocean and Puget Sound should  be considered two different things, but most of my salt fishing would be in the Sound. Buoy 10 is something I’d maybe do once or twice, maybe never.

It’ll probably get more river/lake use than salt. After spending a few days in the San Juans running a trip up there once a year would be fun. Otherwise more south Sound use.

There are some nicer NR Seahawks with offshore brackets and outboards for sale now. I just don’t know if they draft significantly more than a Stryker or similar. I’m not looking to push the limit in the rivers either in terms of shallow water.

[HntnFsh]

Theres a new 20' Stryker showing up at Stevens any day now with my name on it for first chance at it. Will have a 150 outboard jet. Hoping to use it on the Cowlitz and columbia. Hood canal etc. If it works out will be replacing a 20' Willie Predator with a sport jet. I'm cautiously optimistic. My main concern is how deep it sits in the water.

[Stein]

With an aluminum boat in the 20' range with a deep v like the NR, it may be a chore to push it with a pump on a single motor.  It maxes at 300 hp, if you put the jet on, you'll loose almost 100 hp.

I was thinking you wanted to run really skinny water, hence the smaller flat bottom with tiller jet idea.  If you don't run shallower than 4' your options would open up quite a bit.

You can get somewhat of an idea just by going to look at them and taking a tape measure.  Look at the photos online to see roughly where the waterline is and you would be within a foot or better of the actual measurement.

[pickardjw]

I should do some research on the Snake and Missouri sections I’m thinking about running. See what’s realistic and safe. I know on the Snake they run some huge jet boats that have to draft more than a 20’ seahawk.

[Sundance]

Have you called any of those listed manufacturers to ask? I had a great experience when building our last boat at North River in 2020. The guys there were happy to answer all our questions and work with us through the change orders. If you’re looking for a more custom route there are some amazing builders in PA/Skagit County.

[pickardjw]

Have you called any of those listed manufacturers to ask? I had a great experience when building our last boat at North River in 2020. The guys there were happy to answer all our questions and work with us through the change orders. If you’re looking for a more custom route there are some amazing builders in PA/Skagit County.

I’m looking for used and just starting to wrap my head around all the various models from all the manufacturers. I’ll certainly reach out once I have a good list of manufacturers/models to ask about. Assume minor design variations over 20 years of models may impact draft numbers a bit but not too much. I just find it strange it isn’t a commonly listed spec like it is in the fiberglass boat world.

[Angry Perch]

I should do some research on the Snake and Missouri sections I’m thinking about running. See what’s realistic and safe. I know on the Snake they run some huge jet boats that have to draft more than a 20’ seahawk.

Not at full throttle.

[pickardjw]

I should do some research on the Snake and Missouri sections I’m thinking about running. See what’s realistic and safe. I know on the Snake they run some huge jet boats that have to draft more than a 20’ seahawk.

Not at full throttle.

Maybe, but by how much?

[pickardjw]

I requested draft specs from:

- North River (Seahawk, Commander, Revenge models)
- Hewescraft (Sportsman, ProV, and SeaRunner models)
- Alumaweld (Talon, Stryker and Intruder models)
- Duckworth (Advantage models)
- RH (SH-Sport and Coastal models).
- Thunder Jet (Rush and Luxor models)

Any others I should request the specs on?

[Mfowl]

You should look at the Wooldridge Alaskan/xl and super sport drifter models. Also Alumaweld Columbia and super vee.
If you want to run the upper Snake and Missouri you need a true jet boat. Many of the models you listed are great fishing boats but not exactly shallow running jet boats.
Other manufacturers to consider would be Willies, Rogue Jet and CustomWeld.
There is no one boats does all, true jet sleds are going to bang/pound in open water chop and vee hulls are going to limit shallow water capability.

[pickardjw]

You should look at the Wooldridge Alaskan/xl and super sport drifter models. Also Alumaweld Columbia and super vee.
If you want to run the upper Snake and Missouri you need a true jet boat. Many of the models you listed are great fishing boats but not exactly shallow running jet boats.
Other manufacturers to consider would be Willies, Rogue Jet and CustomWeld.
There is no one boats does all, true jet sleds are going to bang/pound in open water chop and vee hulls are going to limit shallow water capability.

Agreed, I'm just hesitant to run a inboard jet. Always been an outboard guy, and with the ability to swap prop/pump lower units they seem more versatile, even with the HP loss on the pump.

I've read they can perform fine in the salt with a stomp grate to clear the intake if you suck up kelp/seaweed. Beyond having zero experience with them, don't really like the idea of deck space being taken up by the cowling. Though being able to throw a cooler on the steering nozzle/swim deck platform would be nice.

[GWP]

I have a 19' Stryker inboard 2.5 Merc jet. As has been said the flat bottom pounds in waves. I like the tall gunnels, and the dog house is actually handy to lean against or sit on when I am fishing. Lots of storage.
Draft would be about 12" off plane, 4" on plane. I have been high centered a couple times (sand/soft mud) but have 'walked it off' pretty easily. "When in doubt, throttle out." Plenty of power. Tops out mid 40's in MPH.
It will plug with seaweed/seagrass when going slow at the dock if there is a lot of seagrass out. I will use the oar to move it away if there is a lot around the boat. I have not had to clear it by hand, but have shut it off to let the grass purge itself/float out, which usually works.
I like the boat overall but the weird way steering works on an inboard jet (steers swiveling around the center of the boat, reverse steering is backwards) can make dock handling in heavy currents and wind frustrating.