Jet drive or Prop

[Joseph III]

Installing a motor(350 Chevy 400hp) and drive into a new (never been cut) 20' Barretta ski boat. I've found a Berkley 12JE Jet for a good price. What advice do you have? Use the Jet or go with a Mecrusier out drive .<br /><br />Well going to look for all the electrical to start wiring in the engine and componets.<br /><br />Thanks for the help.

 

[mkuehnl]

Re: Jet drive or Prop

What do you want to do with the boat and where (Depth) do you intend to run .

 

[Joseph III]

Re: Jet drive or Prop

In fresh water, big lakes - pleasure riding skiing<br />rock and sandy-silty bottoms I'm concerned the jet may not push this big(to me anyway)V-bottom boat to 40/50 mph.

 

[Avocado Isle]

Re: Jet drive or Prop

Joe -<br /><br />Just remember that jet drives do not steer well at idle speed, and not at all if you lose power suddenly as there is nothing to act as a rudder. Just something to consider.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Jet drive or Prop

There is a substantial speed loss with a jet drive on top end. The planing is usually better and faster and I believe the jets tend to use more gas per day.<br /><br />The mercruiser bravo drive is pretty tough and reliable and would probably make best use of your horsepower.<br /><br />Bob