Tunnel hull

Any one have any experince with the tunnel hull jon boats. Just wondering if it is something I should add to the new boat I am buying.

I think it really should be determined by what water your running in and whether you are running a jet or prop and about a zillion other things. I want one and if there was a dealer closer I’d probably have one.You can get a lot of information from http://www.wooldrigeboats.com they have a great product from what I can see. They have a great video and once viewing it you will be hooked.Check out their website as they offer a lot of information in terms of jet motors and terms such as getting on step ect ect. Any Wooldridge dealers out there that sees this I need a sponsership and any boat dealers out there that are looking for another line of boats to have in this area try Wooldridge. They even have heaters,defrosters,windshield wipers,headlights full canvas tops ect ect.So we need a dealer around theses parts and I need an Alaskin (the 17 footer) with windshield. I’ll try an attachment to next post.Steve

Wooldridge The one in the middle is the one I want. I want it for running the Chippewa River. Shallow spots, with mostly sand and a lot of gravel. This photo could be of part of the Chippewa. Now, if it was just me in that boat on that pamplet!

Steve

I had a little time to play with the scanner and thought I could separate the Alaskan from the rest of the page. Another thought for anyone looking for a Jon boat is the Lowe. These boats are well made and some come with a tunnel. A real nice river model for shallower water is the 1655TN tunnel hull and has optional saddle bag style gas tanks for extra fuel. Smitty’s marine does hadle alot of different Lowe models and has several different ones in stock.Yep that Alaskan is running full out in between a couple of gravel bars (inchs of water). Jackie (my wife) just said why don’t I just go get one. Steve

Here’s another link with tons of great information.
http://www.outlawmarinejets.com/boatmodels.htm
just click outboard jets and the other buttons for great info on tunnels,flatbottoms,jets vs props ect. If you need more links I’ve been looking at tunnel hull jet boats for awhile.Steve

Looks like good info. I plan on running a prop on the boat but would like a shallow runner for some of the smaller rivers I fish. I dont think I would go for a jet because of the noise and I think I heard they are not so good for trolling.
Do you know if the tunnel affects the speed of the boat at all. I no this does not matter on shallow waters but I would not want to loose any speed for some of the bigger water I run.

Is http://www.wooldrigeboats.com the correct address? I just can’t seem to get it. Is the spelling correct? I don’t know,maybe its just me………

Nope not just you. Try http://www.wooldridgeboats.com
I left out a very important d. Sorry for any problems. Steve

I wish I could tell you something from experiance but all I’ve got is from the reading that I’ve done. I posted the wrong address for http://www.wooldridgeboats.com in my first post but do try it again. I think that for shallow water my mind is made up to go with a jet. Nothing below the bottom of the boat and also a tunnel will help to make turning better and give the intake a steadier supply of water. At least that is what I belive to be correct from my readings. I guess a person needs to go out in one of each to really tell. I know the game warden here in this area runs the Chippewa in a flatbottom (SeaArk) with a Jet. As far as noise level I havent a clue but I want a cab forward designed boat so the weight (mine) will be better distributed. I think with all the weight (gas,batteries,motors,and driver all in the back it will make for a deeper running craft. Also if the jet is noisy it will be better to be further away. I would want to have a seperate motor for trolling so that isn’t an issue for me. As far as the main engine I’ll probably opt for a two cycle also to conserve a little weight. Now if I only had the cash!!!Again I want to stress these opinions are only mine and based only on my readings.As far as the speed of the boat if you would like to see a great video maybe I could make you a copy. I think with a 90 horsepower engine I would be able to run somewhere aroumd 30+ mph. This isn’t really flying but in 3 or 4 inchs of water it will be plenty fast. Have you ever been in a go-cart doing twenty? If you have you know what I mean. As far as running big water I would get something other than a flatbottom as they can be really rough riding when theres a chop. Do a lot of reading and let us know what you choose. Steve

Steve – Thanks for the info on Wooldridge Boats. I have been doing the same reading that you have on jet boats. I want one for the upper Miss where I want to fish. Have you checked out the Riverpro Boats. See this website: http://www.riverpro-boats.com

I ran a Wooldridge 21footer while guideing in Alaska in the early 80’s. Super boat, but really hard on fuel. I had a 302 ci engine with a single pump with a drop pickup for deeper water. Although we did run water as shallow as 10 inches, most of the rivers we fished were deeper. I sold it out and bought a 21 foot Veracraft, with twin 115 hp Mariners w/red pumps. The Veracraft was a true flat bottom, and would run shallower water and had better fuel mileage. We ran the total of the Susitna flowage, as well as the Deshka, and Deep Creek flowage. The smallest that we ran was Willow Creek, and the famous Tallkeetna about the town of Tallkeetna, what a kick.

I really miss that area, and the super trout and salmon fishing. I am going back when I retire…..4 years.

That sounds like a much larger model than what I’m looking for. Was yours the
sport drifter or which model. I only want a 90 hp and I’m hoping that it isn’t
too bad on fuel if I get it. The Alaskan is their lightest rig and I believe it comes in
at around 6oo-700 pounds. Yours must of really flew with a 302 ci. I would
love to get up there and do some fishing. Steve

Steve,

You got me with that question on the model, I really don’t remember. She was heavy though, and had power. Whatever it was, they probably don’t make it anymore. She was a honey for the money.

Still on my quest to find the new boat for this year. Thought I post on some of the nice rigs I have found.
Just recieved a catolog from SeaArk today with some very nice looking boats in it. They are the first I have seen with a tunnel hull designed for both props and jets. Very interisting. I will be requisting more info on this soon. aluminumboat.com is the site. Looks like it is under construction but you can get a catolog ordered off it.

Polar Kraft has some nice looking rigs also. Looks like there design has gotten away from the standard designs of the big manufactors. A couple of the models I liked have The rear of the boat as the widest point with a slight taper up to the modified V bow. It also has a taperd transom like a bass boat. Looks lika a vary nice boat on paper. Model mv1675 sportsman. godfreymarine.com

Anyone know of a dealerships around the twin cities that might have some jons in stock?

Hi Mike try this link. http://www.fishingworks.com
Just click around the site,try the link to boat manufactures.
Another good site to look at is http://www.boattraderonline.com
It usually has 80,000 boats at any given time. Steve