First Boat - Jet?

[jazee]

I'm looking to buy my first boat. Planning on buying something 2-4 years old to minimize depreciation. Checked out some boats at the Boat Show and read a lot of reviews. <br /><br />Here's what I'm looking for:<br /><br />Weight with trailer: 3,500 pounds or less<br />Price: $18K or less<br />Will hold its value better than average<br /><br />I am really amazed on the value of the Maxum 1800SR. $16K Brand New including boat and trailer. (Dealer claims the Maxums hold 80% of their value in 5 years - not sure if I believe that.) Problem is there are virtually no used ones. Also liked the Regal 18, and Sea Rays.<br /><br />But now I've been reading reviews about the more recent model jet bowrider jet boats and it sounds like they've come a long way. I live in the Northwest so I'm looking for something with a full windshield. I've been impressed with the reviews on the Sea Doo Utopia 205 and the Yamaha LS2000. There is also the Sugar Sand Calais in that category but haven't read much about them. I really like the fact these jet boats weigh less for the size of the boat and power they have. Although I'll probably keep it on the lake in the summer and only tow it over the mountain pass once or twice a year with my Honda Pilot (225HP V6 rated at 4,500 pound boat towing capacity). One big advantage I've heard of the Yamaha and maybe also the Sugar Sand is that you can clean the jet out without diving under the boat.<br /><br />If anyone has any experience with these jet boats I'd be interested in which one they think will handle the chop best as I'll be using the boat on a medium size lake where 1-foot chop is pretty much all the time with 2-foot chop not uncommon. <br /><br />Or would I be better off sticking with a prop boat? <br /><br />Any insight would be greatly appreciated.

 

[KCook]

Re: First Boat - Jet?

Welcome to iboats Jazee <br /><br />

Will hold its value better than average

Unfortunately that does not hold up for the jets. For an extra light boat try one of the premium aluminum brands.<br /><br />Kelly Cook

 

[jazee]

Re: First Boat - Jet?

I guess the resale value is actually less of a concern if I'm buying used to begin with. I'm actually leaning towards the Sugar Sands, but they were redesigned in 2004 so I'm not going to find a very good deal on them if I want the latest designs. I'm at loss deciding between the Mirage and the Calais. I like the Mirage Fish n Fun as I do like to go Lake Fishing once in a while, but the lack of a sundeck on the stern is a minus and it seems like the two walk-thrus (ala fold down rear seats) are kind of wasted space? Of course it makes it easier for the wakeboarder to get in and out of the boat. It appears though the Mirage also came in a 3/4 sundeck with a walk-thru on just one side. A perfect compromise. I can't tell though if the walk-thru has a flip-up seat.

 

[bilmon]

Re: First Boat - Jet?

hi jazee<br /> <br /> I bought a SS Mirage when they first came out in 03. My first jet after 30+ years of props. No regrets.They handle different but once your used to it it's more fun than a prop 1 or 2 ft. chop no problem ,about the same as a prop bowrider of similer size .All Sugar Sands are Merc powered , mine seems to get mileage about what I would expect from a similer OB My rear seats don't fold they remove, that might have changed on newer models, I know some have pedestal seats that can be moved for fishing . Try the guys at www.jetboating.net for some info<br /><br />Bill

 

[AK_Chappy]

Re: First Boat - Jet?

Not to hijack your thread. But since you are talking about the differences between prop and jet....<br />Jazee,<br />Welcome to iboats.<br />I have heard that with a jet, if the motor shuts down on you, you no longer have any steering.<br />With the prop, you at least have a rudder, so to speak.<br />Of course this should not be a big problem in a lake, but in a river is a different story.<br /><br />bilmon, welcome to iboats.<br />You have experience with both, what are your thoughts?<br /><br />AK Chappy

 

[bilmon]

Re: First Boat - Jet?

hi AK Chappy<br /><br /> your right about steering loss.Cut power and you will spin out,on the positive side you can use that plus reverse from any speed for incredible handling and braking ability.Most of my boating is on rivers,the Mississippi and lower Wisconsin ,engine shut down should'nt be any more of a problem then any other boat the Merc sport jet is the same tried and true v6 they have had for years,carbed,efi,and optimax versions mine is a 240hp efi. biggest drawback I can see is if your around alot of weeds much you may not want a jet, thats one heck of a vacum cleaner under there. gesh just talking boats is giving me spring fever way early<br /><br /> bilmon

 

[norrisb]

Re: First Boat - Jet?

I'm on my second Jet now. You're right on handling, it's tricky at low speeds, and the impeller never disengages, so there jet is still pumping at idle and you will tend to drift in a circle. You’re also right that you can’t beat the value, low weight, or handling, (when under speed. There’s a reason I’m on my second jet, I absolutely love them. No prop to ding, no lower unit, no transmission. Yesterday I ran into some unexpected shallow water, (less than a foot on a sand bar). The prop driven boat ahead of me was limping into the closest marina for repairs as I walked the jet to deeper water and was off again. For what you looking for, looks like you need a sizable boat. I'm a big fan of Sugar Sands, I'd look at the Oasis or Calais. Hope this helps

 

[ziggy]

Re: First Boat - Jet?

my experices are with jetskis, sorry. but i think the info i have will be pertenant to the jetboats yer lookin at too. thats true about no prop to ding on the bottom. but, i assure you ya can get a ding in yer impeller. a little to close to shore, be in reverse (or F for that matter)and it'll suck something up for sure, like rocks and anything else. like said above, that's a heck of a vacume under there. i don't know about jetboats, but there seems to be some differences in reverse buckets and there performance. in jetskis the mfg. have changed there reverse buckets many times over the years. i'm on my second ski. the first one did like stated above. kinda drifted in a circle. the second one on the yamaha below seems to work real well. it don't have N, but halfway between F & R is N. i just hold the lever there and can hold steady usually. as for useing the reverse bucket on a jet for a break. i don't think thats generally a good idea. you'll stop to fast and the bow will dive and you could launch forward. as for river running. any loss of power has potential serious consoquesces. jet or i/o. on a jet ya have to watch for debris on the river. i've sucked up a few sticks and have been lucky so far. it's kinda like a blender. just munches the debris up and spits it out, hopefully. you could also run accross somthing that will jamb in your impeller and then ya'll be going for a swim. don't know if the impeller cleanouts on jetboats have enough access to clean out a jambed stick or not. one final thought. don't drive over a ski rope with a jet. you'll have plenty of fun gettin it unwrapped from a impeller that ya can't even touch. a buddy of mine sucked up a hat once too. bummer. melted the plastic bill, it streched way out and stoped the impeller. that was fun to remove too. desassembly to go get it and cut it away. just a few of my thoughts (and experieces)on a jet drive......i still like em and think they are a cool dive....minamal moving parts. oh yeah, jets genearly are gas guzzlers. i have the same motor in my ski as ya get with the ls 2000 i think. the mr-1. just for an idea, mine drinks 11.6 gph @ wot (10K)i don't know what the fuel useage would be a boat. and of course fuel consumption gets better with not useing wot all the time