Opinions on G3 Jon Boat

[sockeye1]

I am looking to purchase an 1860 G3 Jon Boat with some sort of 4-stroke in the 50-65 horse power at the jet. I would appreciate any opinions people have, including speed, fuel economy w/ and w/ out a load, and performance. I will primarily be running the su, yetna, deshka, lake creek and the talkeetna. Any thoughts are appreciated.

 

[Snowwolfe]

Great little boats. But I would certaintly pass on a 4 stroke jet. They are to heavy and slow compared to a good 2 stroke. Fuel numbers will change with load, speed, going up or down river, etc. Extremely hard to predict unless you find someone running the exact same rig you plan on buying. Jets need to be run faster so I would guess running the motor with a load and close to max rpms you would burn 8-10 gallons an hour under the worst conditions fully loaded and headed up river. Maybe as low as 4 gallons an hour when running light and down river.

 

[Akgramps]

Nothing wrong w/ 4 strokes!!!!,
With my 17 Wooldridge and a Yamaha 115/80 4 stroke jet, I would burn max 6.5 GPH with a load at full throttle, I would think a 90/60 on a 18 foot g-3 would be a good set up. Yeah, I have heard some great things about the E-tecs and I am sure they are fine motors, I have also had people in my boat that said it was nice not to have to wear ear plugs and still have a conversation, something that is apparently more difficult w/ a 2 stroke?
4 stroke is typically a little heavier and I have been told they are slower out of the hole, Suzuki makes some 4 strokes w/ gear reduction at the power head that may allow use of a bigger jet (depending on motor size) At least thats true w/ their 140, bigger jet is like running a bigger prop, more bite less slippage if you have the torque to turn it, the gear reduction apparently does that.
Dont cross offf the 4 strokes, Good luck!!!!

 

[Mr. Pid]

I think the G3 1860 Guide Model is the best open-floor mid-weight jon boat available since Lowe stopped producing the 19' Husky Jon. I'd buy one without hesitation (if I needed one), and I'd gladly put a Yamaha 4-stroke jet on the back. I drove my G3 1848 several times today, but with a 15hp prop. I really like that boat!

 

[Akgramps]

Sockeye, this sounds like what yer looking for..


http://anchorage.craigslist.org/boa/697699209.html

 

[AKRoadkill]

Looks like someone's selling about what you're looking for on Craigslist...

http://anchorage.craigslist.org/boa/697699209.html

Crap, Gramps beat me by 2 minutes....

 

[Akgramps]

.....Hey... we could say great minds think alike....................

 

[MTRiverRunner]

I had a G3 1756

I had a G3 1756

I used to have a G3 1756SC with a 60/40 4 stroke. It was a fantastic boat, G3 makes the best Jon boat out there in my opinion (of course I am predjudiced since I owned one). That said, I was really dissapointed in the 4 stroke Yamaha. The motor was very reliable, quiet, and fairly easy on fuel. It was a dog though, the 4 stroke didnt get the boat out of the hole very well. It was really heavy for how much power that it had. I also think that I would of used less fuel if I had an Optimax or E-Tec. the Yamaha, definately used less fuel than a carburated 2-stroke, but I dont think it was as fuel effecient as the direct injected motors. If I were buying an outboard to run with a prop, I wouldnt hesitate to buy a 4 stroke. But if I will never have another 4 stroke outboard jet.
Good Luck

 

[Jim in Delta]

I got one

I got one

I have a 05 1860CC with a 90 HP yamaha 4stroke, 65 at the jet. I love it. Its heavy in the rear end but thats the only thing I dont like. I run really skinny water and can go anywhere I want to within reason. It is reasonably fuel efficient. It has more than enough power to carry my 500 Foreman in the front as well. Only drawback Ive found is getting a whole shot in skinny water. She has a little bit of a fat @%s but once on step its easy going. Ive run the gulcana, tannana and the slough to george lake. Anybody that runs those knows skinny. I dearly love my boat.