I got my ocean vessel now I am in the market for a sled.
I want a small sled either 15 to 17 feet built with high grade/marine grade thick aluminum with outboard power.
What are your recommendations; positive and negative comments are welcome?

Thanks

North River 17'10" Mariner.

Yamaha outboard power.

Hey Weedhopper you look like you sat on a sharp stick......

I've seen alot of North River boat this year.
How are they compared with all the other makes?
Basically I want the best buy for the $ with quality on top.

If you're looking for the best built boat with a fit and finish quality that is top drawer it's North River no question. If you're looking for something measureable, check out bottom thickness.
North River uses 1/4 inch marine alloy exclusively.
You don't have to take anybody's word for it though, Talk to any sled owner you see or go to the Seattle Boat show. Find out which manufacturer has the most satified customers years AFTER THE SALE. Make your decision based on the experiences of guys who have already been "down the road" with local dealers. You'll find that some of their purcahses have left them feeling "up the crick".
Good luck Bro and I hope you enjoy your sled as much and more as I enjoy mine! TJN

15-17 is marginal on length. Not that you can't use one that size for a long time, but you have the potential to upgrade to a larger boat for sure. Because of that, I'd probablylook for the best deal in a used boat.

There are lots of good boats, but I believe the Woolridge has the best outboard design with their tunnel hull. They are built in Seattle and you can stop by the factory to see how they are built. If you are interested in something a little different, you should take a look at a Rogue Marine Stealth. It is a hybrid drift boat/sled. You can row it or use it with a small jet.

The boat shows are so close that you should take a look then even if you might buy a used one.

I am also looking to buy a sled this coming year and would like to get some information at the boat shows too. Does anyone have a list of the shows and would anyone be willing to go/meet at one that has a sled and can give thier own advice on what to look for and what to stay away from.I only want to buy this boat once,so I am going to do ALOT of research, first. Smelly....

I had a 16' Wooldridge Alaskan as my first sled, it handled well in the water, was easy to launch by myself when necessary. Fished 2 comfortably 3 started getting crowded. This was an older sled as I was the second owner, it was a bit narrow. Performed well, maintained well, and Wooldridge in Seattle was a great help whenever I had a question. Good luck

Doubletake

I recommend you take a look at the Wooldridge line of boats. They've been in business for 90+ years for a reason. After all of my research on jet boats, for an outboard, you can not beat a Wooldridge.

Also check out the river jet magazine web site. Lots and lots of jet boat info in the forum section from some hard core jet boaters.

Chris

A sharp stick? Hehehe!!

The only thing sharp stickin', was COLD STEEL in the mouth of that hen!

A vote for Alumaweld. There's lots of them around,and lots of guides running them (and other brands too), and lots of local dealers too. If you're going to side drift, they've really got the balance figured out IMO. Don't go with a 4-stroke pump also IMO.

North River uses 1/4" exclusively???? That suprises me, as what I've learned over the years is the "inside" construction is what makes the sled tough, not just wrapping it in thick skin (extra weight)?

Shop around, as that's the really FUN part!

When I did my shopping around for my 18'er I narrowed it down to the big three for resale value.The big three that I concidered was Alumaweld / Willie / North river.I didn't want to drive 8 hours one way again for a boat that would have to be driven down for any if @ all repairs so willie was out.This left Alumaweld and North river.I went to North river in tacoma @ the old Almar place.Bottom line they would not work with me as far as custom stuff and told me they were a high production out fit so Northriver was out.I ended up with Alumaweld for all the right reasons.Good price / Local / and good customer service on the custom options.Thank god for three rivers marine.Good luck in your boat buying experience hope you find what you want.
STRIKE ZONE

I have an 18' foot Wooldridge. I can't say enough about the customer service down there. They are great! That said, I would stay away from the windshield models under 19' and look for a wide beam with plenty of yamaha power.

P.S. I agree with snit. In a small sled, I would go with a 2 stroke main and a 4 stroke kicker.

ALumalwed Super Vee LS

Tjn, I am kind of mixed up here with your response to this quest for the perfect sled. My fishing partner and I were up in Mount Vernon about three weeks ago looking at Waldon sleds and their quality. I beleive it was you that we met there. Tall guide that uses a north river? I thought you were going to have a 24 ft Waldon custom built for yourself? Now I'm mixed up as to who you support. Although it is probably none of my business, but I am in the market as well and looking for good advice.

I have a 1998 Alumaweld 17' center console with a 115 Mariner. I too went through all the steps you are doing now. If I had to do it agian, I would go with a 18-20 foot open boat with a tiller. I converted my boat to a tiller, and love it. It gives you alot more room. As far as Alumaweld, I will never own another one. There was a "no call recall" on the transom. I heard about transom failures, and had to call Alumaweld to get my upgrade. I thought it was sad, they did not notify all boat owners. We have a 16' Alumaweld super V at work, and it is a bigger piece of **** than my boat. It is too heavy, and barely gets out of the hole with two people. This boat also has a 115 hp outboard. It also had a hole in the slotted extrution when we got it. AND, it has stress cracked where the side tray, and skin are welded together. My buddy has a 17' North River open boat with 35 hp honda for duck hunting. This boat is so heavy that once the tide goes out, two guys have no chance moving it. If I was to buy a new jetboat, I would get a 20' Wille predator, open, with 150 hp mercury tiller. One of my guide buddies has a willie with Yamaha V max. He has had two different boats, and motors. Both Yamahas have blown up, at least once. Just passing on my experiences.

Holy crap dejavu all over again.
Last year I had a big headache getting an ocean vessel, now I am feeling another headache with a sled. Seems like there is a wide range of opinions.
Maybe I'll ask a different question.
What do you expect or wish you had from a sled?

Oh, what ever happened to Thor?

I want the room of a 22 footer but it has to fit in a 20' deep garage.

So far in my limited experience with my sled (bought used in February 2005) I'm wishing that my sled was wider, I wish the fuel tank was larger, I wish it had more storage, I wish it had been Shark-hided prior to my purchasing it, I wish I had a more powerful kicker motor, and I wish the rod-holders were mounted differently.

However, for my first sled I have to say I'm pretty happy. I use it alot and love how easy it is to launch.

2001 Alumaweld Stryker w/ 90/65 Merc Jet 2-stroke and 6 Merc kicker 4-stroke.

Iron Head,

Not that it will influence the range of opinions people here will give you, but if you said where and how you want to use your prospective sled, that could make a significant difference in narrowing the range. Without that information, when you say you want a 15-17' boat, you're going to get comments like, "that's too small" when the where and how of its use isn't even being considered.

Make a list of parameters of use. That will help narrow the field from every opinion there is about jet boats down to the ones that are useful in informing your choice of what to get.

Sincerely,

Salmo g.

Iron Head:

"River Wild", Grants Pass Oregon......will custom make anything you want. Mine was 1st in this county, but now there are 2 others and more on order.

" I Love Mine "

15' 6", .125 bottom, .100 sides, 26" sides, 5' bottom, wide open, tiller(60/40 Mercury"), 15 gallon gas tank(under floor), wash down pump, running lights, fish box and 2 batteries(up front), tackle tray's, Zolatone paint on inside, 1/2 Aqua Paint, etc.

Boat and trailer--- $6000 - $7000 but think the price has gone up???