CHEVY 350 OR SPORT JET

[riverratt]

ANY BODY OUT THERE THAT CAN HELP WITH THIS,WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED!!!<br /> I AM COMPLETLY FED UP WITH OUTBOARD PROPELLER<br /> DRIVE.I AM GOING WITH A JET.I GUIDE ON A SHALLOW SAND BOTTOM RIVER.KNOW WHAT BOAT I AM GETTING<br /> NEED THOUGHTS ON CHEVY 350 VERSES SPORT JET.<br /> THIS BOAT WILL NOT BE SOLD AFTER PURCHASE.MAINTENANCE & REPAIR COSTS ARE A FACTOR.<br /> HOW MANY OF YOU WHO HAVE PURCHASED A SPORT JET <br /> WOULD BUY ANOTHER.

 

[a.d.mobile]

Re: CHEVY 350 OR SPORT JET

jets need water too at slow speeds. for a guide boat jets are ok if you are full throttle all the time. my personal is jets suck 30% loss of power on any hp you get. that is only my opinion. you need 3 to 4 feet to get a jet on plane. so you dont pack that engine full of sand and over heat the thing.

 

[riverratt]

Re: CHEVY 350 OR SPORT JET

a.d.mobile, <br /> THE FISHING I DO HERE IN KANSAS ON THE RIVER IS AT ANCHOR, BOW INTO THE CURRENT.STRICTLY CATFISH.I KNOW THERE IS A 30% LOSS IN POWER ON OUTBOARDS, DONT KNOW THAT THE SPORT JET IS THE SAME. THANKS FOR YOUR REPLY

 

[akriverrat]

Re: CHEVY 350 OR SPORT JET

a good hamilton knockoff, like kodiak or turbodrive, will probably give you much better service than sportsjet. they were designed and developed for operation in shallow water and ease of service. sportjet was designed as a light compact package for ease of installation in recreation boats. read oversize pwc.as far as service take pump apart every year to inspect. i can dis-assemble and replace/repair any part in less than four hours. with a 1/2,9/16,1-1/8" wrenches, a hammer and a couple of screw drivers. start to finish. every ten hours service is a few pumps on the grease gun. u joints grease every 50 hours without taking anything apart. with all due respect, a.d.mobile is just repeating popular myths. "jets need water too". i can plane mine off from standing start in 12" of water. with closed cooling and a sand trap, sand aint much of a problem. an inboard jet requires signifigantly less power in shallow water. my normal minimum plane rpm in deep water (3' or more) is 3200, in 6"...1800. or less. that 30%, 25%, figure popularly tossed out is somewhat true for outboard jets. a 40 plus year old design that has not improved in 30years. hasn't gone away yet though. the manufacturers putting jets on obs have done the math for you and re-rated the engines to reflect the difference.

 

[riverratt]

Re: CHEVY 350 OR SPORT JET

a.k.riverrat<br /> WHAT BOAT DO YOU RUN? WHAT MOTOR? TOP SPEED? G.P.H. HOUR? I HAVE BEEN LOOKING AT THE BOICE<br />BOATS.THE WOOLDRIDGE 17" ALASKAN IS TEMPTING I<br />AM AWARE THIS IS AN OUTBOARD.I NEED A BOAT BIG ENOUPH FOR ME & TWO OTHER PEOPLE WITH TWO COOLERS.THE ALASKAN WOULD WORK BUT THE COST BY<br />THE TIME YOU PUT A MOTOR ON IT IS AS MUCH AS A BIGGER INBOARD JET BOAT WITH THICKER HULL. <br /> EVERY BODY CLAMES TO MAKE THE BEST<br />HANDLING BEST AT EVERYTHING JET BOAT.I AM GOING<br />OUT IN FALL TO TEST A BOICE JET.THANKS FOR YOUR REPLY HOPE TO HEAR BACK SOON

 

[akriverrat]

Re: CHEVY 350 OR SPORT JET

if you are running primarily rivers without big standers and a lot of sand and gravel riffles a flat or nearly flat bottom is the way to go. they will go through places you would drag a canoe. if you end up in places with a lot of weeds go outboard. not much can stop a jet but weeds will. much easier to clean out the outboard. wooldridge was a pioneer in sled design and perfected the tunnel for outboard jets. the alaskan is a proven design and hard to beat. the current design philosphy in inboards seems to be shallow vee bottoms. they work very well on big rivers with big standers but can't go as shallow as a flat. 4" as compared to 1-2". or less. may not seem like much but can be the difference between getting there and not. my boat is a compromise. the rivers i run are primarily sand and gravel bottomed. i need to be able to go through 1" deep riffles. but i run some big water with standers up to 6'-8'. too, its 75 miles of ocean to my favorite river. 18' steenson with vee in bow back to allmost flat at stern. 1/4" bottom, 3/16 sides. 4.3L, 200hp, 2 stage kodiak pump. buddy has 19' with 400hp 350cid and similiar hull design. not much can stop mick but he is CRAZY. 2nd buddy has 19' hewes craft with 302 ford. has the veed bottom and can't run less than 3"-4".3rd running 19' almar with 351 ford and h212. veed also and can't get through the 1" riffles either. the state fish bioligists run 18' lowes with 50-60hp yammies. they normally sand holes through the bottoms befor they wear out an engine. saturday i ran just under 100 miles in under three hours. water from flat calm to 4'-5' waves. used about 19 gallons of gas

 

[riverratt]

Re: CHEVY 350 OR SPORT JET

akriverrat,<br /> I LIKE THE CHOICE YOU MADE ON YOUR BOAT.<br /> IVE BEEN TALKING WITH THE BOICE FAMILY IN OREGON.<br />MAYBE I CAN GET THEM TO FLATTEN OUT SOME OF THE<br />DEAD RISE IN THE BACK OF ONE OF THERE DESIGNS.THEN I WOULDNT LOOK TWICE AT THE WOOLDRIDGE. GOBS OF THANKS TO YOU FOR YOUR REPLY

 

[denniz]

Re: CHEVY 350 OR SPORT JET

PLEASE turn off CAP LOCK.....thankyou Have you checked out the tunnel hulls they run on the coast? Theyve got electric (12v)jack plates so you can pull the outboard up into the hull while in the shallows.Draft is less than 1ft.

 

[akriverrat]

Re: CHEVY 350 OR SPORT JET

rod knocking, do you know any web adresses for those? sounds interesting.

 

[denniz]

Re: CHEVY 350 OR SPORT JET

Ill try to find it.

 

[riverratt]

Re: CHEVY 350 OR SPORT JET

akriverrat,<br /> try www.flatscat.com<br /> THIS IS A CATERMERAN STYLE BOAT DRIVEN BY PROP. CLAIMS TO GO IN 4INCHES OF WATER.HAS VIDEO ON HIS SIGHT.<br /> I AM RUNNING A PANTHER JACK PLATE<br />WITH 8 INCH SET BACK ON MY LITTLE BOAT.I CAN RUN IN 8INCHES OF WATER WITH DECENT HANDLING.BUT THIS IS NOT EXCEPTABLE. NEED A JET.

 

[riverratt]

Re: CHEVY 350 OR SPORT JET

akriverrat,<br /> WONDERING ABOUT SOME OTHER THINGS<br /> REGARDING INBOARD JETS.YOU GOT A STOMP GRATE ON YOUR BOAT ? SOME SAY YOU NEED THEM OTHERS SAY YOU <br />DONT.WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS? HOW WIDE IS YOUR HULL. 72INCHES SEEMS TO BE COMING A STANDARD.DO THE 60INCH HULLS HANDLE THAT MUCH BETTER.I NEED TO BE ABLE TO TURN WITH GOOD RESPONSE.<br /> ALSO THE MO. RIVER CAN COME UP 10 TO 20 FEET IN LESS THAN HALF AN HOUR DOWN HERE.WHEN IT DOES THIS THERE IS A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF WOOD DEBRIS THAT COMES DOWN RIVER.WHAT EFFECT DOES THIS HAVE ON THE INBOARD JETS.

 

[denniz]

Re: CHEVY 350 OR SPORT JET

That may not be the same brand but its the same hull design I was talkin about.If you run a jet that shallow your going to pickupalot of bottom trash. How shallow do you want to go?

 

[akriverrat]

Re: CHEVY 350 OR SPORT JET

no stomp grate on mine. thats next, after posi-nozzle. debris that causes most problem is grass and weeds, after that leaves and forked twigs. those aren't really much of a problem. anything from an inch up to a foot in diameter i ignore, only go around if i feel like it. it is about opposite of what you avoid with prop. two ways to handle things that might plug up grate; idle through or full throttle through. idleing past pushes it around, wot too fast for it to get in or it just blows on through pump. 60" bottom seems to be what i and buddies all have. 5 different makes, 18'-20',10-25 years old. response seems to be more an issue of deadrise than width. and keelsons. liability would keep any manufacturer from building a boat like mine anymore. it has no directional stability and will spin out from current change or gust of wind. i am allways driving it. like rear wheel drive car on ice. when you test drive get them to show you reversed steering in reverse. hard to get used to but actually much less wheel turning for manuavering. high speed reversing for fast stopping, reverse and half throttle at 35 mph puts my bow under but stops me in a couple of boat lengths. have them do some high speed 180s and 360s if that hull is safe to do that. i use those to clear grate. in a foot or less mine will spin 360 and hardly slow down. finally no steering with no power. back to idle rpm at speed boat won't steer untill boats at idle speed.

 

[kev_alaska]

Re: CHEVY 350 OR SPORT JET

I will take a shot at this one as well. I have two riverboats, one a new Wooldridge Sport 2000 (20' Shallow Vee with a Marine Kodiak 350 inboard jet) and one an older Alumaweld Terminator (20' Flat bottom with a Merc 150 outboard jet). The Wooldridge can go to step in about 12-16" of water, the Alumaweld in less than 12". I can honestly run the Alumaweld on step over the 1' riffles that Akriverrat mentions. Just have to keep some speed up. The Wooldridge draws more water, up to 4-6" for clear running, that may go down as my learning curve on the new boat gets smaller. <br /><br />Stomp grates are a great thing, they restrict some water flow, but not a noticeable amount. On an inboard jet without the stomp grate you have to go in through the inspection plate on the jet from inside the boat to clear. That or go swimming to clear debris.<br /><br />One driver for me is to accept the fact that you are going to get it stuck at some point. Which is easier to get off a gravel bar? That depends on how many partners you take fishing. I can raise the Merc outboard on the Alumaweld and mostly float or push it off alone. The Wooldridge is another story. Take partners..<br /><br />No contest when it comes to comfort. The Wooldridge is one of the nicer boats on the river and runs great. It takes a pretty specialized boat to outrun one and the shallow Vee makes the ride nice. The Alumaweld being flat bottomed and outboard equipped is more basic, but nearly unbeatable at getting you into spots most people fly into. The Wooldridge Alaskan, Alaskan II or a classic with the right setup are all outstanding boats. <br /><br />The sportjet is a non player as far as power goes. The original ones were very challenged as far as horsepower goes and the new 175 is marginal in a full sized boat. Parts are more scarce than a Chevy 350.

 

[riverratt]

Re: CHEVY 350 OR SPORT JET

akriverrat.<br /> DUDE, THANKS A LOT FOR ALL THE INFO.SO MUCH OF WHAT YOU HEAR ABOUT JETS OF ANY MAKE, INBOARD OR OUTBOARD IS B.S.GOOD TO TALK TO SOME ONE WHO LIKES & USES THEM.HERE IN KANSAS NOT MANY PEOPLE USE THEM.WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THE AMERICAN TURBINE DRIVE. THEY ALL SO OFFER THE HAMILTON 212 IT MIGHT BE OVERKILL FOR ME THOUGH.<br />THE HAMILTON IS SUPPOSED TO HAVE A KILLER REVERSE<br />FROM WHAT I HEAR. <br /> ROD,AS SHALLOW AS POSSIBLE<br /> MAN, WHEN I HEAR BOTTOM OF HULL DRAGGING SAND & STILL GOING FORWARD THAT WILL BE GREAT

 

[riverratt]

Re: CHEVY 350 OR SPORT JET

KEV ALASKA,<br /> I AM FAMILIAR WITH THE SPORT 2000<br /> HAVE GIVEN IT SOME SERIOUS THOUGHT.I DONT BELIEVE I WILL BE GIVING THE MERC SPORT JET ANY MORE CONSIDERATION.DOESNT SEEM TO STAND TO TALL AMONG HARDCORE JET USERS. I JUST KNOW ONE THING IS FOR SURE THE PROP HAS GOT TO GO!!!DO YOU KNOW YOUR SPEEDS ON THAT 2000,G.P.H.THEY LOOK LIKE A GREAT BOAT.<br /> akriverrat,could you explain that nozzle set up you want.<br /> thanks again guys

 

[kev_alaska]

Re: CHEVY 350 OR SPORT JET

I am still working out the GPH issue. I am considering a fuel flow meter. I have clocked the S2000 at just over 48 mph at 4400 rpm. I am having some issues with porpoising and am in process of adding tabs to try to minimumize this. I will have it in saltwater for the first time this weekend and should have it good and bloodied by the time we return. <br /><br />Hamilton, American Turbine, Kodiak all have lots of exposure here in Alaska. The Hamiltons have been around the longest, but the others are making great gear as well. Mine is a 3 stage Kodiak with the motor pushing 310 HP. Most of the jets reverse are basically identical. A clamshell looking gate is lowered down over the jet output that shoots water back under the boat.

 

[riverratt]

Re: CHEVY 350 OR SPORT JET

KEV-ALASKA,<br /> HOW MUCH TIME DO YOU GET OUT OF YOUR IMPELLERS.I HAVE HEARD THAT SOME OF THE RIVERS<br />UP THERE HAVE A LOT OF GLACIER SILT. YOUR SPEED<br />SEEMS TO BE WHAT OTHERS ARE GETTING WITH TOP QUALITY HULLS & A GOOD MOTOR.HOW HARD WILL IT TURN WITHOUT SPIN OUT. I KNOW THAT IS HARD TO <br />MEASURE BUT CAN YOU MAKE IT DO THIS?? HAD SOMONE TELL ME THIS WASNT POSSIBLE WITH THIS HULL.WISH I COULD BE THERE WHEN YOU TAKE ER OUT ON THE BIG WATER FOR THE FIRST TIME.NEVER BEEN ON THE OCEAN MY SELF. LAKE SUPERIOR IN MINNESOTA IS THE BIGGEST WATER IVE SEEN I WAS TRULY IN AWE. GOOD LUCK, LIKE TO KNOW HOW IT GOES THANKS FOR YOUR REPLY. JEFF DAVIS, RIVERRAT

 

[akriverrat]

Re: CHEVY 350 OR SPORT JET

glad to see jets aren't universally despised. a few parting comments...american turbine style jet is a fine piece of egineering BUT impeller and wear ring are machined matched units and cannot be replaced with a hammer, screwdriver, and piece of driftwood. also the rear bearing runs in oil bath. it is not something you really want to dis-assemble on the river bank 100 miles from home. h212 is an excellent pump. it does backup signifigantly better than others mentioned. i have seen posts that in rivers with really heavy sand loads that the sand erodes holes through the pump housing behind the wear ring. also the 212 needs more minimum hp than kodiak. my boat was originally a four banger with single stage. a new shaft, impeller, and impeller housing was added with the v6. ss impellers are very long wearing. my crazy friend has over twenty years and 4 engines worth of use on his. he is only getting an average of 1100 hours out of an engine though. as far as ride comfort, handling, and planing depth are concerned it all comes down to hull design. a flat bottom will go much shallower, will slide more, and will beat you up more. in 14" i get on plane in less than 2 boat lengths. can sustain a plane in about 1" going upriver, need 2-3 down if its more than 20-30 yards. KEV_ALASKA, i carry 4 ton comealong and 150' or so 3/4" rope for getting stuck and, knock wood, they have only been ballast so far. to handle the porpoising on friends almar we bolted a couple of 6'by 10" peices of aluminum to the extended bottom plate at stern. bent them down about 10 degrees and then removed a little at a time untill bow was riding at right height. cheap, expendable, and easily replced when damaged. time to go where they pay me so i can go boating on the weekends. they pay me to go boating saturday as the job is only accessed by water.