Boat Advice

[Ray]

The other thing about a jet in a river with any decent current is that you loose slow speed control as your thrust at idle is so low. It makes you really think about where and how to put the boat on the bank. The larger the HP the better off you will be with low idle situations, but you will still have poor control compared to the thrust of a prop.

 

[elkbowkevin]

Driving a jet boat is done alot with the throttle, (when driven properly) You can get a jet to handle pretty easily if you know how to work the throttle and steering in conjunction with one another.
I have driven alot of outboard jets, inboard V8 jets, and a few sport-jet boats. I prefer the forward helm outboards as you can really get in skinny water and scoot right along and see well.
As said previously a JEt motor loose about 30% of the HP rating of the motor, but you GAIN alot in shallow draft capability,
An outboard jet is not the best in water with leaves, hydro plants and gunk in the water, you can plug up and loose thrust easily.
AN inboard v8 jet will suck up alot of that stuff and just chew it up and spit it out.
Both have pluses and minuses.
Up here in the PNW we have alot of jet boat builders, Willie, Hewes Craft, Jetcraft, Rogue, Wooldridge, Alumaweld, this list goes on and on. All are made for running skinny waters.
The main thing is that a heavier boat needs more motor to get it up on step (or plane) and keep it there.

My dad just retired from guiding and he had a nice 21' willie predator with a 200 merc jet tiller steer boat. It was a total work horse. Loved that boat.

 

[Piscatory_4]

I'm aware of the loss in power of the jet and it looks like the 1872 is maxed at 80hp for tiller. So a 115/80 jet it'll have to be. Sponsons look to be a great addition.

n

It is my understanding that boats have a horsepower rating because of the weight of the motor not the amount of thrust produced. A 115 powerhead will probably weigh more than an 80 powerhead and thus exceed the transom weight bearing design limit. A previous coworker bought a boat that was rated for a 65 horse motor so he purchased an 85 horse outboard and had a jet pump installed which dropped the thrust to approximately what a 65 horse prop drive would be. He tried to get some warranty work done to the boat but when the manufacturers rep came to check it out he saw the 85 on the back and said the boat is only rated for 65 and denied the warranty claim. Something to consider. Get a Wooldridge Alaskan and you probably won't be disappointed.

 

[AK Troutbum]

Get a Wooldridge Alaskan and you probably won't be disappointed.

Not bad advice but, I seriously doubt he'll be able to find a new one with power, anywhere near the 25K price range.

On a side note, to the OP, if you do find a place selling them for that, please let me know. I'm sure I could make some room for a new jet boat.

 

[Piscatory_4]

Good point, I forgot the new part. I did find a couple of used ones for less than $25k.

 

[JoshTX]

Check out Prodigy Boats.

I think a 70-80 HP on a jack plate would fit the bill for what you are describing. I have zero experience with a jet boat, but where we duck hunt, it's not uncommon to go through areas that are 8" deep and the above set up, works great.

 

[Nick Muche]

The best boat advice I have ever received was "Make friends with those that have boats"