Jacuzzi 12-yj jet pump and 350 engine in old jet boat, looking to buy, need advice

[leemer101]

Hello all you boating einthusiats, I am a first time caller and long time listener. My freind and I are looking at buying an older Jet boat up here in BC. It is an 17.6' aluminum hull boat powered by a 350 inboard with a Jacuzzi 12yj jet pump. It is an older boat and since this is our first adventure with a jet boat I have a few questions

1) What should I look for for wear or problems with the Jet ? we are test driving it tommorow morning ?

2) What should I look for regarding problems with the engine ?

3) Is there a top speed it should hit around ? it is a different hull design so it may be slower, I have included pics.

4) any more info that may help us from making a horrible descision would be greatly appreciated !

It started up fine in the driveway as we were pumping water through the intake, but we didn't run it for too long. here is the ad

Riveted aluminum jet boat. 17'6" by 86" beam. Jacuzzi 12YJ pump powered by 350 chev with Glenwood aluminum manifolds and risers, fresh water cooled, heat exchanger, runs great. New Teleflex steering gear and cable and new pump diverter cable. 2 deluxe swivel seats and 2 fold down seats, rod holders, kicker bracket,canvas top and trailer.

cheers,Mike

 

[heyyou325]

Re: Jacuzzi 12-yj jet pump and 350 engine in old jet boat, looking to buy, need advic

You want to check the bottom out pretty good, as they take those in shallow rock invested water. As for the jet, look up the snoot as best you can, and open the inspection plate, which should be in the front. Look for anything loose or broken. Running the engine out of water, even with a hose is not a good idea, as the impellers are fairly tight. They are aluminum, so wear easy. Mine has greased bearings, but some just rely on the water to lubricate them. Running it a short time at an idle probably won't hurt things too bad, but you shouldn't make a habit of it. If you run the engine, you run the pump. The only way to separate them I know is to undo the u joint, to turn the pump. It should turn fairly easily, and not much noise. I doubt if the PO will let you do that. With the inspection plate off, there should be no play in the impeller shaft. You'll get a kick of of test driving it. Should plane almost instantly, maybe 1 or 2 seconds at most. My 21 1/2 ft deep v Starcraft aluminum with an eliminator jet drive on it will only do 34 by gps. It's a bit bigger and heavier. It also has a 350 OMC engine. I'm guessing yours might do 40. Turns on a dime. If you're interested in what I had to do, read http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=459867
I even posted a video about a week ago. Good luck with yours. Once you're hooked, you'll always be. Oh, you also need to send me the place diverter of jet o vator, whichever it is that I think is on yours. That acts like a trim on a normal boat. Put your rooster tail up and the bow comes up (and you unseat jet skiers too close to you), put it down under the water and the bow stays deeper in the water which makes it smoother in rough water. Also probably easier on skiers and tubers.