WeldCraft Jet

[neilsleder]

Not sure the cost. It’s not cheap either way. When they weld it on you don need to pull the interior so it’s a bit less work

 

[pfi572]

IMO
Spray the bottom with graphite and drive it and learn to drive it .
You add a bunch of weight to that boat and it’s going to hinder the performance big time.
Nice boat .

 

[gunner3006]

IMO
Spray the bottom with graphite and drive it and learn to drive it .
You add a bunch of weight to that boat and it’s going to hinder the performance big time.
Nice boat .

I think that’s what I’m going to do. See how it handles this summer. I was also wondering if anyone here has any thoughts on switching to fuel injection. Which kits and how it works with these risers and exhaust.

 

[HotShotHarry]

They only do that on new boats. Won’t do it if it’s been in the water.

Why is that Neil? Cant get the boat dry enough in between the seams? Poor adhesion?

 

[neilsleder]

Why is that Neil? Cant get the boat dry enough in between the seams? Poor adhesion?

Not sure why they can’t. That’s just what the dealer told me. I was asking about it and that’s what they told me. Aluminum is very porous so maybe the contaminants that or in the aluminum will will make it not stick? You would think if you sand blasted the bottom good it would stick.

 

[S.W.A.T.]

I think that’s what I’m going to do. See how it handles this summer. I was also wondering if anyone here has any thoughts on switching to fuel injection. Which kits and how it works with these risers and exhaust.

I wouldn't bother if it was me. The cost vs rewards probably isn't there. First jet = learning curve. Learn it and use it and when your ready and the time is right switch to what better suites you. You might find you don't use the jet enough and want to go to a prop or you might find most of your 7se requires more pupm/power then you would ever get out of the upgrade.

 

[pfi572]

What S.W.A.T said .
Just drive it . Carb’s worked for years and set up properly they work great .

 

[ABMax24]

I would agree with no full UHMW on that boat, a narrow strip on the keel might be a good compromise.

Get it out on the Wapiti in spring and let'er buck

 

[gunner3006]

Right on. Well thanks guys. Looking forward to it. I grew up with boats but never jets and never on skinny water. Looking forward to getting the kids out enjoying the water.

Cheers.
Chadd

 

[174mcx]

I agree as well, drive as is... Putting plastic on that boat doesn't make it any stronger on the bottom and adds a lot of weight affecting performance. Its not a rock bashing boat and that won't change with plastic, you'll love it as is, the fun is getting out on the river on a beautiful day with friends and family.

 

[Chrisco]

No plastic guys WTF ??? Hes talking about skinny water with no plastic ???

 

[174mcx]

A 4-5 stringer boat with a 3/16 bottom will not take hitting much, with or without plastic. The only benefit to plastic would be getting off a gravel bar once stuck, your still going to have a dent it will just be under the plastic.

 

[Chrisco]

A 4-5 stringer boat with a 3/16 bottom will not take hitting much, with or without plastic. The only benefit to plastic would be getting off a gravel bar once stuck, your still going to have a dent it will just be under the plastic.

Yeah for sure but in Alberta we need uhmw,its the difference between not getting stuck and being stuck. Not to mention when you are stuck pushing off is night and day with uhmw.

 

[pfi572]

You don’t need UHMW !!! Learn to drive and read the river and what the water is doing .
Use designed boat for water and rivers it’s made for .
Like I said with graphite spray and keep it touched up . Slides like crazy on gravel or rocks .
On a little boat or a boat designed for shallow water ?? YES for UHMW if you want it .
Ask a New Zealand fella about UHMW and they laugh .

 

[S.W.A.T.]

You don’t need UHMW !!! Learn to drive and read the river and what the water is doing .
Use designed boat for water and rivers it’s made for .
Like I said with graphite spray and keep it touched up . Slides like crazy on gravel or rocks .
On a little boat or a boat designed for shallow water ?? YES for UHMW if you want it .
Ask a New Zealand fella about UHMW and they laugh .

^^^^^^ what he says.

 

[NoBrakes!]

I have only had QT100 keel protection on any boat but I don't live in GP... I wonder how the UHMW does on sand once stuck? I've heard its good on rocks/gravel but sticks to sand. NZ has a weird shale in their rivers, I'm sure it gets lodged into uhmw.

 

[LennyR]

had uhmw on my 21 ft 8 degree, it was fine, but due to unfortunate circumstances, had to have the bottom replaced. Didn't put the plastic back on but did do a QT 100 keel strip. as said plastic offers 0 strength, and if you do knock a little leak somewhere , its a PITA to find it. No issues whatsoever, love the lack of weight, only downside is more water/hull noise. I have a 15.5 ft Bandit ,full plastic, awesome little boat and I've hit hundreds of rocks, bottoms still perfect plastics in good shape. Makes sense on the little boat to me , not so much on big boat. If you think plastic is mandatory on boat, it better have a tuff bottom, and the one the OP is talking about is not a tuff bottom. The graphite spray makes the boat just as slippery on sandy beaches and gravel as the UHMW, takes a bit of maintenance to keep it covered, but you're not hauling around 500 lbs to make it slide.

 

[gunner3006]

had uhmw on my 21 ft 8 degree, it was fine, but due to unfortunate circumstances, had to have the bottom replaced. Didn't put the plastic back on but did do a QT 100 keel strip. as said plastic offers 0 strength, and if you do knock a little leak somewhere , its a PITA to find it. No issues whatsoever, love the lack of weight, only downside is more water/hull noise. I have a 15.5 ft Bandit ,full plastic, awesome little boat and I've hit hundreds of rocks, bottoms still perfect plastics in good shape. Makes sense on the little boat to me , not so much on big boat. If you think plastic is mandatory on boat, it better have a tuff bottom, and the one the OP is talking about is not a tuff bottom. The graphite spray makes the boat just as slippery on sandy beaches and gravel as the UHMW, takes a bit of maintenance to keep it covered, but you're not hauling around 500 lbs to make it slide.

Thanks Lenny. Who did you get to do your keel strip?

 

[LennyR]

Thanks Lenny. Who did you get to do your keel strip?

Jetcraft did the bottom. Pretty much everything in the water they changed , so now has a Jetcraft bottom and intake . I'm very satisfied with their work , IMO probably hands down the best hull , does everything well, and certainly built as strong as the competitors. Runs so efficiently on plane and with the 8 degree it works really well, runs very shallow at low speed. Bratt hull is a very close second in my mind . You're gonna have a hoot with that new boat , looking forward to seeing you out there. Gotta remember tho, it's not a bash the rocks kinda boat, won't work out well.

 

[gunner3006]

Thanks Lenny. Jetcraft seems to be the go-to for around here. We will get out for a spin. This -30 weather has be dreaming about the water.

Cheers
Chadd