Shallow water boats.

[wolfed]

I'm in the market for a shallow water river boat. I mostly boat on the Peace river and tributaries, at least once a year I like to go to the Mackenzie in NWT so the boat has to be versatile to some extent. I currently own an older Duckworth Pro-Steelheader ||| which I'm looking to sell, this is my first boat so I'm not very familiar with a lot of boats, its a nice boat but it's just to heavy and deep for my taste. Just looking for some advice what I should be looking for or what to avoid.

[The Fisherman Guy]

I don't think you can go wrong with an Outlaw.

[wolfed]

How about a 21 foot phantom sport jon with a 200 optimax how are they on to rocks.

[EZM]

HarberCraft / Kingfisher Extreme Duty ........... a serious skinny water set up.

- 8 degree dead rise for operation in skinny water
- Poly Skid to glide over rocks and obsticales over a thick armor plated bottom
- Light, yet well structured
- Chuck Norris endorsed

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o0GjS33qj-0

[mtnluvr]

Ive been running a Firefish 17' piranha for the last 4 years and it has been awesome. Been all over from Wapiti to Tuchodi and as many points in between as possible. Amazing shallow water capability yet still breaks through waves and rapids. Great all around unit.

[50/50]

8 deg will run the shallowest, but the roughest on waves. 15 deg will need more water, but will cut through waves.

UHMW will allow to slide over rocks instead of grabbing and sticking.

The sportjets that I had were to loud (in the cockpit ) even with extra insulation, that was my #1 reason for getting rid of it. went with a 5.7 and Hamilton.

For the Peace / smoky you can run just about any boat. My preference would be a 1/4 min wings on a 12 deg, 3/8 on a 8 deg, both with umhw, keel strip only or full . Should have a few extra stringers in there.

A good stomp grate is usually standard.Get the biggest fuel tanks you can : then you can decide how much fuel to take.

I currently run a Thunder jet Bulldog. I have slid it over a few rock bars on the Murray and wapiti with no damage, but I would hate to ground it as its pretty heavy.

[Dale S]

Originally Posted by The Fisherman Guy

I don't think you can go wrong with an Outlaw.

Outlaws work well.

[wolfed]

I'm dealing on a explorer 162dc which has a 6 degree hul big mistake or no.

[Safety D]

Awesome boat. Make sure she has a 60 40

[YAFORDDIESEL]

Hi,

with jet boats it all about you get what you pay for!

i recommend you get a ride in a firefish, or a outlaw before you do anything!
the more bells and whistles the more the investment.
i spent too year trying to get a 18.5foot teflon bottomed boat.

35000.00 later i got a quailty boat!
sportjet 200

covers
seats floors
two batteries
fish finder.


when a GOOD outlaw boat comes up for sale its gone Fast.

[Dale S]

Originally Posted by wolfed

I'm dealing on a explorer 162dc which has a 6 degree hul big mistake or no.

You need to figure out exactly what your going to use it for. The rivers you talk about are big long rivers. Lots of traveling which means lots of fuel. Which means more weight to carry. Now put all your gear in for those long trips. Which means more weight. Get your buddies in the boat and you have a full load. The smaller the boat and motor you have the less weight you can carry. And less speed to travel. The boat your looking at, is a good boat in the right circumstances. Day trips with your fishing buddies. But if you want to spend 3 days and nights on the Mackenzie with your fishing buddies, you will need something bigger and faster. A 20ft with a V8 motor for something like that. I know 2 guys that had the explorer 162dc. They both upgraded within 2 years. There just to slow and you need more water than inboards.
We are on the Oldman River 90% of the time ,you need to go shallow. The Oldman is 90% rocks,some 200 yard long gravel bars with 2 to 3 inches of water running over them. Those conditions are hard on outboards. Ask Wayne Cristie about hitting big rocks in the Oldman. I think its was a $400 new boot on his outboard jet.
I use mine for over night trips on the Oldman. And lots of day fishing trips. So I went small. A 16ft Outlaw Lynx with full Teflon on the bottom. It has a 175 sportjet in it and a steering wheel. Nothing else in the boat. I use lawn chairs for seats. At night I set up the full canopy and set up 2 cots. That's living.
It weighs 1800lbs. dry. 2 guys can push it off a gravel bar. You get a 20ft jetboat stuck you better have a winch.
With all the different boats that are available. You need to figure out which ones for you.

[Dale S]

[QUOTE=YAFORDDIESEL;2494956]Hi,

with jet boats it all about you get what you pay for!
when a GOOD outlaw boat comes up for sale its gone Fast.[/QUOTE


You have to act fast and have your money ready to go. Found mine used took 6 months.

[Dark]

Originally Posted by EZM

HarberCraft / Kingfisher Extreme Duty ........... a serious skinny water set up.

- 8 degree dead rise for operation in skinny water
- Poly Skid to glide over rocks and obsticales over a thick armor plated bottom
- Light, yet well structured
- Chuck Norris endorsed

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o0GjS33qj-0

I would say that video said it all.
Nice job!!!!

[Mulestalker]

Originally Posted by wolfed

I'm dealing on a explorer 162dc which has a 6 degree hul big mistake or no.

I run a 162DC on the RD River,for my purpose its perfect! I set it up to fish w/ 80lb 24v terrova, \Bird FF,etc. I can run water as skinny as my toe of my boot..as I found out last year...Runs about 22-23mph with gear ,2guys and a turd hound..

[wolfed]

Sweet sounds like you got a 60/40 on there, the sales at explorer said I could do about 30 mph. with a 70/50. About what is the payload on your boat, and how quick are these boats to get on step?

[Mulestalker]

Yes,60/40 4stk. I would say 28 with just myself (gps) About 3 secs to be on step, have filed the impeller a few times so would improve with a new one.

[wolfed]

Would you say this was a good boat to spend a couple days on the river 2 or 3 guys and some gear?

[Mulestalker]

2 maybe,3 no.

Like previous poster said, one would want a little more power/comfort if doing any multi day trips,time one gets gear,etc plus 3 guys its going to weigh/slow down big time.
Its a perfect boat for a day trip for 2, or evening out fishing...thats what I bought it for...5 mins and Im in the water!

[Traps]

I am running a 90 hp on a 17 foot harbercraft, boat weighs 1000 lbs. 16 deg. dead rise and center console. For fishing out of its fantastic, can handle four foot waves before it gets too crazy and it sips fuel. The bad is the payload is only 700 lbs and no Teflon, but boat is only setup for big rivers with the prop on it.

[wolfed]

I bought a Explorer 162dc with a 90/65 we'll see how we like it. I would like to thank everyone for their input.

[bigD1979]

What do you guys think of the King Fisher Extreme Shallow water in a 18 foot. They are a bit cheaper, just wondering how tough?

[wolfed]

My new boat.

[Lund rebel]

Nice