Others have addressed the drive. Here is my take on maintainability. Imagine
the power path of a stern drive. Horizontal out of the engine, then turn
downwards through a fully articulating joint (left right, up down). Enter
the gear box and turn again while providing direction reversal. Add to this
a hydraulic or electric system to provide power tilt/trim. The power path on
my boat is: horizontal out of the engine, period. Impeller is on the engine
shaft, with no gearing, joints, or cylinders. The steering cable turns the
nozzle, and the thing that looks like a gear shift controls the bucket,
providing forward/reverse and a no go position that still allows turning.

The jet is the SUV of boats. Like using four wheel drive, I don't run
shallow all the time; but nice to have the capability when needed. The tides
were all wrong for boating in the river yesterday. We went anyway.

Disadvantages are lost efficiency and insurance agents who believe Harry
Krause.
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?

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

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

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

Don