On Sat, 24 Jul 2004 13:13:05 GMT, wrote:

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?

Mine has a 454 V8 engine that runs a Berkley jet pump:

http://www.rexmar.com/page125.html

which takes in water below and forces it out the back. The
higher the RPMs, the faster the motor turns the pump...

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

Likely that some can. You could call around and ask before
you get the boat, getting some idea of who has experience
with them, etc. The engine on mine is meant for a truck or race
car, so parts fo the engine can be had at an auto parts store,
And auto mechanics can work on it.

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

The guy who sold me mine acts like it can't handle very
much, but I thought it did pretty well. I believe there are a
variety of hull designs that have jet drives. Mine is patterned
after a sidewinder:

http://www.cars-on-line.com/86side12501.html

but there are a couple of different types he

http://www.mongoose.net/files/pr2006...-JET-BOAT.html

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

Don

They are much like a big PWC like a Jet Ski. You have no
steering unless you are pushing water through the pump. I
had a very hard time docking mine, and even harder trailering
it (tore up the trailer a couple of times). I haven't run it this year,
but have learned a lot since last I drove it. One thing I learned
was the technique of when trying to move slowly, let it coast
in neutral until it about stops moving...then put it in forward for a
second or so and you'll have steering control...then coast again
....then in forward (or sometimes reverse)...etc. Not knowing that
method, I just put mine in forward at idle and did the best I could.
It was fine until I got up to the trailer at wicked speeds of about
5 mph, and wasn't lined up just right...
Jet boats turn very sharply, often look cool, and sound great.
But they are also hard to control at slow speeds, and imo use a
lot of gas. Another thing which I haven't had to deal with is that
they can suck a rope up into the jet, and then you have hell
getting it out. Have to get up under it under water, and cut it
out with a razor knife. I want to sell mine. It's in pretty rough shape,
and I'd probably let it go right now for $1500. I expect to stick
with prop drives from now on. But the jet was a lot of fun!!! I like
the way if handles better than my prop boat, and if I get it running
may decide to keep it instead of the prop, now that I've learned
more basics about how to drive boats.
Out of curiosity, what caused your interest in jet boats?