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Originally Posted by GusMan
Excuse my ignorance here, but can someone tell me the advantage of a jet boat over a propped boat???? I guess they can navigate the shallows a bit better, but other than that I cannot see any advantages.
As mentioned before, they are less efficient, are harder to steer (especially in reverse) and tend to be louder (though newer models have been improved).
Any insight??
Cheers....
Gusman
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Comparing them to the average stern drive boat:
In addition to the shallow draft, they offer: Much less maintenance and much less to break. No rubber impellers to change, no U joints to worry about, no bellows to crack, no drive oil to change, no running on muffs, no worries about starting them dry, I don't know of any corrosion issues (might just be ignorant though), and they offer very simple Winterization.
Then there's the safety factor, no one is gonna get cut to bits by a jet. Might get injured by the blast, but I'd think it still beats the blender aspect of a prop.
They turn very sharply and can stop on a dime. I don't find the low-speed handling to be a problem at all, but my experience is fairly limited. I can say I was able to bring one alongside my own boat and place it perfectly where I wanted it to be the on the very first try.
For me, the advantages don't work in my favor enough to have one. But I have to admit to a bit of envy when I see how it takes about 10 minutes for my buddy to Winterize his Yamaha... If had a small fleet of boats, there'd be a jet or two. 'Course one would have to be a Hinckley picnic boat...