Jet Boat

[hjerk24]

Am really considering trading in my Lowe Fishing Machine for a Jet boat.  Could use on the Susquehanna, and other local rivers.  I tournament fish, but not too much anymore.  Any thoughts from the peanut gallery on this?  If you have a jet boat, ideas, concerns, manufacturers, good stories, horror stories?  Just a wide open thought forum on 16-17' jet boats.

Any input welcomed.

Jamie

[cart7t]

They're a must when fishing really shallow rivers or rivers that have shoal type areas dividing the deeper holes.  Think carefully though, a Jet drive OB is way less efficient at pushing a boat around.  You lose at least 40% of your HP going with a jet.  With trim, it's fun to shoot a tail at folks standing on the bank.   

[hjerk24]

Probably just an "iced in" phase....you know how that goes.  But. they sure look sweet some of them.

THX-

[cart7t]

Another downfall is a complete lack of slow speed torque.  Idling and manuevering at slow speeds is a pain.

And Reverse?

Forget a bout it. 

[Fishbone]

I have fished out of a guide's jet outboard twice on the Susky (north branch). He has a 225hp. It fly's. I see no need for any more power on the river. We were ripping up the river...I felt like I was on my Harley.

I asked about sharp turns. He did one for me. There is a pucker factor involved as we did a dirt track type thing.

I would go for one in a heart beat, especially where we live and fish. It would be good for our lakes, seeing that we don't have to rip off a 25 mile run to get to a spot to fish.

I have a new rig and was thinking of a convert to jet, but it didn't seem like a smart move.

[J_pontius]

I own a jet myself.  I'd suggest getting a 16ft no less than 48inches wide.  You lose 30% of the horsepower when converting to a jet pump.  That is why you hear the terms 60/40, 40/30, 25/20 etc.  I love my jet and will never own a prop boat.  For a first time jetter don't spend over 5 or 6 grand til you learn to run a river as well as learn the maintenance.  Once you have owned that for a year or two, then upgrade to a nice jet.  Go with handle steering instead of a steering wheel.  You can turn 10 times faster when you need to and if you hit a rock the motor pops up instead of hard hitting on the power trim.  Just remember when you own a Jet, its not a matter of when you hit but how bad.  Its only a matter of time before you hit something.  That is part of owning a jet.  If you have any other questions feel free to pm me and I'll be glad to spill all the pro's and con's of owning a jet.  Stuff most dealers won't tell you.

[hjerk24]

I'd be interested in a basic jet set up to start with.  I was thinking about selling/trading in my boat (very nice Lowe Fishing Machine) for a small river type set up.  Used or new...just some general directions I could go.

THX

Jamie

[Buzbait88]

here's what you need.

or you could get one with a promax on it.  ;D

[hjerk24]

Prices?

Used?

New?

THX-

[davisg]

I just got my first Jet, it is a used 16' Xpress with a 60/45 Merc on it.  I use it on the Susquehanna and the Juniata, I love it will never go back.  I can hit about 30 MPH with it which for me is fast since my previous boat was a 14' with a 15HP force, my Xpress is a little heavier so the motor prob. could go faster on a different boat.  I paid about 6 grand for it fully loaded.  Also my cousin has a 18' extra wide I mean extra wide war eagle, with I think like a 125hp  4-stroke jet and that thing flies also it it supper quite but he also paid alot for it.

[hjerk24]

Was it new?  If so, where did you pick it up?

If used...same thing?

Thanks for the posts...I greatly appreciate it.

Jamie

[davisg]

Mine was used and found it on craiglist, an older guy had it who could not use it himself anymore.  He barely used it anyway he said, and it was like brand new.  He had it gone over by Ducky's before he would sell it to me.  Boat was from around Hershey.

[J_pontius]

You got Jet fever!  LOL!  My dad has it two after riding in my rig.  We are currently looking around for him right now too.

[hjerk24]

Thanks Guys-

The Fever?....kinda....but don't want to act too fast, incase it's just that...a FEVER.

[gatorblazer]

google gatorjetboats

[Wayne P.]

Another source:

http://www.jamesriverjets.com/

There were several pre-owned rigs there the last time I visited him.

[Buzbait88]

Rothwell marine sells them, its the only place I know of.

http://www.rothwellmarine.com/boat.asp?c=4

[Fishes in trees]

How much do you want to spend?  Look at River Pro jet boats, made outside of St. Louis , MO.  You can google their web site.  They are some cool in-board jet boats.

[hjerk24]

$7,000-$8,000.  But just a wish/thought for now...really.

[JohnT2268]

Hello , I have a question , I'm new to the site , So here it goes , Can you put a jet on a bass tracker ? Or would the hull not hold up to the pounding of the shallow water an rocks ? I do really think the jet boats a really cool .

[Crowcommander]

I have had 3 jet foot motors on 1 1650 express (1995) flatbottom. The latest motor is a 60/40 4 stroke. This motor uses less than half of the older Merc 60/40 2 strokes, it has less torque,but is quieter,has a 5 yr warranty.only change oil 1 time a year.Call Tony Hodge in Arkansas tony@futtrellmarine.com. I definetly know what its like to have Jet-foot fever.They're only one cure for it!

[zrt594]

I thought tracker made a bass boat with a mercury jet drive in it.  I remember seeing it a Bass Pro 4 or 5 years ago.  This was an inboard jet drive like a Sea-Doo jet boat.  It had I believe 2.0L or 2.5L mercury V6 in, I wanna say a 17 or 18 foot aluminum boat.  I don't remember the name but I do remember the boat.  That would be the $hit!!

[Nice_Bass]

I thought tracker made a bass boat with a mercury jet drive in it. I remember seeing it a Bass Pro 4 or 5 years ago. This was an inboard jet drive like a Sea-Doo jet boat. It had I believe 2.0L or 2.5L mercury V6 in, I wanna say a 17 or 18 foot aluminum boat. I don't remember the name but I do remember the boat. That would be the stuff!!

they still do have it.  Looked at one this weekend, although have no intention of buying one. 

[River Rat316]

If you are even considering a inboard stay away from the tracker, they are to thin hulled and just don't hold up, everyone I know who had one hated it. Look at riverpro jet boats, those are some well put together boats!!