Inboard, outboard, or jet?

Z

ZmOz

Captain
Joined
Aug 13, 2003
Messages
3,949
Well, the camping trip that ended yesterday ended quite horribly. I seized up my old inline 6 Mercury 150hp outboard. :mad: :mad: :rolleyes: Well, I've decided I'm going to look for a whole new boat, as this hull just isn't fast enough for me and there isn't enough room inside. I'll be looking for an older boat, probably something from the 70's, around $5000. Can somebody tell me what the advantages would be of another outboard, vs an I/O or a jet? I would like to be able to go 60mph with little to no work...and be good for skiing.
 
JasonJ

JasonJ

Rear Admiral
Joined
Aug 20, 2001
Messages
4,163
Re: Inboard, outboard, or jet?

Thats a tough call, because they all have their good points and bad points, so it depends on your budget. I will tell you that I prefer outboards because it is a lot easier to repower, they are lighter, take less room in the boat. Outboards seem more durable, and there is less to go wrong with an outboard. The down side is they are a bit noisier.<br /><br />An Inboard is nice because it is quieter, can get better fuel economy, but are more costlier to maintain, especially the outdrive. It is more difficult to repower to more power, but you can get automotive engines to replace it if it blows up. I don't think the older ones are as durable. <br /><br />Jet drives are fun, but not as fast and efficient as a prop if power is equall, but they can go in shallow water. Takes a different driving style. <br /><br />So if it were me, I would stick with outboard power, you can always get new technology and hang it off the transom easier than adapting out drives and all that nonsense for I/Os. Then again, this is just my highly biased opinion, so take it for what its worth...
 
H

Hasbeen

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Aug 29, 2003
Messages
167
Re: Inboard, outboard, or jet?

One more thing, if you are not going to run the rappids with a flat bottom boat, stay away from the jet! Bad fuel consumption, loss of about 30% of your power, and the possability of sucking up lake and river grass into the pump, also not particularly good for skiing! Sence performance is what you are looking for go with the outboard!!<br />You should be able to get a mid 80s family ski boat with a 200 HP in your price range, make sure you require a compresion test and dealer checkup! Be carefull of a boat that has been sitting for a year or more without having the carbs cleaned and new fuel unstalled! Full service!<br /><br />Hasbeen
 
K

kenimpzoom

Rear Admiral
Joined
Jul 13, 2002
Messages
4,807
Re: Inboard, outboard, or jet?

A while back on this board somewhere there was a link to a new design jet drive that uses a 5.7 L GM engine and is fully self contained. Looked really neat.<br /><br />I have my jet and really like not having to worry about hitting stumps or shallow areas. Plus no prop to worry about.<br /><br />Ken
 
H

Hasbeen

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Aug 29, 2003
Messages
167
Re: Inboard, outboard, or jet?

He did mention that his goal was 60MPH, Does anyone out there have an outboard Jet that will come anywhere close to 60MPH?<br />An inboard jet might come close to that but then you have an engine to sit around and the fuel is out of this world! I talked to a guy the other day with an 19 foot inboard jet boat with a 460 that said he ran 20 gallons of gas running up the river five miles and back and fishing half a day trolling! Top speed was about 50!<br /><br />Hasbeen
 
Z

ZmOz

Captain
Joined
Aug 13, 2003
Messages
3,949
Re: Inboard, outboard, or jet?

I probably should mention...if I get an inboard (of any kind) it MUST be powered by a large american V8. :D One of the main reasons I would want that over an outboard is because of the sound...as well as the fact that you only have to fill it with oil once a year! The reason I'm looking for another is because I forgot the oil... :mad: :mad: :mad: And then one of the reasons I would pick jet over sterndrive is because it's easier to keep it working...and probably cheaper to fix.
 
B

biloxiriver

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Aug 20, 2002
Messages
256
Re: Inboard, outboard, or jet?

Skiing at 60 mph - :eek: wow! I won't go there! Having experience with OBs, I/Os, and inboards, I will stick with the true inboard (shaft-drive) if possible. My current love is a 1971 21' Tigercraft CC, tunnel drive, with a 302 connected to the prop shaft via a 1:1 BorgWarner transmission. Can't squeeze much over about 38(+-) mph out of her, and quite honestly don't want to try; don't believe the 302 will do any more. But I got her for $4500 so can't complain to loudly. Tigercrafts are tough to find but older PenYans and Shamrocks are out there too. Good luck!
 
O

oldblumerc

Seaman
Joined
May 29, 2003
Messages
53
Re: Inboard, outboard, or jet?

If your goal is a good ski boat then you really do want to stick with an inboard, because thats what they were designed to do and absolutly stay away from jets they are terrible to ski behind. To get the speed you want though you would probibly need to run a comp barefooter since those are the speeds you have to go to bare foot. I couldn't tell you cost But i would be surprised if you could get a boat for 5g that would do 60 and still be a good ski boat. I don't have much experience with outboards, but a big part of what your looking for in a ski boat is weight distribution. somthing that will be quick to come on plane with a smooth ride.<br /><br />For hasbeen. A flat bottom jet will go alot faster than 60. (have you ever done 80 on the water? It's kinda scary)
 
Z

ZmOz

Captain
Joined
Aug 13, 2003
Messages
3,949
Re: Inboard, outboard, or jet?

I'm not talking about skiing at 60! :eek: I want a boat that will pull a skier...doesn't have to be the best at that because it probably won't be used for that very often. I would like to be able to cruise around at around 60. When I looked for my current boat about a month and a half ago there were quite a few V8s, both jet and prop, for around $4-6000, but I was only willing to spend $3000 at the time.
 
L

Link

Rear Admiral
Joined
Apr 13, 2003
Messages
4,221
Re: Inboard, outboard, or jet?

This is the link that I think kenimpzoom <br />was talking about. <br /><br /> http://www.jetpac.us/default.htm <br /><br />But they are very spendy.. and no jet that<br />know of is going to get you 60MPH<br />60MPH on the freeway doesn't seem like much<br />but Man on the water that is flying!<br /><br />Let us know what ya find and sorrey to hear<br />about your motor
 
H

Hasbeen

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Aug 29, 2003
Messages
167
Re: Inboard, outboard, or jet?

OK Oldblumerc, you got me on that one, I have to admit that I was talking about a flat bottom jet riverboat, Aluminum!<br /><br />Anyway this has been fun, I agree that the best ski boat is an inboard, there is absolutly no doubt about it, but if he wants to go 60 MPH for $5000 I doubt that he will be able to do it any other way than an outboard!!<br /><br />If I did a lot of skiing I would give up the 60MPH and try to find an older ski supreme or the likes and restore it the way I wanted!<br /><br />I also doubt that he is skiing at 60MPH either, I think he just likes to go fast!<br /><br />Yes, Ive been 100MPH + on the water and it scared the hell out of me, only did it once! and yes it was a flatbottom! But not a jet!!<br /><br />If I had to give advice that would be followed Id say "Look around, think about all you have read, find a boat you like and buy it"! No one can pick out a boat for anyone else, this is all just personal opinions!! I have an 18' dual console bass boat with a merc 150, My wife and I love it, as we bass fish together a lot! 18' long and just a two seater, (+two small pads in front of the winsheilds) most people say "what a waist of space" But it is what we want and it is our decision, after all its our boat!<br /><br />Hasbeen
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top