Jet boat

[ryanb]

I know this has been covered before...but I have some questions not covered in previous threads.

I have decided it is time for a jet boat. The main purpose is as both a hunting and fishing boat for rivers. I will be running everything from the fraser to skinny rivers and would like a boat capable and adequate for running the tough northern rivers and local flows at low water levels first and foremost.

I have decided I would like a smaller boat in the 16-18 foot range for ease of handling because it will typically only be me and another person or two, or the family for daytrips only. I have narrowed it down to four options, Outlaw Lynx Tuchodi, Shuman, Firefish, or Harbercraft extreme duty.

I am relatively inexperienced with the smaller sportjet type boats, and would like to know how the above options compare, quality, price, and handling wise....

The mercury 200 optimax seems to be the motor of choice for all these boats, so that is a given.

Thanks for your help

[Iron Glove]

I'd stay away from Harbercraft.
Have had lots of experience with them in my "marine related" work and am not happy with their product, service or standing behind their work.

[Dream Catcher]

Look at Riddel Marine out of the states..With the dollar being the way it is thats the way I'd go if i was lookinghttp://www.rmrboats.com/

[bridger]

I am also in the market for a new jet boat and i just came back from idaho and visited riddle marine. great guys, but prices for a new boat are the same as you can buy here at home. what are good buys though are used boats especially sport jets. they had a couple in excellent shape for less than $20,000. word of caution though the boats built in idaho etc are mostly for the snake river which is deep. I was concerned about the strength of their bottoms. also most don't put teflon on the bottoms because of the deep water they run. unless you have a boat built your specs probably be better to look at boats designed for norhtern bc. also most of their boats are rigged for fishing not hunting and don't have much cargo space.

[Dream Catcher]

Rich..Thats what I was figuring.I bet it'll cost more to one one Custom built up here than down there.The New Denali and Bulldog from Thunderjet look like they might fit the bill as well

[bridger]

one other word of caution most boats built in the states have gas tanks built into the floor boards which may not be the best for skinny water as there have been one or two boats up here catch fire due to ruptures in the floor board tanks. one feature they did have that i liked was storage built into the floor boards for life jackets etc.

[ryanb]

In my research thus far, I have noticed there are no heavy duty northern style boats for sale in the states. I have looked at the heavy duty thunderjet models, but these seem to be a little more spendy than those from the manufacturers listed in my original post.

On the topic of Harbercraft, I have heard some good things, and some bad things, but the negative comments are never qualified. What exactly is wrong with Harbercraft boats and/or the company?

Thanks

[fowl language]

sure hope that the merc. 200 is a better engine now then a few yrs. back. bought one new and hadi it rebuilt 3 times in under 200 hrs. some guys are lucky with them,,not me. never again...fowl

[TJ57]

ryanb

I believe you are on the right track with your 4 listed Builders.

I have been jet boating for about 20 years now and mainly on the northern rivers with hunting being the main objective.

The best advice I could offer you is to suggest that if running the tough northern rivers is what you want to do and still have a usable boat afterwards than go with the guys that live and build boats up in that region, for they really know what is required to build a boat to stand up to those conditions.

I just bought myself a new jet boat 2 years ago and I couldn't be happier, it's a Shuman.

best of luck in your decision

[Maxx]

Rich..Thats what I was figuring.I bet it'll cost more to one one Custom built up here than down there.The New Denali and Bulldog from Thunderjet look like they might fit the bill as well



Those new Bulldog's look like a great boat, are you tradin up?

[Dream Catcher]

Those new Bulldog's look like a great boat, are you tradin up?

No..Just buyin another

[swampthing]

Dont leave out Wolfmade, if you can find one as he is dead now.

[skidderman]

I had a 20' Kenferm for 7 yrs with a 350 kodiac. Nice engine but I didn't like the style for 3 reasons. 1) windshield was very low making it hard to hide behind. I like boats with high windshields. 2) did not have a sunken or flattened bow. Try standing on top of the bow throwing a 40 pound anchor into the Skeena river; Its nuts, (think lots about that one). 3) Boat wasn't deep enough for me. I used it on rivers & big lakes & never felt comfortable in big waves. Plus is boat is lighter, minus is it doesn't like big water. Other issues: The 350 chev makes a great pkg but you will have trouble parking on shallow shores. Not a plus or a minus, just a fact. The lighter outboards & sportjets can be parked closer easier & are easier to push off. A lot of it centers around how you want to use it & you will not find an all purpose boat. If its real good for skinny water it likely will be rougher than heck in waves. If I was going to buy again I would look hard at an 18' hull w outboard jet or if small block & it would likely be an Outlaw boat. Although many dealers push sportjets I have heard of many failures and although tempting you won't see me with one. A lot to think about but in the end decide what you want & don't let others sway you. It is pretty costly to find out later it wasn't what you wanted.

[JRG94]

stay away from thunder jet and harbour crafts
go with the outlaw tuchodi with a 350 or a firefish

[joko]

"Ali craft", out in Price George-builds some of the finest jet boats.

[Jetboater]

I have a 19 ft Ali craft for sale after the show for 25K as the fellow just upgraded to a bulll dog by TJ, we are going up the pitt witha handful of boats on monday.... 8AM at grant narrows if you want to join... I will be taking the bull dog....
firefish are junk compared to outlaw as I have repaired a couple of them in the last few months....just look at the way they build the trim plates on the 17s and you will be spooked... the one broke the transom from turning his tabs down....

[Barracuda]

how many boats? sounds like it could be a good outing.

[bridger]

just missed a great buy by about 2 hrs. 2 year old 21 ft shuman boat all the bells and whistles less than 100 hrs on it for $50,000 new $75,000

[ryanb]

Thanks for the offer Jetboater but I have to work on Monday.

Let me know if and when you take the bulldog out again, as this boat is one on my potential list.

[yama49]

I am also looking for a jet boat.. Jetboater u must sell tj, explain how he was upgrading to a bulldog? I have been looking at outlaws or firefish. 20 foot range V-8s

[skidderman]

I am also looking for a jet boat.. Jetboater u must sell tj, explain how he was upgrading to a bulldog? I have been looking at outlaws or firefish. 20 foot range V-8s


I think you will find that the Outlaw's are well known and will hold their resale value better than some of the others. I expect that Outlaw will be around for a long time as well unlike some of the others. I don't have anything to do with Outlaw but had I bought their boat first I would still have it. Alicraft probably in the same catagory but styles are slightly different. Just my 2 cents.

[mountainman]

I own an Outlaw 16' Lynx Tuchodi Special with the 240SJ love the boat bottom is dam near indestructible.
Also have a close friend who bought a 21' Outlaw Muskwa with the biggest motor available and while an excellent big boat the bottom just wasn't that strong and he ended up having Ali-Craft put in more stringers and tying them all together plus adding QT100 and some more teflon after he had a couple bolts puncture the oil pan up on the Muskwa last fall.

But I am still a fan of Outlaw boats and would just recommend checking out the bottom to ensure it is strong enough to handle what you are going to do to it.

[325 wsm]

Harbercraft also uses a 160hp 4 stroke yamaha in some of their extreme series as well as the 220 optimax. Any of you know anything about or have experiences with them with the 160 4 stroker?

[hunter#1_300]

any one have a ominica built river boat out of PG. know a guy that says they go the farthest up muskwa with one and they did some work for are buddy to make his river boat wheelchair exsesible did a good job.

[mountainman]

Harbercraft also uses a 160hp 4 stroke yamaha in some of their extreme series as well as the 220 optimax. Any of you know anything about or have experiences with them with the 160 4 stroker?
I have heard that the J-Max is good on fuel but is under powered for the size of the boat. Stick with the 200 opti or 250 opti.

[bchunter4life]

fan boats are the way to go for extreme river condidtions

[Barracuda]

shallow yes , weeds yes, tight turns, boulders and whitewater????

i think one needs one of each boat:mrgreen:

[Barracuda]

i hope they take some pictures from when they are up the pitt:-D planning on doing it later in the week so would like to see conditions etc

[browningboy]

There was a big run going to the upper Pitt today, I missed out because I have to work!

[Jetboater]

we tore it up today... we made it just past corbould creek with very few hang ups....we all were beached at on point or another... the bottom jams were the best to play in...

[Barracuda]

any pictures?

[270WSMGB]

any one have a ominica built river boat out of PG. know a guy that says they go the farthest up muskwa with one and they did some work for are buddy to make his river boat wheelchair exsesible did a good job.


By far Omineca is a very good boat, definetly comparable to the 4 listed. Very tough boats. I have spent a lot of time on the river in these boats. The service factor is awesome. I wouldn't by any other now!

[bridger]

By far Omineca is a very good boat, definetly comparable to the 4 listed. Very tough boats. I have spent a lot of time on the river in these boats. The service factor is awesome. I wouldn't by any other now!


do they have a website?

[yama49]

bridger, heres the link http://www.ominecamarine.com/

[Jetboater]

running the Pitt, its hard to take pics and video when you are running....I will post more in a bit..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EiVq1MFAHyI

[Jetboater]

another one and a few pics coming
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oScTkbZPJMw
http://i175.photobucket.com/albums/w159/tnt3113/IMG_1692.jpg
http://i175.photobucket.com/albums/w159/tnt3113/IMG_1690.jpg
http://i175.photobucket.com/albums/w159/tnt3113/IMG_1693.jpg
http://i175.photobucket.com/albums/w159/tnt3113/IMG_1694.jpg
http://i175.photobucket.com/albums/w159/tnt3113/24789_351850829567_505264567_342252.jpg

[Jetboater]

http://i175.photobucket.com/albums/w159/tnt3113/24789_351850789567_505264567_342252.jpg
http://i175.photobucket.com/albums/w159/tnt3113/24789_351850779567_505264567_342252.jpg

[Maxx]

Awesome video and pics, thanks for sharing. That is a sweet little boat!

[Gilmore]

"Ali craft", out in Price George-builds some of the finest jet boats.

My Dad has a 21' Ali-Craft and it is tough as nails, and believe me it needs to be.

[FlyingHigh]

just curious, do those BullDog's come in a paint job other than camo? also, what the base price on one of those?

[Jetboater]

yes they do.... I will loook at the shop and PM you....

[~T-BONE~]

That was a good run to bad we all didnt stay a little longer. Tracey got some good shots!

[hunter#1_300]

check these custom weld boats out. this is the kind of boat are buddy in the wheel chair bought http://www.customweld.com/index.html some pritty crazy vids

[Rock Doctor]

Are you still looking for a boat?

I just talked to a friend who wants to sell his. He's an older fella, says his knees can't take boating any more:icon_frow. Anyway, his boat is for sale.

I don't know ALL the details, but here's some of it:

Ali-Craft, 18ft long, 8deg 1/4" bottom, 200hp SJ, 70hrs
The back 7ft of the bottom is Armoured, and almost 1/2" thick
Full plastic, 1/2" thick
9 Stringers
Window covers
Swim Grid
EZ-Clean
Travel and Camper Top
Tandem axle EZ-Loader Trailer

Cost almost 50 Grand new, 2yrs ago.

I have never seen the boat, but am told that it's in very nice shape, never run on the Tuchodi/Gatho/ ect.

PM for Name, Number, and Price.


RD

[leatherlungs]

I am looking at buying an 1986 18' Ali-Craft outboard. Is there any particular issues I should be aware of or are they a good boat?

[dryflyguy57]

Saw a couple of Firefish on the Stikine recently . Pretty incredible boats for skinny water .

[KBR]

17' firefish, 200 sportjet, love it and takes me everywhere i want to go. runs as shallow as u dare to go, good on fuel, been top of the muskwa, tuchodi etc. only other boat i would buy for up here is a shuman.. they also make great strong boats. bulldog is nice but 10K more than a fish and not built the same. my opinion. firefish fan....

[Kapow]

A few musts for a decent jetboat; 3/8 " delta pad. 1/2" even better. 1/4 " for the rest of the bottom. Uhmw. 10 degree or less deadrise. Atleast 7 stringers (depending on the deadrise). 9 even better. Outlaw and Firefish both have these standards. I'm sure Ali and Omineca do too. It's whats beneath the floor that counts and not how nice the interior is or how shiney the boat is like most of the boats built to sell in the states:wink:.

[pitbell]

There's nothing wrong with a Harbercraft. This is a 1775 Xtreme Duty w/ 200 Opti sport jet, 3/8" bottom w/ uhmw armor, 1/4" sides, 8 degree hull,
and 9 extruded stringers. And thousands less than the other brands to boot.

http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm51/bcandbeyond/1775XDUTY003.jpg

[Kapow]

I like it, whats it worth? arnt they built in Canada too?

[Jonny outdoors]

I went on my first trip with River jet adventures this fall and I think its a much better idea to just sit back and enjoy the show that Kevin puts on. I have a 19ft TJ with a sport jet and do enjoy, works well but after hearing some of the stories of what shape some of these rivers are like when the water get low ,no thanks. I was looking around at adding plastic to my boat and it seems to be around $6500.00 , thats not worth it for me .

Chad

[MattW]

Just starting to look for a boat for myself and my Dad so this is a pretty good thread. I just talked to one of my neighbours who has recently finished building a jetboat for himself powered by an Allison 250-C20 which is a turboshaft engine out of a Bell Jetranger helicopter, 400 hp and weighs 150 pounds. Don't know about parts availability on the Muskwa though!

[Rock Doctor]

I went on my first trip with River jet adventures this fall and I think its a much better idea to just sit back and enjoy the show that Kevin puts on. I have a 19ft TJ with a sport jet and do enjoy, works well but after hearing some of the stories of what shape some of these rivers are like when the water get low ,no thanks. I was looking around at adding plastic to my boat and it seems to be around $6500.00 , thats not worth it for me .

Chad

I just put new plastic on the bottom of my 18' Jetboat, last winter. Cost for materials was between $1,500 and $2,000 (Plastic, Bolts, Washers, Nuts, Beer, ect.)
It takes a bit of effort, but it's doable for the Backyard Mech.


RD