All New - Wooldridge 23' Alaskan XL Sport Jet

[bigpilgrim]

I live in Dillingham, Alaska and I have been sport boating in the Bristol Bay area for about five years. The Bristol Bay region has many diverse and challenging water systems. When I moved to Dillingham I was a novice boatsman and after spending two weeks on the Wood River and demolishing two new props on my 16' flat bottom Smoker Craft, I became a jet man. I have been in the market for about two years looking for the perfect 22' extreme hunter / hauler, but comfortable, safe family, manly boat. In the begining of my search I really was interested in the 21' Sport Jon, primarly I liked the layout and the inboard Merc. One day I was at Marita Sea and Ski to look at a Sport Jon and my eyes came to rest on a new, 20' Alaskan XL, with its fiery hot flames licking the sides of the boat and the wonderful, spaciousness of the cargo area, I began to have doubts.

In October 2010, I was browsing this forum, searching for someone or something to show me the way when I observed TJM's huge thread concerning the 20' Alaskan XL with the Sport Jet. After spending hours of reading the comments and experiences, I called Glen Wooldridge and asked him if he could build a 23' Alaskan XL with the Sport Jet and the windshield built near the aft? Glen did some measuring, brain storming, listening to my ramblings, refining and then, the 23' was born. The windshield is going to be mounted 13' from the transom. There will be about one foot of space between the drip curtain and the dog house. From the windshield forward, there will be a five foot open space and then a five foot deck with storage. My whole goal was to have all of my gear, gas, carcasses and an ATV in the front of the boat. I do not want to drag stuff through the cabin area. I want to be able to haul a couple of 70 inch moose, camping gear and buds.

During my time on this forum, I have really enjoyed and benefited from reading other's tips, experiences and builds. I will post new pictures and information as the build progresses. Once I get the boat in spring 2011, I will post some data and hopefully a few exciting hunts with the new Woolly. I will not be as technical as TJM or others, but hopefully someone will benefit from my experiences. More to come! :topjob:

 

[tjm]

Wow, this will be fun to watch...don't skimp on the pictures .... especially the ones of the 70" 'ers...

 

[OzAK]

Big Pilgrim, welcome to the forum and I'm excited for you. I really like the Wooly XL and I guess I should have called Glen in 2007 when I was in the market for a SJ boat. Maybe then I would have been the first SJ XL owner, but no matter. Sorry T, couldn't resist! I'm happy with my SportJon and it does a great job. You are thinking along the same lines as I would have with the controls further back. It will be perceived as noisier by your ears than TJMs boat I would imagine due to being closer to the SJ, time will tell.
Makes me smile thinking about all the places you have available to you out of Dilly, spent 14 seasons guiding hunts there. Spent my fair share of time in jetboats, rafts, & kayaks getting the job done and had some tremendous hunts and good times. I'm sure we have at least a couple of mutual friends there, PM me if you've a mind to. I look forward to watching the build come together and getting a ride in TJMs boat in the spring. I could see the possibilities of an equipment switch if this turns out to be a better machine. I've already done some work on and have driven an OBJ powered XL. Very nice indeed. Enjoy the anticipation, Oz

 

[Big Daddy]

Big Pilgrim,
you lucky man you, hopefully i will be able to have a boat built in the near future if everything works out.
I look forward to watching your build. congrats and im sure you will have fun.

 

[Kingsalmonmoosekiller]

Nice looking boat.....so far. This thing sounds like it will be sweet. I am expecting an invite to get that 70 incher! Keep the pictures coming.

 

[Ellamar]

Very cool, man you're going to have fun...not running only running the boat, but watching her being built. My experience with Glen and Grant last year on my Super Sport Drifter build was a great one! I had quite a few custom things done, so if you're looking for ideas let me know, here are a few:

Driver and Passenger drinkholders/trays, these allowed for the obvious, but also extra space to keep stuff off the dash like bino's etc.

Increased height of rear benches by 3", allowed for increased storage space, but seating position also proved to be more comfortable for adults.

Lowered rail height along gunnel, this allowed for easier loading/unloading of fuel drums, etc. A friend of mine on his eliminated the rails altogether, but I wanted something I could secure cargo to.

Single throttle/bucket lever, after 100hrs with this I'll never go back to a dual lever (I believe the SJ will come with this, right?)

Those are just a few to throw at you, HAVE FUN!!

 

[HCL]

Yes please keep the pictures comming, this is exactly what i am looking for though in the 20' range.
Thanks
Mike

 

[.338WM]

Two 70"ers... care to tell me where I can get just one of those ? roud:

 

[sport drifter]

Sounds like a great hunting boat, keep the pics coming. Is the windshield going to be a two or three piece with the middle as the door?
Even if you had a full load in the front and the front door could not be opened you still have the ability to access the front by walking around on the flat toped gunnel's. This is one great feature I like on my Super Sport Drifter over the old Classics we had.

 

[bigpilgrim]

Kingsalmonmousekiller: If you bring your lucky moose's foot, you will be getting an invite.

Ellamar: Great ideas, I like the taller benches and the single throttle lever. Glen is installing the shorter rails in-front of the windshield about halfway up to the bow of the boat and the taller ones on the back sides behind the windshield. My thoughts were the same as your's, strapping gear to the rails.

.338WM: By the looks of your photo, you don't need my help finding big moose.

Oz: If you are ever back in DLG, let me know and we can burn some gas and talk about your hot spots in the DLG area.

Sportdrifter: I originally wanted the Classic style windshield. I think that windshield really signifies the Wooldridge look. But, due to installing the windshield near the middle of the boat (widest point), we went with the other syle windshield that is a three piece. The middle piece is the front door and it is a two piece. So, if there is a load up front against the door and one cannot open the bottom door, the top can be opened and the bottom door can be stepped over, that is the idea anyway. The Classic style windshield would have been a bit complicated and the two glass pieces would have been huge, wiper problems, etc.

Thanks for all of the positive support.

 

[bigpilgrim]

Sport drifter: I also looked at the Sport Drifter with open area in the front, liked the layout, but I was really torn on the deeper V and what areas I want to run the boat. Your type of boat would be excellent in my area. I decided on the flatter bottom and air-ride seating to take some of the beating out of it. If I was a more experienced boatsman and could read water better, I might have went with the Sport Drifter with big horsepower.

 

[ruckus]

Can't wait to see it come together...then hunt in it. Looks like I will have to get out there to see how it all turn out. I get a little more time off during hunting season, might have to put a 70incher in the front of it. If you find them I will help you get them to the boat!!! I am getting the camo on my face now.

All my ramblings aside...Is there a special, one of a kind paint job on this one of a kind boat?

 

[broncoformudv]

Man looks like another great Wooly build can't wait to see more of it!

 

[bigpilgrim]

Ruckus: No special paint, just a black vinyl stripe down the side, similar to TJM's wooly. Other boats parked on the beach are too hard on boats with nice paint jobs.

 

[bigpilgrim]

Glen Wooldridge just sent me some more teasers. Now we see the top side. One thing that is a little disturbing and overshadowing is how clean Glen keeps his shop and employee. Glen please throw some metal shavings, tools and aluminum pieces on the floor, it would make me feel better about myself.roud:

 

[tjm]

holy cow...there's going to be some roooooooooom in that boat........

 

[sport drifter]

Sport drifter: I also looked at the Sport Drifter with open area in the front, liked the layout, but I was really torn on the deeper V and what areas I want to run the boat. Your type of boat would be excellent in my area. I decided on the flatter bottom and air-ride seating to take some of the beating out of it. If I was a more experienced boatsman and could read water better, I might have went with the Sport Drifter with big horsepower.

bigpilgrim, I'd love to have mine out there to explore all those lakes and run the rivers connecting them. Your boat will shine in the smaller streams and hunting though. you can't go wrong with the truck seats a bit heavy if you are looking to go as light as possible.
Your windshield will look like this but with much larger glass and a wider door I bet. Go to photo gallery #11
http://www.wooldridgeboats.com/progallery/alaskan_ii
I looked at one like this in Fairbanks a few years ago, this pic is of an Alaskan II.

 

[bigpilgrim]

More pictures from Wooldridge on the build. Looks like it is coming along, quickly. The welder is working on a five foot long front deck. The rectanglular hole is for a storage area under the deck and a metal door to be mounted later.

 

[easthillsfbx]

Looks sweet! I think my inboard could fit *inside* your sled.

 

[bigpilgrim]

Couple more photos from Wooldridge Boats, the font deck is looking good and one pic of the jet box. More bracing to be done on the jet box and crossmembers between the rails.