First time in a North River for me was last Friday, my friends that is about 6 months old. Swweeeettt boat, it is a 20ft model with the sportjet (not sure if it is the 175 or 200 though). Lot's of power, gets on step quick and runs in some pretty skinny water. I also have fished out of a new 20 ft alumaweld and was real impressed with it also, not really any difference between the 2. The reason my friend went with the NR is was the deal he got, the Alumaweld dealers wouldn't dicker so he went to the NR factory and special ordered it. He said because he did that and was willing to wait a little longer to get it he saved about $6K.
Good luck and tight lines, Jeff