New boat questions

[onemgepi]

Thinking about getting a new boat, would like a boat I can trout fish in the summer and ducks in the winter. 

I do not want a surface drive, but a jet drive would be nice (maybe get a prob motor for ducks).
I was looking at the Havoc river rat, anyone have experience with this boat in the white/little red?

pros/cons, alternate ideas?

thx

[slothman]

I was definitely looking for a duck/fishing boat hybrid for quite a while. I had just about decided that the triton aluminum boats looked like the best fit for what I was looking for. I finally abandoned the idea and got a bass boat. I have a layout boat for duck hunting, but I really think I will sell it and get a john boat so that I can accommodate multiple hunters all together. 

[fishinwrench]

The most versatile boat for this part of the country is the 1648 Jon.    It will get you across the roughest water you're likely to encounter, and 2 guys can drag it uphill across dry ground.    Add-ons and modifications are endless.

[moguy1973]

I've been doing research on jet boats as I'd like to get one in the future since I'm 5 minutes from a river ramp.  The River Rat is on my list.  Has an interesting hull design compared to the Blazers, Legends, and Alwelds I've also looked at.  They are a relatively new boat builder I believe so unless you are having them build you a new one finding a used one might be a little tough.  They seem like a strong and well built boat though.  They have videos of them jumping islands of downed trees  with a mud motor on them on their web site.

[onemgepi]

6 hours ago, onemgepi said:

Thinking about getting a new boat, would like a boat I can trout fish in the summer and ducks in the winter. 

I do not want a surface drive, but a jet drive would be nice (maybe get a prob motor for ducks).
I was looking at the Havoc river rat, anyone have experience with this boat in the white/little red?

pros/cons, alternate ideas?

thx

If I am going to spend 16-18k on a glorified jon boat I would like it to be a multi tasker. 
the Havoc river rat is presently #1 on my list because it’s designed for a jet drive. 
#2 is the Alweld mud invader. 
both have a true flat bottom, yes it will slide when turning at speed but they will ride shallower in the skinny trout water. 
The Alweld mud invader is designed for a surface drive but if the transom is standard size then a jet drive will work fine. The Alweld also has tons on storage compartments which are useful but I wonder about the added weight... either way it’s gonna cost 16-18k and I am being greedy and want it all, trout, ducks, and everything in between. 🙂

[bobby b.]

Here's my answer to the river boat/duck blind dual use.  I built a duck blind on a 1648 Lowe and switch from an electric start 20hp in the warmer months to a 23 hp Backwater long tail for duck hunting.  The blind frame comes off after the hunting season.  Also check out the Gator Trax Marsh Series for duck hunting.  If I were to be buying now that would be my choice together with a Gator Tail 23 hp with reverse. 

[DADAKOTA]

I'm pondering a move to an 18-20 foot aluminum for fishing and some big water duck hunting.  Need more range on the big lakes than my 16 footer with a 25 HP.  Suggestions? 

[bobby b.]

3 hours ago, DADAKOTA said:

I'm pondering a move to an 18-20 foot aluminum for fishing and some big water duck hunting.  Need more range on the big lakes than my 16 footer with a 25 HP.  Suggestions? 

I' curious - what big water?

[DADAKOTA]

Truman and Stockton