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Jet Boats

Discussion in 'General Yachting Discussion' started by NYCAP123, Feb 1, 2015.

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  1. NYCAP123, Feb 1, 2015
    #1
    NYCAP123

    NYCAP123 Senior Member

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    I have a friend who has a shallow draft situation at his dock (-2'), and I'm trying to find an 20'- 30' boat that'll work for him. we're considering outboards, but I got the thought that a jet might be his best alternative. I was thinking about the Yamaha 242 Jet boat, but I found out that our local dealer dropped them as too problematic. Anybody have any experience or recommendations about these or other small jet boats?
  2. discokachina, Feb 1, 2015
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    discokachina

    discokachina Senior Member

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  3. olderboater, Feb 1, 2015
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    olderboater

    olderboater Senior Member

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    I'd have to say in their defense, Yamaha is the number one selling boat in their size range. Now, personal opinion we've avoided Yamaha engines. Chaparral has introduced their Vortex line with Rotax. I don't know if it has greater dependability or not.

    Our experience is with Jet Ribs. The best of those use Weber for gas jets and Yanmar for Diesel. We've been very pleased. Novurania makes some great models but I know that's probably not what he's looking for.

    Hinckley has been building jets longer than most anyone. Their smallest is 29', beautiful, but not cheap. They use Volvo Diesels. Hunt (same ownership) has a beautiful 25' center console with a 1'6" draft. I would really look at it.

    I'll think of some others in a bit I'm sure, but one word of caution I want to toss in. I don't know how long a distance he has to run in less than 2' of water. Nor do I know how much under 2' it might be. Nor do I know how much growth in the water or the composition of the bottom. If it's just 2' the last 20' of approach and no growth, then it's fine. But many people have their problems when they choose to run jets in shallow water with lots of growth. That's when your intake will get clogged. Also consistently running in shallow areas with sandy bottoms can tend to be tough on the equipment. We make a point of not running in less than 2' and really trying to hit 3'. Yes, we can run in less, but we don't push our luck regularly. Fully loaded our diesel jet rib still has a draft of 1' 7" and that means if the depth is 2' its bringing whatever is on the bottom into the jet drive.

    There is one other option and it's the one my cousin chose in a very similar situation. He's in a shallow creek near the ICW near Beaufort. Outboards. He has a Grady White and just tilts the outboards as he approaches his dock. He then tilts them back down once it's on his lift.
  4. olderboater, Feb 1, 2015
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    olderboater

    olderboater Senior Member

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    Glastron also now has jet boats using the Rotax.
  5. NYCAP123, Feb 1, 2015
    #5
    NYCAP123

    NYCAP123 Senior Member

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    I should mention that the friend isn't into fishing. He had been considering outboards on a Boston Whaler or Grady White, but he has no need for fish boxes, baitwells or open cockpits. The concerns I have about outboards for him are that he could break the prop or skeg if not raised enough, and especially that he could ingest sand through the intakes or damage the prop seal.
  6. olderboater, Feb 1, 2015
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    olderboater

    olderboater Senior Member

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    Just caution him that ingesting sand isn't good for a jet either. He needs to pretty much idle into the shallow area.

    As to outboards, your points on damage are quite valid. As far as fishing though you can get most of the center consoles configured for cruising and not fishing. Something more closed though makes a lot of sense in your climate.
  7. Capt J, Feb 1, 2015
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    Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    Forget the jet's. In under 2' of water you'll be sucking all kinds of sand, silt and whatever else off the bottom and destroying the jet drives if trying to manuever at a dock that shallow, especially as low speed maneuverability isn't the best with them.

    My recommendation, is get a whaler or something along those lines that suits him with an outboard that suits your needs and then get an electric trolling motor for it. A bay boat would be best as they'd already have or be setup for a trolling motor. Get close to the shallow water, tilt the outboard up, drop the trolling motor in, and run it to the dock with the trolling motor. They're simple, you'll need an extra battery or two, and they'll run in 6-12" of water. Basically if the boat floats in it, you'll pretty much be able to use the trolling motor and your options are endless from the trim tab mounted ones to a bow mounted one.
  8. TeKeela, Feb 1, 2015
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    TeKeela

    TeKeela Member

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    There are several manufacturers that make ultra shallow water boats that will run in under a foot.





    One of their boats made a trip across the Atlantic. There is some youtube video of it somewhere taken from a UK Coast Guard helo. Someone called in a "boat in big seas" and they thought it was a rescue.
  9. NYCAP123, Feb 2, 2015
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    NYCAP123

    NYCAP123 Senior Member

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    Good suggestions. In fact my first thought was a BW dauntless until I learned where he was located. The area he boats in (around Shelter Island) has a swift current and a lot of thaffic. AKA lots of big wakes. So I'm also looking to keep them dry and comfortable. Also, I think a trolling motor on the front of a boat of this style might look a bit out of place. When I first thought of the jets, my limited experience dates back to the low to the water 16/18 footers of 15 years ago, and they wouldn't be good. Then I saw the 242, and it's a boat. But again, my knowledge of jets is little and old. So keep the thoughts coming. Appreciated.
  10. Capt J, Feb 2, 2015
    #10
    Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    They make trolling motors that are part of the trim tabs and as long as the boat is floating they work. You could also use a transom mounted trolling motor. But either way you'll get the job done and only risk a $50 trolling motor propellor at the very most.
  11. NEO56, Feb 2, 2015
    #11
    NEO56

    NEO56 Member

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    I concur with Capt J. I was going to recommend a 20 something flats boat, and there are quiet a few bay boats that meet that shallow of a draft. There are several Cats made here in Texas that can run in 6-8" of water. So their are options
  12. discokachina, Feb 2, 2015
    #12
    discokachina

    discokachina Senior Member

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    The Yahama 242 has a draft of between 15" and 17 1/4" depending on load and model carries a MSRP of $58K.

    Here is a video that demonstrates the shallow water performance.



    Depending on how much horsepower you need another option is an outboard designed for shallow water use like the ProDrive. Click on the Videos tab to see them in action.

    http://prodriveoutboards.com/motors-3/models/
    Last edited: Feb 2, 2015