Does anyone have a 17'6" Wooldridge Alaskan with a 90 Hp powerhead/65 jet Hp motor? Is performance adequate? Thank you

I have the same boat, but I run a Yamaha 115hp Jet. The 90hp is adequate, but not what I'd suggest, especially if your going to run 4 people in the boat. On another note, try a 8hp kicker. I use a 9.9, and sometimes its too much for the drift. Good luck.

I'd run a 150-105 jet,to much is better then not enough.Good luck, Strike zone

Their is relacement for displacement


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Row Quietly and fish a Cataraft }<<(('>----<'))>>{
Release all Wild Fish

Phish, 90hp's should be considered the bare minimum for an 18'. While it may be enough to get you and one other man on a plane, if you add one more person and gear you'll have to run full throttle all day. Remember, -due to the lack of a keel or skeg on the lower unit- jetsleds steer with power and the instant you let off the throttle your control of the boat is greatly diminished. Conversely, by increasing throttle (on tight turns in particular) you will find that boat control is increased. What I'm driving at here is that having power in reserve (via a bigger motor) will result in your boat being easier to handle and more reliable since you will not have to use 100% of your motor all the time... good luck!

[This message has been edited by TJN (edited 10-30-2000).]

TJN, That's pretty much what I was gonna post the first time around but was to lazy to go that deep.Bottom line is put the max that is aloud on it.Good luck,
STRIKE ZONE

Badphish,

I believe that was the offering Woolridge had out a while back. Seems like they put a Suzuki on for a while and then switched to either a Rude or a Johnson.

If I read your message right, are you thinking about buying this particular boat? It would be ok for fuddy duddin around, but the couple I saw on the rivers were water plows with a couple people in them.

I originally had a little 14' w/ a 40hp jet on it and could easily catch up to them. If you are looking for a good combo, that may not be it. I'm a firm believer in power to spare and that set up won't have it. There will come a time when you will need it!!

Whats posted above is very sound advise.

Steve

150 horse power head equals 105 jet power at the pump and to use anything smaller would be uncivilized.lester
p.s. been there, done that!!

Phish,

I had a 15'11" Alaskan with an 80hp/56hp jet. It was great with just me in it and did all right with 2 people. I agree with the posts of more power is better than less, especially for handling in tight areas.

Most of the 17' Alaskans I saw ran a 115/80 jet. I would not go any less than that.

Good luck

Doubletake