GAME ON.....or OVER.... ROAD TRIP. ITS A JET BOAT STORY

[n2otoofast4u]

Most know that here in the PNW we spend some time on the Willamette River that @JUSTWANNARACE has posted so many pics of. Somewhat shallow, some narrow spots, and some wide, but over all pretty straight with a nice sandy beach to hang out on, and a 2 mile dead straight section to really stretch the legs of the boats if you so choose. There are virtually no other boats beside small 70s vintage jet boats other than my dumbass has ran every boat I have owned up there I think, but that is not the norm. Other than me, who doesn't surf up there, there are NO surf boats, the water is very calm virtually all day every day. A few years back I sold the blower boat and just ran my Hondo mini day cruiser up and down the river for a few years, putting on 1000s of miles/smiles with virtually zero issues. Last year the kids really started becoming interested in the wake sport crap, so I traded the Hondo and some cash for a decent wake boat which we put 100s of hours on as documented in one of my other threads.

The past year or so, I have had the itch for another little boat to run around with. I want newer (I don't want to rehab a 40-year-old boat), I want modern(ish) power, and I want it to be reasonably quick. I spoke with Todd at Tahiti, Eliminator, and another gentleman, and just never got the warm fuzzy feeling that what they were offering was what I was really looking for, and the undertaking of a new boat build was overwhelming to say the least. So, I have had my eye open, but not really looking if that makes sense.

Fast forward to last week, one of my buddies sends me a screen shot of a boat for sale that checks virtually all the boxes, priced fair, and is reasonably sorted. It took a bit to make contact, as the only social media I have is RDP, so had to explain to the wife that I needed to use her Facebook to "message a buddy"....LOL She caught on in about 2 seconds, but luckily, she doesn't interject too much into my antics, so she handed to phone over for me to send a message and the next morning I was on the phone with the seller, made a deal, wired the funds, and purchased a vessel! Over the last week I purchased a trailer to put it in, booked plane tickets, rental cars, etc. and today is the day. My buddy and I fly to GA tonight, will pick up the boat/trailer(s) tomorrow, and head West on a 2600 mile road trip to get home.

I will be posting pics, comments, and documenting the build in this thread over the coming months. Should be a great little boat when complete and will terrorize the river this coming summer.

 

[King295]

I have a feeling where this is headed and I'm hoping it is the case. Looking forward to following the journey.

 

[sintax]

nice, you've had some seriously nice floats, super jealous

 

[warpt71]

very cool!!!!

 

[n2otoofast4u]

you coulda just hit mike up on here.. lol @cyclone

I did....

 

[ChiliPepperGarage]

you coulda just hit mike up on here.. lol @cyclone

Maybe that's who he is buying it from!

 

[River Runnin]

I played on the Columbia, Deschutes, and the Snake (in a real River Jet of course) the most.

Congrats on the new glass!

 

[n2otoofast4u]

Gotta get a cocktail or 7 in me.

 

[lbhsbz]

Gotta get a cocktail or 7 in me. View attachment 1168992

A requirement to the start of a good boat acquisition story…

 

[ChiliPepperGarage]

your missing the point

I guess so. He's going to Georgia to buy a boat. Thread title is "Game On..or over". Mike has a boat named "Game Over".

 

[ChiliPepperGarage]

he also jumped thru some hoops to get his wifes facebook so he could contact mike, when mike is an active member here thats what i was referring to.

Okay, I get it now.

Should be a cool experience and look forward to the trip report. Maybe we’ll see the OP on a Finnegan.s Garage episode.

 

[cyclone]

the Hemi is out and the boat is almost ready for transport.

 

[rivrrts429]

Could’ve gone to Havasu and just had Peterson Specialties lay you up a brand new one

Congrats on the new boat and looking forward to the updates.

 

[cyclone]

Could’ve gone to Havasu and just had Peterson Specialties lay you up a brand new one

Congrats on the new boat and looking forward to the updates.

Yeah but now all he's got to do is drop his engine into this one, replace the trailer axles, and he'll be ready for water testing. He bought the boat with the Holley Dominator efi, touchscreen dash, coil-on-plug ignition, c02 system, jet drive, data logger, aluminum driveshaft, rail kit, intercooler..basically everything he needs to go boating. I wouldn't be surprised to see the boat running again sooner rather than later.

 

[rivrrts429]

Yeah but now all he's got to do is drop his engine into this one, replace the trailer axles, and he'll be ready for water testing. He bought the boat with the Holley Dominator efi, touchscreen dash, coil-on-plug ignition, c02 system, jet drive, data logger, aluminum driveshaft, rail kit, intercooler..basically everything he needs to go boating. I wouldn't be surprised to see the boat running again sooner rather than later.

My post was sarcasm. I would’ve done the same. Hell… I know how much is invested in that pump alone. Nevermind all the other stuff listed. This will be a lot of fun to follow.

Game Over’s journey continues…

 

[JUSTWANNARACE]

I cant wait for this journey! (Glad to see you came to your senses and got another "river boat") And to get time on this. Wanted to make the trip with him but it didnt pan out.. but I am looking forward to help with the build and get it on the water.


And yes. I can guarantee it will be on the water and "game over" for some! Sooner than later!!

 

[Sherpa]

sheesh I was headed to alabama soon with 5k worth of freight weight left over on a 35 foot gooseneck.

 

[Crazyhippy]

Im in NC just north of Charlotte if you need anything.

 

[Ol Man]

Cool purchase.

 

[lake p.a.l.]

Booze, bed, breakfast, boat rides on me if u wanna stop @ LOTO on your way west

 

[SBMech]

Did you not want to sell the engine? Or was he unable to afford it?!?!

I hate removing engines from completed projects, they rarely work/run the same after.....the time to dial things in after a heart transplant can be exhausting.

After all, every powerplant, even identical parts installed, same break-in procedures etc, runs and is it's own entity. They will be unique. More HP or More TQ, Less sometimes, they all develop their own identity.

If you don't understand that, you have not built enough to experience it.

 

[BlowMe]

So. Fucking. Awesome. congrats man!

 

[lake p.a.l.]

Did you not want to sell the engine? Or was he unable to afford it?!?!

I hate removing engines from completed projects, they rarely work/run the same after.....the time to dial things in after a heart transplant can be exhausting.

After all, every powerplant, even identical parts installed, same break-in procedures etc, runs and is it's own entity. They will be unique. More HP or More TQ, Less sometimes, they all develop their own identity.

If you don't understand that, you have not built enough to experience it.

Gonna guess N2otoofast4u wanted a dialed in hull etc

 

[bonesfab]

So whats up with the hemi?? @cyclone

 

[lake p.a.l.]

N2otoofast4u
If u don't wear yur black Sox u probably won't fall & hurt yourself this trip
We could do a lil yotting if u wish

 

[Blackmagic94]

Badass buy


What’s the hemi gonna go in now Mike? I don’t think the wife will let you swap that into the 21 lol

 

[JUSTWANNARACE]

Did you not want to sell the engine? Or was he unable to afford it?!?!

I hate removing engines from completed projects, they rarely work/run the same after.....the time to dial things in after a heart transplant can be exhausting.

After all, every powerplant, even identical parts installed, same break-in procedures etc, runs and is it's own entity. They will be unique. More HP or More TQ, Less sometimes, they all develop their own identity.

If you don't understand that, you have not built enough to experience it.

I dont think the engine was an option.. or I'm sure dummy(@n2otoofast4u) would have had bought it "turn key"..

But I may be wrong

 

[lake p.a.l.]

I dont think the engine was an option.. or I'm sure dummy(@n2otoofast4u) would have had bought it "turn key"..

But I may be wrong

Dummy=CORRECT

 

[n2otoofast4u]

Did you not want to sell the engine? Or was he unable to afford it?!?!

I hate removing engines from completed projects, they rarely work/run the same after.....the time to dial things in after a heart transplant can be exhausting.

After all, every powerplant, even identical parts installed, same break-in procedures etc, runs and is it's own entity. They will be unique. More HP or More TQ, Less sometimes, they all develop their own identity.

If you don't understand that, you have not built enough to experience it.

I have ZERO need or ability to own something like that. I don’t need that much HP, I don’t have the ability to keep it alive, nor do I have the check book to buy/operate/maintain. I have 2 options currently for power, will make the decision on which over the coming days. Will it be a 711” TT Hemi, NOPE. Will it roll out reasonably quick, that’s the hope.

 

[ChrisV]

I think he's putting the motor into a drag car. Better use for it imo.

 

[JUSTWANNARACE]

I have ZERO need or ability to own something like that. I don’t need that much HP, I don’t have the ability to keep it alive, nor do I have the check book to buy/operate/maintain. I have 2 options currently for power, will make the decision on which over the coming days. Will it be a 711” TT Hemi, NOPE. Will it roll out reasonably quick, that’s the hope.

I think the engine wrapped in plastic, on the crate, sitting in your shop might work just fine for now..imo

 

[JayBreww]

Did you not want to sell the engine? Or was he unable to afford it?!?!

I hate removing engines from completed projects, they rarely work/run the same after.....the time to dial things in after a heart transplant can be exhausting.

After all, every powerplant, even identical parts installed, same break-in procedures etc, runs and is it's own entity. They will be unique. More HP or More TQ, Less sometimes, they all develop their own identity.

If you don't understand that, you have not built enough to experience it.

Think he has some sentimental attachment to the engine.

 

[n2otoofast4u]

Shit show of epic proportions, but we’re here, it’s 3:30am…. Time for a nape.

 

[RiverDave]

Shit show of epic proportions, but we’re here, it’s 3:30am…. Time for a nape.

The shit show is part of the adventure

 

[cyclone]

The engine wasn't for sale. I'm keeping it and it and the turbos are going into a C2 Corvette street/strip car.

 

[lake p.a.l.]

N2O is loving his trip

 

[lake p.a.l.]

New Suburban is getting spanked

 

[lake p.a.l.]

He is hammer down & couldn't even take me up on my offer of booze, boats, and ...........

 

[BlowMe]

Thank you for dinner and thank you for stopping so I could check out that incredible piece of artwork! Absolutely fucking gorgeous! What a badass boat. Im in awe and cant believe that i got to see it let alone put my hands on it and crawl underneath it. He said he is getting like 6 mpg now rob. He is doing better lol. Thanks again @n2otoofast4u!!! Really appreciate ya. Yall be safe and hope you can make it through the storm pretty quick. @cyclone absolute insane work and the details and attention to details is nuts! All I can say is wow! Killer work man

 

[lake p.a.l.]

Thank you for dinner and thank you for stopping so I could check out that incredible piece of artwork! Absolutely fucking gorgeous! What a badass boat. Im in awe and cant believe that i got to see it let alone put my hands on it and crawl underneath it. He said he is getting like 6 mpg now rob. He is doing better lol. Thanks again @n2otoofast4u!!! Really appreciate ya. Yall be safe and hope you can make it through the storm pretty quick. @cyclone absolute insane work and the details and attention to details is nuts! All I can say is wow! Killer work man

Ooooo shit u had to put up with slapdick John for dinner? At least u got to see the badass boat

 

[Backlash]

Talk about a turnaround trip!!

 

[BlowMe]

Ooooo shit u had to put up with slapdick John for dinner? At least u got to see the badass boat

Lol more like he had to put with up a couple of rednecks with too many questions. I had to bring travis along with me to see that incredible boat. It was nice to see and chat with him again

 

[SOCALCRICKETT]

The engine wasn't for sale. I'm keeping it and it and the turbos are going into a C2 Corvette street/strip car.

I don't blame you, if I'm not mistaken sonny passed not too longer doing that motor

 

[lake p.a.l.]

I hope u are not stuck in the winds we are having here at LOTO all night 15-25 gusts to 45. Safe travels guys

 

[n2otoofast4u]

We’re still driving. I drove through the night, now my buddy is behind the wheel and I’m taking a nape. We had terrible traffic early, then terrible weather later, and hadn’t gotten nearly as far as needed.

Yes we are getting less than 5mpg

Yes the boat is badass.

I will update more later, but so far so good!

 

[lake p.a.l.]

Last I heard they were entering Wyoming out of Nebraska on 80. Hopefully the wind in WY settles down and no snow getting thru Park City & into Salt Lake

 

[sintax]

I'm still trying to wrap my head around this 5mpg thing here... Did you somehow fit a modern dash into a 1978 Winnebago?

 

[HighVoltage329]

John, I can't believe you bought GAME OVER!!! Bad ass...

 

[endobear]

Last I heard they were entering Wyoming out of Nebraska on 80. Hopefully the wind in WY settles down and no snow getting thru Park City & into Salt Lake

50+ mph gusts at my place west of Denver right now. Been howling all night. I'd guess it's probably worse in Wyoming. Usually is.
Drive safe..

 

[cyclone]

Thank you for dinner and thank you for stopping so I could check out that incredible piece of artwork! Absolutely fucking gorgeous! What a badass boat. Im in awe and cant believe that i got to see it let alone put my hands on it and crawl underneath it. He said he is getting like 6 mpg now rob. He is doing better lol. Thanks again @n2otoofast4u!!! Really appreciate ya. Yall be safe and hope you can make it through the storm pretty quick. @cyclone absolute insane work and the details and attention to details is nuts! All I can say is wow! Killer work man

thanks. I'm excited its going to get put to good use. have fun!