Jet or Prop? (school me)

[gasman]

What do you prefer in the salt water, Jet or prop and why?



Doing my research on buying a boat and was wondering what others thought about jet drive motors. I my self have no experience with jet drive and  I am curious on what my better option would be.


Thanks guys for your in put 

[huntnphool]

If you are staying in the salt then prop.

[snowpack]

prop--tends to be more efficient.  You can use less HP to get the same thrust.  Jets are good for shallow water and places where a prop would hit a rock and spin loose.  Using a jet in salt if near too much kelp or anything else floating can clog it up and then you have to hang off the back of your boat and try to clear it out.

[_TONY_]

If you're only staying in the salt, or large rivers (ie the Columbia), then a prop hands down...

No point in losing HP and fuel efficiency with a pump...

[Encore 280]

If I remember right you lose 1/3 of your horsepower when you go with a jet so if you want a 90hp on your boat then you would probably want to go with a 115 or bigger if you go with a jet. They're a lot louder too.

[gasman]

Probably go t be about 70% Salt to 30% fresh.

[bobcat]

You'll burn a lot more fuel with a jet.

[_TONY_]

Then just buy both lower units. Pump and prop.

[TONTO]

 You have alot more controll with a prop as well, if you find your self in heavy seas the prop will keep you from slipping sideways. Where a jet you need to power it to turn. Save the jets for skinny water.

[gasman]

Sounds like staying with Prop is best.

Thanks guys 

[bullcanyon]

Yep prop is your best bet for what you are after in a boat.

[wildmanoutdoors]

Jets are useless these days IMO unless you want to fish with 400 other jet boats on the Seattle S rivers, Nootch and Satsop.
I have a 20 footer with a jet and use it for what its made for about 1 or 2 times a year if that. All other fishing I wish I had a prop.

They cavitate in heavy chop, get crappy fuel economy, you do loose 30% like some mentioned.
Its not true you can just switch back and forth to a prop and jet without a big investment as the jet must be raised up 5 inches over the prop. That means if your boat is set up with a 20 inch transom and you do a jet pump on your motor, you will also need a 25 inch lower portion to convert to a prop.
Jack plates do not work as it gets the motor too far back for the pump to work. The front leading edge has to be very close to the transom lower edge.

You could do the Cow and get away from the crowds. But there is crowds because thats were the fish are.

One thing about fast ( 40mph plus) jet boats is even though fishing in this state sucks, there a ton of fun to drive on a river! 

[snowpack]

Reverse with a jet sucks compared to a prop.

[jackmaster]

If you are staying in the salt then prop.

[huntnphool]

Reverse with a jet sucks compared to a prop.

Actually I find it much easier.

[wildmanoutdoors]

Inboards and outboard jets act different in reverse. Inboards are way better.

[huntnphool]

We have too much fun in the rivers to go to a prop, but if I was only planning on fishing the salt then there is really no reason to have a jet.

[KFhunter]

I can't answer jet or prop until I have an idea of what style/size of boat you want and how you plan to run it.
Jets have come a long ways from the old pressure pumps,  but if you want an outboard motor then prop will be your choice.

If you want an inboard motor things get a little fuzzy between the two options.

If it were me and I was looking for a boat 20-24 foot range in aluminum I'd get an outboard with offshore bracket w steerable kicker and a remote helm station,  but you'll need deep pockets.

If my pockets were pretty shallow and I were looking at the used market I'd focus on a glass boat with outboard prop and kicker.  You get a lot of fishing room and easier maintenance, and glass rides better than aluminum in most cases.

[KFhunter]

http://seattle.craigslist.org/sno/boa/4323005534.html

http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/boa/4325303471.html



price nearly doubles with alum
http://seattle.craigslist.org/sno/boa/4321315037.html

[KFhunter]

check out this jet boat

http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/boa/4319205653.html

If a guy had the $ and time this would be an awesome project.

[Come Get Some]

Lots of choices here. The new Hamilton pump is more effecient then a single prop. If you are running an inboard then Duo prop is the only way to go. No torque. You can back down in either direction with great control. The Duo Prop also will allow you to go the same speed at 400 RPM less. There are Boats made now that the pump is above the bottom of the boat in a tunnel. They are very effecient ,do not cavitate and you can run in much shallower water. If I was fishing primarily the salt I would definately go with a prop and a fiberglass boat. Warmer,Quieter and they do not get electrolosis. ALL aluminum boats eventually crack , it is not a matter of if but of when it will happen. I have a 19'boat with a single 130HP yamaha and a prop, Works great in the columbia or sat water. I have a 17' Aluminum boat with a 70HP yamaha prop ,good for duck hunting or the columbia. I also have a 33' Bounty with twin Duo Props for the salt. You can only guess my preference. I spend over 600 hours a year on the salt. Very little maintenance with the outdrives. (Volvo)   Pumps also pick up alot of debris in certain conditions.