Jet Drive Outboards

[Riverine1969]

I have been considering getting a jet drive for my CS 24. While talking to a local outboard mechanic, he sounded like he was less than enthusiastic about the mechanical endurance of a jet drive.

I would like to hear from any of you using jet drives (any make) and if you would buy another one in the future?

Thanks, Jim

[NOTHING ELSE MATTERS]

Had a yamaha many years ago , i think was 25 hp .Run run run, had too many problems with the impeller and lower unit from day one.I solve my problem by donating the motor.

[Big Will]

Jet drive looses hp. Sucks up weeds and over heats.

Runs shallow though.

Have a place where you don't run into many weeds and you need to run shallow, its a hot ticket.

[Riverine1969]

NEM & Big Will, thanks! That makes three opinions all saying the same thing. Thanks guys!

[Slim to None]

on a carolina skiff you need to be careful with a jetfoot b/c the boat will slide really bad in cornering. there is nothing in the water to "grab" the turns. i'm considering a jetfoot for my aluminum sea ark, b/c where i fish in crystal river, fl it is VERY shallow in the backwater creeks. the weeds play hell on a jetfoot though. our friend has to stop every 5 minutes or so to clean the grass out during the summer months. i'm considering running the jetfoot in the winter when the tides are low and switch back over to our regular foot during the summer.

[Riverine1969]

Thanks Slim To None! That is the fourth thumbs down on jet drives. So far I have not tore up my lower unit.............think I'll stay with a conventional prop.

Jim

[bigfish3]

I'll toss my hat into the ring on this one...

The jet will reduce the actual HP by about 30%.

A few years back I was also intersted in one, the Yamaha folks told me that a 25HP jet and a 40HP prop motor had the exact same spec in regards to bore, stroke and all that.

The jet is fairly inefficient compared to a prop...

Cheers,
Butch

[Riverine1969]

Thanks, bigfish 3! Jim

[lakebiker]

A 90hp Yama and a 115 are almost the same motor. I've got a 60/40 Merc jet drive on my 16' river jon boat that's great, I love it. A 24' C.S., that's a different story. 006 006

[sportskiff]

Hello Folks!!!
How many of you have had a jetski suck up a plastic bag, grass/weeds? They sure quit in a hurry then. I'd think that the boat jet would do the same. After all, who else has seen a group of folks fishing on the bank, only to pass the same spot a couple of hrs later and see a mini trash dump.
We were out on Wateree lake same day as the "bass classic" or something involving a LOT of bass boats, we pulled 1/2 a lawn bag of trash out of the water. I went thru the plastic bags and found 16 reciepts from THAT DAY still in the bags.
Reggie

[lakebiker]

Hello Folks!!!
How many of you have had a jetski suck up a plastic bag, grass/weeds? They sure quit in a hurry then. I'd think that the boat jet would do the same. After all, who else has seen a group of folks fishing on the bank, only to pass the same spot a couple of hrs later and see a mini trash dump.
We were out on Wateree lake same day as the "bass classic" or something involving a LOT of bass boats, we pulled 1/2 a lawn bag of trash out of the water. I went thru the plastic bags and found 16 reciepts from THAT DAY still in the bags.
Reggie


I've had and seen more plastic bags burn up normal outboards than I've seen on jet drives, counting this boat, a sea doo and a waverunner gives me 3 jet drives and two prop drives. They both have their advantages as well as disadvantages. I got this one because I WAS NOT gonna take my C.S. in the places I go to in that boat.
Side note, I hate those fuggers that throw ANY trash anywhere close to water cause that's where it's going to end up. Good job Reggie, I always try and to the same thing.
012

[sportskiff]

I hadn't even thought about my outboard getting "bagged" :o :o :o
And after a SHORT bit of thinking, I can shure see how that could cause more problems in an otherwise kaotic world (MINE)!!!!!!!!!! 001 001 001
I am definatly going to change a couple of gauges out now, no temp gauge = IDIOT behind the wheel, and I am an idiot till I cure the problem. Lakebiker, you shure blindsided me on this one, we have had I/O boats as a rule with a FEW outboards and never had that problem . I guess folks didn't throw out as much trash 15-20 years ago. 006 006 006
Reggie

[lakebiker]

I hadn't even thought about my outboard getting "bagged" :o :o :o
And after a SHORT bit of thinking, I can shure see how that could cause more problems in an otherwise kaotic world (MINE)!!!!!!!!!! 001 001 001
I am definatly going to change a couple of gauges out now, no temp gauge = IDIOT behind the wheel, and I am an idiot till I cure the problem. Lakebiker, you shure blindsided me on this one, we have had I/O boats as a rule with a FEW outboards and never had that problem . I guess folks didn't throw out as much trash 15-20 years ago. 006 006 006
Reggie


One of the cheapest gauges you can install is a water perssure gauge. I put one on my skiff when I installed the jack plate because you can get this thing too high for proper water pressure-hence water temp. Ice bags are the most common problem around here. Yep, them baggers will kill ya.
012

[Slim to None]

my J16 came with an old '87 Mercury 25hp when i bought it, motor ran great until one day i sucked up an ice bag. didn't have a temp or water pressure gauge and ended up burning up the power head. 004 stupid people that litter! nutkick

[sportskiff]

OK,
Everybody back up, redneck thinkin agoin on NOW.
less see, if I sharpen the whole front of the motor, it'd SLICE thru the bag, RIGHT???????
Where's the grinder......... ROTFLMAO ROTFLMAO ROTFLMAO ROTFLMAO
Reggie

[Slim to None]

OK,
Everybody back up, redneck thinkin agoin on NOW.
less see, if I sharpen the whole front of the motor, it'd SLICE thru the bag, RIGHT???????
Where's the grinder......... ROTFLMAO ROTFLMAO ROTFLMAO ROTFLMAO
Reggie


that would work great for manatee hunting as well!!! ROTFLMAO ROTFLMAO 013

[bobreeves]

High pitch stainless props work best for manatees 005