"Netsock" wrote in message
...
Due to my requirements of shallow draft, light weight and relatively
plush interior, I find myself looking into jet boats as a likely
purchase. My questions are as follows:

Does "jet boat" mean "jet drive" and what exactly does jet drive mean?



A jet drive, or jet boat propelles itself by sucking water (from the
bottom
of the hull), pressurizes it, and "squirts" it out a directional nozzle.



It generally does not mean a gas turbine powered boat, like mine seen
he
http://home.insight.rr.com/cgreen/


Is a jet drive fairly straightforward in maintainability? Can marine
mechanics in a podunk Florida fishing village work on these?



Like all drive systems, the worker needs experience on that drive.
However,
it should be noted...jet drives are the least complex drive systems for
any
motorized boat. A standard jet drive (no trim) has 3 moving parts...the
impellor/shaft, the nozzle, and the cup.



Jet drives are also the least expensive drive to install, and also allow a
very shallow draft.



They are also the safest drive. With no exposed prop, jet drives have been
know to run over things...including people...with no harm to either.



Down sides are as follows...



Even the best jet drives, are only 90% efficient compared to their prop
cousins.



Jet drives perform best with a high-torque engines, generally making them
less fuel efficient than any other drive system.



Soft or spongy steering. Steering in a jet is not as accurate and precise
as
an out-drive or rudder, especially at slow speeds.



Loss of control with no power. Like a jet-ski, jet drive boats lose
steering
capabilities with no engine power.


Living on a large sound in the Gulf, just how much wave action can
this boat take before it becomes unsafe?



Jet drives are generally impractical on hulls bigger than 25', but it's
going to depend on your freeboard and deadrise. Typically, jet boats have
a
very shallow deadrise, and low freeboard, but there are exceptions...I
have
seen some pretty big jet day cruisers that could handle 2-3' rollers all
day
long.



Thanks in advance for any knowledge you have of this. It is MUCH
appreciated.

Don



Hope this helps...good luck.


--
-Netsock



"It's just about going fast...that's all..."
http://home.insight.rr.com/cgreen/



Correct except for the size boat. Lots of fast ferry boats are jet drive.
The Golden Gate ferries in San Francisco bay and I rode the "Fast Ferry"
from Barcelona to Majorca. 97 meters long, 800 passengers, 300 cars and a
few semi's. 47 knots and 38,500 HP. We had to slow down to maybe 40 coming
back as there were 10' swells in the Mediterranean.