Jet powered vs. inboard

[brother chris]

I am interested in buying a 20-22ft aluminum boat. I was wondering what the difference in buying a jet powered vs a inboard motor. <br />I know you can beach your boat easier with a jet powered boat, and you can also go into fast moving rivers as well, which is what I want to do. <br />What are the drawbacks to jet powered boats, if any? <br />Are they harder to be fixed by the home mechanic, like myself? <br />I know a bit about inboards, but have never had to deal with jet power before. <br />Any info would be greatly appreciated.<br />I plan on spending roughly $40,000 on this investment. I am hoping to choose the right power for my $. <br />Thanks, brother chris...

 

[Trent]

Re: Jet powered vs. inboard

Jets are pretty low maintaince. Change oil in the drives and keep greased. Dont run in shallow water to pick up sand and rocks and it will last for years. You did not say how big of a boat and what you want to do...maybe this site has something your looking for???<br /><br /> Sugar Sand

 

[boatingfool]

Re: Jet powered vs. inboard

I'm not sure but,<br />I have heard that jet skis are hard to steer at low speeds.I dont know if a jet powered boat would have the same problem.<br />Might get a little intersting in crowded areas or getting in or out of the slip!Or even the dock for that matter.

 

[brother chris]

Re: Jet powered vs. inboard

Thanks Trent, I looked at the site, but I am looking for an aluminum boat. There is some nice boats on there, but I want to be able to go into some narrow areas in the mountain rivers and aluminum is the my best bet. I also want to be able to beach it on rocky coasts and aluminum is much more durable for my situation. <br />Also thanks boatingfool. I hope anyone else can update me on the idling speeds and manoveouring accuratcy on docking and at slow speeds. <br />I have already had a friend of mine who hit a boat at the docks, with my boat. I won't let him drive it again near the docks. It costs way too much to fix someone elses boat, let alone the ones I already have. <br />The reason I am buying an aluminum boat I cause I want to ride the rapids and to get into places my outboard motor won't get me.

 

[Trent]

Re: Jet powered vs. inboard

Do you think a outboard Jet might work for your type of boating?

 

[brother chris]

Re: Jet powered vs. inboard

Trent, I never really gave it a thought to be honest. I will look into them and see the pro's and cons of the outboard jets. <br />Outboard jets might be better cause it will give me more room in the boat to walk around(fishing too). <br />Hmmmm....good idea...

 

[P.V.]

Re: Jet powered vs. inboard

My suggestion is to look at (for example) Alumaweld Boats. They make various hulls with many different degree hull angles. Flat bottom, 6,10,14 and 18 degree bottoms depending on the models you may choose. Then you can pick (for example) outboard jet power,regular outboard prop, Sport-jet power, inboard jet in V6 or V8 with different jets units,sterndrive. One feature that Alumawelds have that other alum. builders don't is this... Let's say you get a 10 degree bottom on the model you choose, It will actually be 10 degrees from the area near the windshield all the way to the transom. This means you have the shallow water "run-ability" and 10 degree benifits at a slower speed. You do not have to run Wide Open Throttle to "get" to the 10 area, which is often just at the rear of other boats. Many hulls will start out at say 30 degrees at the bow and slowly flatten out to 10 degrees only at the last 4 or 5 feet of the hull. <br /> To answer your first question. You will not have an inboard/prop set-up (like a tourniment ski boat)but an inboard jet (nothing "hanging" under the bottom). And boats in the 22' range are not cheap!! As an example, you should check out Alumawelds web page. Expect other builders to be "not cheap"!!! Alumaweld builds more of this type of welded hull than ALL the other builders combined!!! Top Shelf!!!!Also look at NorthWest Jet Boats, Weldcraft, Woolridge, Duckworth..... But I think Alumaweld is the best.... My two cents!P.S. Do your homework!!!!

 

[brother chris]

Re: Jet powered vs. inboard

Thanks PV. I am on my way to the different web sites you mentioned. <br />I know it is going to cost alot, but it is an investment for quite a while. I am not going to buy cheap. I want a boat that is going to last, and be durable. <br />The aluminweld sounds good so far. <br />Thanks again.

 

[Doug Durako]

Re: Jet powered vs. inboard

Just sold a Yamaha jet ski---extremely reliable, especially with the stainless steel impeller. River mud and sand trashed the stock impeller that came with it in one season. My kids only ran it two speeds--stopped and wide open, full throttle. Never had a mechanical problem in five years.<br /><br />But, other people were always crashing it into stuff. Steering a jet takes practice. Don't let anyone else drive your jet boat!<br /><br />Then again, where you are going, might be difficult to find someone to ride along with you!

 

[B_Eager]

Re: Jet powered vs. inboard

I purchased a Sugar Sand Mirage about 3 years ago now.<br /> Shallow water is good, but do not ever beach with the motor running. You can get sea weed pickup if it's idleling and the weeds are floating on the surface.<br /><br /> Maintinance, What maintinance.<br /><br /> Monuvering at high or low speed, I can do circles around any one any where. you can turn the boat around in the launch in 1 ft of water. Pull a 360 on plane, Don't recomend this till you are used to the boat. And as for stopping the boat, you can stop the boat from 35 mph in just a little over 20 ft.

 

[Navigator]

Re: Jet powered vs. inboard

Brother Chris<br />Back to your original question...<br />You can expect a hefty decrease in the fuel efficiency with a jet drive. Since the jet is only efficient at high RPM,s fuel consumption will be high. This is the reason a jet ski can burn 5 gallons of fuel in 2 hours.<br /><br />As far as shallow water river running, it should do well...but remember, with a jet you have no true (mechanical) reverse, like you would with a prop engine. Yes, it can go into reverse, but it does so by moving a plate over the nozzel and redirecting the flow backwards. If you are in current, dont expect to "Back" your way out of a dangerous situation. It even takes quite a bit of room to "Slow" the boat even when in full throttle reverse.<br /><br />Sounds like you're doing your research. Keep us posted as to your progress.<br /><br />Nav

 

[brother chris]

Re: Jet powered vs. inboard

After further review and opinions of the jet propulsion, I think I am going to go and rent a boat for the day and see how it handles. I also think I will also ask the people who rent the boats how much maintainence they do on these kinds of boats. <br />If, after that, my decision is not that good I think an out board will be my next option.<br />I also did not know that I lose so much hp from going to jet drive from a normal prop. That will make a sufficant part of my decision in what I am going to purchase. <br />I will keep you all posted as to how the rental goes, and go from there. <br />Thanks for all your posts.<br />Brother Chris....

 

[Skinnywater]

Re: Jet powered vs. inboard

I own a welded Aluminum river boat with an outboard jet.<br /><br /> http://www.northriverboats.com/index.php <br /><br />You mention you want to use it on shallow river water. A jetdrive is imperative. An inboard jet by design handles better then an outboard jet.<br />Since you're looking at 20-22 footers your jet will likely be powered by a V8. Being underpowered won't be an issue here. Thirty to fourty MPH on a shallow twisting and debris/snag laden river will be more then adequate.

 

[Capn Mike]

Re: Jet powered vs. inboard

I'm going to respectfully disagree with PV on some Alumaweld boats for your purpuse. They make a great boat, well constructed, and good welding, but the skin on many of their boats is thinner than most of the other brands he suggested (which is why they're cheaper/ft). I believe only a few of their boats have .190 or thicker hull material, whereas that's the norm for most of the others he mentions (add HewesCraft to the mix). Most boaters don't need skin thicker than .160, but if you're running whitewater, you need all the beef you can get. .190 or .250, if you can afford it.

 

[Navigator]

Re: Jet powered vs. inboard

Brother Chris,<br /><br />This months issue of "Trailer Boats" magazine (March) has a decent write up on a 19 ft aluminum Jet boat (called Advantage) made by duckworth marine (www.duckworth.com) <br /><br />216hp V8, 42mph, with a base price of $25,500 including trailer.<br /><br />Just thought you'd like a little extra reading <br /><br />Nav

 

[P.V.]

Re: Jet powered vs. inboard

Well, not to one who disagree Capn Mike BUT, I think you should visit Alumawelds web page and review which models do or don't have "thick" skin. No one will disagree that a thicker hull will give you more protection when it comes to punctures however, there may be a downside to thicker aluminum. Weight, cost and perhaps a false sense of security. Alumawelds' Intruder boats do have .160 hulls on the 18' but the 20 and 22's have .190. This holds true for other models also. Formula Vees can option in yet thicker alum. if desired. Heavier hulls may require more horsepower and I could "argue" that some builders don't offer a "lighter" skin and it's advantages. But I will state the following, visually compare .160 to .190 and imagine the difference in protection that the thicker hull may give you. Some, but not much. We're almost cutting hairs on the difference. I would suggest that an impact with the thinner hull would probably result in roughly the same amount of damage to the thicker one also. And then you would probably be more worried about your medical expenses anyway. That's why you have boat insurance. Since our friend is looking at various boat builders, and most of them are great boats, who has the best warrantys? Alumaweld's is lifetime!

 

[brother chris]

Re: Jet powered vs. inboard

Thanks for the webdsite Skinnywater. I really loved the pics of those boats. Wow. I think I have found my wallpaper for my computer. There are some real nice pics there.<br />I am still going to rent a aluminum boat with jet power. We have some canyons around here, and I believe there are rentals also. I can check with the owners of the shop to help me with how much they pay in repairs for the boats. <br />And thanks Navigator, on the site for duck worth boats. There are some nice boats there too. Their costs aren't that bad as well. <br />I'll keep you all posted as to what I buy. I will also post a pic of the boat I buy.

 

[brother chris]

Re: Jet powered vs. inboard

Thanks Captain Mike and PV. I do agree with the thicker hull idea and when I rent the boat in a few weeks, I will ask the people there on their opinion. <br />Although I do like the lifetime warranty on the hulls from alumaweld.

 

[Capn Mike]

Re: Jet powered vs. inboard

PV, read my note. I said SOME Alumawelds have sufficient thickness, most don't. And I can pretty much guarendamtee you that Alumaweld's warranty doesn't cover nailing a boulder in the Snake River @ 50 mph (your insurance might....the first time ).<br />I've spent too much (so says my wife) time running whitewater in both driftboats and jet boats, and I can tell you that those who care about coming back (and want to bring their paying customers back) use Duckworth, Woolridge, North River, and Hewescraft. Maybe Alumaweld will be added to that mix....but we don't see too many of them on NW white water rivers yet.

 

[P.V.]

Re: Jet powered vs. inboard

OK, Capn Mike, So ya got a hard-on about Alumawelds. Brother Chris is only trying to find info about these type of boats. I am not gunna get into a P*$@'n match with you about how good one brand is over another. We could be here forever!!! Remember, I mention'd Alumawelds AND other boat builder in my first post. If you want to give YOUR expert opinion, fine. I am only trying to provide him with some helpful info also. He should not buy a boat based on only MY opinion nor should he NOT buy a boat based solely on yours!!! He's gunna do his homework and IF he's really smart, He will go to various factories and ask ???'s and test ride boats. Have a good day!!!