River Pro boats?

[Haywood04]

Can anyone give me some info on the River Pro boats.
What do you like and dislike?
If you own one what would you specificly change?
What do you think of the jet motor?
Is it to loud and a gas hog as I have heard?
What do you think of its overall fish-ability?
Thanks

[Dennis Steele]

There is a lot that I really like about the boat.I have the 1872 HiPro.
It goes very shallow.I have run outboard jets and the RP runs much shallower than the outboards with much better performance.With three guys and gear(lots of gear for me)the RP will get up on plane in about 3 boat lengths so hopping from hole to hole is very easy in shallow rivers.
I run her over water that is only ankle deep.It will also hop over logs and brush with out doing damage to the .190 gauge hull.You can also slide the boat sideways to get over bars that are just wet on top and not touch the hull.When you turn the boat sideways it throws water over the bar and you slide right over.I have also skipped short sections of dry land(couple boat lenghts).Its not something I would do everyday but it can be done.It doesn't do much damage to the hull but you end up sucking up sand into the intake which will reduce the life of the impellar.
The hull is also very tough.It is made of .190 gauge and will withsatnd a good hit from solid objects.Its not undentdable but it is tough.If you do hit something solid with a lot of force it is designed to give and not crack or tear.With three guys and gear(lots of gear for me)the RP will get up on plane in about 3 boat lengths so hopping form hole to hole is very easy in shallow rivers.
Its also a very comfortable boat to fish out of.There is tons of floor space.I fish 3 guys in the boat and every one has all the room they need and more.There is also tons of storage space.The entire front deck is storage and all a long the sides and back there is shelves to put those small things in.The wide gunnels are at just the right hight for sitting on.
If I were to change any thing...
I keep my tackle boxes on the back storage shelves.I might add a cover to keep the rain off them.I might also add another hatch to the forward part of the casting deck for a little easier access.Its a huge space and it would make getting to the stuff all the way forward easier.
Disadvantages.
Its a boat made for running shallow water and not big lakes.Its a rough ride in waves more than a foot.I have used it on local metro lake but I will take the Deep Vee if I am going to Mille Lacs,Winnie, or any other large lakes.
It does use more gas than a propped jon boat of comparable size.But if you put an outboard jet half the size on an 18 foot jon your better off going with the RP.If I behave and run her at a crusing rpm of 3800(30 to 35 mph) I get just about 4 mile to the gallon.You can easily reduce that by half when running wide open or "playing" in it.
As with all jets it has no rudder.It take a little getting used to.When trolling with a bow mount the back end swings around a bit.I have found a way to compensate this by throwing out a drift sock and slipping with the current.The drift socks adds drag to the rear of the boat like the lower unit of an outboard prop.It works pretty slick and keeps you straight.A small sock is best so if you go forward rather than slip in the current it a little easier on the trolling motor.

Any way if your serious about running shallow water or water with lots of underwater obsticles like rock,snags and wood,in my opinion there is no better boat.

Hope I helped a little.

[Fisher Dave]

I dont own a river pro... but I will make a couple comments concerning any jet boat...

Jet motors are not as fuel efficient as a prop driven motor of the same HP in any case. If I remember right Dennis had commented in the past that his RP will get about 70 miles out of a tank of gas... in all reality.. how far do you expect to go while on an outing. Another jet boat factor .. they only draw a few inchs of water while on plane .. A boat powered by a jet motor .. whether its an inboard or outboard is going to make some noise, especially when the exaust comes out of the water. In the case of a river pro .. I think they are V6 & V8 models... they will make some noise, but not as much as one might think.. I have had them pass me on the river sereral times and they always seemed relatively quiet.

Added fuel cost.. yes ... but lower units will cost much more than the difference if you try to run a prop drive through the same areas. If I didnt have to pay for my house, I would be sitting in my own RP in a heart beat.. the design and performance has impressed me, and the price is excellet compared to other jets of similar quality(high quality).

[Haywood04]

Thanks for the great info.