DZ some say Jets arent efficient that a prop would power you around better. True?
I know nothing about old jet boats except I always wanted one. Grew up in the 70s and remember being at the colorado river...seemed most there had one. Lots of metal flake, polished alum tunnel rams I was hooked.
Each has its pros and cons.
A jet boat has immediate thrust and gets out of the water and up to speed quick. It will pull up skiers faster and with less effort. If you have people in the water (ie, skiers), there is no propeller to cause injury. As long as the engine is running, they will turn on a dime because the the thrust angle is changed by the nozzle. If the engine quits in a turn, THERE IS NO, repeat, NO STEERING!!!!!! A jet boat can run in shallow water without damage to the prop, prop shaft or rudder.
DO NOT PASS OVER A SKI ROPE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The jet intake will suck it up in a heartbeat and the impeller is immediately clogged!!! I keep a ratchet and a socket and a sharp pocket knife in the glove box. JUST IN CASE I suck a rope up in the jet intake, I go under the boat (yes I can still hold my breath for a while), remove 2 bolts that hold the intake grill and use the knife to cut away the rope from the shaft and impeller.
For me, hearing a healthy V8 on the water gives me a real high (especially with straight exhaust).
A prop boat is a little slower to get up to speed, but will have higher top speed. If the engine quits, a prop boat still has a rudder for steering. If a ski rope gets wrapped around the prop and prop shaft, it is MUCH MORE accessible. And chances are it can be unwound with having to use a knife to cut it away.
I special ordered my boat in late 72 during the jet boat craze, and paid for it (DARN, is it 50yrs old???????????). Yes, it's only 16ft (not as smooth riding as an 18ft), but it's paid for, been garage kept since new and it's a lot of fun for cruising the lakes in Okla.
