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Jason
Joined: 25 Mar 2007 Posts: 6 Location: Peace River
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Posted: Mon Mar 26, 2007 10:45 pm Post subject: Hi everybody! I've got some questions... |
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Hi everybody. Lots of great info on this site. I'm looking for a boat this spring, and I think i've narrowed it down to a sportjet. I'm new to jet boats, but i'd like to learn as much as I can before I pull the trigger on one this spring.
I'll be running around the Peace area, but also want to use it for the occasional ski/ wakeboard trip on the lake. I'd like to be able to fit four of five people.
Should I buy a 15, or a 16X? Should I look for a good used one, or buy new?
Does anyone have any good used ones for sale?
Sorry for all the questions. Hope to learn a lot from this awesome site.
Thanks |
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MISSBHAVEN
Joined: 20 Jun 2005 Posts: 310 Location: Grande Prairie, Alberta
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Posted: Mon Mar 26, 2007 11:28 pm Post subject: |
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My advice is to test drive both a 16-17 sport jet and a 19 ft Sport with a ZZ4, or at least go for a ride in each, better yet go for a ride in as many boats as you can before you buy. _________________ It's always the Navigators fault! |
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AR
Joined: 23 Jun 2005 Posts: 181 Location: Iowa, USA
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Posted: Tue Mar 27, 2007 8:30 am Post subject: |
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If you don't want'a be disappointed, show up with your slalom ski and rope for the Demo ride . . .
And 3 or 4 friends for a little extra weight . . .
You'll be look'in for something with a BBC in it ! _________________ I refuse to join a group that would allow a person like me to be a member. |
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reeder
Joined: 14 Dec 2006 Posts: 177 Location: Grande Prairie, AB, Canada
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Posted: Tue Mar 27, 2007 9:05 am Post subject: |
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Jason, I was in the same boat as you (so to speak) and ended up buying an 21 ft. Eagle E6 Sabre with a stock 350 chev. If you want to ski, a sportjet is not the way to go. Last summer I tried skiing behind a Lynx with a 240 sportjet just to see how it would work and it took me about 100 yards or more to get up (that's no joke) and I'm only about 170 lbs. Pulling a tube wasn't the best either, but did work O.K. This is why I didn't go with a sportjet although they are amazing for the rivers. If you're planning on putting 5 people in a boat you'll need bigger than a 15 or 16ft. I could be out to lunch with my set-up up too because I haven't tried it yet (might need BBC power) but will find out this summer. Good luck hunting! |
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AR
Joined: 23 Jun 2005 Posts: 181 Location: Iowa, USA
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Posted: Tue Mar 27, 2007 10:13 am Post subject: |
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There's no substitute for a BBC if you want a good Ski Boat that will haul your gear and friends !
You need a Jet to get to the glass smooth water and an adjustable up and down nozzle to control the roost.
Been there, do'in that.
Then you'll need a ballast tank for bigger wakes, for bigger air. _________________ I refuse to join a group that would allow a person like me to be a member. |
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Bald Man The Myth.... The Legend
Joined: 22 Jun 2005 Posts: 654 Location: Under the bridge
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Posted: Tue Mar 27, 2007 10:22 am Post subject: |
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Depending how much lake / river boating you'll be doing, it's alot like driving a street bike on the trials and a dirt bike on the road.
I feel that a 19' sport with a ZZ4 or ZZ383 is the best boat going for a dual purpose boat. It will run the lake (on good days), but is at home on all but the skinniest rivers (very skinny). A 16' Sportjet type boat is not big enough to haul 4 people and have fun at the same time. Some will argue that point, but they are best with 2 people and a little river under it. Also, that 2 stroke will drive most nutz on a long trip in one those boats (again debatable). Nothing like a V-8.
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Mike R
Joined: 23 Nov 2005 Posts: 27
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Posted: Tue Mar 27, 2007 10:27 am Post subject: |
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You don't need a pig block to ski. But a 15 to 17' boat with 5 people would be rather cozy, too cozy for me. the smaller boats with a sbc are great for tubeing and decent for skiing.
AR, what boat do you have that you need a pig block to pull skiers? |
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AR
Joined: 23 Jun 2005 Posts: 181 Location: Iowa, USA
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Posted: Tue Mar 27, 2007 11:01 am Post subject: |
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Just take your friends and ski and try it before you buy it ! _________________ I refuse to join a group that would allow a person like me to be a member. |
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finally conviced her
Joined: 14 Aug 2006 Posts: 162 Location: Lacombe, AB
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Posted: Tue Mar 27, 2007 12:39 pm Post subject: |
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AR is right if you have a chance test drive everything you can.
My 16' ZZ4 powered boat will pull who ever I put behind it but theres only room for three adults in it. I don't know why but it doesn't seem to be as nice a boat to drive on the lake as it is in skinny water. A more seasoned jet boater may be able to tell you why.
Bald Man is also right. Listening to a sport jet all day would drive me postal. |
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Arthur Outlaw Eagle Admin
Joined: 28 Oct 2006 Posts: 1654 Location: On the rocks
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Terry Meachem
Joined: 16 Jun 2005 Posts: 48
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Posted: Tue Mar 27, 2007 2:08 pm Post subject: some choices |
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The 17X Sport with a 250 Opti Max should have the power to do what you want. The 19 Sport with a 5.7 BFI would have more power but also heavier if you are thinking of running some skinny water. I tried to reply to your e-mail but it would not go through.
Terry Meachem
Sales
Outlaw Eagle Manufacturing |
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Jason
Joined: 25 Mar 2007 Posts: 6 Location: Peace River
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Posted: Tue Mar 27, 2007 8:33 pm Post subject: |
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Thanks for all the help guys!
Obviously, since i'm VERY new to this, there won't be any skinny water runnin for the first year or so. I'd like something decent on fuel, but I guess if a sportjet is loaded down, it's probably as much of a pig as anything. Not too interested in a big block, never liked them. If anything, i'm on the fence with either small block power in something slightly bigger, or a sportjet. Is there a big price difference between the two setups? I haven't priced anything out yet.
What kind of mileage difference is there between the two?
Thanks again guys, for helping a clueless guy out. |
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Bald Man The Myth.... The Legend
Joined: 22 Jun 2005 Posts: 654 Location: Under the bridge
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Posted: Tue Mar 27, 2007 10:23 pm Post subject: |
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V-8,,,,, Only. |
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reeder
Joined: 14 Dec 2006 Posts: 177 Location: Grande Prairie, AB, Canada
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Posted: Tue Mar 27, 2007 11:55 pm Post subject: |
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I agree with the bald one. Generally a bigger boat with a V8 will cost you more but may be worth it in the end if you want to do lakes as well as rivers. Considering that these boats hold their value extremely well, there really is no risk in purchasing the bigger boat with more engine as long as your budget will allow it. |
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Jason
Joined: 25 Mar 2007 Posts: 6 Location: Peace River
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Posted: Tue Mar 27, 2007 11:58 pm Post subject: |
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reeder wrote: | I agree with the bald one. Generally a bigger boat with a V8 will cost you more but may be worth it in the end if you want to do lakes as well as rivers. Considering that these boats hold their value extremely well, there really is no risk in purchasing the bigger boat with more engine as long as your budget will allow it. |
Kinda what I was thinking too. They're definitely not a sled, that's for sure... |
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