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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?

yes.

A jet is a pump rather than a prop. you have an enclosed impeller
which sucks in water and spits it out. its what you see on PWC's.
there are inboard jets with no motor part below the hull and outboard
jets which are OB's whith a jetpump leg instead of a prop. both have
their application

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

In that case maybe dont get a DFI jet .. maybe a carbed V6 or V8 maybe
your ticket to getting it serviced and fixed. But you pay for theit
weight and thirst...

there are less parts on it. It should be easier to maintain because of
that. you also dont have torn off legs and chewed up props.

Jets however handel differently

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

Often jet boats are made for shallow waters and rivers and have a
draft between 8-14 degrees ... this is harsh to acceptable bounce.

Some like seadoo jet boats have about 22-24 degs deadrise which rides
comfortable.

Popular are merc sportjets they are cheap and good, come from 175 -
240 HP and are 2 strokes with carb to EFI to DFI... then there are V6
and V8 jets.

Both havve their application and fuel use ...

A jet will use more fuel than a prop with same power.

Matt

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

Don