I'm starting to like Jet drives

supergenius74 · Apr 18, 2007

I have been in a lot of boats that needed that sticker! love it. I have a few friends that have been through exactlly what big dave is describing with their jet boats, huge learning curve with setting up the engines properly, they have all gone through several engines. Jet boats are a ton of fun, but expensive, frustrating, and terrible on fuel in my opinion. Still nothing gets attention or is more exciting, even if you are only going 55 mph, the sound and acceleration and rooster tail make it all very fun. I always thought that I wanted one, came close a few times to buying one, but eventually decided it was a bigger bite than I could chew. Unfortunatly it isn't as easy as people think, there is a common mis-conception that if you can build a car engine you can run a jet boat, but the jet-boaters are a different breed. They all have spent a lot of time and money to get to where they are at. -shane

wickedrister · May 20, 2007

Jet Boats $$$$

Jet boats are loud and not really that fast. They drink gas like crazy and are hard to work on as a rule. I know what I'm getting into what this build and I'm willing to deal with the problems that go along with it. A big block jet boat is not the boat for everyone. You don't see them that much and that's why I like them. It's going to take some time and a big chunk of money but I feel like I'm up for the challange. I can't seem to remember how to post pics. Has the way you post them changed. I would be happy to keep things updated and show the progress made but need a lesson in pic posting. can't get them to work.
Thanks Fred

Big Dave · May 25, 2007

I still look at them and drool, even with all of the drama
If I were to do it again, it would be a light low profile 18 to 20 ft
I would love to build a 440 or 426 hemi for one now that would be cool if only there were parts available
Daren34 always wanted to put his 500+hp BUICK motor in a jet or v drive, but no one ever built parts to connect it or wet headers

wickedrister · May 25, 2007

GOTTA LOVEE THE POWER

My motor builder tells me that my gen IV BBC will be at 475 to 500 HP when it's done. I think the stock Ford engine was rated at about 325 horses. It should be a fun lake boat when it's all done and with the engine hidden under a hatch it should be be a bit of a sleeper :drool:

wickedrister · Jun 4, 2007

Removed all the stringers and pulled the cap last week

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d117/wickedrister/April2007139.jpg

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d117/wickedrister/April2007136.jpg

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d117/wickedrister/April2007168.jpg

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d117/wickedrister/March2007008.jpg

Now that we have warm weather I'm finally getting some work done on the project boat. It's going slow but sure so if things go well I may be back on the water by next summer. Looks like I don't rember how to post pics or the way you post has changed. Hummmmmm, Hope the link to the pics will be OK for now. Thanks for looking!
Fred

wickedrister · Jun 4, 2007

Big Red · Jun 4, 2007

Hay Wickedrister

I made my Jetmate a left hand steer. I had a problem mounting the foot throttle. My jetmate's floor was shaped like a V up front. It was going to take to much fab work to get the peddle mounted right. It was easier to move the wheel to the other side. I hope you are going to run pipes out the top.

jmahler · Jun 4, 2007

Hey Big Red, That is a sweet boat you have. One of two I take? Is that the one you take out a lot? I had a 19 jet boat with a 350 worked back in the day. I liked the boat but I ran it in the saltwater and it always got seaweed caught in the impeller. What a pain in the ass.

jmahler · Jun 4, 2007

Wickedrister, You are the man on that project....I did some stringer work on my jetboat and rebuilt the engine once. A lot of fun when it ran.....I had about 350hp and a jetavator...I could only get it to about 55mph myself but it was a blast and the loudest thing on the bay. You could hear it for miles.....Good luck with your project, you are going all out and doing it the right way. Can't wait to see the final project.

Big Red · Jun 4, 2007

Only when I want to jump wakes. Norman is way to rough on the weekends. And you can forget about taking it to the soulth end. The rev limiter says most of the time because the boat is always airborn. I might be selling it to my good freind, he has been bugging me for a couple of months. I will only sell it to him because I know I can buy it back if he does not want it anymore.

wickedrister · Jun 4, 2007

JET BOAT............. DID YOU SAY JET BOAT!

Ok that's what I want to see some good old jet boat chatter!
Yep they are slow, and Oh yes they are loud, but you gotta say one thing about the old gas hogs. They are still just as cool as ever!
Thanks gang, I will try and keep you updated.
Fred!

Big Red · Jun 4, 2007

I would not say slow mine runs 71 mph at 5400 rpms with a 455. And you are going to be running A bb chevy. Jetboats get their speed from rpms. Thats the reason they quit running the 455 it cost way to much money to get the rpms out of them and when you do, your running on a prayer. My jetboat gets a hole lot better gas mileage than the 17 1/2 foot boat, that I had a 200 black max on. I tried sking behind mine and it almost jerked my arms off thanks to my buddy and a foot pedal.

wickedrister · Jun 5, 2007

Jet Boat Speed vs RPM

71 mph is plenty fast

my target speed is the upper 60's at 5000 to 52000 RPM. If it runs 70 or better that will be just cool with me! When I did the gauge lay-out and made the new dash I never even left room for a speed-O. I think a GPS speed-O could just hurt some feelings so I plan on letting the wind tell me how fast I'm goin

Fred

Big Red · Jun 7, 2007

I old schooled my dash Tach, Temp, and oil psi. a Toggle for lights, fuel pump, blower, and billage. Thats all you need.

The pic below was when the dash was under construction and I changed to a left steer.

wickedrister · Jun 10, 2007

Old School Dash

Big Red said:
I old schooled my dash Tach, Temp, and oil psi. a Toggle for lights, fuel pump, blower, and billage. Thats all you need.

The pic below was when the dash was under construction and I changed to a left steer.

The new dash looks great Big Red!
Nice work :bigthumb:

wickedrister · Jul 2, 2007

Ehgine hatch problem

http://

I think this will fix my engine hatch problems. Looks like a 44 x 24 x 5 cowl induction scoop will fill the bill. I wanted to keep it factory stock but I have given up on finding a engine hatch that is not all cut up.

wickedrister · Jul 5, 2007

Engine Scoop pointing forward or rearward

A few people told me that having my air scoop pointing forward is not a good idea on a closed engine boat. They say if I were ever to have an engine fire that the scoop would just feed the flames 2 fold. Hell, I think it woluld be better to just blast the CO2 down inside the scoop rather than messs with pulling levers and lifting up a hatch to get at the fire. Think I will stick to the plan and make the scoop point forward.

Boston Predictor · Jul 6, 2007

I like it!

I wish you were closer so I could come for a ride when it's finished. This is one boat I would definitely love to own! :surf:

Blizz · Jul 6, 2007

On that hull you'll probably pull more air with it backwards like cowl induction.

wickedrister · Jul 7, 2007

HI Boston!

Boston Predictor said:
I wish you were closer so I could come for a ride when it's finished. This is one boat I would definitely love to own!

Thanks man! You are welcome to come on down to VA anytime!
I just looked at some pics of your Rally Sport. That is a really cool boat, looks kind of Llike a lil Donzi.
It also looks fast

I'm starting to like Jet drives

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