"Upgrade" boat to a Jetboat / Seadoo?

[george_k]

Just wondering people's opinion on "upgrading" my 2004 Tempest with 130hp Mercruiser 3.0L engine to a Jetboat like the 2004 Seadoo Utopia 185, with 200+hp. I've had my Tempest for a couple of years (relatively new boat owner) and am reasonably happy with the power (haven't tried wakeboarding yet... just bought one recently to try!). Basically what are people's opinions with 18ft jetboats like the Seadoo?

I've never used a jetboat before, but like the idea of:
- much smaller draft for smaller-lake boating
- the safety of not having a propellor
- fuel injection for efficiency, pollution, and reliability
- presumably more power, however, while I realise there is much more horsepower on say, the Utopia 185, I hear impellors don't have the nearly the power as propellers for a given horsepower.

My concerns with going to this type of 18ft Jetboat/ Seadoo include:
- how bad is reversing and maneuvering an 18ft jetboat vs. an 18ft I/O boat?
- will fuel efficiency be worse with the higher horsepower engine, given it's fuel injected?
- A used 2003/ 2004 Seadoo Utopia 185 would run around $16K to $18K (Canadian), which I'm willing to spend if it is much better...

Typical use is exploring the lake, some watersports (tube/ ski / wakeboard), etc. Nothing too high power, just family fun, to last a few years.

Thanks,
george

 

[NoKlu]

Re: "Upgrade" boat to a Jetboat / Seadoo?

Jet boats are very very expensive to run compared to the boat you have now. Fuel is not going down in price. If you can,rent a jet boat for the day and compare it with the one you have before you buy. That would be the only way for you to get a feel for what you would be getting into. They are a different animal. Do a search here and you will find a few discussions about jets compared to props. Around the dock you don't have very much control with a jet and you see a lot of guys [not all] bouncing them off docks and other boats. Watch the jet ski's at slow speeds and around the docks and thats the kind of control you can expect. Oh and welcome to iboats.

 

[NoKlu]

Re: "Upgrade" boat to a Jetboat / Seadoo?

I just saw a 2001 18' Yamaha jet boat with twin 155 hp motors for sale and the owner listed it's average fuel consumption at 90 Litres per hour!!! The cruise speed was 30 mph and the top speed was 47 mph. If this is reliable I'd stick with a prop for what you are doing. I went to rent a jet ski last weekend and was told at the rental office it would be about $30 an hour for gas. I never asked how much the jet boat they had would use.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: "Upgrade" boat to a Jetboat / Seadoo?

Going from a 3.0 with an outdrive to a jet boat ....... you really will not be happy.

An entire new world of maintenance and problems follow those units.

 

[mcgonegalm]

Re: "Upgrade" boat to a Jetboat / Seadoo?

You might want to check out this website: http://www.yamahajetboaters.com
Just worth looking to give you a different perspective. I have considered switching to one of the jet boats myself and really liked the Yamaha's.

 

[smclear]

Re: "Upgrade" boat to a Jetboat / Seadoo?

My concerns with going to this type of 18ft Jetboat/ Seadoo include:
- how bad is reversing and maneuvering an 18ft jetboat vs. an 18ft I/O boat?

Maneuvering in a jet boat is tricky. However, you'll find once you get used to it, a jet boat will outmaneuver any other type of boat. They are incredible.
- will fuel efficiency be worse with the higher horsepower engine, given it's fuel injected?

I can't say for sure. My Sea Doo gets much better fuel economy than my speedboat. But, my speedboat is an inboard with a Chrysler 440 in it. It positively sucks gas to the tune of ~13 gallons/hour. My old speedboat was a 21' Rinker with a 350 and an Alpha I drive. The Rinker probably did get a little better fuel economy.


- A used 2003/ 2004 Seadoo Utopia 185 would run around $16K to $18K (Canadian), which I'm willing to spend if it is much better...

Typical use is exploring the lake, some watersports (tube/ ski / wakeboard), etc. Nothing too high power, just family fun, to last a few years.

It will do all the above watersports you mentioned. It is probably not the ideal for skiing.

Thanks,
george

My boats are listed in my sig. and there are pictures of all in one of these "show your boat" threads

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: "Upgrade" boat to a Jetboat / Seadoo?

Jet boats have their place in boating, mostly in shallow water, and rocky terrain.

they are extremely inefficient. to get the same power that you get from your propped motor, you will need 30-40 % more horsepower. the reason is that the conversion from drive shaft to jet out put, you loose 30-40% in the conversion, compared to a propped boat. so expect your fuel bill to increase 30-40%, just to get the same performance you are presently getting.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: "Upgrade" boat to a Jetboat / Seadoo?

Jet boats have their place in boating, mostly in shallow water, and rocky terrain.

Better traction??

 

[H20Rat]

Re: "Upgrade" boat to a Jetboat / Seadoo?

**deleted**

 

[george_k]

Re: "Upgrade" boat to a Jetboat / Seadoo?

These responses have been so helpful... thanks so much. One bottom line I'm hearing is that I should definitely try one out before investing in one, as it may not be something I'll like. I'll see how my boat fares with some wakeboarding, which I'll be new at. I'll check out some of the links you've given me too... This site is fabulous.
george

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: "Upgrade" boat to a Jetboat / Seadoo?

In my experience, the jet boats don't take chop or waves well at all. The simply are too shallow a v-hull for it and it ends up beating you to death. I've only been on two different jet boats though (90's model Sea Raider and a Yamaha of some sort)

 

[bilmon]

Re: "Upgrade" boat to a Jetboat / Seadoo?

x2 to smokingcrators comments. I have a 03 sugarsand mirage 18 ft with 240 merc.very much like the utopia which I looked at when I bought mine new. 2003-4 utopia would be running the mercs. 175&210 are carbs.240 is injected and 200&250 are optimax which is said to be far easier on gas.You do lose some power compared to a prop but I don't think its any where near 30- 40%.Wake is very flat not good for wakeboard tube is fine but use a 60 ft rope jet wash can sting. Lack of prop is great with kids but its one whooping vacum cleaner so watch ropes and stay out of weeds.the mercs have a rock grate availible[I have one] eliminates sucking rocks but easier to plug with weeds Mirage and Utopia are deeper v and heavier than the smaller boats and ride is better. Drive one first they do take a little getting used too . Mines been bullet proof ,won't go back to prop any time soon.

 

[george_k]

Re: "Upgrade" boat to a Jetboat / Seadoo?

Thanks, nice to hear honest feedback from a current owner of a jetboat.

 

[Thajeffski]

Re: "Upgrade" boat to a Jetboat / Seadoo?

Definitley more fun than a prop boat - faster - tighter turning - better pickup.

However, expect to pay for more gas.

I currently have one of the most fuel efficiant jetskis ( A honda turbo ). It still uses more fuel than my 20 ft bayliner. It's totally worth it though!!

 

[H20Rat]

Re: "Upgrade" boat to a Jetboat / Seadoo?

Definitley more fun than a prop boat - faster - tighter turning - better pickup.

However, expect to pay for more gas.

I currently have one of the most fuel efficiant jetskis ( A honda turbo ). It still uses more fuel than my 20 ft bayliner. It's totally worth it though!!

If you drove it exactly the same as the bayliner you would probably get substantially better fuel economy than the boat. Economy has ALOT to do with how its ridden.

 

[python287]

Re: "Upgrade" boat to a Jetboat / Seadoo?

Jets usually do not get good mileage - compared to a Propr boat. ASk yourself if gas was $4 a gallon could I afford the fuel for this new jet ? Probably not - I prefer a prop - they just get better mileage !

 

[Sikiguya]

Re: "Upgrade" boat to a Jetboat / Seadoo?

Pros and cons to both a jet boat versus a prop. Features I like about my boat, the handling is awesome. I just took my buddy who has had prop boats most of his life just amazed at how my boat carves through the water. Ditto the comment that most remarks are about older jet boats and the smaller jet boat.

My boat is a 21 foot Seadoo. I love my 2007 Seadoo Utopia. Go check www.seadooforums.com Plenty of information. It isn't for everyone! I bought it for 2 reason. 1. No props...I just don't like it near the kids as they get on and off the boat. 2. Ease of operation...it is basically an automatic transmission...no trim or drive to deal with!

It is probably more expensive than prop boats. I never owned a prop but I am comfortable with the fuel economy I am getting. It has plenty of power and believe it or not, I can spin my boat 360 on its axis just by turning while in idle. You need to do a checklist of what you want and what you don't want. See how the boats measure up. But don't discount it based on older impressions.