Jet vs. Prop w/ guard

[BigYims]

I have been looking at jet style outboards and props with the guards on them and i am wondering if there is any advantage to using a jet instead of a prop fitted with a good guard/protector? I am considering getting a guard and a jack plate to allow better access throughout the mississippi to use with my current prop system instead of going for a jet style. Any comments, experience or information is greatly appreciated.

[Ufatz]

Used lots of jets in the far north. Just remember when you put a jet unit on an outboard you can figure on about 40/50% less performance. They are also much fussier in some ways than a straight outboard. Control is not as precise. They are expensive (good ones) If you want power etc. go with the largest unit you can fit on your boat.

[Valv]

Actually a jet motor has approx 20% less power then prop, but you will be able to drive in places you cannot with a propeller and lower unit.

Dennis Steele is the "Jet Motor master" on this forum, I am sure he will pitch in and give you a lot of good info.

His knowledge is due from the fact he's the owner of a RiverPro Boat, super tough jet boats you might want to check out.

[DTro]

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His knowledge is due from the fact he's the owner of RiverPro Boats,

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Seriously?

I guess that guiding stuff pays well

[hanson]

Biggest advantage is going to be shallow water performance.

An outboard with a jet lower unit sits relatively flush (just hangs below) the bottom of your boat hull.

An outboard on the same boat is going to hang well below the bottom of the hull, even with the propguard.

To complicate matters, you can run both versions of the motor in a tunnel hull boat. For the jet, just make sure the tunnel hull is designed for the jet and you can run in very minimal water. The tunnel hull allows the jet foot to be positioned higher (or even) with the bottom of the hull so nothing is hanging below the boat.

The scenario is the same with a tunnel hull prop boat but I've heard the performance isn't the best.

If this were my boat, I would be looking at a jet first. Rotating parts and rocks are just not what I'm lookin for.

[Northlander]

I just cant stand the noise from those jet boats. They are the shiznit if your running in shallow junk though.

Is Dennis the owner of River Pro or just on the Pro Staff? Or did ya mean he has owned some River Pro boats?

[hanson]

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Is Dennis the owner of River Pro or just on the Pro Staff? Or did ya mean he has owned some River Pro boats?

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Nahh... dtro was just commenting on a small typo. Dennis runs a RiverPro and is very, very knowledgable on the subject. I would probably talk to him first if you are considering a shallow water boat. I believe Dennis ran a jet outboard as well before switching up to a RiverPro. Basically, he is an awesome source of info regarding jet propulsion boats.

Kevin Turner is the man/owner behind RiverPro, and once again, another great source of information.

[Dennis Steele]

BigYims,

I see that your from Elk River, so I assume you will be spending most of your time on the upper 'Sippi.

Both the prop guard and the jet will rob you of a little performance.

You will run much shallower with a jet, than with the prop guard. Less than 6" with a jet vs. 10 to 12" with a prop.

THe prop guard does not guarantee that you will not damage your outboard.

(My brother tried the prop guard and hit a rock, lost his skeg, prop and prop guard. He's getting a jet.)

If you do hit something with a jet, in my experience your less likely to do damage.

As far as manueverability, I think the jet is more manueverable than a prop, with the exception that there is minimual reverse on a jet.

Less maintanence on a jet.

You do have to have a jet set up properly. They do not work well on vee hulls. YOu need a wide flat bottom hull, like a jon boat.

You will need to have your boat loaded evenly from bow to stern. This may mean shuffling around gear (gas tank, batteries, tackle) when your buddy comes fishing with you.

THe jet will run you about $1500 vs the prop guard at around $100. (personaly I think this may even out when you consider damages)

If you want more opinions here is another thread where they are discussing proped tunnel hulls vs jets.

http://www.fishingminnesota.com/forum/showflat.php?Cat=&Number=801639&page=0&view=collapsed&sb=5&o=93&fpart=1

You could also contact Kevin Turner. He is the owner of RIver Pro Jet Boats, but has a vast knowledge of outboard jets as well. He's also a very honest guy and won't talk you.

River Pro

[BigYims]

thanks for all the great info guys, looks like i got some more research and decision making to do

**forgot to mention that im a college student(new to boat owning) so if any of you have suggestions on metro locations to shop for used outboard jets it would be greatly appreciated

thanks again

[Guest]

Finding used outboard jets here is a joke.. there are very few jets around, and they go quick when someone upgrades.

Shop around the west coast and the southern US if you are looking for used jet outboards, or parts.