Jet Boats.. Yea or Nay?

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MikeeH

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OK, home for a week so naturally the Admiral and I are discussing our plans for the house we're going to build on Still Pond. Being boatless currently and with a dock waiting for us when we finally build the discussion moves to what kind of boat we want. No more big cruisers since we only have a couple of feet at MLW. Besides, we have no need for a big boat since the house will be there. I'm thinking a 20'ish CC or WA so we can run around the Bay on good days, fish it and even trailer the boat when we want. The Admiral pulls out a recent copy of one of the boating magazines we get and points to an ad for a 23' Yamaha jet boat and says, "This is what I'm thinking we get." Hmmmmm.... shallow water, fast, plenty of seating, ski storage that can be rod holders, etc.

So, what do you guys think about a 23' jet boat for buzzing around the Bay. I know its OK within Still Pond but what about trips to the Granary for dinner, runs to Kent Narrows on a good weather Sunday and so on.

TIA
 
Mike Sounds like a plan for those nice days. If it is a jet, it has to be kept out of the water at the pier, so if you only have a couple ft. you will consider a very low profile lift or a jet dock that you can drive onto at the pier. We have a 22chap on a jet dock for the past 7yrs. with absolutely NO maintance.

How about one of those Hinkley Picnics that you can get out in the shallow and admire your ride. 11" draft for 1/2 mil.
Enjoy your time home!
 
People are under the misconception that jet boats are fine in shallow water.

While it is true that a jet can speed over shallow water, you can't run it slowly, as the jet will suck up debris from the bottom and destroy the jet drive.

Jet boats are not built for choppy seas. If the admiral insists, I'll sell you my 14' jet boat.
 
Mike - Think about it .. how many jet boats have you ever seen in the main stem of the bay? I can't recall more than a handful over 4 years. And once you get out there, you know how fast conditions can change - if nothing else, you'll be tossed around by the wakes from bigger boats.

You might want to consider some of the smaller catamaran hulls. I am partial to the Glacier Bay but there are several good ones out there. The 2240SX only drafts 15" with the motors trimmed. You can generally find good deals on used boats since owners upgrade to 26-foot models quite often.

C-Dory makes a pilothouse model in the 25' range that I believe only drafts 12" - Bob Austin has one. But that's probably too enclosed for your needs. Great for fall rockfishing though :D

Good to hear you talking boats again.
 
I'm in the same literal boat here as I live on the water a bit further and would like a relatively inexpensive low maintenance boat.

Jet boats while absolutely great for the small inland bays at the shore, I don't think will work in the Chesapeake. The biggest problem is they don't want to go slow. You can't steer them, waves will break over the low bow, and the pumps will suck up the muck. But if its flat and you want to go from point A to B fast they are as good as it gets.

The best part about jet boats is you don't pay the engine tariff Mercury got slapped on outboards even though they buy powerheads from Yamaha. So the hull practically comes free with two awesome 100+hp engines. I have a Yamaha stand-up that has been used and abused by me and my friends (but very well maintained) that is running perfectly at 15yrs old. A friend bought one of the jet boats after owning a Formula, and said he must have been a moron not to do it sooner. Routine maintenance and clean gas for ten trouble free years in the salt in the bays at the shore.

The downeasters I've been looking at are pretty pricey. I really like them as they seem great for kids and dogs.

I also liked the smooth look of an inboard, but it seems everybody is going outboards. Shamrock is the exception, but Pascoe kills them in a review, I went to see one and he is right...I don't see how you change spark plugs without pulling the engine.
 
Jet boats are also less efficient then outboards or IOs. In other words more hp for the same speed.
 
" Jet boats are also less efficient then outboards or IOs."

... at speeds below 25 mph.
 
Mike,

There are lots of boat choices with drafts in the 3foot range that have I/Os. The I/Os can be trimmed up for the short stretch near your house if the tide is low. Might want to install a lift to keep the I/Os out of the water. I'd go VP outdrives and boatlift. Trim 'em up and run slow for the shallow areas.
 
Thanks guys. I think I'm going to go back to my plan for a CC with O/B's and I'll get a PWC for the Admiral.
 
FWIW, I think thats a good plan, Mike. A CC for the rough stuff and fishing, and the PWC for flat water fun.
Of course, you could always get a Batboat......!
 
A neighbor of mine has a lift with straps (like a travelift) to reduce the concerns of shallow water. I think he keeps a 17' o/b Whaler on it. Don't know what the max capacity of these things is, but it might help, depending on the boat.
 
Rob,
Hmmmmmmmmmm? Now where do you think I might find a Batboat??? LOL
 
quote:
Originally posted by MikeeH

Rob,
Hmmmmmmmmmm? Now where do you think I might find a Batboat??? LOL

Click to expand...


Boat1.JPG

batboat.jpg
 
The strap-type lifts are popular in Knapps Narrows where there is sometimes "zero" water under the dock. [:-bigeyes2][:-bigeyes]
 
Mikee, not knowing you personally, but having been a reader for a while now, I think you need a downeast style picnic boat - something that runs a bit slower, sips fuel, looks classy and will treat you & the Admiral right in all weather conditions found on the Bay. These boats look handsome tied to docks behind waterfront homes and draw compliments where they cruise.

The matter of outboards vs I/O's vs inboards for depth can be a concern, but the trend for downeast style boats is leaning towards outboards. There are those of us purists that insist on straight inboards, but looking at Judge Yachts for example, you see a local Eastern Shore builder with Honda outboards on many of his 27' and under downeast boats.

I was very happy with a CC until the Admiral spied a locally built 26ft deadrise. She claims she only liked the color, Fighting Lady Yellow, and the color name at that. This boat while not for everyone, has served us very well.

Once again, a small downeast'r with outboard power might be your best option!
 
Yeah, the Admiral loves the downeast style picnic cruisers. I'll look into them but I'll pass on the Hinkleys... just a tad above the budget! [;)0
 
quote:
Originally posted by Robyns Nest

I would go for one of these (or larger) if I had a house on the water!
Jonathan
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I did (a 26FS), and I have no regrets. I'm starting to dream about the 32, though.

But, I know Still Pond Creek, and the water's really short.
 
As someone else said I would consider a cat. With jack plates you could operate in shallow very water and they give good speed and ride. There are some cats that are open but with small cabins at each side for storage and the required admirals potty.
 
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