Carolina Skiff with Jet outboard

[davidsdj]

I am considering getting a Carolina Skiff J16 and installing a 30 hp Jet drive outboard. Primary use will be river fishing in Michigan. Anyone with experience on this type of set-up and advice?

 

[wayne h]

Re: Carolina Skiff with Jet outboard

there is a local guy here in fl with that same setup. what a boat very nice and he can float in anything just about jet drives are cool and bring alot of money here,even for resale.

 

[Terry H]

Re: Carolina Skiff with Jet outboard

David...sounds like a nice setup, but i would test drive it to make sure you are not disapointed in the performance. Boats with jet drives sometimes are a little sluggish...changing from prop to jet takes some getting used to...just a Thought

 

[kev_alaska]

Re: Carolina Skiff with Jet outboard

Thought is right. Make sure you factor in the jet's effect on the horsepower ratio. A jet will cost you about 30-35% of your rated horses....

 

[DJ]

Re: Carolina Skiff with Jet outboard

david,<br /><br />That set up may be a bit of a handful when turning.<br /><br />You will have a flat bottom boat with little to no lower unit for direction control..<br /><br />I would drive it first.

 

[Bigfun]

Re: Carolina Skiff with Jet outboard

David, if the Skiff is fiberglass you will won't at least 50hp, but I wouldn't reccommend a fiberglass sled for mich. ROCKY rivers. Iv'e had a 16' flat w/50hp jet for 17 years. These setups are great for shallow river running only. In lakes/ocean it is a hassel to keep the weeds out of the intake. I love mine when on the river[Muskegon,Manistee], but I wish I had a prop when on lakes.

 

[akriverrat]

Re: Carolina Skiff with Jet outboard

any outboard jet sold by the manufacturer as a jet has allready been "derated" 30-35%. that is only an issue if the jet was added later.

 

[davidsdj]

Re: Carolina Skiff with Jet outboard

Guys: Thanks for taking the time to reply. The Carolina Skiff J16 hull is rather light weight and rated for 30 hp maximum. Regarding the comments related to reduced jet performance, I was thinking of using a Yamaha 40 hp 4-stroke outboard which is derated to 30 hp due to the jet. I wouldn't be doing much lake fishing, just running rivers like the Manistee and Muskegon. True there are some rocks to watch out for, but the primary concern is shallow gravel stretches. For drifting and positioning, I would equip the J16 with oarlocks and row.

 

[akriverrat]

Re: Carolina Skiff with Jet outboard

jet obs excell in running gravel riffles. only concern is boat will go places that will grind the bottom out of glass boat. that is why they use 3/16-1/4" welded aluminum boats on the western rivers. the temptation will be strong once you see HOW shallow you can run.