Let's talk boats!

[elkaholic123]

I would not get a jet unless I planned to fish rivers.  For lakes, the Columbia, and the sound, an outboard jet is the way to go.  I don't know which model I'd get but it wouldn't be a jet.

Well which is it? 

[2MANY]

Since we have no idea the intended use of this boat I would recommend an air-boat.

[huntnphool]

Since we have no idea the intended use of this boat I would recommend an air-boat.

 He replied.

When I ordered mine I went with the standard pedestal mount seats to save floor space and weight, I've not regretted it one minute.

 You still have not told us where you are wanting to go in your boat, that makes a big difference.

sorry, I'll do mostly lake and sound fishing, and water sports a little.

 If you are not going to be in skinny water there is no need for a jet.

 That being said, it's nice to be able to go anywhere....and as far as fuel goes, my boat uses about 8 gallons/hr at 3200rpm's, which isn't bad. With a 70 gal. tank, we can do a lot between fill ups.

[2MANY]

Well that puts a damper on a good smart ash remark.

Like others said.

No skinny water.......no pump if going outboard.
4 stroke Yamaha.

Inboards require winterization.

Huntnphool...................Your North River has some bling to it alright.
Sunglasses mandatory!

[WSU]

I would not get a jet unless I planned to fish rivers.  For lakes, the Columbia, and the sound, an outboard jet is the way to go.  I don't know which model I'd get but it wouldn't be a jet.

Well which is it? 

Apparently I don't know?

[2MANY]

Definitely go with the green floor.

[huntnphool]

Well that puts a damper on a good smart ash remark.

Like others said.

No skinny water.......no pump if going outboard.
4 stroke Yamaha.

Inboards require winterization.

Huntnphool...................Your North River has some bling to it alright.
Sunglasses mandatory!

 If going outboard, I second the Yamaha suggestion!

 My engine is basically no different than a car engine, no need for winterization, even though I keep it indoors. When running, the pump pumps water into the heat exchanger to cool the engines coolant, but the engine has a internal water pump that circulates a 50/50 water/antifreeze mixture throughout the engine and into/out of the heat exchanger, just like our trucks. When the engine shuts off, the water drains back out of the heat exchanger and exhaust manifolds.

[Wacenturion]

  

[Antlershed]

When I ordered mine I went with the standard pedestal mount seats to save floor space and weight, I've not regretted it one minute.

 You still have not told us where you are wanting to go in your boat, that makes a big difference.

Do you even use that thing? 

Here is mine...Chehalis, Satsop, Cowlitz, Columbia, lakes, Nootka sound, 14 miles off the WA coast...not much you can't do with a jet (water conditions allowing). Plus, fish dig diamond plate floors. 

[huntnphool]

When I ordered mine I went with the standard pedestal mount seats to save floor space and weight, I've not regretted it one minute.

 You still have not told us where you are wanting to go in your boat, that makes a big difference.

Do you even use that thing? 

Here is mine...Chehalis, Satsop, Cowlitz, Columbia, lakes, Nootka sound, 14 miles off the WA coast...not much you can't do with a jet (water conditions allowing). Plus, fish dig diamond plate floors. 

  Actually I've got 380 hours on it now, Puget Sound, Neah Bay, Columbia, Bouy 10, Many Many Lakes, Cowlitz River, Nisqually River, Snake River, Salmon River, Puyallup River, White River, John Day River, Ucluelet, Barklay Sound, Inside Passage, Rivers Inlet.....

 I'll second it, "not much you can't do with a jet."

[Antlershed]

When I ordered mine I went with the standard pedestal mount seats to save floor space and weight, I've not regretted it one minute.

 You still have not told us where you are wanting to go in your boat, that makes a big difference.

Do you even use that thing? 

Here is mine...Chehalis, Satsop, Cowlitz, Columbia, lakes, Nootka sound, 14 miles off the WA coast...not much you can't do with a jet (water conditions allowing). Plus, fish dig diamond plate floors. 

  Actually I've got 380 hours on it now, Puget Sound, Neah Bay, Columbia, Bouy 10, Many Many Lakes, Cowlitz River, Nisqually River, Snake River, Salmon River, Puyallup River, White River, John Day River, Ucluelet, Barklay Sound, Inside Passage, Rivers Inlet.....

 I'll second it, "not much you can't do with a jet."

[Sakko300wsm]

My inboard jets take me anywhere I would ever need to go in a boat!

[Lefthook]

My inboard jets take me anywhere I would ever need to go in a boat!

Sakko300wsm, is your stick steer set up this type?

[drysideshooter]

I spent 33 years in Alaska and have owned several jet boats.  If you regularly plan to run shallow water they are the way to go.  If you don't plan to operate in shallow water, they probably aren't worth the trade offs.

A given motor, with an inboard or an outboard of a set power, won't have and equivalent amount of horsepower from a performance perspective. The rule of thumb used to be a 30%-40% difference, but modern jets are a bit more efficient. Obviously some outboard manufacturers also offer factory jets sold by their horsepower equivalent.

As an example, if you take a 150 horsepower outboard with a prop on it and run it against an identical boat with the same motor with a jet on it, the prop boat will be quicker out of the hole and have more top speed, and burn less fuel at the same speed.  Even if the modern jet foot only costs 20% it would perform roughly like a a boat with a 120hp motor. 

If you plan to run shallow water, then none of that matters and a jet is probably the best choice. 

Something to remember is the intake for a jet is a basically a big vacuum, sucking up water and shooting it out to propel the boat. They can and do pick up rocks and debris. With an inboard that usually means using a jet rake to clear the grate, though some boats have stompers. With an outboard(s) you can tilt the motor up and clean the grates a bit more easily. 

[Skillet]

I say that unless you are putting hundreds of hours on your boat each year, fuel burn is negligible as a percentage of total cost of ownership.  Far more important is getting the boat hull and layout that fits your intended uses.  Ive owned a number of boats over the years, and they all were better suited to one job over another.  A "do-it-all" boat does not exist.  Based on your stated uses, I'd look for an outboard prop boat with around a 14deg deadrise. 
Just my $.02