Hi everyone, new member here. I normally don't post on internet boards but you guys seem to have a lot of knowledge and that's why I decided to ask my question here.

I am planning on purchasing a 14ft Jon boat or a v hull boat mainly for lake fishing. That being said, I do wanna hit the rivers. I will work the section between the JBLM gravel bar to I5 bridge on 'Squally. Also, I will float the Okonogan River in September( I own property there).

My questions are; What is the minimum HP to go safely upstream on Nisqually? Jet or prop? Jon or V? I have been around boats my whole life but never navigated on a river system. I'm looking forward to read your responses.

......

??

10-25HP will work. put a prop guard on it for your river use. If you plan on taking someone with you go larger then 10

Spoonmeister,

Jon boats come in different styles. For river use, avoid one with really low sides. G3 is a good brand of Jon boat for river use, and they can handle jet drive outboards.

Sg

Fishenfool,

Yes, if I go with a prop I will definitely install the prop guard. U r right, 10hp can bog down going upstream with 2 people on board. Considering the fact that I gained 40lbs after I got off active duty, 10hp could catch on fire just trying to push me. I think 10hp is more than enough for Okonagan but Nisqually is a whole different animal.
Salmo g,

I had been looking at those G3s. Trying to find a used one on CL with a reasonable price.

Thx guys!

14-16' jon boat =30-40 hp pump.Good luck,

SZ

A friend had an old school Smoker Craft...I wanna say that it was 12' but may have been 14'....4' wide bottom.
These were the original "sleds" on the Clackamas before Alumaweld introduced their heavy gauge, welded boats (that changed everything).

He had a 65 HP Merc pump on it.
Then he did an 85HP Merc pump.....awesome little boat for small rivers.
Rocket hole shot with the 85 (hair on fire).....

One time the tiller broke off of the 65...wild ride that day.

If your hull can handle it, do not skimp on power.
Ya gotta pay to play.


Edit:
If yer on a tight budget, look for a used, heavy gauge welded boat.
The light gauge rivet boats don't do well when they hit something unforgiving, like a rock.

A boat you might look for is the Hewescraft river runner. The 14' model is almost 15' long. It is rated to 25 hp, so a 35 or 40 with a pump would work, or a 25 prop outboard. I know people who have gotten very good service from these for very many years. So if you find a used one that hasn't been abused, give it serious consideration.

Sg

Thx for the input gents, u guys prefer a short shaft on rivers?

Shaft length is a function of transom height.
Has nothing to do with rivers.

Are you sure you're up for this ?

Make sure you have your boater safety card and I bet if you ask real nice some on here wouldn't mind going with you to show you the do's and don't out on the river. Just ask for a river resume to see of you should be learning from them..

Always ask for a river resume, cause heck their are guides out there that are prettttty green too..cough cough

I do have the Boaters Safety card. I used to have a 23ft inboard cruiser. Plus, 5 years in the merchant marine( super tankers, freight liners ) Yes, my plan is to make a few runs with someone who knows the river. Trust me, I have seen some stupid [Bleeeeep!] on Nisqually and Humptulips. This one very confident looking idiot was coming fast, hit a submerged log and went airborne. His passenger went overboard and the boat almost flew into the trees. I respect all bodies of water, that's i m asking questions here. Appreciate the concern tho

Hi:

Here's my take on a general overall boat....and my personal history with jet boats.

1....1st jet boat, was a 14' Velco...boat came with a "old 50 hp Mercury", blew that up. Put a new 1990 50 HP Yamaha...ran this boat for 13 years. Fished lot's of rivers in Region 6. Sold the Yamaha and got a tiller 60/40 Mercury, in 2001.

2.....2nd boat, custom made "River Wild", 15' 11", 5' bottom.....put the 60/40 Mercury on it. Liked the boat, but with 2 motors on back, gas tank under floor and me....just didn't get up, fast enough for me.

3.....Ordered a new boat 17', 6' bottom, 90/65 ETech.......ran it for 4 months.....the 90/65 just wasn't enough for that boat....sold the motor, bought 130 ETech.....now have great boat, tracks well, have the "get up and go".....

My learned lesson.....go bigger than you think you'll need, put the biggest motor you/boat can safely handle.....

I have a 12/36 ( 36 is width ) Jon boat as a dock tender and fishing. It is a bit narrow for more an one person so if you can find a 12/48 then you have a rather versatile boat but most are 14 or longer to get the width. Hunt around and you might find one but most are made in the south that width. There was a 12/48 on Craigslist a bit back but it was custom made and was gone in heartbeat.

I had a 13ft fiberglass at some point and felt too small. 14 ft jon with high gunnels would be a minimum choice for me. I am also gonna try attaching 2 16 ft canoes together to make a catamaran. There is a company that makes a universal attachement bracket. And u can adjust the width, it makes a very stable fishing platform and lots of room.

Gilligan ?

TwoCanoe.com

Man, with all the tribal and guide boats running around, and with respect to a "seemingly" simple, easy river...i think that is a bad idea bud