Best way to get into Jet Boating?

Clode

Active VIP Member
Joined
Jan 8, 2012
Messages
29,549
Reaction score
46,586
Location
BC
Any dickering or how did the deal go down?

I took him for a ride in in it and there very little change in the price, I didn't need to sell it so I was pretty firm on the price
 

skegpro

Active VIP Member
Joined
May 11, 2009
Messages
9,930
Reaction score
21,329
Location
In them hills.
My boat sold in 4 days, I guess I should have asked more $$$$. I suggest waiting for a year or two to buy a boat, prices can't stay this high....
Agreed.
Screenshot_20210701-200237.jpg
 

UkrainianMudKing

Active VIP Member
Joined
Apr 16, 2007
Messages
368
Reaction score
649
Location
Edmonton
Ok I have a question, I have a family, Wife, and two kids under ten, also two dogs. What size of boat should I be looking for? I was thinking the Explorer industries 172, let me hear your opinions.
 

NoBrakes!

Active VIP Member
Joined
Nov 13, 2011
Messages
6,312
Reaction score
12,762
Location
Edmonton
not a lot of Explorer guys on here... I think they're a cheaper basic boat that gets the job done.

I would be looking at a 19' boat or bigger? 2 kids will eventually be adults and you'll have a friend tag along.

I am in a 21 narrow sport.. fits the wife and kid, not a "family boat" by any stretch.
 

neilsleder

Active VIP Member
Joined
Oct 18, 2009
Messages
9,618
Reaction score
17,005
Location
Leduc Alberta
Ok I have a question, I have a family, Wife, and two kids under ten, also two dogs. What size of boat should I be looking for? I was thinking the Explorer industries 172, let me hear your opinions.

Explorer boats are good from far but far from good! They work good but quality is low probably the worst welds in the boat business I’ve seen. Being an outboard it’s not made for packing weight and slow. For the price you can find a nice in board jet for that money and will be much happier in the long run. Not to mention Dave at explorer is a tool! If you want something on your boat he doesn’t want he won’t fo it!
 

NoBrakes!

Active VIP Member
Joined
Nov 13, 2011
Messages
6,312
Reaction score
12,762
Location
Edmonton
Uk you should take a drive to Sylvan Lake and Red Deer to see the guys at the Firefish, Bratt, and Eagle shops. Even if you're not going new, go talk to the guys who have been building the best custom boats for years, they're in your back yard.... I'm not sure how the any of the larger factory builds are but the Kingfisher guys that I know are happy. I have a couple buddies who are on their second Weldcraft now and swear by them.
 

neilsleder

Active VIP Member
Joined
Oct 18, 2009
Messages
9,618
Reaction score
17,005
Location
Leduc Alberta
Uk you should take a drive to Sylvan Lake and Red Deer to see the guys at the Firefish, Bratt, and Eagle shops. Even if you're not going new, go talk to the guys who have been building the best custom boats for years, they're in your back yard.... I'm not sure how the any of the larger factory builds are but the Kingfisher guys that I know are happy. I have a couple buddies who are on their second Weldcraft now and swear by them.

Not sure about you but I can’t stand the side window in the weld craft boats lol. It’s not the same shape as the frame.
 

NoBrakes!

Active VIP Member
Joined
Nov 13, 2011
Messages
6,312
Reaction score
12,762
Location
Edmonton
Ya I’m pretty partial to the old school welded windows. Gotta try something different though I guess, or they’d all be too similar.
 

06 Dragon

Active VIP Member
Joined
Nov 17, 2006
Messages
2,184
Reaction score
3,968
Location
Red Deer County
One like this, if you can find one.
 

Attachments

  • 03556471-13E4-48F0-A60F-03A8EE7ECC5D.jpeg
    03556471-13E4-48F0-A60F-03A8EE7ECC5D.jpeg
    440.3 KB · Views: 182
  • 25073348-5FB0-40C9-945E-881ED04166CD.jpeg
    25073348-5FB0-40C9-945E-881ED04166CD.jpeg
    426.3 KB · Views: 176
  • D22AB316-72B7-43FE-8F40-7A9DC4666E9F.jpeg
    D22AB316-72B7-43FE-8F40-7A9DC4666E9F.jpeg
    450.3 KB · Views: 176
  • C92A5C50-173E-4BE1-9C9E-66426DB53EB6.jpeg
    C92A5C50-173E-4BE1-9C9E-66426DB53EB6.jpeg
    489.8 KB · Views: 184
  • 2F179C86-2231-4F27-899D-C3B635A3E461.jpeg
    2F179C86-2231-4F27-899D-C3B635A3E461.jpeg
    249.8 KB · Views: 179

06 Dragon

Active VIP Member
Joined
Nov 17, 2006
Messages
2,184
Reaction score
3,968
Location
Red Deer County
It all depends on the waters you want to run. Your first river/jet boat will more then likely not be the correct one for what you want run. Most prop less boaters are on boat #3 plus. And or have more then one boat. So many variations between hull designs, pump and engine combinations. Are you carrying a heavy load, or just ripping it on skinny narrow channels. Deeper waters with large rapids, etc. camping on or off the boat. Do your research, go out with some folks on their boats and good luck. Good information on other forums as well. Mean Chicken, Outlaw Eagle and so on.
If you are down the Red Deer way. Pm me and we can go for a ride in one of mine.
 

The Kickass One

Active VIP Member
Joined
Jan 13, 2009
Messages
1,548
Reaction score
6,686
Location
Out There
It all depends on the waters you want to run. Your first river/jet boat will more then likely not be the correct one for what you want run. Most prop less boaters are on boat #3 plus. And or have more then one boat. So many variations between hull designs, pump and engine combinations. Are you carrying a heavy load, or just ripping it on skinny narrow channels. Deeper waters with large rapids, etc. camping on or off the boat. Do your research, go out with some folks on their boats and good luck. Good information on other forums as well. Mean Chicken, Outlaw Eagle and so on.
If you are down the Red Deer way. Pm me and we can go for a ride in one of mine.

Totally agree... I’ve got 2 jet boats now and I only started less than 2 years ago. 1 boat can do just about anything as it’s super nimble and light in 17 foot no bones boat, the other is heavy as fawk but super wicked as a bigger river lake boat that can run skinny at speed but I would not want it to ever get stuck.
 

Attachments

  • 955CC0EB-961A-4459-8230-3E0706C5E581.jpeg
    955CC0EB-961A-4459-8230-3E0706C5E581.jpeg
    414.3 KB · Views: 186

Clode

Active VIP Member
Joined
Jan 8, 2012
Messages
29,549
Reaction score
46,586
Location
BC
I really liked my Ali-craft but I will probably go back to an air-boat. I really like the fact that air-boats don't care about dirty water, weeds, skinny water etc. The only major drawback is the noise but noise cancelling communication is amazing now so talking in the air-boat would be much nicer nowadays. I really like the Muskwa air and I will see where things are in 5 years and I may get one built. I had many crazy adventures in Dads air-boat, they are so much fun.
 

neilsleder

Active VIP Member
Joined
Oct 18, 2009
Messages
9,618
Reaction score
17,005
Location
Leduc Alberta
I really liked my Ali-craft but I will probably go back to an air-boat. I really like the fact that air-boats don't care about dirty water, weeds, skinny water etc. The only major drawback is the noise but noise cancelling communication is amazing now so talking in the air-boat would be much nicer nowadays. I really like the Muskwa air and I will see where things are in 5 years and I may get one built. I had many crazy adventures in Dads air-boat, they are so much fun.

Always thought they would be fun in the winter ripping across fields and down pipe lines.
 

Clode

Active VIP Member
Joined
Jan 8, 2012
Messages
29,549
Reaction score
46,586
Location
BC
Always thought they would be fun in the winter ripping across fields and down pipe lines.

They are little scary on ice, they go really fast lol and it's not cool when sliding sideways, just waiting to roll. We never used dads in the winter much, it was like a Florida air-boat, no wind protection or heater.
 

neilsleder

Active VIP Member
Joined
Oct 18, 2009
Messages
9,618
Reaction score
17,005
Location
Leduc Alberta
They are little scary on ice, they go really fast lol and it's not cool when sliding sideways, just waiting to roll. We never used dads in the winter much, it was like a Florida air-boat, no wind protection or heater.

Bet the windchill factor is pretty high on them lol
 
Top Bottom