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Posts: 4
| I live in WV where most of our best holes are in area's that are hard reach. I've been looking for the right jet outboard/boat combo, any idea's? It's going to get beat around pretty good on our shallow riffles and rocks, so it's gotta be tough! |
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Posts: 1405
Location: Detroit River | Check out http://www.rockproofboats.com/
http://www.makelure.com/boat.cfm
Edited by Zib 1/15/2014 8:04 PM
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Posts: 4
| Hey, thanks! I'll check them out. It's hard to find a jet around here... |
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Posts: 49
| I fish the New River over here in Virginia and I've been real pleased with my G3 1860. It's got a 90/65 yamaha jet on it and I don't hesitate to run it in water as shallow as 8". The hull is .100 thick aluminum. Also check out James River Jets. The guy that owns it builds his boats on Rhino hulls which are .125 thick aluminum and can even put the uhmw on the bottom to make it bulletproof. My grand dad has one and loves it. The rockproof boats are nice too, but 30 grand on a river jet just seemed a bit too rich for my blood. Also check out Blazer jet boats out of Missouri.
Edited by Coondog 1/15/2014 9:33 PM
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Posts: 4
| Thanks coondog, yeah I hate to pay that big money just to beat it around... |
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Posts: 149
| I have a Duracraft with a 60/40 Yamaha. It's been good to me. I fished from Rockproof, James River and Sea Ark outboard jets. All of them are built to take a beating. The uhmw bottom is a great option.
If you are running rocky rivers without a lot of weeds, the inboard jets are really sweet. Rockproof and RiverPro are both nice.
Harrisburg PA Craigslist always has a few jets listed. |
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Posts: 483
Location: NE PA | I have a g3 hp180 with a 225 merc jet on it and it has taken a pretty good beating without much of an issue. I run the Susquehanna regularly and my only recommendation would be to get a UHMW foot for the jet unit itself.
I have hit the foot a few times since with no real damage other than a few bent fins.
if you have deep pockets and are looking for a new boat, a rockproof, as mentioned above is a good option or if you want more of a ''bass style'' boat that runs super shallow look at the riverpros. Kevin Turner makes some very sharp river rigs and has been experimenting with UHMW.
Edited by lennyg3 1/17/2014 10:39 AM
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Posts: 994
Location: Minnesota: where it's tough to be a sportsfan! | Check out a River Pro, they are build to Last. Not sure if they are still doing customs or not. I also like War Eagle's. |
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Posts: 358
| Rockproof, River Pro great boats and G3 1860 CCTJ is what I have with a 115/80 Yamaha and love it. |
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Posts: 4
| Thanks everyone....unfortunately my pockets are married so a used boat is probably what I will have to go with. I have a 17' spectrum with a 40 hp 2 stroke outboard that I can sell or trade for one. |
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Posts: 54
Location: River | i love my sea ark. 18' long 7' wide with a 45 Merc jet on the back. i get around 30 mph and i can run very shallow. Ill do 3 or 4 inches if its gravel or sand. i try to stay away from boulders and bedrock. |
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Posts: 555
Location: Tennessee | RiverPro and RiverRocket are awesome but pricey. I'd look into the SeaArk boats. According to the local sales guy, lifetime hull puncture warranty, they are lighter than the G3s, although I love the 1656/1860 CCJ layout, and you can customize them from the factory almost any way you want from storage to console location. Depending on your needs, you should be able to get into a 16-17ft with like a 60/40 give or take for under 20k rigged out. |
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Posts: 21
| Check the Harrisburg Craigslist... always a number of jet outboards on there. Don't let anyone talk you into a 25/20 even on a small boat they suck. |
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Posts: 410
Location: one foot over the line | Perhaps another option for you would be a go-devil boat and motor. You will not be able to break this rig and you can go shallower than any jet, plus go right through the thickest weed patches imaginable and jump 5 foot beaver dams. I have one of these and use it for hunting and fishing both, and the package price comes in around 10,000 new or there are usually used ones around. I've always said that if i can only have one boat, this would be the one because it does everything. |
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Posts: 68
| Yes a mm will take you anywhere but nowhere in a hurry. I wouldn't trade my longtail rig for anything but a bigger longtail rig. Lets me get to areas that no other hunter can but rarely take it fishing unless waters low and can't atleast idle up with my outboard. ABSOLUTELY no fun to drive! Atleast with a jet you could run a kicker. Both suck with a load but jet is much more capable of hauling some extra weight. |
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Posts: 410
Location: one foot over the line | I ran a long-tail for years, and yes they are not great to fish out of. However, the 35hp short-shaft that i have been running the last 6 years..... much better to fish out of and with an empty load i'm seeing speeds at 32mph, full load i'm looking at 26 and an absolute hoot to drive (and an extra extra full load, 4guys, 3 dogs, guns,gear, ammo...in a 16' boat, i still got on plane and hit 20mph). You don't have to worry about anything, grip-it-and-rip-it! beat the livin snot out of it. With a 55#tm on the bow, this rig can do it all. those long-tails turn into dogs as soon as you add some weight to the boat. |
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Posts: 455
| Had a 1994 roughneck that was a decent boat. I welded 1/8" aluminum plating between the strakes of the all welded hull and no rock could sink me. Without plating not so much. A friend of mine has a newer style boat with some kind of Kevlar on the bottom that seams a bit lighter and easier to slide over rocks. If you can find a boat with the Kevlar go with that. I ran that boat on the Delaware river witch can be dangerous if your not careful and no problems whatsoever. As others said you need a big enough motor to get on plane fast. |
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Posts: 994
Location: Minnesota: where it's tough to be a sportsfan! | Had a buddy contact RiverPro on a used one and they had a guide boat out there with a guide trying to sell it. He was able to get the boat and save a few thou. worth a try |
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Posts: 116
| an ostensibly knowledgeable fellow recommended War Eagle heavy gauge aluminum boat for such fishing, but I went with a fiberglass boat since my true love is deep structure reservoir fishing (hold the rocks). |
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Posts: 3518
Location: north central wisconsin | eyeone - 2/12/2014 1:46 PM
Check the Harrisburg Craigslist... always a number of jet outboards on there. Don't let anyone talk you into a 25/20 even on a small boat they suck.
Yes it sucks, water in the bottom, and out the back, quite nicely. I run a 25/20 merc jet on a 14' Crestliner jon(small casting deck up front/big bench seat to stand on in back). I weigh over 200lbs, and can put another guy in the boat with a few rods and tackle and get on plane very quickly, with cruising speed just under 20mph. It isn't the sexiest rig on the river, but the little I paid, is a great 2nd or 3rd boat. I have another friend with the same motor and runs a 14' lightweight tracker, and it hauls the mail with two guys and gear just fine. |
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Location: Eastern Ontario | I like to fish a small local river on weekends when the lake is too busy for selfish me. My 12 foot tinny has come to the end of its useful life so I would like to get a small probably 14 foot jon boat. In one of Tanner Wild's videos he had a small jon that had a small tunnel for the motor. Does anyone know what make that would be I was unable to make it out but liked the idea.
Don't want to spend a fortune as I'm also looking for another boat to leave down at the 1000 islands and bought new boat last year. My wife thinks I'm crazy and she may be right.
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Posts: 383
| Another option in a little different direction... http://toweemarine.com/
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Posts: 149
| I believe Alumacraft makes a tunnel hull for props. |
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