Hey all, i am starting the search for another jet boat and i figured you idaho guys would have a good suggestion or two on a manufacture to start lookiing at.
I am after a jet boat that i can attatch a remote troll and fish big lakes and also be used on the rivers steelhead and salmon fishing. I like to fish for everything.
I plan on this being the last fishing boat i ever buy (unless i sink it) so price isn't the issue at this point.
i am thinking 20' or better.
any suggestions, input, advice, pictures, testimonials, etc, are appreciated thanks in advance.
Kody
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Hells Canyon Marine, Bentz Boats, Bloodsworth boats............. Pretty spendy but those guys will treat you well. Another option is willie boats!
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I love my Thunder Jet. The only two boats I would look at if I did it over are the Duckworth and the TJet. Both are finished superbly and both can handle the big water! 21 to 23 is the length I considered because I didn't want a boat with a beam so wide that it sat above the trailer tires. To many problems launching and towing in the wind. There are some great deals on some slightly used boats if you watch Craigslist and the other West Coast sites.
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It sounds like you have experience with jet boats? My advice is know in advancwe what you want. You want the ultimate comfort, dryness and warmth, then a full on cab, forward steering unit....IE Duckworth, Thunderjet, Benz, etc, etc
You want the ultimate fishing machine, river agility etc then look more towards and open sled, either tiller steering or central console (Willie, Duckworth, Alumaweld, Northwriver,...the con is you are out in the weather.
It's a personal choice....with a big old jet boat that has an enclosed cab, to basically have the back of the boat to fish out of. An open sled, you have the entire boat. An open sled gives you more options on the river..IE side drifting, pulling plugs and bait divers....the big ol jet boat with a cab keeps you warm and dry, but all you will be doing on the river in bboat like this effectively is pulling plugs....
If comfort knowing that you are limiting your ways of fishing is priority..then great........if you want to be able to do it all, and understand with that come being exposed to the elements.....then go open sled...
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I bought a 23 foot custom weld whitewater special and loved it. two things i would do over is decide really where im going to use it and buy acordingly. was way more boat than i needed and on long days of fishing i was so tired of 10 to 11 gallons per hour and watching a buddy go everywhere i did just as comfortable in a smaller boat and use half the gas. But i have been in customweld weldcraft duckworth and alumaweld all great boats. forgot one last thing when it comes to pumps don't skimp a 3 stage pump gives you faster recovery time and better control when going slow.
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How about the one in my avatar. It is for sale. Thunder Jet, 19', 305 chevy, 08', never even pulled it out of the shop last year. I have to many hobbies.
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Thanks guys for all the input now i have somewhere to start. I currently fish out of a 18'flat bottom outboard jet and love the shallow water versatility but....... i need to get out of the weather and sun occassionally and it is not rapid water river worthy. So i need something enclosable for the rough weather days but i don't want to loose all the bow space either. I am not buying any time soon i am just doing my homework so i am completely satisfied.
Has anybody had experience with rogue jet boats
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If your a casual jet boater maybe going a couple times a month productions boats like thunderjet, customweld, duckworth are ok........... If your thinking of getting into some serious whitewater boating on a regular basis I would steer clear of these brands unless you like pulling up your floor and checking for cracked welds every so often. The typical brands I see running the serious whitewater day in and day out are Hells Canyon Marine (HCM), Bentz boats, Bloodsworth boats, and weldcraft boats. Bentz, Bloodsworth, and HCM are all located in the lewiston area for good reason. Maybe some specifics on where you will primarily be using your boat would help determine what would best suit your needs?
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STeelheadkid. i would be less than a casual boater, maybe hitting whitewater rivers 2-3 weeks a year, but i want that option when its time.
I fish all techniques trolling, downriggers, planer boards, bottom bounce, jig, cast, drift, if thats whats catching fish i am trying it. ponds, lakes, rivers, puddles if there is fish i want to fish it.
I have fished out of alot of different boats and i fish 80 or so days a year. personally i beat the outta everything i own so i need a shallow running, thick hulled boat, that i can fish in all weather e"fish" ently.
The weld crafts seem to be more universal, and the bloods worth and bents look like some whitwater running son of B's.
Thanks for the input the search is on.
kody
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What about Rod, tackle and safety equipment storage do those boats offer decent storage, say compared to a bass boat with rod lockers and such.????
thanks
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Those upper end of the spectrum builders would be more than willing to accomidate you as far as encorperating rod and tackle storage areas into the design. These guys are masters at utilizing space thats for sure! I'm not too sure about what the "other" manufacturers are willing to do.
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here's something close to what i am after, thanks for the help so far, any other reccomendations appreciated.
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Might want to check Pavati out. It is advertised as a lake boat so I am not sure about River useage. If they are anything like their drift boats it would be worth looking at.
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Those Pavati boats are advertised in the magazines with a jet option. Would be interesting to know how good they are on the rivers.
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