Outboard Jet Drives

[ccbiggz]

Has anyone had any experience using Jet Drive Outbaords? I am considering the purchase of a 6 year old Johnson 35 HP (at the jet) and a 15' aluminum boat with console steering. The fella wants $4800 for the rig and there is not a scratch on it. I would use the boat for small and larger rivers. The small river has a lot of trees to be crossed (very accomplished at this using a 9.9 prop on similar boat) but not a lot of sand. What kind of holeshot and top end will the jet motor have compared to a prop? Is it expensive to maintain? Is it exspensive to repair?<br /><br />Thanks for the info!!

 

[DP]

Re: Outboard Jet Drives

I used to run a similar setup and was happy with it. A prop is going to give you a lot better performance but with the jet you can get into places a prop can't go. Very little maintenance on the jet, just an impeller and sleeve.<br />Get a test ride befor you buy to make sure it's for you.

 

[alcan]

Re: Outboard Jet Drives

Hello ccbigz<br />I would strongly suggest that you spend a day test running that rig in the environmet you intend to operate. Also with the load you intend to haul. I presently owen a 40hp outboard jet on a 14ft. sled. I can only get exceptable performance with a lightend load. Myself and six gals. of gas. I can't haul enough gas to go anywhere. Of corse there a lot differances to factor between boats. I still think 35hp will under powered. As far as maint cost go, I haven't noticed it being any more than any other motor. I use my rig for hunting and fishing so speed is not so important to me, but range is. I think I would be a lot happier with 65hp. Any way do your home work and have fun.

 

[Forktail]

Re: Outboard Jet Drives

You lose a lot of performance with the jet. They work great once on step, but any weight in the boat, etc and you may not be able to get on step. Holeshot and top end really get sacrificed, especially with weight. Reverse will hardly work. If rocks of any size get sucked into the pump impeller you will have to replace or repair it, much like a prop. I have seen the complete housing take a hole from a rock. Jets get plugged extremely easy in weeds and grass too. Also the noise is considerably increased as well as fuel consumption....something to think about if you hunt, etc.<br /><br />Outboard jets cavitate very bad in rougher water or small waves. At times the motor will begin bouncing on the transom.<br /><br />If a prop motor has worked for you in the past, I would tend to favor one. Maybe you could find a prop lower to fit the motor?<br /><br />I've run lots of jets and prefer the prop even on shallow rivers. <br /><br />I currently have an elete and outdated one of a kind jet boat that I'm very proud of.... 15' MidJet (welded aluminum) with an inboard 635 cc 2-stroke marine Rotax (wet exhaust), and a small UA jet pump. It's quite the set up.

 

[bruoff]

Re: Outboard Jet Drives

You might want to consider a Whaler Rage.<br />Mine has a 650cc/ 65ish horsepower Yamaha<br />jetski system. Nothing hangs down at all.<br />Best of all Yamaha parts are available literally all over the world. The jetski<br />that I rented on St. Maarten had the same<br />propulsion unit. Come down to Florida and <br />I'll sell you mine

 

[bwduck]

Re: Outboard Jet Drives

I am a firm believer in Jet drives. I own and use a Yamaha 35 jet drive since 1994. If you match the boat and motor you will love the abilitie to go places you would never try with a prop. I have my jet on 16' grumman ranger. It is a big john boat with a slight v on the bottom. I have hauled 2000 lbs and still got on plane. I go in 3" of water and need 12 to pop up on plane. My top end is about 30 mile an hour. I have replaced impellers and bowls because of sand and rocks but it still a lot cheaper than one lower unit. If can be done I tried it with my jet. This is includes jumping beaver dams, ice chunks, sand bars, logs, stumps. The only draw backs are leaves and heavy weeds. Test it first. Have fun.