I need some outboard jet advise...

[1980Galaxy]

So i bought a brand new Lowe Skorpion 16' aluminum boat last year with a 60 HP jet mercury outboard.

I do a lot of shallow river fishing up here with a high risk of hitting submerged objects. I have hit quite a few rocks without any problem but on one occasion last summer my dad borrowed the boat and hit a rock, cracking the pump housing (about $1000 for a replacement). Luckily, he got it fixed at work...

ANYWAY, I am am wondering if there is anything I could get to help protect the motor from this kind of abuse. I am regretting buying the cheapest boat I could buy, since this boat was not designed to have a jet outboard. The bottom of the motor does not sit completely flush with the bottom of the boat (about 2 inches below). They warned me of this when I bought the boat but I figured I would be OK.

Any thoughts? Thanks.

 

[mommicked]

Re: I need some outboard jet advise...

You need to get a Jet tunnel hulled boat w a higher transom and your jet will be alot safer from rocks and other impacts tucked up above the bottom of the hull in the tunnel. It should perform better than hanging below a non tunnel hull in shallow water also.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: I need some outboard jet advise...

I would think a setback bracket and raise the motor 3"

 

[kfa4303]

Re: I need some outboard jet advise...

I agree with the jack plate idea. It's probably the simplest easiest solution. Something like this would help.

 

[mickjetblue]

Re: I need some outboard jet advise...

There's a couple ideas on this post:

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=269888&highlight=transom

I made a 5" shim and used aluminum right angle to reinforce the raise.
You could something similar for 2", if you are handy.
2" too low is way too low.
I had a neighbor with a jet mounted in the middle of the hull.
HIt a rock and bent things up a bit.
Mechanics tried to fix it for a few weeks, but couldn't.
He had to trade for an o/b jet, and then gave it up.

Good luck!

 

[Outsider]

Re: I need some outboard jet advise...

How much draft do you have now? Every outboard jet I've seen drafts about keel level. Raise it up much (if at all) and the jet will probably ventilate. The only fix for running over stuff big enough to break things is change the driver ... :facepalm:

 

[roscoe]

Re: I need some outboard jet advise...

Have a competent welder add an inverted shark fin to the keel of your boat.

A foot long 3/4" thick, and extending down 4".

It will act much like a skeg on an outboard, and allow the boat to lift over obstacles, enough so the jet will miss the rock.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: I need some outboard jet advise...

Raise it up much (if at all) and the jet will probably ventilate

That's the reason for the setback... allows the jet to be ABOVE the keel. He's running shallow water where he HAS to stay on plane to navigate them.

 

[1980Galaxy]

Re: I need some outboard jet advise...

thanks for all the advice... I will head down the the local boat mechanic and see if he can do anything for me as far as a new mount.

Outsider, I don't really know what you are asking about the draft... ?

 

[Mi duckdown]

Re: I need some outboard jet advise...

Do you have room to raise the motor up on transom 2"?
Pics of setup would help alot.
Google san leandro jets in CA. lots of good info. I order parts from them. Great guys to work with. the only bad thing is I don't think they have 1-800 number

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: I need some outboard jet advise...

http://www.jamestowndistributors.com/userportal/product.do?part=110866&BASE

 

[1980Galaxy]

Re: I need some outboard jet advise...

do those bolt right up to the existing mount or would i have to take the old one off and drill new holes and mount to the transom?

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: I need some outboard jet advise...

I'm not sure what you're asking... The brackets bolt to the transom and the engine bolts to the brackets.

 

[Mi duckdown]

Re: I need some outboard jet advise...

Outboard jets are finicky. tiller or consule drive? First off the inlet should be inline with bottom of the boat..
Pics of your set up would answer alot of questions.
Plus if your are 2" lower, your speed and gas useage it bad.
You should have hit the rock with the boat, as opposed to the motor.???