I have owned my Rogue Jet Boatworks Chinook 22 XXL for one year to the day. In that time, I’ve thoroughly tested it in a wide variety of water conditions including the open ocean, the Columbia from Buoy 10 east to the mouth of the Deschutes and numerous places in between, the Willamette, other Columbia tributaries and several lakes. I’ve used it bottom fishing, crabbing, salmon trolling and backtrolling, backbouncing, trolling for kokanee and trout, hover fishing for salmon, anchor fishing for sturgeon and salmon and nearly everything else we do in the Pacific Northwest. Performance has been exemplary, as has workmanship, for both the boat and its custom-made Guardian Trailer.
Since I fish mostly larger bodies of water, I chose a 14-degree tapered-radius hull. I had my doubts about this rather new and revolutionary hull design, but in comparing the ride and cornering ability with other’s boats of similar size and configuration, I’m convinced that the tapered-radius design provides a superior ride as well as precise turning capability with no noticeable sliding in the turns. My Honda BF250 (with a pump) doesn’t cavitate in the turns, either. The .250 single-piece bottom probably contributes to the smooth ride in rough chop, and with the heavy-duty bottom, I’m not reluctant to beach my boat on gravel bars.
Speaking of power, in addition to the Honda, I chose a Yamaha T9.9 for a kicker. Rigging for both motors, as well as all the electronics, is clean and serviceable.
A long list of impressive standard features included a completely powder-coated interior hull (including below the diamond-plate floors, inside the fish boxes and rod lockers), gunwales and transom. The powder-coat finish is beautiful, but more importantly it is very durable and provides a measure of corrosion protection in places we don’t often look. This extra step in the build process is something few others do.
I made a significant number of custom requests for this boat. Communication before and during the build process made me feel confident the crew at Rogue Jet would build me what I wanted, and they did. Some of these customizations included the transom height and design, a .250 bottom, 108-inch beam, sink location, rod lockers, a split fish box with a main compartment that could easily hold four or more 50-pound Chinook or many smaller fish, transom storage in the rear, installation of a house and starter battery aft, two batteries forward, reinforced bow cover to handle the load of the anchor nest and bow-mounted electric trolling motor, fabrication of a mounting location for a bow-mounted Minn Kota Riptide Terrova electric trolling motor, installation of a Trollbridge 12×24 combiner, installation of battery chargers and plug-ins fore and aft, installation of two fish finder/GPS combos (a Humminbird Helix the bow; a Raymarine Axiom at the stern), Fusion marine stereo with four speakers, washdown sprayers fore and aft, installation of a Fish Fighter Products Quick Mount System with their Extreme Duty XD Bow Mount Anchor Nest with their Columbia River anchor, a second Quick Mount System for the Riptide Terrova, a removable crab davit, a swim step with telescoping ladder, a removeable grab handle to provide something to hold onto while cornering in the tribs, LED lighting under the gunwales, diamond plate floors, and more. The crew at Rogue Jet was able to do it all, delivering to me a boat that was 100% ready for all the fisheries in which I participate from the day I picked it up.
Regarding the custom trailer, I had bright white LED lights mounted both facing back, and also facing out to the sides to help illuminate launches that aren’t a perfectly straight shot to the water. These have proven to be quite helpful, especially for launching in the dark at unfamiliar ramps. The tandem axle trailer came with Vault hubs, which are maintenance free and carry a 10-year warranty. The five wheels (four plus the spare) are custom aluminum, and sharp looking. There are surge brakes and both axles, and the whole package tows effortlessly behind my Ford F-150. The trailer itself is a work of art that will surely last as long as the boat. No more worrying about my bearings or the condition of my trailer, at least not for some time.
Working in the industry, I’m quite familiar with most of the boat manufacturers in the Pacific Northwest. Many make fine boats. I talked to several builders prior to making my decision to go with Rogue Jet. It is likely many builders could have produced what I desired, but I couldn’t be more pleased with the process and the finished product Rogue Jet Boatworks built for me. Had this boat not turned out to be everything I hoped it would be and then some, I wouldn’t write this testimonial and put my name on it.
George Krumm
Editor
Fish Alaska
Hunt Alaska