Jet Boat Question

[John T2268]

I was wondering if you could make a jet boat from a jon boat style flat bottom boat? If so how ? Is there anybody using them to fish out of ?

 

[jimdd810]

Re: Jet Boat Question

Depends on what type of outboard you have. There are jet conversions for some outboards. As for the boat itself I dont see a problem with it it wont handle like a vhull but they dont any way.

 

[FunInDuhSun]

Re: Jet Boat Question

There's a few youtube videos out there showing jet-jon conversions.
I remember seeing one that used a V8! Talk about insanity....

 

[John T2268]

Re: Jet Boat Question

Does it matter what size of jon ? With the size of the motor ? Like if the jon boat is only rated for a 25 hp you could or could not run a 35 hp jet ? Since a jet is not so efficienct . Or still have to go with the hull rating .

 

[Ned L]

Re: Jet Boat Question

A couple of years ago that was an article in "Woodenboat" magazine about someone who built about a 22' Novi style 'lobster yacht' and powered it with a jet ski-drive train. Real nice job, and a very successful adaptation. Just buy a new jet-ski, remove the drive (scrap the rest) & put it in whatever you want.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Jet Boat Question

John, They rate the Jet outboards in "Jet power", whatever that is. If you match a prop OB block with the same block on a Jet lower, you will see the derating they use for "Jet Power". i.e. A 115HP Block will be 85 HP Jet power.

BTW, I would think a Jet OB would be hte way to go on a jon boat. Any kind of IB motor would take up some space and add lots of weight.

 

[John T2268]

Re: Jet Boat Question

The only reason I was looking into a jet is to get into that skinny water up on the Susky , I have friends that live up around Harrisburg PA , They are telling that the place to fish for smallies , So is it a hard conversion to add a jet to boat motor ? Or is it a bolt on set-up ? I have not seen a lot of information about jet boats and motor set-ups .

 

[H20Rat]

Re: Jet Boat Question

The conversions we are talking about here are fairly simple. You take off the lower unit on your outboard and slap a new one on, the new one just happens to be a jet. You will also have to move your motor up on the transom. The position is VERY important with a jet.

Go here... There are probably other places, but this is a good place to start with a good FAQ covering it all.

www.outboardjets.com

 

[John T2268]

Re: Jet Boat Question

Man that's some really cool stuff . Thanks for the information .