Jet Motor

[brownie ben]

I'd like to hear anyone's thoughts, opinions, or knowledge on a jet motor for a 14 ft jon. Is 25 hp the smallest they make? Also if anyone knows an approximate cost for a new or used one that would be much appreciated. Thanks.

[Kicknbass]

I've never seen one smaller than a 25 hp. A 25 hp jet would work fine on a 14 ft Jon I would think. The jet lower unit output is about 25 - 30 percent less than a prop lower unit. Translation, A 25 hp jet would push the boat along similar to a 15 hp prop. However, w/ a prop, the lower unit is at risk in slower water. With the Jet, if the boat is on plane, you draft a couple of inches max.

Good luck.

P.S. See Google Thejetdoctor.net and give them a call for pricing on a 25hp jet.

[IzardCountyRainbow]

25 hp is the smallest jet foot available. Follow the link to see a chart for the power needed for your boat. It is based on the weight of the boat and you also need to account for the weight of passengers.

http://www.caleymarina.com/jet_drive.htm

IZARDCOUNTYRAINBOW

[Arkie Farmer]

I've got a 20 Merc jet on a 21' White River Jon. It's super slow, loud, uses a lot of gas... and I'd never have anything different on the white Not sure if you'd do well with it on a 14' rig though. White River Jons are made to run with limited power. Your hull need to get up on step/pad to be efficient -the jet might not do that well with 3 guys in the boat. it would be nice if you could find someone who'd let you try one out before you by it.

Note: Most jets require a 20" transom (Mine actually need 20 1/2" to be correct) your transom might need to be built up a bit to make the motor work -an easy task. Also, I'm afraid Mercury stopped making the 25 2 stroke motor -the basis for their 20 Jet.

Good luck!

[Gavin]

I think that Merc has a new 25 & 30hp 4 stroke coming to market. Not sure if they make a jet foot for it though. Cheers.

[RiverRunner]

The only problem with the Merc 4-strokes is weight. A 15 HP 4-stroke weighs in at 115 lbs. My older 15 HP Merc 2-Stroke weighs 75. If they could get the weight down, the 4-stroke would be a lot better for jonboats.

[polock]

i would advise anyone that is looking into jets to stay away from 4-strokes.. we have been running jets on the lower current river for over 15 years now... we just got a new 2006 blazer ss 18'56" boat and first put a 90 horse four stroke 2006 mercury on it and the boat wouldn't even hardly plain off... switched to a 2006 90 hourse evinrude etec and it will run about 42 mph... the etecs are almost as fuel eff. darn near as quiet, and have a hell of a lot better warrenty..

i have a 40 horse johnson on a 16 48 monark john i use for upper current and it does great.. i would think a 25 on a 14 foot would do fine as well...

[river rat]

i have a 60/40 johnson on a 17 52 extreminator boat that i run on current and it dose a great job i like this motor because it give u the horse power u need and still get u below the horse power limit so i can run lower current and upper current . i also looking for a small boat that i can run on eleven point .

[Mic_Hanley]

I spoke to Mercury Headquarters yesterday and they said the new 25hp EFI jets are 25hp at the jet pump. If that's the case, the powerhead must be rated higher than a 25 due to the 30% loss in power with jet drives. The new Mercury 25 EFI Jet is the only true 25/25 I could find so far. I was told insurance companies won't insure a boat that's over-powered beyond what the boat plackered allows. Although I see what appears like over powered boats all the time. Not sure why this is?