![]() When it comes to designing your ultimate SeaArk, the options are endless. There’s also a huge safety factor with a jet, as you no longer have that twirling prop that can not only injure people and animals, but it can also play hell with fishing line, bow lines and tow ropes. What is gained with a jet is the ability to operate in extreme shallow-water conditions without the fear of ruining a prop or damaging the venerable jet shoe. This fact and the fact that a jet uses water for propulsion instead of a metal prop means that the operator loses some speed, directional control and performance. The thrust of a jet outboard is approximately 70% of an equal-sized engine with a prop. The jet tunnel design includes a flat roof in the tunnel to direct water back to the intake of the jet. SeaArk’s jet tunnel hull is designed to be used with a jet and should not be confused with their outboardtunnel hull that is designed for a conventional prop-driven engine. The JT in the model name stands for jet tunnel. All jon boats have a 3-degree V along with full-length lifting strakes and chines. The MV stands for Modified V-there is no flat-bottom design on SeaArk jon boats. For jet-boat enthusiasts, SeaArk created the Jon Modified V Jet Tunnel (MVJT) series, available from 16- to 24 feet in length. SeaArk has 17 different models in a variety of lengths and widths, so finding your ideal boat is easy. Seating, consoles, windshield, live-wells, boxes…the list is endless to help you design not only the boat of your dreams, but a boat built to last your lifetime. © Sam AmatoĪll SeaArk Boats are U.S.-made in Arkansas, and yes, the “Ark” in SeaArk is for Arkansas, not Noah’s Ark! When looking at SeaArk Boats, you need to view the product as an artist would, the Jon Boat hull as the canvas, and the various options the artistry. Boaters have plenty of options to set-up these boats any way they prefer, helping make your new fishing craft as efficient as possible for your angling needs. Recently, SeaArk upped the ante, engineering the Jon Modified V 2672, which is a whopping 26 feet in length. After a few years of focusing on creating the best jon boat possible, SeaArk unveiled the “world’s largest jon boat” at 24 feet long with a 72-inch bottom. In 1992 the family-owned company became SeaArk Boats, concentrating on all-welded, heavy-duty aluminum jon boats. SeaArk is no newcomer in the boating industry, emerging in 1958 as a pioneer in the all-welded aluminum boating world. Take one look at the SeaArk jon boats and you will quickly realize the company has revolutionized the jon-boat industry, building an all-welded heavy-gauge jon boat that raises the bar completely-with some models capable of crossing the bar. You also think of words like sparse, utilitarian and no-frills, yet functional for the attended purpose. If you hear the words “jon boat” you probably envision a small, lightweight, flat-bottomed boat that is perfectly adept for calm-water recreation. ![]() This boat column is going to explore two tried-and-true jet boats that have unique and practical application for the Alaska waters we enjoy. For these waters a jet boat is essential. Things have changed, today the jet boat has taken the backseat to the outboard prop boat, and although still built from all-welded heavy-gauge aluminum, they are different boats, great for certain water, but not the water less traveled-the water I prefer to spend my time running, sightseeing, fishing and even thrill-seeking. A decade ago if you went to your local boat show or dealer you would find a full lineup of jet boats, both inboard and outboard. Regardless, it’s fair to say jet-boating is my nirvana. Or it could be because the first real boat I ever owned was a 21-foot inboard jet boat. It could be because I navigated my son 30-plus miles through an upriver canyon to bag his first mule deer from an inboard jet. It might be because my first Chinook salmon and steelhead were caught in a 14-foot jet boat. ![]() It might be because the first Class IV whitewater I ever ran was in a 20-foot inboard jet. It might be because the first ankle-deep riffle I ever ran was achieved in an 18-foot inboard jet. Heavy-gauge all-welded aluminum jet boats have always been near and dear to my heart. Featured Image above: SeaArk Predators can be set-up to be the ultimate jon boats for moose hunters in Alaska, while also remaining capable of running you to remote fish-filled waters just about anywhere in the state.
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