Prop vs jet tiller

[Jdecoudres]

I'm wanting some advice on a new tiller. I have never ran a jet and know nothing about them.  Should I go prop or jet.  90% of my fishing is fly fishing the tailwaters in Missour and Arkansas with occasion of white bass, bass, and some spoonbill and trout lines very rarely   

Thanks for the help

[fishinwrench]

If you are the impatient type that likes to just zip across the shoals to hurry up and get somewhere then you'll love a jet pump.  

If you prefer to ease along slower and truly study all the water between here and there you'll appreciate the manuverablility of a prop outboard.    The occasional crunches are never as bad as they sound and you'll learn pretty quick how to navigate and keep from tearing anything up.

[Ham]

Jets are loud, less efficient, and more difficult to load on a trailer BUT they go shallow like nothing else and you won't have to worry about spare props and lower unit repair ever. 

I ended up with a jet with no previous thought about owning one. It's been great. There is no reason that a jet won't bpdo all the things you are talking about doing. Heavy leaf debris and or heavy grass beds can be a pain in the butt as well, but for me the advantages of a jet outweighs the disadvantages. 

[Mitch f]

Yea, I think Ham is right, the advantages outweigh the disadvantages. You will make more casts with new water in a jet boat over the stretch oh the day. 

[jdmidwest]

Jets suck everything up, leaves, moss, sand, gravel, and rocks.  You will learn to spend time cleaning them out.  But they are handy and will get you on water that props can't go.

Props are more efficient for running and quieter.  But some of the new jets are just as quiet running.  I have never run into trouble loading a jet, they seem to load the same as all other boats.

[Ham]

I've been loading boats for about 4 decades. I got really use to kinda gliding up on the trailer and steering at minimal speed. jets have no steering unless you are under power. Throw in the current of the White River and things get interesting. I looked pretty foolish until I got the hang of it. 

[grizwilson]

I am blessed to own both, on my 20 42 river boat. I run the 25 merc jet 98% of the time.  My 9.9 long shaft will fit on the jet transom so just quick change.  In the fall with lots of leaves, in grass or lots of trash, the prop is hands down better as not cleaning constantly.  In normal water the jet will go better.  As Gary Flippin told me, "it's a lot like the difference in  2 wheel drive vs 4 wheel drive for your truck, you can go most places if you are careful, but you can just go with a jet." The 9.9 makes me legal on the buffalo when I choose to motor up. As Ham states unlike a prop where the motor acts as a tiller, unless the jet is powering you have NO steering, instead of just gliding on the trailer you go under power.  Running a river coming around a bend full of trash can make things interesting when you are wide open and no longer have steering, fortunately after about 3 complete spins the boat stopped before hitting anything, lesson learned....  If I had to go to just one motor, the jet wins. 

g