14' jon boat with jet?

[rsabola]

Hello all, need some opinions.

I have a 1980 Sears Gamefisher 14' Jon Boat. It is rated for a 15 hp engine. I currently have a 2004 8hp 4 stroke honda almost brand new on it and it does great. Gets right on plane and drives nice. I have wanted to get a Jet Motor: 2000 Johnson 25/20 or 1999 Mercury 25/20 for the boat. I need to raise the transom from 15" to 20" which I would do with a jack plate. If I get a 25/20 jet motor and a jack plate installed on my boat am I going to kill myself or my boat. I want to be able to go up and down the Delaware River with ease, right now I cannot do that with a prop. But safety is a concern. Any answers will help.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: 14' jon boat with jet?

Welcome to iboats.

If you want to use those motors......get a hull rated for them. I think you might be asking for trouble

 

[H20Rat]

Re: 14' jon boat with jet?

Welcome to iboats.

If you want to use those motors......get a hull rated for them. I think you might be asking for trouble

OUTBOARD jets loose about 30% of their power right off the top, so a 20hp jet is the same as 14 hp prop. (below his max by 1 hp) A 25 hp motor on that probably wouldn't be a problem, you don't actually NEED to use full throttle.

 

[royal0014]

Re: 14' jon boat with jet?

Yep, you lose HP rating with a jet. And trust me when I tell you that a flat bottom with a jet is an entirley different breed of animal. With no real skeg, when you turn on plane it tends to push the stern around first. NO highspeed manuvers, it will throw you out of the boat. And almost no reverse. Just my experience......

 

[J Hartman]

Re: 14' jon boat with jet?

I'd look into a 16 / 17' boat with the 60 / 40 tiller jet by merc. THat's the way to go!

 

[RicMic]

Re: 14' jon boat with jet?

OUTBOARD jets loose about 30% of their power right off the top, so a 20hp jet is the same as 14 hp prop. (below his max by 1 hp) A 25 hp motor on that probably wouldn't be a problem, you don't actually NEED to use full throttle.

They don't lose any of their weight though, between the bigger motor and building up the transom, you are going to gain a lot of weight, which will make the boat sit lower. I HATE those jets, the guides on the local river have them and they are LOUD and the guides are yelling their spiel to the clients to be heard above the motor, it destroys the peace on the river for half an hour.