jets on the flats?

[iwhitevt]

just curious-<br />I'm a Virginia boy, but i get down to Florida as often as work and money will allow to fish the flats. I know that the deterioration of the turtle grass beds is an ever increasing problem down south. My question is- why aren't jet motors (outboard or in) more popular down there? My only thoughts are that maybe no one is willing to pay a little more for a little less usable power? or are the intakes prone to clogging or damaged by sand intake? Actually, I'm thinking of adding a small jon boat w/ a jet outboard to my collection for the rivers here, and thought it might also make a great flats boat. Thought I'ld see what opinions on this are out there.

 

[bruoff]

Re: jets on the flats?

Hey VA guy, I thought that was the way to go too. So I bought a Whaler rage with a jet inboard.<br /><br />A month later, around June 1st the sea grass started to float up. It stops up all the jets. I went back to outboards and still wish I could successfully operate a jet down here. My only surviving jet is a little 11' rig made in California. I took the grill off the water intake and it just grinds up the grass, (so far). The jetski kids just get off the ski and pull the grass out, (not my idea of a fun day!!<br /><br />As far as these folks being unwilling to spend the bucks. I'm accross the canal from Stamas Boats where $60k plus outboard rigs are built. It's not a question of $$. Most of the hot shoes around the flats run a jack plate and can run in around a foot of water. <br /><br />If you come down my way, Anclote River and Key there's plenty of "1's" on the charts!!

 

[iwhitevt]

Re: jets on the flats?

tarpon bob, <br />thanks for the reply- actually we have a family house that was left to us near stumps pass. definatly a lot of 1's on the charts there! I've seen some of the jackplates on those flats buggies down there- look real nice, bet they run better. didn't know if I wanted to go that route or if the jet would get me by. appreciate the info. by the way- I know this is a question for the fishing column, but whats the best way to hook-up with some of those silver kings in boca grande pass? last may i drifted 6-7" live pilchards at just about every depth imaginable and no luck. seems like everyone around me had their hands full, though. caught a few crabs in stumps pass the night before, but failed to keep them alive inshore. thanks

 

[Bruce Jefferis]

Re: jets on the flats?

I ran a tunnel-hull flats boat with a jet drive (Evinrude 105) for several years. While it would run in almost no water, and it would jump up very, very shallow, there are some draw-backs too. The jets are much less efficient than prop drives. This translates to significantly higher gas consumption and lower speed. In our boat, and another I've been on, the jet drive also "cavitates" frequently, sounding like the engine is mis-firing. Although the engine always ran well, it's a disconcerting noise to hear all day. Finally, particularly on flat bottom boats, the jet drive really reduces the manuverability of the boat. It's not bad at some speed but very non-responsive when moving slowly such as when docking or launching. I've gone back to a prop and won't look back.