Research 2017 - Wooldridge Boats - 17- Alaskan XL Inboard

Wooldridge Boats has been blessed with many customers of superior boating skills over almost 100 years of boat building. These are folks from whom we share and learn.

These relationships speed along the evolution of boats, as was the case with the AK XL Sportjet and TJM (Alaska Outdoors Forum/Alaska Power Boating). This guy is a serious boater and his photo and video work is heralded by many. His forte is Sportjets and he recognizes and appreciates boat designs that work.

That fact resulted in TJM buying the first Wooldridge AK XL with a Sportjet (200hp Optimax powerhead with Mercury inboard jet drive) for sporty performance and great handling. He's been putting it through the paces and posting on Alaska Power-boating as he continues to run and challenge the boat. We excerpted some of his comments from an earlier post to share his thoughts on the Wooldridge AK

XL Sportjet.
"I have spent hundreds of hours running sport jets…it is my opinion that the Wooldridge is, hands down, the best sport jet that I've been around. Here's a run-down of the traits of the boat that put it at the top of my list…

Weight hauling
Hauls more weight…that fact has been proven to me multiple times…just a function of Wooldridge Boats hull design, I suppose…

Handling
Absolutely no comparison to any sport jet I've been in. You have to take a ride to appreciate it…

Shallow water running
The boat will absolutely run as shallow as any other competing sport jet

Cavitation
A lot less than any other sport jet I've experienced. I believe that is largely due to not having a tunnel…the boat simply stays hooked up…

Noise
Less than any other sport jet I've been in…noticeably quieter…we tested it with the decibel meter to confirm what our ears were telling us…it is quieter

Fit and finish
Again, no comparison here…the boat is absolutely solid and very well built…I think that contributes to the lower noise levels in the boat…

Ride quality
Here's something that my wife commented on immediately - the boat is quite a bit smoother than any other sport jet I've experienced…I know that there are a few other sport jets out there that are smooth as well ie, the Willie and Hewes… I've just never been in one so I can't compare…

Visibility
No need to stand up any more…I just don't feel the need to because you can see so much more…in fact, the boat corners so hard I can't stand up if I'm turning hard, it knocks me over…no BS…so the visibility is a very good thing to match the handling…

Price
Basically the same as the competitors…(imagine that)…all of the boat manufacturers are going to maximize profits as best as they can, however, you get a lot more boat for your dollar with the Wooldridge…

Getting unstuck
…once you do get stuck, the boat is noticeably easier to man handle than other sport jets I've wrestled with… it is very noticeable…perhaps it is a wider bottom and no lifting strakes…

Porpoising
The Wooldridge does not porpoise like the other sport jets I've experienced…it is a boat, so I'm sure some condition will cause it to porpoise; I've yet to find it….

Room
Pretty simple, more room…the boat is a touch wider and the dog house is substantially smaller, so less wasted space inside…

Slow speed ability
All of the sport jets can run relatively slow…this one runs the slowest of any I've been in…
…and last but not least….Customer service…there are a lot of builders that treat customers well…Wooldridge is among the best…
Beam: 8 ft. 3 in.
Fuel tank capacity: 36
Max load: 900
Standard features:
Specs
LOA 17' 10"
Beam 98-1/2"
Weight 1500lbs.
Capacity 900 lbs.
Fuel Tank 36 gal.
Max HP 200


Sportjet Windshield model
Lifetime Limited Hull Warranty to original buyer
Formed corrugation bottom, with 4 corrugations, 2 on each side of keel
Corrugation re-enforced w/ schedule 40 6061-T6 pipe
Extended bottom trim plate
Center of hull reinforced to 5/16" thick by 17" wide through planing surface
200HP Mercury Optimax Sportjet engine & jet
Large removable motor access panel on transom
Diamond plate swim step covering jet on transom
Aluminum mufflers
Fresh water clean out attachment for motor
Hinged aluminum motor cover
Built-in, under-floor aluminum fuel tank, baffled
Secondary fuel feed off tank for kicker fuel
Stand-up gunnels with toe kick
Meets U.S.C.G. floatation standards on boats under 20'
Meets U.S.C.G. standards on boats 20' and over
1/2" 50 year pressure treated plywood floors covered w/ marine boat decking
Full length Welded side trays w/ marine carpet on 20' & 23' models
Full length Welded 10" wide side trays w/ rubber lining on 17' models
Side panels covered with marine carpet (17' model only)
Dual rod storage racks
Enclosed transom w/ bilge blower
UV treated vinyl exterior side color & pin stripe package
Welded bow and stern eyes
Welded Sport rails
Walk-around gunnels w/ non skid
Storage enclosure under front step deck w/ locking door
Diamond plate bow cap
Mercury Gas/Water separator attached to power head
6 panel power source, w/ sealed switches and fuses
Navigation / Running lights
1,250 GPH bilge pump
Mercury tachometer gauge
Electric horn
Back lit fuel gauge
Large two piece "Walk-thru" windshield w/ tempered glass
Recessed self bailing diamond plate bow deck
Windshield wiper for drivers side
All welded dashboard
Dash mounted cable steering system
Two Bentley's "Sportsman" upholstered seats
Two all-welded aluminum lockable dry storage boxes
Two drain plugs


Sportjet Center Console model
Limited Lifetime Hull Warranty
Formed corrugation bottom, with 4 corrugations, 2 on each side of keel
Corrugation re-enforced w/ schedule 40 6061-T6 pipe
Extended bottom trim plate
Center of hull reinforced to 5/16" thick by 17" wide through planing surface
200HP Mercury Optimax Sportjet engine & jet
Diamond plate swim step covering jet on transom
Aluminum mufflers
Fresh water clean out attachment for motor
Hinged aluminum motor cover
Built-in, under-floor aluminum fuel tank, baffled
Secondary fuel feed off tank for kicker fuel
Meets U.S.C.G. floatation standards on boats under 20'
Meets U.S.C.G. standards on boats 20' and over
1/2" 50 year pressure treated plywood floors covered w/ marine boat decking
Full length Welded side trays w/ marine carpet on 20' & 23' models
Full length Welded 10" wide side trays w/ rubber lining on 17' models
Side panels covered with marine carpet (17' model only)
Stand-up gunnels with toe kick
Dual rod storage racks
Enclosed transom w/ bilge blower
UV treated vinyl exterior side color & pin stripe package
Welded bow and stern eyes
Welded Sport rails
Walk-around gunnels w/ non skid
Storage enclosure under front step deck w/ locking door on 20' models
Diamond plate bow cap
Mercury Gas/Water separator attached to power head
6 panel power source, w/ sealed switches and fuses
Navigation / Running lights
1,250 GPH bilge pump
Mercury tachometer gauge
Electric horn
Back lit fuel gauge
Welded center console in front of motor cover w/ storage and shelf
Dash mounted cable steering system
Recessed diamond plate step deck
Two drain plugs