16' Grizzly type boat&jet prop?

[Dizz]

Looking to move to a jet drive.I fish rocky New river in WV. ​Thinking a 1648 and 25,or 40HP jet.
Getting away from all carpet,and wood.
Be 2 adults,maybe 3,but 2 90% time.all gear to fish,Would the 25 do,or need the 40 to plane out and make at least 20mph?
I know you loose 30% or so with the jet over a prop,but the new motors are upsized for this,like a 40 jet is same powerhead as maybe a 60HP.
Any thoughts on this?
Also is there much threat of ripping the jet lower on a rock?​Finally,I do much trolling for Stripers in Tennessee,any issues with slow troll with the jet,like excessive noise or such to scare fish?
Appreciate any thoughts all this!

 

[SeaDooSam]

I would go for the 40 horsepower. This is because jets need more horsepower to do the same things as opposed to a propellor. I do not know why, but many have told me jets need more horsepower.

 

[SeaDooSam]

Also, with 3 people, it may be a bit much with only 25 hp. You don't want to find yourself saying I should have gone for more horsepower. Also, it will be faster. As far as rocks, jets are not indestuctible. The impeller can get banged and dented. So, you should get a grate for that. If you hit a rock it will most likely do more damage to you or your boat than the jet pump.

 

[MH Hawker]

I Have fished the New many many times, have you considered a air boat

 

[ondarvr]

My suggestions.

Go with a wider boat, 48" is narrow, and with 3 people almost overloaded.

Get the biggest motor possible, you'll need it.

I had a G3 1654 at my place for a few years, it had a 60/40 Yamaha 2 stroke on it, it was a great combination.

You can break the pump, it happens, but it's easy to fix.

 

[Dizz]

Been fishing the New since 60`s. ​Have not considered a air boat,as I fish Cherokee lake now&then.
Yes,40 is better than 25,but@$7500 the 60/40 is rich,but how many times in my life would I like to go back and do it right 1st time?
I looked at a new 1750 something today,not Tracker,Crestliner I think,non galvonozed trailer,basic outfit $15200.
Basic rivet 1648,40/25 tiller jet,cheapest looking trailer,battery,$8500.
I do much trooling for Hybyrd stripers at Cherokee,some say the jet sucks for trolling?

 

[ondarvr]

It will troll, but at slow speeds the control isn't as good as with a prop. But you can troll even slower by moving the shift level part way out of gear, you're just shifting the direction of the flow slightly.

 

[JoshKeller84]

i have a grizzly 1648 with a jet. to give you some comparison, i had this boat with a johnson 50/35. my boat is set up as a stick steer. 24 volt trolling motor, i was getting 24 upriver and 26 down on the potomac. Now i have upgraded to a mid 80s johnson 75/50 jet and a 36 volt trolling motor and im getting 28 upriver and 31 down. with the 50/35, 3 people in the boat was unacceptable in time of planing out - it was slow and needed at least 100 yards of unobstructed water. now with the max allowed 75/50 on the boat, its on plane in 3 seconds. keep in mind however, that my 75/50 weighs right at 190 lbs, and the 50/35 was 185 lbs.

 

[Dizz]

Thank`s,lots of things I needed to hear here!​The 25 is out for sure.
I`m wanting the tiller steering if I can get it.