Opinions on 1994 Bayliner jet boat 90 hp ?

[wolverinescott]

I am considering purchase of a 1994 Bayliner jet boat with 90 hp for use at my parent's lake house, small little used, shallow lake. It does has some weeds. Will be used for tooling around, visiting other houses, tubing, and a little fishing.
I hear these boats are loud, and that concerns me. Weeds in the outdrive are concerning too, how hard is it to fix a weed issue?. Otherwise it seems good for my 75 year old dad to use and dock, get in and out of, take grandkids for a spin. No outdirve will be nice as water at dock is low. What do you think?

Scott

 

[arboldt]

Re: Opinions on 1994 Bayliner jet boat 90 hp ?

I'd stay away.

1) Many manufacturers made small jet boats in the mid-90's, and usually used normal boat engines in them. THey were severely underpowered, and the engines were not very durable (i.e. turned into maintenance nightmares). At least that was our experience. We had a 90 hp SeaRayder for 6 years. After 3 years I regretted it; it spent more time with the mechanic than with me. I could not get an adult up on skis, and often it just bogged down in tubing. Since about 2000, theyve improved significantly, and we love our current jetboat.

2) Jet boats do NOT like weeds. While theoretically the impeller can chew 'em up and spit 'em out in the jet stream, do you really want to severely abrade the drive system like that? More likely, though, the weeds will matt over the water intake grate, forcing you to a low idle speed until you can fix it. Many times I'e shut off the engine and swum under the boat to pull weeds from the intake grate. Because of this, a prop may actually be better in a weedy environment because often you can put the prop in reverse and clear the weeds. I've heard some jet boat models have a way to clear weeds from the intake grate, but I have no experience with them.

I'm sorry to discourage you, but hope this helps.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Opinions on 1994 Bayliner jet boat 90 hp ?

I'd stay away.

1) Many manufacturers made small jet boats in the mid-90's, and usually used normal boat engines in them. THey were severely underpowered, and the engines were not very durable (i.e. turned into maintenance nightmares). At least that was our experience. We had a 90 hp SeaRayder for 6 years. After 3 years I regretted it; it spent more time with the mechanic than with me. I could not get an adult up on skis, and often it just bogged down in tubing. Since about 2000, theyve improved significantly, and we love our current jetboat.

2) Jet boats do NOT like weeds. While theoretically the impeller can chew 'em up and spit 'em out in the jet stream, do you really want to severely abrade the drive system like that? More likely, though, the weeds will matt over the water intake grate, forcing you to a low idle speed until you can fix it. Many times I'e shut off the engine and swum under the boat to pull weeds from the intake grate. Because of this, a prop may actually be better in a weedy environment because often you can put the prop in reverse and clear the weeds. I've heard some jet boat models have a way to clear weeds from the intake grate, but I have no experience with them.

I'm sorry to discourage you, but hope this helps.

Ayuh,..... They don't like small stones from shallow water operations either...

I agree, it's not a good option, for various reasons...

 

[wolverinescott]

Re: Opinions on 1994 Bayliner jet boat 90 hp ?

Hmmm. Ok, thanks for the input. I have a really small budget for this. Maybe i should consider a newer jet ski? Do i still have the weed issue...or are newer jet skis better at not getting weeds jammed in there?

 

[silverado82481]

Re: Opinions on 1994 Bayliner jet boat 90 hp ?

Hmmm. Ok, thanks for the input. I have a really small budget for this. Maybe i should consider a newer jet ski? Do i still have the weed issue...or are newer jet skis better at not getting weeds jammed in there?

i have jetskis and am now in the prosess od the mechanical night mare talked about above i have a 95xp sport jet and have ing issues with the thing not planing off but thats another topic as far as trhe weeds thing goes they are going to be a problem for any jet boat its kinda of like a game of chance, the jet will either clear it self or you have to clear it and then if something is wraped tight enugh then its back to the trailer and you have to remove the grate to get it loose exspecially a rope os something else thats laying on the bottom. i have sucked up a rock in my jetski and i completly demolished the wear ring and the inpeller i wound up finding something used on ebay that i was able to make work. still cost 300 to fix........... if you want to be stylish with a jet ski or jet boat you gat to be causious of where you start it up and where you run it it takes one rock to mes up your day and your wallet too if your just looking for something to get around a lake with you cant go wrong with a small boat and a 30 hp motor or something to that nature

hope this helps