New boat review

[Susky River Rat]

I have finally have some time on my boat to give a better opinion. For those who do not know it is a 2024 G3 18’ CCJ tunnel hull with a 115/80 jet. I generally run a shallow rocky river.

 

This boat gets on plane easily with another rider and my dog. The vision I have of obstructions in the water because of the forward center console is excellent.  I draft about 8” which lets me easily get into areas without bumping or grinding the bottom. On plane I run about 3.5” The boat is incredibly stable to fish out of.  I have plenty of room with my dog and another angler. 
 

There is very little rod storage. So I started using rod socks and rod straps. I use hair ties to keep all the rod tips together so none lift up while I’m running. It is a slight pain to do but, it keeps everything in order and out of the way. 
 

This boat does not handle wake well from other boats even other boats on the river. It slams down hard due to the weight being designed forward. The boat is also very flat with little V in the front.

 

As great as the shallow draft is I learned the hard way the boat trailer barely needs to be in the water to load. It will not center. The ribs in either side of where the bunks would sit float over in the rear.

 

i have a love hate relationship with carpet. Love the feel hate when it gets wet or dirty. This boat has none. It is a none slip aluminum deck. I love the comfort of the carpet. At the end of the day this boat is not a Cadillac it’s a work horse. 
 

I do not have the terrova quest on it yet. I cannot wait when it arrives. 

Overall this boat is perfect for what I do and how I fish. 
 

 

[gim]

30 minutes ago, Susky River Rat said:

i have a love hate relationship with carpet. Love the feel hate when it gets wet or dirty. This boat has none. It is a none slip aluminum deck. I love the comfort of the carpet.

I used to be a carpet guy too until I bought a boat without it.

 

I'll never go back to carpet in a boat again.  Ever.

[TOXIC]

It’s great when you find the tool that fits your toolbox perfectly.  Same with boats.  

[flyfisher]

Beautiful set up and you are gonna love it up there on the susky.  

[Susky River Rat]

@gimruis oh I don’t think I ever would either. This is way too simple. I may get some rubber mats yet.

 

@TOXIC absolutely. When people ask about jets in general I always tell them if you really do not need them don’t get one. This boat does everything better than my old boat but handle wake.

 

@flyfisher thank you! I can see why the G3s are very popular on the river. 

[airshot]

That is a nice work boat, not a smooth riding pleasure boat !!  Designed for a purpose !!

[Junger]

Will vertical rod holders on the center console get in the way when casting?

[Susky River Rat]

@Junger I had vertical rod holders on my last boat. I wanted to get away from them. It can make going up creeks problematic. 

[Junger]

1 hour ago, Susky River Rat said:

@Junger I had vertical rod holders on my last boat. I wanted to get away from them. It can make going up creeks problematic. 

 

Gotcha. I've seen crappie fisherman use these before too, but they'll stick outside the gunnel a bit.

 

https://a.co/d/0Y7m211

 

[TnRiver46]

7 hours ago, Junger said:

Will vertical rod holders on the center console get in the way when casting?

Sure do haha. I use mine to hold pliers and scissors. My buddies always put their rods in them against my advice and it’s not long before you hear “CRACK!”