Jet Boat Recomendations

[Parkerhollow]

yes, cant see it from mobile devices but it shows on the pc, go figure?  

drifting through some basketball sized rocks in less than a foot of water and couldnt resist throwing a buzzbait in the fast stuff.  Hooked what I thought was a decent smallmouth and ended up high centered on the rocks while trying to land the fish.  Ended up being the worlds largest pumpkin seed and a two foot long stick!  Cant be gorgeous and smart I guess.

No big deal, took a couple of heave ho's and 5 minutes of solid effort and I was back to fishing.  The point being what took one guy by himself five min to correct would have been a very different story if that was a big john with a v6 motor and 30 gallons of fuel, etc. etc.  Plus one for the advantages of a lighter rig.

[Al Agnew]

Yeah, my "sure am glad I have a lighter boat" story happened when I really wanted to get up to the pool I'd planned to fish on the Meramec, but recent floods had formed a split channel, with the channel with more water blocked by a log jam.  The other channel made a sharp S curve through a gravel bar and was quite narrow.  "What's the worst that could happen?", I thought.  "It's just gravel."

Well, it turned out to be a little too sharp a curve, and I ended up with the front half of the boat on dry gravel at an angle, and the rest of the boat sitting on the bottom in a couple inches of water except for the very back end where the foot of the motor was.  I got out, tried to push it off.  No way.  Studied the problem a bit, then took a paddle and dug out the gravel underneath a foot or two of the back end.  Waded across the riffle to the log jam and dug out a sturdy limb.  Used it and the paddle to lever the boat, an inch or two at a time, for the first couple of feet, and then there was enough of it floating that I could push it the rest of the way off.  Whew!

[Bob in MO]

Good stories, only thing that would make them better is a cold beer and a cigar.

If I get a boat, I may add some rope and a "Come-A-Long"!

So, just from reading these posts, I'm leaning toward the 1752 with a 60/40, steering wheel and 24V trolling motor.

Here's some more questions:

• Are there any particular engines that are less troublesome and more reliable (gonna start when you need them to start and run when you need them to run)
• I'm in the St Louis area, any dealers you guys trust from here to Columbia or Rolla?
• I know this is pretty broad but, what should I have to pay for a used rig (1752 with a 60/40 and steering wheel, 24V Trolling motor)
• Any place you know that rents rigs out so I can get a feel for them?
• Fishing Question - So when you fish from a jet boat do you usually run up stream and float back or float down and run back

[Mitch f]

I would also consider buying .100" thick aluminum. The thicker aluminum makes a sturdier hull that holds up better to rocks, logs, gravel. You will go thru a learning curve, and will smack a few rocks hard. Yes it will be a little heavier and won't go as fast.

..... my 2 cents.

[jdmidwest]

I fish out of the ultimate jet boat rig.  We came about it by accident.  My friend bought a 80's model Tracker Panfish Pro and had someone build up the transom and add a jet to the 25 hp Johnson.  Its stick steer in the front, has sideboards running down both sides that you can walk around on, and a fairly open interior.  Middle seat that used to be a livewell, now storage.  You can fish three comfortably.  It has been upgraded to a true 25hp Merc 4 stroke with power trim.  Its just wide enough to be stable, but narrow enough to thread it thru a rootwad.

The front stick steer is like piloting a plane up the river, sitting in the front you can see well and glide the boat like a plane.  Easy to fish alone if needed.  Not fast, but a good fishing boat.  It could use a thicker hull, we have had several adventures that the hull has been opened by a rock.

My next boat will be of similar design, but keeping with the 25 hp to run the 11 PT River.  The new jet motors that are rated for 25 hp at the jet are plenty fast enough to get the job done.  And you can run them anywhere there are restrictions.  Unless you are on a 10 hp limit lake.

[Al Agnew]

As for reliable motors, I've had my Evinrude Etec for about 8 years now.  I haven't put a lot of hours on it, maybe 10-12 days a year, which means that it doesn't get run enough, probably.  It's been serviced exactly once, otherwise I just check the oil level regularly and put in the lube after every trip.  It has never once not started instantly when I hit the starter button.  I've had absolutely no trouble with it whatsoever.

[Parkerhollow]

My experience starts with early 90's engines.  Never had enough personal time on anything older so I cant say.  That said any Yamaha, Merc, or Johnson/Evinrude from early mid 90's on would be on my short list.  Only thing I would avoid for bad reputation is a Force engine.  i would probably avoid some of the lesser used brands for lack of dealer support.  As long as the pump is greased every time the boat is used and the fuel is treated correctly for ethanol you should have minimal problems.  Never had a single issue out of a 92 yamaha 50hp, 96 Merc 90hp, or my '01 60/40 Johnson. 

Mitch is correct on the thickness of the hull.  I have had .80, .100, .125, and 3/16 hardened and I can dent them all.  For a 60/40 rig I would go with a .100 or a .125.  really does make a difference and the weight gain is well worth it.  My 1752 Alweld is a .125 hull and the little Johnson 60/40 pushes it to 28mph with me in it just fine.  

Cost is too hard to pin down on the used boats.  You can get on the water in a good hull with a semi modern 60/40 for about $5k but you might spend another $3-5k getting it the way you want.  When I priced out a brand new one from Troutt and Sons (love those guys) I ended up well over $12k to get it the way I wanted it.  They are not known for being high priced either, use them most of the time when I need stuff done.

PM me and I'll take you for a ride in my 60/40 this weekend.  I could probably be talked into selling it since it has sat in my garage since I got the Shoal Runner, poor thing needs to be let out for a ride anyway!

[kbbgood]

I'm looking to get a new boat this year and want the alweld 1752 pro jon but I wonder about the 60\40 jet. Is that engine enough to carry 3 adults or should I be thinking the 65 jet?

[Mitch f]

29 minutes ago, kbbgood said:

I'm looking to get a new boat this year and want the alweld 1752 pro jon but I wonder about the 60\40 jet. Is that engine enough to carry 3 adults or should I be thinking the 65 jet?

I would go with the next size bigger

[snagged in outlet 3]

26 minutes ago, kbbgood said:

I'm looking to get a new boat this year and want the alweld 1752 pro jon but I wonder about the 60\40 jet. Is that engine enough to carry 3 adults or should I be thinking the 65 jet?

I have a 1752 blazer ss and it had a Mercury 60/40 on it.  It will struggle with 3 people if you need to get up quickly.  I now have a 90 etec and love it.  No problem with 2 guys.  Never had 3 in it.  If I had it to do over again I would go straight to the 65.