Author Topic: Does anyone have a jet motor on your boat? (Read 631 times)

Tom W. · « **on:** April 13, 2003, 04:46:15 PM »

I've been toying around with the idea of getting a new boat and was considering a jet motor. I know that they are not as efficient as a prop driven motor, but there is no lower unit to freeze up or get damaged by stumps and other surprises that one may encounter, and are much easier to get into "skinny" water. Any thoughts on this?

Skipper · « **Reply #1 on:** April 14, 2003, 03:20:21 AM »

I started to put one on my skinny water boat once, but backed out. They are expensive relative to a prop-outboard. There is also limited availability in horsepower ranges. There is a company in Washington State I think it is, that makes kits for most outboards. I once saw a 225 Pro-Max on an Xpress with one. I had a buddy that looked into one for a 70 hp Johnnyrude for a Duck wagon. Seems like it cost over $3500 just for the drive unit.

Skipper

jerrl · « **Reply #2 on:** April 22, 2003, 08:23:12 AM »

There is a lot of "jet" boats around the Poplar Bluff/Van Buren MO area as well as in North Ark where river fishing is available and popular. As I recall they are not very efficient and they are very loud because the exhaust is vented above the water. There is nothing better though for getting thru the shoals and thin water of a river.

Savage · « **Reply #3 on:** April 25, 2003, 07:54:15 AM »

Expensive and inefficent. They work well on shallow hard botttom rivers without a lot of vegetation. On shallow mud and silt bottomed water with a lot of vegetation they are a nightmare! If you can afford to have an extra rig just for the shallow hard bottom rivers they are great. Under any other conditions a prop is better.
Good Fishing,
Savage