Advantages of Jet Boats?

**cluelessguy** · 12-13-2007, 11:37 AM

Hey All,

First time on the site and I wanted some general info on jet boats. I am definitely buying a boat this upcoming holiday, and I want some advice. I am not very mechanically orientated yet have worked on and around outboard engine boats at a summer camp for 5 years. I have looked at the Yamaha 23 foot jet boats and want to know more about jet boats and the advantages/disadvantages that comes along with owning one. Are they expensive to repair? How are they reliability wise/gas wise? Are they hard to find a marina to fix them? I have $25,000 to spend and plan to use it with my brother alot for day cruising and wake/ski/tube. Anything and everything you have to say about them whether it be positive or negative would be greatly appreciated!

-Cluelessguy

**Riverman** · 12-13-2007, 11:43 AM

Slow and thirsty. Here is a thread on the subject.

http://forums.screamandfly.com/forum...&highlight=jet

**gotboostedvr6** · 12-13-2007, 11:44 AM

I would avoid a jet unless you dont mind a very costly day on the water due to inefficiencies. jets lose like 30% percent.

Plus youll have 2 of them not just one, it gives me a headach just thinking about it.

25,000 will get you a real nice and much much faster outboard setup.

if you want decent speed and nice ride look at used checkmates

If you want real fast and not too comfy look at a hydrostream

Do not buy a Bayliner

and please post up on this thread before you buy anything we can help you avoid a mistake

good luck

**cluelessguy** · 12-13-2007, 11:52 AM

Thanks for the help! Gas mileage is a big concern id say...

**RLP** · 12-13-2007, 02:29 PM

I tell ya bud they all suck on gas!

have a 800 hp jet boat as we speak and it sucks as much fuel as my old hi-po mercury did!
crazy thing is my mirage was 5 mph slower than my jet! butt this is not the jet that u are speaking of.

if ya like speed and run all over the lake man I think the triad v-21 is awesome!

**david martin** · 12-13-2007, 02:45 PM

A friend of mine has a AR230 yamaha jetboat and he loves it!!Never has it been in the shop.

I believe it tops out at 55 mph.As far as the skiing and wakeboarding his yamaha pulls great.Now the only thing he hates is that the ski rope gets sucked up in the jet pumps all the time!!!!!Pumps are always sucking water even when you are not moving.

Good luck with your purchase.
David

**Kevin Turner** · 12-13-2007, 06:20 PM

Originally Posted by cluelessguy

Hey All,

First time on the site and I wanted some general info on jet boats. I am definitely buying a boat this upcoming holiday, and I want some advice. I am not very mechanically orientated yet have worked on and around outboard engine boats at a summer camp for 5 years. I have looked at the Yamaha 23 foot jet boats and want to know more about jet boats and the advantages/disadvantages that comes along with owning one. Are they expensive to repair? How are they reliability wise/gas wise? Are they hard to find a marina to fix them? I have $25,000 to spend and plan to use it with my brother alot for day cruising and wake/ski/tube. Anything and everything you have to say about them whether it be positive or negative would be greatly appreciated!

-Cluelessguy

If you have no need to run shallow, buy a prop driven out board.

Now, if you want to cruise small to medium size lakes & rivers (I know VA has some awesome flowing water) look into a all aluminum craft powered by the Mercury 200 HP Sport Jet. The 200 Merc Opti will push a 2000 lb craft up near 50 mph and you'll see over 5 MPG while cruising along at 30 MPH. Get a boat with a 12 degree deadrise or more, and she'll pull the average skier just dandy.

All crafts & power unit have pros & cons, so a test drive would be in order before you buy. Good Luck!

**SatisfAction** · 12-13-2007, 06:26 PM

Originally Posted by cluelessguy

Hey All,

First time on the site and I wanted some general info on jet boats. I am definitely buying a boat this upcoming holiday, and I want some advice. I am not very mechanically orientated yet have worked on and around outboard engine boats at a summer camp for 5 years. I have looked at the Yamaha 23 foot jet boats and want to know more about jet boats and the advantages/disadvantages that comes along with owning one. Are they expensive to repair? How are they reliability wise/gas wise? Are they hard to find a marina to fix them? I have $25,000 to spend and plan to use it with my brother alot for day cruising and wake/ski/tube. Anything and everything you have to say about them whether it be positive or negative would be greatly appreciated!

-Cluelessguy

A $25k rooster tail

I'm not really a fan of jet boats unless it's of the old skool flatbottom gasser type with open headers. And 25k can get you a nice one of those.

**Xerophobic** · 12-13-2007, 06:29 PM

Not to offend anyone but be careful who you ask this question to.

There are alot of people out there who will slam jets but really have not have much expereince with them at all. Like any boat there are good jets and bad jets and some which will suit your needs better than others. Its unfortunate but I often see people slam jets who have only had limited exposure to them and exposure to "bad" jetboats to boot.

For a list of some of the major differences between jets and whatever variety of prop drive you want to consider...

Jets:

have fewer moving parts and generally involve far less maintenenace.

(To outright replace an entire jetpump is often less expensive than even rebuilding a lower unit or sterndrive)

are safer for swimmers/skiers as there are no moving parts outside the boat

can provide better holeshot and can be more effective at pulling up skiers etc

can run shallow water with no fear of drive/prop damage

can be far more manuverable (once an operator learns to drive one)

again be safer due to the ability to shift the boat into reverse at full throttle

Dissadvantages, as have been stated, can be:

fuel economy: altho this can be misleading depending on what engine/drive you are considering, there are many options out there and the often quoted "Berkeley/454" combo is hardly the norm these days in modern jetboats

Efficency: which is really the same as fuel economy.

rough water usage-on a boat which frequently leaves the water a jet can be awkward as you lose thrust when the intake isn't sucking water i.e. not good offshore

weed injestion. many jets take precautions to avoid this issue but in some environments weeds can be a headache.

We build very modern performance oriented jetboats and while we do not have anything in that price range new I would encourage you to read up and get more oppionions on a wide variety of jetboats before you make your choice.

Hope this helps

Cheers

**WICKEDRISTER** · 12-13-2007, 09:46 PM

Sounds to me like a big block old school day cruiser should fill the bill just fine! The question is do want a modern dime a dozen 2 smoke boat or an old school hot rod jet boat? To hell with how much gas it drinks, the cool factor of an old big block jet is worth the price of fuel to run it. You can buy a near show quality old school jet boat for way less than your wanting to spend

"Just my II cents"

**david martin** · 12-13-2007, 11:12 PM

I own A jetboat,outboard boat,sterndrive,and a v-drive.
All of them have there advantages and disadvantages!!!!

Jetboats do not turn unless you are under power(reverse sucks),My v-drive is only good if you want to race.(can not put into drive if running)Start in forward and go!NO REVERSE!!!!

Sucks if you have to dock it!!(Very fast though)Outboard motor gets raised to high and BOOM,there went the motor.

(I think I have this under control now)THANK YOU EVERYONE ON SCREAM AND FLY!!!!!!!

I had stern drives and blew the outdrive.Too much power in the motor!

LETS FACE IT,THEY ALL COST MONEY AND ARE NO BETTER THAN THE OTHER IN THE OWNERS EYES!!!!

David

Fastest boat I have owned, 19ft nordic picklefork 200 merc! 82.4mph

I only wish I could afford to go faster.(cant afford it with the children,they come first)

**Unchained** · 12-15-2007, 10:13 AM

With 25k to spend you can go real fast in a jet boat.
I seen this one run high 7's @ 140 mph at the drags in Phoenix.
http://www.hotboat.com/forums/showthread.php?t=166389
It had a 1440 hp nitrous motor in it at the time.
With the current blower motor it probably still would run in the high 8's @ 125 mph.

Not much for the family boating but I've seen some nice 21' Daytona jets for sale for a similar amount. I had jets for years and now have a V drive.
They've all got their pros and cons.

The outboards can't be beat for lots of interior room.
OB motors seem to be real reliable until you try to wring too much HP out of them. Then the repair parts are real expensive.

**mnjettr** · 01-21-2008, 11:32 AM

I've owned several boats,I/O's,tillers,O/B's, but have never had as much fun as with my old school BBC jet boat. cruises nice at 40 and tops out at 67 mph. with a mildly built 454. super easy to maintain, most parts are available at your local napa store. mine uses about the same amount of fuel as my last 2 stroke O/B. you can find a descent late 70's jetboat for under 8K. look for a BBC or BBF with a berkley or dominator pump. oh and be prepared to be held up at the launch by people wanting rides and asking about your boat.....LOL
my 2 cents

**overboardmarine** · 01-23-2008, 01:16 AM

Hi Clueless, hey give yourself some credit. Those who seek advice are not altogether clueless. Listen I run a marine service and we assisted one of our clients in their search for a big Sea-Doo jet. He located one out of state but he didn't listen to us. When I say its all about your application you should consider your ALL AROUND planned use. What is the depth of any dock you might regularly moor up at? This client had a lakefront home with only 4' depth. Thus we recommended against a jet boat which can suck sediments/rocks in to the pump from as far as 12' down. So he spoke with the salesman and mechanic at the dealership he purchased it from. They told him oh yeah, 4' no sweat. He called me with their claim which I called bogus but he purchased anyway. Next call I got from him was him asking if our mechanic could remove a golf ball sized rock from his jet pump. $2k in repairs and we were nice to him. Long story short? Jets are not as efficient as props in terms of fuel consumption. They are often easier to navigate and just plain fun. Shut down before beaching and push off and get in to some deeper water when leaving shore. Most jet pumps also provide the engine's cooling water. Another reason why you don't want to suck up mud or silt. Modern jets like Yamaha and Sea Doo are on par with prop boats in terms of family utility and power. Just remember you're in a jet with certain needs and you'll be fine. With a boat such as you're looking for make sure there is an authorized service center nearby. Don't let cousin Billy Bob wittle your $25k unless he knows what he is doing. Good luck, keep seeking advice and enjoy.