Boat Question

[GrassLakeRon]

What boat motor combo would you recommend for most of the inland river systems in Alaska?  What is the average depth in most systems (Chena, yukon and such)?  Does it vary greatly or are they all about the same?  Thanks

Ron

[Sourdough]

That is a loaded question!!!!!!!!  I personally use a 16ft Lowe, with a stand-up center console, and twin Merc 35s with jet pumps.  I wanted something to get around in the small creeks off the Tanana river.  Also it usually is just me and the wife, and this size boat is just right for us.  For the Yukon I recommend something bigger, a lot bigger.  What ever you get just make sure it has jets, props don't last long here.

I have been looking at the Predator Sport John, an inboard jet.  It's a nice boat, and the wife is looking for a bit more comfort now that we are older.  It's just a very expensive unit.  There is lots of differant units out there, you just have to decide what you are going to do with it, and how much you are willing to spend.

[GrassLakeRon]

I'm looking at a 20 foot lund alaskan.  I was wanting to know what type of power plant would be better, jet or outboard?  Would a shallow jon style be better then a deep V.  I am trying to narrow down where I want to settle down and it looks like the interior.  I just need to know from a few more experienced folks what would be better.  Thanks for the advice.

Ron

[Daveinthebush]

When I lived on the Yukon River in Nulato, flat bottomed boats outnumbered V's by 2-1.  Jets are great until you run them full of sand. On the turnside , hit a gravel bar on the Yukon with a prop and you had better have a spare.

Most interesting thing I saw was a john boat using a prop unit.  The motor was fitted with a lifting device that once any obstruction was hit, you could raise the motor in seconds.   This was on a persons boat that lived there year round and traveled the river from their home about 150 miles up stream to Fairbanks to shop.

I don't think the hull of an Alaskan will benifit a jet.  Johns are made with tunnels so the jet can be higher up.

[GrassLakeRon]

Thanks guys for the info.

Ron

[Dand]

Lunds are hugely popular out here in Bristol Bay as we are constantly looking for a compromise to cross bays and big lakes, then run  rivers.  I think 18 foot is the most popular length. A number of folks out here have 2 engines on the back - one with a jet and one prop - both hand tillers. But now that 4 strokes are the main power, it ends up with a LOT of weight on the stern as well as $$$$$ invested.

V bow jons or flat skiffs are pretty popular too.  The V bow helps cut down some of the pounding when you get in waves but the ones I've used didn't seem to carry quite as much or be quite as sturdy as a good flat bow river jon.  Just a little more comfortable in the chop.  I like 18 foot skiffs mostly.

I've heard that the newer more V bottom Lunds don't do as well with jets as the older flatter bottomed Lunds.  So I nurse along my old 83 18 foot lund with a 30 prop.  Its done well with a 25 hp jet when lightly loaded. But I only run deeper rivers with it or when the water is high.  And I always have  several props along.  I've gone through 5 props on one 300 mile river trip.

That lift Dave talks about used to be standard equipment before jets came along. People called them Jackass lifts. They can be pretty slick and were very popular in the Fairbanks area. One guy Herb Campbell bought Sportsman's lodge on Kenai River back in the 1960's and he would run folks around the river to fishing spots.  He was really good with it.

I used to drive a 32 foot aluminum jon boat with a 33 Evinrude and one of those lifts on the Big Sustina and Yentna.  The springs were worn out and I was pretty light weight so at times I couldn't lift the engine when I needed to.

With the cost of motors and gas these days, I've wondered if any body would go back to those lifts.