Jet Boats

[sub2010ss]

I currently have a 1999 Bayliner 2050 and have been looking at new boats(new to me) considering 2010-2014 23-25 ft open bows. Any one have input on switching over to jet propulsion. I have 5 little ones from 4-12 and thought the safety aspect might be a consideration. Thanks for your thoughts.

 

[H20Rat]

Jets have pluses and minuses that we could go on for days about, (and have, so search around), so ignoring those, I'll touch on the safety aspect. Jets really shouldn't be any different in regards to safety. I currently own both a jet and an I/O, and I do the same safety precautions with either. If someone is swimming, the engine is off, no exceptions. Both have extended swim platforms that completely cover any sharp metal bits, so jumping off the back is equal. So there really is no safety difference.

Different thought... With that many little ones would a tri-toon pontoon serve you better? Decent at yanking a tube or skier around, but still far more topside room than a boat. Most tri-toons have a head option, most 23's bowriders don't, some up to the 25' size may have. For the two pics below, both will do 50+ mph with a 300hp etec on the pontoon and a 325hp I/O on the bowrider.

(not endorsing either in any way, don't even own a pontoon!)

24' pontoon top view
http://southlandpontoonboats.com/wp-...l-top-view.jpg

25' bowrider top view
http://www.stingrayboats.com/graphic...r_overhead.jpg

 

[FunInDuhSun]

Any one have input on switching over to jet propulsion.

Yes.
If you're used to an I/o, you won't be impressed with a jet.
- They don't 'hook up' nearly as well as a prop.
- They suck at idle speed and respond s l o w l y.
- In order to achieve similar performance you have to double the HP of a jet compared to a prop engine
- Jets HATE weeds, particularly the floaters.
- The bigger the jet boat, the more they suck.
Just my opinion from a 40 year boater.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Not to mention jet boats have higher insurance rates

 

[sub2010ss]

Thats really great inputs. Thank you. The other appealing side of the jet was draft. My "lake" is a small reservoir which is frequently very shallow. But these are some really good points.

 

[H20Rat]

Not to mention jet boats have higher insurance rates

my jet is cheaper! Are you thinking old school big block jets?

 

[H20Rat]

Yes.
If you're used to an I/o, you won't be impressed with a jet.
- They don't 'hook up' nearly as well as a prop.
- They suck at idle speed and respond s l o w l y.
- In order to achieve similar performance you have to double the HP of a jet compared to a prop engine
- Jets HATE weeds, particularly the floaters.
Just my opinion from a 40 year boater.

How many modern jets have you owned in those 40 years? And if so, I'm curious which ones? There have been some dogs in recent years but they generally are decent boats.

My jet will EASILY hook up faster than pretty much any typical bowrider. The thing is a rocket out of the hole. A jet can deliver its full horsepower nearly instantly, as fast as the engine will spool up. A prop driven boat can't do that, rpm (and horsepower) is tied to prop speed which is tied to water speed.

It will outmaneuver any single screw boat on the planet, period. Yes, it is much, much different than a typical boat, but I can turn in my own length and slide the boat straight sideways. Try that with an I/O.

My 17.5' jetboat has a merc 175hp v6 (2.5l) in it, does 50mph to maybe 51-52 on a really good day. My 18' deckboat has a Mercruiser v6 4.3l 205hp, does 48-49, might top 50 with a tail wind. (yes, i'll give fuel consumption up to to the I/O though, the 2 stroke merc v6 is a thirsty engine!) The deckboat is a little heavier, but also has less deadrise. The jet will accelerate probably twice as fast, but other than that, performance is more or less identical.


yeah, weeds, i'll give you that one! I've never had to go swimming, usually shutting it down and waiting a bit will clear things up.

 

[Scott Danforth]

my jet is cheaper! Are you thinking old school big block jets?

nope, comparing my insurance costs between a 1999 SeaDoo Speedster and a 2001 Sea Ray 190. the insurance was 2X the cost for the Sea Doo - Source is Am Fam Ins.

 

[roffey]

Ok here is how I looked at jet boats and please tell me if I am wrong.

Prop boats are faster and have better fuel economy. Jet boats out handle prop boats hands down. The reason a Jet boat out perform is the water intake is on the bottom of the boat and as such makes them stick to the water and why, for the most part, prop boats are faster because they can ride on the last part of the hull and outdrive. Both have pros and cons, both are great at what they do. You as the buyer have to come up with a list of what you want and what you expect out of your boat....

 

[roffey]

My 17.5' jetboat has a merc 175hp v6 (2.5l) in it, does 50mph to maybe 51-52 on a really good day. My 18' deckboat has a Mercruiser v6 4.3l 205hp, does 48-49, might top 50 with a tail wind. (yes, i'll give fuel consumption up to to the I/O though, the 2 stroke merc v6 is a thirsty engine!) The deckboat is a little heavier, but also has less deadrise. The jet will accelerate probably twice as fast, but other than that, performance is more or less identical.
.

curious as to what make and model of jet boat you have. I have never owned a jet or even ridden in one so I am not calling you on this, just curious is all.

 

[Natesms]

Thats really great inputs. Thank you. The other appealing side of the jet was draft. My "lake" is a small reservoir which is frequently very shallow. But these are some really good points.

As others have suggested you might look at a TriToon. For both the shallow draft and your crew of children. I have a good friend that has a growing family who swore he would never own a toon of any kind. He broke down and bought one this year and says is was a great decision. He boats a lot more these days because the tritoon makes taking the kids out so much easier.

Get enough motor and you can do all the watersports you want. Only gripe is the lake of a good wake.

 

[slag]

Jet boats are generally safer since the "prop" impeller is enclosed in a housing and not out in the open where it could slice someone up. You'd have to stick your hand into the housing to touch the impeller.

 

[oldjeep]

Ok here is how I looked at jet boats and please tell me if I am wrong.

Prop boats are faster and have better fuel economy. Jet boats out handle prop boats hands down. The reason a Jet boat out perform is the water intake is on the bottom of the boat and as such makes them stick to the water and why, for the most part, prop boats are faster because they can ride on the last part of the hull and outdrive. Both have pros and cons, both are great at what they do. You as the buyer have to come up with a list of what you want and what you expect out of your boat....

You have to define out handle though. Jet boats are miserable to ski behind because there is nothing to keep the rear end in a straight line, so a good skier will drag them back and forth much worse than an I/O

 

[gddavid]

You have to define out handle though. Jet boats are miserable to ski behind because there is nothing to keep the rear end in a straight line, so a good skier will drag them back and forth much worse than an I/O

Shouldn't it be easier to get to the buoy if you can pull the boat with you

 

[roffey]

You have to define out handle though. Jet boats are miserable to ski behind because there is nothing to keep the rear end in a straight line, so a good skier will drag them back and forth much worse than an I/O

I would say handling is cornering and cornering at full speed, they stick to the water like glue, lol. When I was water skiing the boat would go in a straight line. I understand what you say as far as pulling the boat around. I was told that jet boats are terrible to ski behind as the jet from the back of the boat made it difficult to cross the wake. I know some here will disagree and I am just saying for the average skier it was a problem. I will still stick to my comments, both boats have their qualities.

 

[90stingray]

I currently run a 2012 Yamaha sx190 1.8L 185 HP runs 46 mph gps. Our old 2001 Glastron gx185 4.3L 190HP ran 46mph gps. The Glastron did not have an extended swim platform, but with the Yamaha it does feel nice to have the drive all covered up. I do like that the Yamaha doesn't have the sterndrive that hangs down in the water. Makes navigating new lakes less stressful. But, it does make slow speed steering difficult. But a few times out and you will get it down no problem.

Insurance rates were pretty much the exact same for each boat. Fuel consumption seems pretty similar as well. Both boats have their pros and cons. I would say the noise level of the Yamaha is a con. The 1.8L runs at 7800 rpm and can be a little noisy. The Glastron would only turn 4800 rpm and seemed a bit quieter on the water.

If the sterndrive boat had an extended swim platform, I would say it's equally safe to a jetboat. Hope this helps...

 

[jkust]

Ultimately I'm a prop guy but did consider a jet briefly when buying a replacement boat this spring. The thing is that Jets can't go shallow though they are often touted for their shallow water ability. They can float shallow but operating the engine in shallow enough water to make a difference is problematic at best. As for performance, I have a Supercharged Yamaha Waverunner I bought last year. I often think after I get off of it and am still in awe at the near illegal level of performance, how close to that level of performance a twin engine jet boat must be. The out of the hole is nothing short of astounding and what really gets you is the mid range performance that I/O's just don't have. Going from 30 to 67 is three eye blinks. As for the slow speed steering, Yamaha has finally corrected or shall I say mitigated that with their recent models with what amounts to a keel like system that moves with the steering wheel. The safety thing doesn't really even show up on my radar though it seems to be a bit of a novelty, newer Mercruiser equipped boats have a moving prop warning system for people in the water for whatever that is worth. My take is you have fun on a jet but settle down with a prop. Plus I hate the varying levels of true neutral on jet boats and of course you will wait for the authorities to come and take you away when they realize how much gas you use. The counterintuitive nature of speeding up to avoid an obstacle on a jet is also a challenge for someone less experienced to take the helm in a pinch.

 

[thumpar]

While the jet boats have a lower draft it doesn't mean they can always run in water that is shallower. It is easy to suck up sand, gravel or even small rocks off the bottom at the same depth an I/O would be at. The steering is the thing I don't like the most with a jet. You can get it down but takes some time. I saw a guy a couple weeks ago on the lake with a Yami twin. He knew what he was doing at the dock but I think he has done it many times. I can do the same with my I/O but I have done it a lot.

The I/O will bite better and use a little less fuel. The jets are usually lighter, at least the new boats. I am an I/O guy but can see the fun in a jet.