Baller bananaron Posted August 19, 2023 Baller Share Posted August 19, 2023 Just looked at several videos of this boat and for us old outboard fans this one looks very interesting.Are they made in Canada and the big dealer is Gordon Bay Marine?Has anyone skied and or driven the new boat.I assume the cost is less then a new DD even with the 200HP YamahaAny info would be great.How do they compare to the Dyna-ski... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller bananaron Posted August 22, 2023 Author Baller Share Posted August 22, 2023 CK OUT J-CRAFT.COM. The new 21ss looks fantastic and would be great for footin and slalom.The new outboards require little or no maintenance for yrs.iT ALSO HAS PERFECT PASS...... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller swc5150 Posted August 22, 2023 Baller Share Posted August 22, 2023 Agreed, when it comes to maintenance, I love our new outboard. Not having to drain the block is so nice up here in WI. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller bananaron Posted August 26, 2023 Author Baller Share Posted August 26, 2023 A new 2023 21ft j-craft with a 250HP Yamaha is $89,000 and a 2022 model is about 77,000.Boats look fantastic and would love to ski one...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller Andre Posted August 26, 2023 Baller Share Posted August 26, 2023 (edited) I skied a 19' with a 225 hp long time ago. Wake is non existant on those and tracking fins makes the boat track very decently. With a 250,that's a 65 mph boat ! Edited August 26, 2023 by Andre 3 My ski finish in 16.95 but my ass is out of tolerance! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller bananaron Posted August 26, 2023 Author Baller Share Posted August 26, 2023 @Andre The new ones are 21ft now and come with 250HP Yamahas.How would you compare the tracking when you skied one to that of any of the DD boats you skied? The new 21ft ss is suppose to track really well and has no wake........ 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller_ lpskier Posted August 26, 2023 Baller_ Share Posted August 26, 2023 Ouch! I can feel the June bug right between the eyes! 1 1 Lpskier Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller motoxr Posted August 27, 2023 Baller Share Posted August 27, 2023 Hey Ron, I've seen the boats at the shows and they look amazing! My son just bought an old 17' and the boat is fantastic, with no wake at all. The new ones would be fantastic! We have a Prostar, and Nautique 196 and would also love a J. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller 6balls Posted August 27, 2023 Baller Share Posted August 27, 2023 Wicked! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller 6balls Posted August 27, 2023 Baller Share Posted August 27, 2023 Ron they have a used 2020 with a 225. You buy that thing I'll drive up there and pull you. Might even break out my barefoot suit! 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller bananaron Posted August 27, 2023 Author Baller Share Posted August 27, 2023 @6balls Where is the 2020 boat you are talking about?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller Killer Posted August 27, 2023 Baller Share Posted August 27, 2023 18 hours ago, bananaron said: @Andre The new ones are 21ft now and come with 250HP Yamahas.How would you compare the tracking when you skied one to that of any of the DD boats you skied? The new 21ft ss is suppose to track really well and has no wake........ No comparison to tracking. Ive spent aot of time in the older 17 and 19 footers. Good for rec skiing not course skiing. Good for show skiing and footing. The wake is Bigger on the new 21 but they apparently track better. I haven't been behind one but know some who have. The new big 4s motor is mass massive and blocks the rear view. If you want a go fast boat and a ski boat this is definitely the one. They're damn gorgeous. Totally custom but not a replacement for a direct drive. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller bananaron Posted August 27, 2023 Author Baller Share Posted August 27, 2023 @Killer For me at my old age and that I open water ski and grew up on outboards I would love to hav one.They have ZERO and I mean ZERO maintenance.My local MC dealer just charged me $1127.56 to winterize change oil filter and install a new impeller on the 08 MC PS 197.That is ridiculous and prices are going up every yr.I have had many DD boats since 1992 however right now would prefer the big outboard on a J-CRAFT....... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller 6balls Posted August 27, 2023 Baller Share Posted August 27, 2023 He Ron at the dealer website that you mentioned. Yeah it's no direct drive, but if you are skiing longer lines/slower speeds a barefoot outboard with tracking fins in the bomb. No wake so learning proper stack is so much easier. When I was a kid we had a barefoot Centurion and I was thru 32 off before ever seeing an inboard so I never dealt with a wake of any sort. No dreaded 22 off hump. Coaching later in my life and seeing skiers ramp off the 22 wake I was like damn--how do I coach that? Sure proper form blah blah it can be done but it still kinda sucks. I have proper form doesn't mean I want to hit a VW beetle at centerline. Bottom line great for the recreational or non-tourney slalom skier even if they want to run some buoys. While the J-craft is cool, I'd take my '91 Centurion Falcon if built to todays standards as just as good...and better. A real tourney inboard with an outboard stuck on it--so layout, dash, windshield, center mount pylon, dual swim platforms, a rubrail that doesn't compromise the gelcoat at the rear of the boat, tourney style rear facing passenger seat with wrap around seating in the rear. That thing was a great family ski/barefoot boat. My nephew is living it up in it as we speak sold it to him a few years ago. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller 6balls Posted August 27, 2023 Baller Share Posted August 27, 2023 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller Killer Posted August 27, 2023 Baller Share Posted August 27, 2023 (edited) 5 hours ago, bananaron said: @Killer For me at my old age and that I open water ski and grew up on outboards I would love to hav one.They have ZERO and I mean ZERO maintenance.My local MC dealer just charged me $1127.56 to winterize change oil filter and install a new impeller on the 08 MC PS 197.That is ridiculous and prices are going up every yr.I have had many DD boats since 1992 however right now would prefer the big outboard on a J-CRAFT....... Takes me an hour to winterize my nautique. Couldn't be easier! My 01 has never even been to a mechanic or dealer and I'm just an insurance salesman lol. Working on the inboard is so easy. I have no idea what's involved in maintenance for the big 4s outboards, can't see it being cheaper Frankly but idk. That said the new J is gorgeous but if I was buying a J 'Craft it would be a refurbished 19' short deck and it would and a 225 Merc 2 stroke on it Edited August 27, 2023 by Killer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller BGrow76 Posted August 27, 2023 Baller Share Posted August 27, 2023 For low maintenance electric will be hard to beat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller Sethro Posted August 28, 2023 Baller Share Posted August 28, 2023 Those are really cool boats. But imagine how cool they’d be with an actual windshield. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller 6balls Posted August 28, 2023 Baller Share Posted August 28, 2023 Yeah easy to winterize the nautique. Kind of dreaded impeller and the oil change--but very do-able. My big outboard I did nothing--didn't winterize but it lived in heated storage. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller swc5150 Posted August 28, 2023 Baller Share Posted August 28, 2023 Agreed, DD service/winterization is easy, but it's nothing like a new outboard. The block drains itself...can't beat that. But as a true course ski tug, there's no replacing a DD boat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller bananaron Posted August 29, 2023 Author Baller Share Posted August 29, 2023 @Killer I have winterized my boats in the past however at 75 yrs young with 2 bad knees back and hands that need surgery it is tougher to do.Also have vertigo bad so that really kicks in when doing certain things.Cost of owning a DD is getting out of control for the average guy and I have owned many...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bruiser Posted August 29, 2023 Share Posted August 29, 2023 @bananaron hoping to hear more input. Are you talking Canadian dollars? I to love the idea of low maintenance, small wake. My driver (wife) who doesn’t ski often could use a crazy small wake for her knees. Question? How would one stay warm in one without windshield/heater. Is there an alternative heat source to deploy? Usually ski all year round accept for couple months (Jan & feb). Looking at the videos, I also wonder why one couldn’t get that boom a little lower as well. Definitely like your taste in boats! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller bananaron Posted August 29, 2023 Author Baller Share Posted August 29, 2023 @Bruiser They do have a windshield however it is very low.I am sure other ones are available.The prices are in US $$.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller Hutch66 Posted September 1, 2023 Baller Share Posted September 1, 2023 Bananaron - I owned a 17' J-Craft and grew up skiing behind a 16' J-Craft. Don't have any experience or time with or behind the new 21' J-Crafts. But I have seen these personally at boat shows and marinas. The new J's appear to be very well built, lots of upholstery, lots of gauges and bells & whistles. The old J-Crafts were very basic - little upholstery, a few gauges, no windshield. These didn't even have a stringers and only a 24" wide floor. The seats were on the bottom of the boat which you saw flex in bumpy water. Slalom skiing, you could pull & tug these quite easily. I only weigh 160 lbs and I could easily tug it while slaloming. Only 1 tracking fin, 2 on the 19' J-Crafts. I cannot speak regarding the new J-Crafts. Ironically after owning & skiing behind outboard J-Crafts and when in the market for a new boat 12 months ago - I wanted a inboard tournament ski boat. We bought a 95' Malibu Response. We love it. Comparing my Response to our old J-Craft is like comparing apples to oranges. My Malibu rides better (slower yes), more room for passengers & gear and the swim platform is so much more convenient putting on skis. I just feel now, the overall skiing experience for skier / driver / passengers is better with our Malibu compared to when we owned our J-Crafts. I would caution if you consider an old 17' or 19' J-Craft. I know our Canadian $$ may be tempting. But these boats haven't been produced in quite a few years - probably +15 years. The boats I have seen listed for sale here in Ontario are usually butchered and in bad shape. Decent ones hardly go up for sale. The main reason I went to a Malibu. Good for you & your son MotoXR if you found a gem! Congrats! Good Luck Bananaron with whatever you end up with. Hutch Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller bananaron Posted September 1, 2023 Author Baller Share Posted September 1, 2023 @Hutch66I would only consider a new 21ss J-craft.I think it seems there is a big difference between the new and the old........... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller motoxr Posted September 2, 2023 Baller Share Posted September 2, 2023 You are absolutely right bananaron, the new ones are much better built. Check out some of the many YouTube videos they have now put out. You can even see some of the factory tours. I seem to recall one of the reasons they went to the 21' length was due to less stringent flotation requirements.i think they have 2 fins as well. Note, they do have have some with mini transoms as an option to put your ski on. Also massive amounts of options to build your boat are available. If you get one, be sure to share pics....and good luck! Note, still love our ProStar and Nautique 197, Yet the new J's would also be a blast. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller bananaron Posted September 6, 2023 Author Baller Share Posted September 6, 2023 Here are some photos of a new J-CRAFT.Would like one with the 250HP Yamaha....Would be a fantastic boat for barefoot and slalom...... 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller tjs1295 Posted September 6, 2023 Baller Share Posted September 6, 2023 Interesting stuff. I would definitely need a functional windshield though. We're out on way too many cold mornings. I can't tell if Dyna-Ski is still making boats or not, but I would rather have one of their outboards. A 17.5 foot boat with a 150 hp would be plenty for my slalom skills. Probably good enough for some barefooting as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller ALPJr Posted September 6, 2023 Baller Share Posted September 6, 2023 That’s a beautiful boat @bananaron Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller 6balls Posted September 6, 2023 Baller Share Posted September 6, 2023 Yes gotta have a windshield. Also would need to sit in one and get a feel for driver ergonomics. Tilt helm(hopefully), throttle position etc. Would prefer a rear facing observer seat that you could lift to get to storage. In the J it looks to be just all open under there for stuff to come back and whack your toes. Could move that rear seat forward a bit and create an upholstered sunpad over a storage compartment at the rear. That rear gel corner is gonna be exposed to dock tie ups etc cuz the rub-rail is narrower than the gel. Looks cool but the rail isn't protecting anything back there. My old Centurion Falcon Barefoot that I posted about above had none of those issues. Great enclosed bow storage behind the rear facing observers seat, a real tourney boat windshield and ski mirror, tilt helm, nice ergonomics from seat to throttle and wheel. Rear u-shaped seat also had storage behind it. Rub rail was useful protection front to rear. The Flightcraft's and Sangers were great, too. Swim platforms and rope guide over motor. Center mount pylon with fins underneath. I think over 20 years later it could be done better than these J's which remind me more of Switzers, Checkmates, Hydrostreams. Ron just find yourself a used and pristine Malibu-Flightcraft Outboard--no wood, great build, better ski/driving and barefoot boat than this new J--and probably lots cheaper. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller Jordan Posted September 7, 2023 Baller Share Posted September 7, 2023 The new JCraft is truly a custom boat. If you wanted a rear facing passenger bench, they would make that for you. Same thing if you wanted the rear seat furthr fwd and a sun pad. If you have any other ideas, reach out and talk to them. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller_ Jody_Seal Posted September 7, 2023 Baller_ Share Posted September 7, 2023 just looked online at a j craft.. I want one! wonder how they go around tight turn islands ? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller bananaron Posted September 7, 2023 Author Baller Share Posted September 7, 2023 Yes they are custom boat builders and you canorder different things and colors.Go to their website and you tube and watch how they handle.I think they would do very well around turn islands.I think they drive like a sports car.....I would love to on one 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller motoxr Posted September 8, 2023 Baller Share Posted September 8, 2023 As Jordan posted these are definitely custom boat builders ....and yes, you can definitely get a windshield if you'd like one. Ron, you should come up and test drive one. If you do come up, pm me and we can take you out for a ski behind our Prostar. They are less than an hour away. The J's are clearly not a tournament ski boat. However, with the Perfect Pass, they are definitely a sports car for the water and can still pull you through the course, barefoot all day or blast around at high speed. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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