Questions About Running A Outboard Jet?

[LittleRedFisherman]

I've recently purchased a river jon, with a 25 jet. Saturday I broke in the motor and drove it around 2 hours, so i got the feel for the boat, and how you have to use the jet to steer the boat, that part I've kinda got down. But later in the week, my buddy and I are heading to the Eleven Point river, so I'm going to be going over some shoals. We were there last week, and I saw a boat go over 2 different shoals, he was at full throttle, and I know that's where they run the most shallow and not suppose to suck up rocks. For a first time jet owner, i was just wondering if any of you fisherman out there have any advice when running a jet for the first time in shallows, plus a river your not to familar with yet. I'm running an L48 Supreme. Thanks in advance, Bret.

[jdmidwest]

Read the water and follow the V's to stay in the deepest part of the channel.

Carry a big screwdriver to dig the rocks out of the fins, you will know when it happens when you loose power.

Reverse does not do much to stop you, gun it and power around if you can.

Don't run in leaves or moss beds, it will clog the fins too.

11pt should have plenty of water now. Hall's Bay above Riverton is hard to run. The river above Turner gets pretty skinny.

[gotmuddy]

Until you get used to running shallow water ease up to the shoal and stand up to get a good look at the water. the 11 point is a very forgiving river IMO because its mostly all gravel and small rocks.

[Al Agnew]

You don't have to run at full throttle if your motor is powerful enough to keep you on plane at less than full throttle. Yes, full throttle is when it will run the most shallow, but the difference between full throttle and running just fast enough to stay on plane is not much more than an inch with most jets. And the slower you can go and stay on plane, the less damage you'll do when you hit something.

In very skinny streams (which I don't recommend you run, anyway...leave them to those who want peace and quiet!) it's mostly a matter of no guts no glory. Run it, gun it, and hope. But the Eleven Point below Riverton, as Muddy said, is pretty easy and should have plenty of water. If in doubt, do what he said and ease up to the shoal, look it over, plan your route, back off until you have room to get well up on plane before you get to it, and go.

If you make a huge mistake and realize you're going to run aground, you might just jerk your kill switch and shut off the motor, so that it doesn't suck a bunch of gravel...or hit the kill button. Bring along a pair of waders and a sturdy paddle to work the boat off the site of your mistake!

[Don Allenbaugh]

After running a jet for the past 7 yrs there are 4 things to always be on the alert for:

1. Constantly check the tell-tale discharge tube to make sure you have a steady stream of water.

2. Learn the sound of the engine and when it sounds different stop and check the intake.

3. When you are running and it does not seem to have the same amount of power, stop and check the intake you have picked up something.

3. Always have a screw driver with you to dig out flotsam and jamsam from the intake.

Don't get crazy and try to run in water that is obviously to shallow for your boat and motor. A 48 supreme and 25 jet are heavy, know your running depth and don't tempt the gods. It only takes 5 seconds or so to fry your engine so when in doubt don't. The Little Red has a lot of grass now so always always kill your engine if you even think you might have clogged up the intake. Don't be afraid of it but be careful and it will do a great job of running in shallow water.

That is a great setup and you will love it.

[Mitch f]

Another thing to mention is be careful not to over rev the engine because of cavitation. I blew up my engine going thru a shallow riffle with the throttle wide open and the small amount of time I was airborn caused the engine to rev to 7000 rpm according to the comptuer chip. Actually broke the crankshaft in half!

As others have mentioned, going the slowest you can and remaining on plane is the best practice, Especially on a river with hair pin turns. Too fast and you simply don't have time to react. One way to accomplish this is get a whale tail for your lower unit.

It might cut down your top speed 1 or 2 miles per hour but the benefit you get outweighs the negatives. It gets up on plane quicker which means you don't need a 100 yard head start before running thru a riffle, it also helps you stay on plane at slower speeds making it a safer way to run.

[LittleRedFisherman]

Thanks for all the advice. I'm planning on heading fishing tommorrow, so will try out my skills.

[grizwilson]

Another thing to mention is be careful not to over rev the engine because of cavitation. I blew up my engine going thru a shallow riffle with the throttle wide open and the small amount of time I was airborn caused the engine to rev to 7000 rpm according to the comptuer chip. Actually broke the crankshaft in half!

As others have mentioned, going the slowest you can and remaining on plane is the best practice, Especially on a river with hair pin turns. Too fast and you simply don't have time to react. One way to accomplish this is get a whale tail for your lower unit.

It might cut down your top speed 1 or 2 miles per hour but the benefit you get outweighs the negatives. It gets up on plane quicker which means you don't need a 100 yard head start before running thru a riffle, it also helps you stay on plane at slower speeds making it a safer way to run.

Where do you mount the "whale tail" on a Jet? Sounds like a great idea?

[gotmuddy]

Where do you mount the "whale tail" on a Jet? Sounds like a great idea?

nowhere, there is no way to mount one.

[fishinSWMO]

Here is a whale tail.

http://www.jetdoctor.net/mfg/detail.php?productID=498