Drawbacks of Jet Boats?

[jkust]

Re: Drawbacks of Jet Boats?

You can spin this safety stuff a lot of ways.

1) Kids don't learn prop safety around a jetboat as they grow up. Take trip with other family that has an I/O and they dive off the stern first stop with new family.



Please be safe with your paddles on your row boat. Start there, we'll all be good.

Totally agree with number 1. Like how we live in a no traffic cul-de-sac and was hard to get the kids to look both ways before crossing any street since they are used to just running into the cul-de-sac. They get used to one way as their hygene and get into trouble when things change.

 

[OrangeTJ]

Re: Drawbacks of Jet Boats?

Not having a prop in the water just eliminates one possible source of injury, but it certainly doesn't mean that jet driven boats are totally safe to people in the water around the boat. When swimmers are in the water near any boat, the engine(s) should be off. While I do consider the stern of our Yamaha to be a safer place to be than the stern of an I/O, I am still teaching my kids that they need to keep away from the back of the boat when they're in the water, just as I teach anybody new to handling a firearm that they are never to put their finger in the trigger guard unless ready to shoot even if they know the firearm is unloaded.

 

[security6]

Re: Drawbacks of Jet Boats?

I think a jet boat sounds like a good match for your friend.

One thing that hasn't been hit on is that jet boats are regarded as inferior for serious watersports for at least two reasons.

1) A jet boat will move sideways more in the water when a skiier or wakeboarder is turning hard because the boat doesn't have a rudder to help counteract the pull from the side. Any boat will move to the side some (even an inboard), but it is more pronounced with a jet drive due to the lack of a rudder.

2) The wake from a jet drive has more air mixed in it so the wake isn't as hard, so you don't get as good as a ramp for jumps.

I currently have an inboard/outboard and considered getting a Yamaha for my next boat. They look amazing. However, as I dug into it more it seems that an inboard flat outperforms a jetdrive (and an i/o) for serious watersports.

Serious watersports aren't going to be an issue for little kids, so the jet drive is probably a good match for him unless he is really into skiing or wakeboarding. Even then, an inboard probably isn't an option due to how shallow the area is where he docks.

 

[V153]

Re: Drawbacks of Jet Boats?

Please be safe with your paddles on your row boat. Start there, we'll all be good.

I hear ya! I still pinch my fingers between the gunnal & paddle handle sometimes. Ow! Shouldn't manufacturers be required to put some type of cushion or deflector there? Mebbe a proximity warning alarm. Special glove perhaps ...?

As I see it the only two glaring drawbacks of jet boats are poor fuel economy(vs a propped motor) & slow speed maneuverability. If you ain't on the gas you ain't steering, much. So jets do require you to plan your approach a lil more before docking, etc. 'Specially in tight quarters.

Besides that there isn't much to complain about. Plus jet boats are cool! And Manatee friendly ...?

 

[OrangeTJ]

Re: Drawbacks of Jet Boats?

I find that our SX210 is extremely maneuverable at low speed - boat can turn around completely basically within its own length, can crab walk sideways up to a dock, etc. It just takes a while to figure out how to use that maneuverability and to get accustomed to the initial delay in steering response. I don't love it in a stiff sideways breeze at low speed, as the boat has a fair amount of freeboard, is relatively light and doesn't have a big lower unit hanging down to act like a bit of a sea anchor and it doesn't have much steering response in full reverse if you don't use opposite thrust to make the boat do what you want. Other than that, though, no worries.

The points above about serious watersports use are pretty well on track, particularly that a hard cutting skier or boarder can influence steering a bit, requiring active participation on the part of the driver. It isn't something that I find to be of concern for our recreational level abilities but somebody who is used to a true wakeboard or ski tow boat will certainly notice.

 

[QC]

Re: Drawbacks of Jet Boats?

Guys we need to be fair here and recognize that twins, jet or otherwise, is different than comparing a single. I am sure, and I have never piloted one, that a Yammie with twins is very good at low speed around the dock.

 

[OrangeTJ]

Re: Drawbacks of Jet Boats?

Key for me in learning how to handle my SX210 (twin engine Yamaha jet) reasonably well at low speed (i.e. docking/idle speed) was to figure out that I have to apply counter thrust to stop whatever motion I initiate since there is nothing really hanging down in the water to act as a "brake" when you straighten out the wheel. Have to countersteer and maybe even give a small bump of throttle for a moment to stop the turning momentum. With that figured out, the boat can be placed very precisely. Takes concentration, some practice and getting used to in order to be comfortable in tight spaces, for sure, which makes it a bit harder to turn the boat over to somebody else on the "crew" to handle at the dock if need be. The aftermarket "fins" I put on the boat alleviated a fair amount of this but it is still much different than an I/O or inboard.