Powering River Jet, options?

[youngtrout]

Hello

I want to start a river boat project and I'm currently trying to figure out a motor. Boat will be a 18 footer, looking at a couple different plans

Anyway, the tried and true motor you see on a lot of boats up here is a 90/60 outboard jet. I'd like to look into something with a bit more power, and was looking a the merc sport jet 200. Long story short, price will be an issue.

I think the more tradition V8 with a hamilton 212 would be a little too much for my needs.

So my question is there any jets out there that will accomadate a smaller motor? Or other types of inboard type jet systems that are a smaller type scale. I know merc used to make 90, 125, and 175's sport jets but it seems like they don't make them anymore.

Either way I go, I'm looking to buy new for reliability,,

thanks for any feedback

[speedboats]

4.3V6, SBC or LSX with;

Kodiak,
American turbine
Scott jet

The big scott jet (8.5") will likely be as expensive as the Hamilton, but going to perhaps a 3.8, 3.8 supercharged or 4.3V6 coupled to their 7.5" pump will get you in the ball park. The 4.3 has plenty of aftermarket parts available for more power further down the road if you wish, and the scott is quite tune-able with nozzle inserts (before requiring impeller replacements). Also comes standard with a trim nozzle.

The beauty with going to an automotive engine rather than a converted outboard powerhead is that parts are generally available instore at most NAPA and Advanced Automotive stores, and most grease monkeys can work on the motor without the "marine extra" charge.

[youngtrout]

Thanks

Undecided on what I really want,,,I'll what the web for used boats too, maybe something will come up

[jbmboats]

we build alot of the smaller stuff [ 15'-16' ] with the 2.2 esotec and the weber 143hp turbo both with the scott 751/752 pump and coming soon the new 2.4
if you go with a true marine motor you will find that these smaller motors can cost more then the 5.7 chevy
but we only build small light stuff that can run the smaller rivers and streams
something the bigger heavier boats just can not do
if you need any help finding some of these parts just send me a pm
and i can help with this

[Rampager]

On a pricepoint you are going to have a very hard time beating a Mercury sportjet for a riverboat. They are available around used if you look and no motor/pump combo will come close for the power you get out of them. A 200 Opti would be nice but you can probably find a 175/240 used if you really look around. Very difficult package to beat I dont care what anyone says. Sure they can be noisy and the vibration annoying but untill there is a sub12k package out there to replace them......

What typs of rivers will you be running? how much gear will you be hauling? bottom style etc?

My gut tells me your rivers will be similar to those in AB and you do NOT want a super lightweight boat, they simple will not take the beating over time.

Cheers

[youngtrout]

I'm looking at running some AK Rivers, main use for the boat would be fishing, max 4 people, more like 2,,,,,,would like it to double as a moose hunting rig as well,,,,,have not done a great deal of river running, but really want to get into it. The ones I've been up seem to be pretty skinny, bit of rocks too.

Been out a couple times in my bosses airboat,,,,,really like those too, loud but nice transportation

Also looking at going the more typical route too and getting a 18 foot flat bottom with a 90 OB jet, my buddy has this setup and can do much of what I'm describing.

Really it comes down to I need my own if I want to get out more than the couple times I can hitch a ride in someones boat!

[jbmboats]

Originally Posted by Rampager

On a pricepoint you are going to have a very hard time beating a Mercury sportjet for a riverboat. They are available around used if you look and no motor/pump combo will come close for the power you get out of them. A 200 Opti would be nice but you can probably find a 175/240 used if you really look around. Very difficult package to beat I dont care what anyone says. Sure they can be noisy and the vibration annoying but untill there is a sub12k package out there to replace them......

What typs of rivers will you be running? how much gear will you be hauling? bottom style etc?

My gut tells me your rivers will be similar to those in AB and you do NOT want a super lightweight boat, they simple will not take the beating over time.

Cheers

we build a 175hp vortec with a 2 stage pump and this combo comes in under that 200 sj price
and we feel this is a much better set up
just as light much stronger pump and way better on fuel
and no oil to add

[Rampager]

Can you clarify the weight of the package you are referring to? Something about that doesn't add up

[jbmboats]

sure motor and pump are 415lbs wet
we also use a motor that is 207lbs and 143 hp turbo 4 stroke
and we use 3 different pumps with this motor from 55lbs tp 110 lbs
hope this help clears it up for you i know some things are hard to see when looking through the sport jet ext fog lol
i know there are alot of sport jet fans out there but we feel that these other combos will hold up better and get way better fuel burn rates in the long run
here are a cpl pix of each set up


the 1st one is a 252 hp super charged all aluminum 2.2 ecotec with a scott 752 pump
the 2nd one is a weber 143 hp turbo with a scott 751 pump

[Rampager]

I have nothing against other engine packages but the 240 sportjet is under 400 lbs and the lightest Optimax package is even listed at 367 lbs. on Mercury's web site. Going from 240 hp to 143 is a signifigant drop in a jetboat

Anytime I looked into using a seperate pump and engine combination it was always more $ than a SJ, by thousands.

Are you willing to post prices of the packages you are quoting , and by that I mean prices you are willing to sell them for??? Last I checked Scott pumps were anything but cheap.....(they are a great pump)

Cheers

p.s. I know someone who converted from a 240 SJ to the 1st engine package you posted and while they are thrilled with the performance it was signifigantly more money than if they had simply replaced the 240(if that was even possible anymore)

[jbmboats]

yes i know the sj is listed at under 400lbs but you should put 1 on the scale
i think you will be shocked that it is alittle more then they list it at
ok here is some retail price for pump motor combo sets complete turn key

1. 143 hp weber with a weber 6"pump [light duty impeller like the sj] $7350.00
2. 143 weber / aquajet 6" new zealand pump [ heavy duty impeller] $9450.00
3. 143 weber/scott 751 jet pump $12,695.00 plus $855 for hyd trim
4. 175 vortec / marine power 2 stage 7 1/2" jet pump $9550.00
5. 175 vortec /scott 751 7 1/2" jet pump $13,650.00 plus $855 hyd trim

stomp grate is $655.00 extra for any jet pump

[Rampager]

OK so Im a bit lost as to which package compares to the SJ in the cost/power department?

As I said I have nothing against new power packages, in fact I would love one to replace my 240, but there just isnt anything else out there that can do it yet thats not way more $, more weight or down on power

[jbmboats]

i see how you can get lost
with all the #'s that are under the sj price
and we all know that a scott pump just can not compare the the big bad sj pump.
please
we can take anybody for a ride in 1 of these set ups and show them there is more to offer in a light wt. inboard jet set up then a sj thats all
it's funny how when i was in new zealand i never even seen a sj on any river we ran but with gas @5.00 a gallon i can see why

[Rampager]

I know full well how much Scott pumps cost, and Im merely saying I dont see a combination thats chaper than a comperable SJ. Its not like I have any vested interest in Sportjets LOL

Comparing what you see in NZ isnt really fair, there are alot of things that are common in other places that arent in NZ. thats far more likely due to availability than anything else. Whats a crate 350 cost in NZ?

The only package I would consider is the SC ecotec and the Scott and whats that worth?

[jbmboats]

you listed the sj @ $12,000
the 175hp and scott is only $13-1400 more and a lot more for the money
if you have never seen this combo or taken 1 for a ride it can be hard for you to see.
if you ever like to take 1 out just let us know