Diesel engine & dinghy

I've had good luck with both Nautica and Novurania over the years. As well as others.

And on the boat I will hopefully be taking command of starting this coming Tuesday, they have been towing a 22 foot Nautica for the passed year or so. And other than needing TLC, it looks to be in fine shape.

After having a Novurania with a Castaldi jet, it was so bad the Owner made us give it away, I think the Port Authority in Monaco still has it.

I've also had a Yamaha Jet dinghy and that lasted less than a month before the Owner got rid of it.

Just get a RIB with a 4-stroke outboard.

Please.

Fish

Totally agree on the jets. What a waste.

I had a jetboat on a boat I had just started running that the yachts builder had added two skegs to the bottom of the jet tender. It turned out to act as guides to help the tender align on it's mounts.

Well, I was unaware of them the first time I tried the tender after fixing it's starter.
So I go for my first ride in it after fixing the starter with a Bahamain friend who had helped me track down a starter on Harbour Island where we were staying at the time.

All is well until I go to make a sharp turn at speed, instead of sliding a bit like a normal jetboat, this one, due to the skegs, turned literally like it was on rails and throws my friend ass over tea kettle right out of the boat.

Other than loosing his $300 perscription sunglasses, which I replaced, he was wet but alright. I only stayed in the boat because I had a death grip on the wheel.

The jetboat was sold shortly there after.

It's interesting, the mix of reviews on them.
It's almost like they are either blessed or possessed when they come out of the factory. I've heard the same thing about them outside of the forum. Some use them / love them / reliable as ever, and others burn, sink, or sell them within the first few months or most definitively in the first year (season).

Do you think it's the diesel / yanmar on them? or is it the pump that's the issue? I can't guess the yanmar is that bad. We have a couple of them in different applications. Perhaps the pairing of the two is the culprit?

The whole point of a tender is for use in an anchorage or marina where manovering in tight spaces is a must. Getting the guests ashore safe and dry is pretty much all you can ask of it.

If you want to shoot off-shore for a dive or a fishing trip, now you need a new parameter of boat. Boston Whalers of old did this job but the new ones are too focused on one job to be an allrounder.

Go back to basics, there's a bloody big market out there.

So what I'm reading is that it's not so much pairing a diesel engine with a jet, but the maneuverability of the RIB's because of the characteristics of the boat as a whole. (along with the noise and smoke inherent to diesel engines)

I only ask because we have considered moving from an outboard to an inboard jet. However haven't made the move yet.

Tell him to get a diesel outboard. Yanmar even makes some. Not sure how hard it would be to import one.

Has he ever run a jetboat before?

Judy,

I'm trying to work out just why your client wants a Diesel Tender. Diesels work best when warmed up and run at a constant temp (a Mack truck) not popping into town (a Rabbit). A small gas engine will always win on a short journey.

The best diesel tender I ever saw was on a Square Rigger, it was clinker built and varnished, sounding proper (chug-chug-chug). I'm not sure this is the image your client requires.

Yes, I understand the issues with low speed control with a jet. Simply, it doesn't turn unless you are in the throttle. Essentially, a jet ski.

I think I have a pretty good grasp on the general consensus at this point from the discussion here.

Much thanks-

Weight

Another point being missed is the weight penalty of a diesel, which will require a much stronger davit, which is more weight, etc...

nas

Judy,
I echo many of the comments here. I've never owned a diesel jet tender but have many friends with them. The larger ones seem to be a little better, but the small ones are a nightmare. I'm a big fan of Nautica and have had many of them. Franco builds a good boat and, more importantly, stands behind his product.
My first advice would be to strongly advise against a diesel tender. While it may be cool to be able to fuel the tender from the main tanks, the hassle associated with small diesels may outweigh the benefits. Perhaps the 3500# davit could be utilized when lifting a gasoline tender with a larger than average fuel tank, therefore minimizing the need to carry extra gas in a storage tank.
If the client is set on a diesel, perhaps an Inboard/Outboard would be a better option than the jet.
Good luck.

Think you've hit the nail on the head there. No class issues with gasoline and pratting around with jerry cans.

I've had a dozen + diesel tenders with no problems, can't quite understand some of the posts here talking about diesels not being suitable for tenders. As for Nautica, dodgy quality at best but they are cheap (in every sense).