Jet boat advice

[Idahodoo]

Hi,
I'm looking to get a jet boat and would appreciate any advise on what would to get. I live in southeast Idaho and want to be able to fish the south fork, snake, salmon & still fill comfortable on lakes like American Falls when the weather hits.

I have looked @ lots of boats & went fishing on the snake below AF in a new 2010 Wooldridge 17 Alaskan with 2006 150 Evinrude the other evening . All that did is make me want a jet even more

I'm pretty sure I want a SJ or outboard just not sure what brand of boat would work best for all around applications. Tomorrow I am going to look @ a new Rouge Marine 18' Scrambler I think is the model.

I called on a I thought a great deal Monday witch was a 1999 Hewescraft riverrunner 21' with 175 SJ loaded and clean for 13900 but sold 2 days before. Dar-nit I think

Anyhow thanks in advance for all advice on what to get.

Jon

[MTRiverRunner]

Depending on where you want to run the Salmon and the Snake (how many rapids are there), you may want something with a little higher sides than a riverrunner or a Wooldridge. Also outboards and sport jets are not known for their whitewater capabilities (especially the outboards).
Figure out the size of boat that you think you need, then get one AT LEAST 2 feet longer. If you get the size that you think you need at first you will be wishing for a bigger boat really quick.

[zracer]

Something else to consider is fuel economy. Outboards have their advantages but they can really burn the fuel. My old 18' boat had a 150hp 2 stroke Merc and it burned 10gph, our new boat with a 454 burns 8gph.

I can't speak to fuel burn on the larger 4 strokes outboards or Sportjets, never had one.

As a data point, my old boat was an 18' Almar with a 150hp XR2, wide open 34mph gps. Three guys and camping gear it would barely get on plane.

[Hell Yes]

There are alot of good deals on used boats, you did not indicate your budget limits but buy more than you think you need. I have been on American Falls in the wind . Buy a 20-22 with a Hamilton 212 and a 350 or better. Look for deals, they are all around you.Sportjets are noisy.And the noise is not as neat as a V8!!!