Home made jet drive?

[cor]

I am wondering about the feasability of buildng a low power (20hp) jet drive unit using off the shelf components.

The idea is to connect a suitable water pump to an industrial (Briggs, Honda, etc ) engine. The vertical shaft v-twin lawn mower type engines are readily available and inexpensive. A 20 hp Briggs is under $1000 new and around 100lbs. ( I realize that the usual marine mods for the engine would have to be sorted out.)

My question is about the pump, what type of pump could be used? Is there anything out there that would be suitable?

The centrifugal pumps made by Keene were the first thing that came to mind. Their P350 is rated for 500 GPM and 130 feet of head, 4" inlet, 3" outlet.

Is this a reasonable idea, any suggestions?

C.O.
http://whatsintheshop.blogspot.com/

[cor]

I just realized that I did not give any info on the type of boat I was thinking about.

The application is a shallow draft, flat bottom boat, under 1000 lbs, operating at planing speeds.

The typical solution for this is a jon boat type hull with a jet outboard. I am interested in an inboard.

C.O.
http://whatsintheshop.blogspot.com/

[speedboats]

Why re-invent the wheel?

Get a hold of a used jet-ski, steal the gear out of it and place in your desired boat... Cost will most likely be similar, have more power than you'd need (that you don't have to use) and it already works...

Unless of course you want to build one....

[pistnbroke]

there is a "canoe" canadian I think that uses a 6.5hp Honda and a jet pump for exploration of the wilds......will try to find in on Google

[cor]

"there is a "canoe" canadian I think that uses a 6.5hp Honda and a jet pump for exploration of the wilds"

That is the Mokai. The Mokai uses a 7 hp engine and their own conventional axial type jet unit. It looks like a neat machine, but I am thinking about something much bigger. I would like to have room for two people and some gear.

[rasorinc]

try this. http://www.2si.com/2si_Marine.htm

[alaskamokaiman]

Cor I know of a 300 Kawasaki and jet pump out of a jet ski can be had for around 7 bills in Wasilla.

[cor]

Alaskamokiaman,
thanks for the connection, but this project is still in the day dreaming stage. I have too much work to do on my other boats before I start on a new one.

C.O.
http://whatsintheshop.blogspot.com/