What's more reliable a jet or propeller engine?

Question

Pros/Cons of each

Safety, for overnight travel, fishing.

Maintenance.

Is a jet boat worth the extra money?

Answer 1

welll  in this size of a boat if you want that many people on it  jet drives are a non issue  in smalller boats Jet drives are a valid option  as they do get on plane a lot faster and smoother jets have a problem on boats over 18-20 ft  (6-7M). in this i would highly recomend either single engine 190 hp  or if you are over 7 m  twin  v8s are the best way to go Volvo makes a great idea for that.

Answer 2

Typically a jet pump driven boat, such as a Yamaha, is LESS money than a comparably sized and equipped i/o boat. Maintenance is pretty much the same for either setup (I've owned i/o and currently have jet drive). Safety is more about the skills/decisions of the captain rather than the design/features of boat (the safest vehicle, car or boat, can be deadly in the hands of a moron). Jet boats usually have two motors, so if one dies you could limp back with other. I/O boats typically are powered by one motor. Jet boats also have a shallow draft (how much water needs to be under the boat before you do damage), usually 18 to 20 inches. I/O boats vary greatly according to what outdrive is on boat. Theres no clear cut winner, just depends on what you want out of the boat. Do a search on google and compare.

Answer 3

Boat man You remind me of the differences between prop driven airplnes against modern jets.If your family was in the military then you'll get good answers.An example is the post WW2 military fighters like the F-86 sabre jet which replaced the prop driven P-51 mustang which was retired after the korean war ended.But to get back to your question on boats the jet boat is much more expensive to maintain especially in fuel costs than an old regular fishing boat that has either an outdrive system or inboard driven engines.The final question is this,Are you planning on racing other boats with the boat you are asking about on the waters. ?

Answer 4

Oars !

Answer 5

Well, a propeller engine is more fuel efficient. A jet engine has fewer parts, but is more susceptible to the intake of dust and water mist which can damage the turbines. And uses far more fuel than a piston engine.

  If you're going to use it for travel and fishing, I'd say a regular piston engine would win hands-down for the price. I can't see where having a real jet engine boat would bring any real benefit, except in racing without the propeller drag.

  IS there such a thing as a jet boat? I've heard of a jet ski, which is not a jet engine, so is a jet boat just a fast piston engined boat? Either way, the piston engine with propeller would be more fuel efficient.

- The Gremlin Guy -

Answer 6

Some of the answers may be confusing.  People seem to be comparing jet engines and piston engines. but in boating a jet boat is one that is driven by a piston engine that pumps the water from the bottom of the boat to out the back.  A jet boat can go in very shallow water because there is no prop shaft sticking out below the boat.  It is also safer because there is no spinning prop  to endanger swimmers.  It is a fairly simply drive system.  The early jet boats had car engines and irrigation pumps.

Answer 7

the answer you are looking for has nothing to do with the engine just the drive. a jet can pick up weeds or litter and cause problems also a jet is hard to handle at low speeds and reverse. a prop driven boat can also pick up weeds but all you need to do is at slow speed bump the boat into reverse and give a quick few revs that usually will knock the weeds off

Answer 8

The difference is fuel comp=>shallow water but the jet will suck the muck in>Steerage is terrible on the jet>