Re: Which Jet Ski Motor&Pump for Boat Install?
Jeff,<br /> You mentioned that "...Don't think you need less water for a jet than you do for a prop,..." I guess it's all where you are from. 12" of water here is a norm, not a shallow spot. A proper hull here would drift in 4 to 6 inches of water, and on step be able to skim over 2 to 3. A prop boat on the rivers here near Talkeetna, Alaska cannot be found. Not too much vegetation is such waters, but lots of sand and gravel. Shallow, gravel bottom glacial rivers flowing at up to 10 mph require jet propulsion. Only the "cheechacos" (a local native term meaning green horns) would try to run these rivers with a prop. You wouldn't get two miles before the prop looked like a twisted potatoe chip (that includes stainless props), even if you installed a hand operated motor lift (sizzor type), which was the only way to get around before water jet propulsion came to this area about 35 years ago. <br />I did say that I'm very unfamiliar with jet skies, but I have twenty-five years of running these rivers with jet outboards and air boats. Here, in this relatively remote area, the cheapest way is usually the best, and like you, we try to do everything possible ourselves, as the nearest town with parts is two plus hours away in good weather. A local saying is if you ain't got it, make it". <br />I've got a 4' X 10' light weight aluminum boat hull that weighs in at about 85 lbs. A used 580 Sea Doo from the big city (Anchorage) will cost about $650 (hopefully find one with a good motor and a trashed hull). We're looking at no more than $1000 to have an ultra light jet boat, capable, because of its small size, of accessing the smaller, side waters that a larger boat can't turn around in. A commercial made boat hull with a proper jet outboard will run in at around $12,000. <br />As I said, I have a use for such a craft. We've got some of the best rainbow trout and salmon fishing in the world, not to mention the fall duck hunting, as the ducks come here to breed before flying south to you all. This small boat could slide up into the side sloughs that the silver salmon choose to spawn in, and the ducks drop in to hang out in. Thank you for the yamahajetboaters site. Hopefully I'll be able to get some direct answers to questions there.<br />I am curious about this web site. Are you the only one who answers questions here? I would have hoped that other jet ski owners would have joined in to offer their two cents. Guess not?<br />My best to all you jetters in the south,<br />otterbfishin<br />Far North
