What to look for on an old jet boat?

[Alwhite00]

Possibly looking at a old jet boat - It is a 70's Glastron with a 350 Chevy and I believe a Berkley pump.



I know to look for rot in the stringers & transom but what else should I look for.



Can these be started on the trailer? the interior is worn out, Aparently it runs but needs a tune up.



Any advise welcome.



Thanks



LK

 

[RogersJetboat454]

Re: What to look for on an old jet boat?

Possibly looking at a old jet boat - It is a 70's Glastron with a 350 Chevy and I believe a Berkley pump.



I know to look for rot in the stringers & transom but what else should I look for.



Can these be started on the trailer? the interior is worn out, Aparently it runs but needs a tune up.



Any advise welcome.



Thanks



LK

A Berkeley from that era is most likely a 12JC. Disable the ignition system, and pull the inspection cover off the top of the drive (oval shape with 2 bolts holding it on). Check to-wards the impeller. You should be able to stick your hand in there, and feel the fins on the impeller. If they are gouged or damaged, the drive has most likely ingested something. Not a deal breaker, but may cause some performance issues with the pump. The other issue is the condition of the shaft bearings and wear ring. The bearings shouldn't make much to any noise while running, and the grease zerks should appear clean with possibly a little grease residue around them. As far as I know, there is no good way to check the condition of the wear ring with out partially disassembling the drive, but hours of use with out a pump rebuild, and damage felt on the impeller fins can help give you an idea of it's condition.

As long as the cooling system used doesn't have a raw water pump (uses water from the drive), you should be able to start the engine for a minute. I would put a spray of water into the pump nozzle with the drive in forward, or if you can some how get the water up through the grate in the bottom of the boat. You want some water there to keep the wear ring cool, and minimize wear on the wear ring.

Inspect the condition of the steering cable, and FNR cable to ensure they are working and in good shape. If the pump has a jet-o-vator/diverter, make sure the cables the raise and lower the nozzle are in good shape too.

 

[haulnazz15]

Re: What to look for on an old jet boat?

Yes, they can be started on the trailer with no water, but makes sure it is for a short period of time to avoid over-heating the engine or damaging the wear ring. There is an inspection/clean-out plate on the pump just in front of the transom, I would pop the cover (just a couple of bolts) and check there.

 

[V153]

Re: What to look for on an old jet boat?

Make sure you do a thorough inspection for rot. Glastrons/Carlsons are great boats but unless it was meticulously maintained for there's probly some rot.

Yes I agree it is more than likely a Berkeley 12JC pump. Being hooked up to a Chevy 350 is somewhat rare but was installed in a few models. Vast majority of the small blocks were Ford. Big blocks were Ford or Oldsmobile motors btw.

Check out the classic glastron site for pics & info. Good luck!

 

[Alwhite00]

Re: What to look for on an old jet boat?

I am not expecting this to be a cream puff by any means - Very cheap BTW ($500.00) I am just looking for something that I can work on a little over the winter. It's small enough that it would fit in my garage.

Not familiar with the layout of the engine bay but is the transom/stringer area accessible? What to look for? I don't mind a little repair work but would like to avoid the dreded transom/stringer replacement if possible.

thanks for all of the input so far.

LK

 

[26aftcab454]

Re: What to look for on an old jet boat?

look for a big block.

 

[high'n'dry]

Re: What to look for on an old jet boat?

Your own oil well.

 

[Alwhite00]

Re: What to look for on an old jet boat?

Your own oil well.

Do they use a lot of fuel?

LK

 

[H20Rat]

Re: What to look for on an old jet boat?

Do they use a lot of fuel?

LK

You are kidding, right? As much as I'm a proponent of modern jets (seadoo/yamaha/sugar sand), those old ones had a big drawback. The spray you see coming out the back, that's not water, that's fuel!

Although a lot of fun, if you drive one of those old jets like its meant to be driven, make sure you have an oil tanker nearby to fuel up at. A 350 bolted to one might be not be quite as bad as a big block, but it isn't going to exactly win any efficiency contests.

 

[Alwhite00]

Re: What to look for on an old jet boat?

You are kidding, right? As much as I'm a proponent of modern jets (seadoo/yamaha/sugar sand), those old ones had a big drawback. The spray you see coming out the back, that's not water, that's fuel!

Although a lot of fun, if you drive one of those old jets like its meant to be driven, make sure you have an oil tanker nearby to fuel up at. A 350 bolted to one might be not be quite as bad as a big block, but it isn't going to exactly win any efficiency contests.

Just did not know, Are the old jet drives that inneficient?

LK

 

[ezmobee]

Re: What to look for on an old jet boat?

Just did not know, Are the old jet drives that inefficient?

Yes!

 

[aspeck]

Re: What to look for on an old jet boat?

Yep, inefficient and Yep, fun! Second fasted I ever went on the water was in one of those old inefficient jets (fasted was an inboard at about 120 and the jet was not far behind). Have fun, but be safe!

 

[V153]

Re: What to look for on an old jet boat?

it isn't going to exactly win any efficiency contests.

Heh heh heh

 

[cr2k]

Re: What to look for on an old jet boat?

You will notice much better economy with a SBC and not much loss of speed.

 

[sschefer]

Re: What to look for on an old jet boat?

You will notice much better economy with a SBC and not much loss of speed.

Regarding the fuel issue. The 12JC is a one of the most popular pumps out there. They can be upgraded to improve efficency to around 90% of a prop'd boat depending upon how much money you want to spend.

 

[V153]

Re: What to look for on an old jet boat?

Regarding the fuel issue. The 12JC is a one of the most popular pumps out there. They can be upgraded to improve efficency to around 90% of a prop'd boat depending upon how much money you want to spend.

Agreed. Just d'pends on how deep your pockets are. Beauty of a jet pump is it's simplicity. I believe 90% efficiency is a lil optomistic but don't disagree that you can 'tighten' one up considerably.