Jetboat Pros And Cons

[fishinwrench]

I am really surprised that PWC's are not more common on the rivers. As soon as someone discovers that running the St. Francis or the falls at ROLF, or just seeing how far up the creeks they can run with a modified PWC is more "extreme" and challenging than jumping wakes, it's gonna really ruffle some feathers. That day is coming too, I guarantee it..... so some bud-nipping NOW (concerning motorized watercraft use) might be a real good thing to start pushing for.

[Stoneroller]

I've always wondered why air boats aren't used on gravel rivers. they work great just about everywhere else.

you want to talk about something intrusive and obnoxious, have someone in a 16 ft john boat with a 1200hp lycoming aircraft engine and a 9 foot prop strapped to it blow gallons of water driven by hurricane force winds at you. not to mention 150db noise level.

a jet boat sudden seems very tame.

that being said, I have to agree with ron kruger, I go out to the river to chill and relax. I'm like a ninja, I don't want to make any noises and I don't want anyone to see me. stealth!

[Chief Grey Bear]

Philosophically, does everybody REALLY have the same right to enjoy the river in their own way? In reality, that usually ends up being true, but...

There are conflicts that cannot really be resolved. When one person's way of using the river directly diminishes the experience for others, while those others have no effect on the one, how is that fair? If I go to a small river with no canoe rentals in order to experience solitude and quiet and commune with nature and the river, and some guy in a jetboat comes buzzing up the river, I'm not bothering him in the least but he sure as heck is bothering me.

If you accept that everybody has the same right to use the rivers, then some are more equal than others, because they can use the river with impunity, while their use of it directly affects the experience of others. But what's the answer?

Really, the only answer is to "ration" the rivers. Either reserve some sections for non-motorized traffic, or use some sort of permit system where the motorized traffic can only use a section of river on certain days. Does anybody think that will ever happen? Does anybody really WANT that to happen? I don't think so. But I like the idea of putting an upstream limit on motorized traffic. Like I said before, my biggest fear is that some technology will come along that will open up even the marginally floatable rivers to some kind of loud and obnoxious motorized traffic (in a way it already has...ATVs, but at least the people of Missouri decided that running them in the rivers wasn't a good idea).

I am starting to worry about you Al. I understand where you are coming from but,.........

I am really surprised that PWC's are not more common on the rivers. As soon as someone discovers that running the St. Francis or the falls at ROLF, or just seeing how far up the creeks they can run with a modified PWC is more "extreme" and challenging than jumping wakes, it's gonna really ruffle some feathers. That day is coming too, I guarantee it..... so some bud-nipping NOW (concerning motorized watercraft use) might be a real good thing to start pushing for.

They were running PWC's on Spring River at Carthage back in the late 80's and early 90's. Not so much anymore. No crowds to watch them so they can show off.

[gotmuddy]

I wouldnt run a jet ski on a rocky river, your asking for disaster. Fiberglass does not like impacts with rocks.

[aftersh0ck]

Coming from a shoal runner owner, I use mine very rarely but when I do i the rivers its on the lower ends where people are using props and a canoe would be insane for fishing since there is no current.

I remember seeing a few from a distace in the mid 80s but all above then caves

but will never forget being in a canoe ot far from

the springs on the mec and it was real narrow and here came a small outboard jet with

a 115hp and didnt bother to slow down and came less then 10ft of us.

Almost fell out with the waves, could not belive one was that far upstream.

I think once you get to the caves it gets to narrow along with alot of people in the water.

Trouble waiting to happen.

[Seth]

I'd be all for the non-motorized sections in some of the rivers. The places I run jet have shallow riffles, but overall are pretty decent sized on the Gasconade and can handle the boat traffic. It's the few shallow riffles between the ramp and my fishing hole that requires me to have that jet.

[Smalliebigs]

this was posted on another fishing forum by a friend of mine in PA.....I'm sure it will illustrate where jets probally shouldn't go and give some of you an Anurisium....lol RiverPro's are made right in Hilsboro by Kevin Turner and are a brute on the river

http://youtu.be/W-hqa6kYnNo

here is another example of the capabilty of a RiverPro...crazy

[fishinwrench]

I wouldnt run a jet ski on a rocky river, your asking for disaster. Fiberglass does not like impacts with rocks.

I simple and inexpensive mod with Hamby's hull protectors would make them almost bulletproof

[Wayne SW/MO]

Philosophically, does everybody REALLY have the same right to enjoy the river in their own way? In reality, that usually ends up being true, but..

Not if it damages the riparian. I don't see a problem on some rivers that have enough width to tame the waves coming upstream, but there is no river protection on the state level in Missouri so I would hope those using them would help out. I realize that isn't going to happen either, but I can dream I guess.

My dream would be to take a 6 pack into some peoples living rooms, drink it, throw the cans down and leave.

[Mitch f]

this was posted on another fishing forum by a friend of mine in PA.....I'm sure it will illustrate where jets probally shouldn't go and give some of you an Anurisium....lol RiverPro's are made right in Hilsboro by Kevin Turner and are a brute on the river

http://youtu.be/W-hqa6kYnNo

here is another example of the capabilty of a RiverPro...crazy

That's what it looks like pretty much every time I go out on the river before I get to my fishing spot.