1996 Yamaha 40HP jetdrive questions...

84toyota

Seaman Apprentice
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Mar 15, 2011
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Hi guys,
I'm looking at possibly buying a boat (16' aluminum semi-v Jon boat) which comes with a 40 HP Yamaha jetdrive outboard. The boat and motor appear to have very little use. The motor is an oil injected 2 stroke. That's about all that I know about it. I was wondering if any of you guys have any additional info on this motor? Does anyone have any opinions (good or bad) regarding this motor? I've found very little info on the outboard. I don't have the serial number or the exact model number. One question that I've really been trying to work out is whether this motor is a 60 HP motor (with 40 HP at the jet) or if it is in fact 40 HP at the powerhead (with about 30 HP at the jet).

Thanks for any info, pros, and/or cons you can provide!
Ken
 

reggiebad

Cadet
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Nov 2, 2011
Messages
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Re: 1996 Yamaha 40HP jetdrive questions...

yamaha makes great motors as long as it has been taken care of you shouldnt have any problems. Does the motor say jet drive or anything on cowling? factory jets for example a yamaha 60/40 will say 40 horse on the cowling but they have a 60 horse powerhead. it should be easy to tell if the pump has the same factory paint job as the motor.
 

robert graham

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6,908
Re: 1996 Yamaha 40HP jetdrive questions...

If it says 40 on the cowl, then you'll have about 30HP at the pump impellar. For shallow water, rocks, shoals, oyster beds, sand bars, etc., the jet drives are great!...but you just give up about 30% in efficiency. But outboard motors aren't very efficient anyway, so if the jet meets your needs then go for it! The jet drives are known to ingest seaweed, rope, fishing lines, etc., that can get wrapped in the impellar and be a bit challenging to clean out. If you really don't need the shallow water capabilities, then a prop is stronger and better. Good Luck!:)
 

99yam40

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Re: 1996 Yamaha 40HP jetdrive questions...

A model # would be the thing to tell you what motor it is
 

84toyota

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Mar 15, 2011
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Re: 1996 Yamaha 40HP jetdrive questions...

I'll see if I can get a model number from the owner. Here's a pic...
100_0250a.jpg
 

mphelle8vld

Petty Officer 1st Class
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Aug 17, 2005
Messages
321
Re: 1996 Yamaha 40HP jetdrive questions...

The model number on the data plate should be 40MJHU, which are rated at 28hp at the pump. Mine has a small 28hp sticker on the back of the cowl. It's a great motor but jets are very sensitive to weight, load distribution, and setup. If the boat is a heavy alweld 16ft, with 2 guys and gear it might take about 50 yards to get on plane, will travel around 23-25mph. A lightly loaded, riveted 16ft will get 28-30 and will jump on plane faster. Take a good look at the bottom to make sure it's not too banged up. Most important is to have the owner take you out for a test run, let him show you what it can do in shallow water.
 

robert graham

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Re: 1996 Yamaha 40HP jetdrive questions...

The rig looks almost like new...get the seller to take you to the lake/river for a test drive/sea trial...then you'll know a lot more. Good looking rig for sure!:)
 

84toyota

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Re: 1996 Yamaha 40HP jetdrive questions...

The seller told me that he has taken two additional guys out with him. One weighing 220lbs, one weighing 170lbs, and he (the owner) weighs 170lbs. He claims that it still did ok, getting him up and down river. The entire setup does look almost new. Here's a better pic of the whole setup.
100_0246a.jpg

The owner wants $3700 for it, which I'm thinking is a pretty decent deal!?!? He is about a 4 hour drive from me, so it's a little bit difficult to run right over and take a look at it. He supposedly had a local boat shop check the motor out, and claims it had perfect compression. I'd definitely ask to go on a test drive. I've been looking for an 18' jet sled type setup. This is only a 16', and more of a semi-v jon boat style, but I think I like it!

Ken

Ken
 

robert graham

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Re: 1996 Yamaha 40HP jetdrive questions...

I like that rig!...test drive it and see what you think. $3700 seems fine, IF it runs good. With 30HP at the pump it's never gonna be a speed-boat, but it'll get you down the river O.K.! Good Luck!:)
 

reggiebad

Cadet
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Nov 2, 2011
Messages
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Re: 1996 Yamaha 40HP jetdrive questions...

3700 is a smokin deal for a rough neck with a jet here in north california especially in that shape, that motor looks brand new and if you have been looking around im sure you have seen the shape of some of the jet boats for sale in this area. Thats a rare deal if it runs good I would jump on it thats a perfect set up for running the rivers around here...im assuming the boat is up in oregon?
 

99yam40

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Re: 1996 Yamaha 40HP jetdrive questions...

The seller told me that he has taken two additional guys out with him. One weighing 220lbs, one weighing 170lbs, and he (the owner) weighs 170lbs. He claims that it still did ok, getting him up and down river. The entire setup does look almost new. Here's a better pic of the whole setup.
View attachment 129321

The owner wants $3700 for it, which I'm thinking is a pretty decent deal!?!? He is about a 4 hour drive from me, so it's a little bit difficult to run right over and take a look at it. He supposedly had a local boat shop check the motor out, and claims it had perfect compression. I'd definitely ask to go on a test drive. I've been looking for an 18' jet sled type setup. This is only a 16', and more of a semi-v jon boat style, but I think I like it!

Ken

Ken

I have a C40TLRX on a 16 semi V with regular lower unit, and it will run about 34 with just me in it if the wind and current is not bucking me too bad.

You need to find out what motor you are speaking about for sure, Easy to to do over the internet as a picture of the ID plate is worth a thousand words. Then make sure that matches up when you get there and take it for a spin before signing the papers.

Semi Vs are not as good as flats for jumping up and running on top, so make sure of what you have before buying. How wide is the boat?
 

reggiebad

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Nov 2, 2011
Messages
17
Re: 1996 Yamaha 40HP jetdrive questions...

That boat is good setup my buddy has one just like it, fires right up on plane and will run through the skinniest water no prob, weight distribution is the main thing. if all your weight (battery, gas tank etc.) is in the back of the boat it will take days to get on plane more weight in the front will help you plane faster just keep it light as possible and that jet will move you plenty fast enough.
 

84toyota

Seaman Apprentice
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Mar 15, 2011
Messages
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Re: 1996 Yamaha 40HP jetdrive questions...

Well, now I'm VERY tempted to buy this boat... I've been scraping up some money, and can finally pull the trigger. The owner will take $3500 for the setup! He mentioned having a 46lb thrust trolling motor with a new Sears Die Hard battery for an additional $500. I could live without the trolling motor, as I have an electric trolling motor already, as well as a 4hp and a 6hp johnson kicker motor. The owner will be out of town this weekend, and has someone looking at it Sunday evening. I could probably go look at it on Monday (if it's still there). The owner provided the following info about the motor... "The motor is a 40/30 jet power.The model # is 40MJHV. Lots of power for this boat! It is pull start and has manual tilt and trim."
Sounds like a decent setup to me. We'll see how things go.

Ken
 

99yam40

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Re: 1996 Yamaha 40HP jetdrive questions...

I would not buy a 16 year old motor without running it hard on the water to make sure it does not have problems and rig performed as you would like it to.
I believe the rated HP is 40/28 for the jet. Make sure this is what you are looking for
 
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