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.