Jet boat owners?

[gonefishie]

So what's the different between driving a jet outboard vs. a regular outboard? I reckon no trimming would be necessary or does it even have trim? What about handling? Things I need to know about from the operational standpoint beside the obvious? This would be a Merc 90/65 Jet mounted on a 17.5' modified v-hull aluminum set up to chase smallies in skinny water. Thanks.

 

[Seadoomanls]

Re: Jet boat owners?

Docking and sharp turns are a little different! I have two Jetboats and I REALLY like them. The boat design is the same so as far as handling wakes, you wont see a substantial difference.

 

[H20Rat]

Re: Jet boat owners?

You are talking an outboard jet, right? (merc never made an inboard jet smaller than 90) Outboard jets are really just outboards with a different lower unit. turning is similar to a outboard, you still turn the entire motor. (power off turning is more like a jet, aka you have none) Tilt isn't really needed, you want it as level to the bottom of the boat as possible.

probably isn't too much of a concern, but outboard jets are fairly inefficient. they use a centrifugal pump designs, other jet boats are mixed or axial/mixed flow pumps. I see a couple of them occassionally locally. They have their purpose that no other drive could do.


<---- have owned a couple jet boats, now on a merc 175 xr2 powered boat, but never an outboard jet.

 

[cr2k]

Re: Jet boat owners?

They are real good for shallow water. But as stated unless you have a rudder fin you will only turn with power. It's a learned skill but not one that is overly difficult to master.

 

[gonefishie]

Re: Jet boat owners?

They are real good for shallow water. But as stated unless you have a rudder fin you will only turn with power. It's a learned skill but not one that is overly difficult to master.

what do you mean by that? I have to make turn at high speed? This boat is supposed to allow me to run in 4 inches of water.

 

[H20Rat]

Re: Jet boat owners?

what do you mean by that? I have to make turn at high speed? This boat is supposed to allow me to run in 4 inches of water.

no... If you are moving, and you pull the throttle back to neutral, you will have almost no turning ability. This usually comes as a fairly big shock to someone used to a regular drive, especially around a dock or loading. Also, if you completely remove power the boat isn't going to slow down in a straight line. It will ALWAYS veer to one side or the other depending on weight load. When you are driving around and not touching the throttle, you won't notice much if any difference.

its just something you want to get used to and practice, especially in emergency situations. The last thing you do if you have to make a quick avoidance maneuver is probably the first thing your instincts will want to do, back off the throttle.

also, 4 inches... that is on plane at a decent speed. A jet will take the same (or in some cases more) water depth to get on plane. If you are in skinny water you don't slow down! You might not be getting back out very easily. Sand going through a jet isn't too bad, gravel on the other hand... very very bad!