What are the advantages and disadvantages of jet drive boats verses the typical out-drive propellers?

Question

parts cost, performance, maintenace

Answer 1

Advantages...

-shallow water access

-beachable

-will not snag a tow line

-will not harm a skier in the water

-will not harm marine mamals and large fish

Disadvantages....

-harder to change drive pressure(impellor vs prop swap)

-not as fast from start as props

-poor turning and reverse(but better every year!...soon not true)

-maintanance is more expensive.

Answer 2

They don't get tangled in weeds like a prop does

Answer 3

I've never had a boat but it seems to me the advantages would be; the water is being contained in the tube thus when it goes thru the drive it is only forced back instead of back and also outward. Also you don't have to worry about debris getting entangled in the drive.

   Disadvantages; the extra cost for the custom hull, debris getting caught-up in the drive housing and having to clean the debris from the housing. The added friction of increased surface area under the hull.

Answer 4

When I sold boats this question came up daily, especially with first time buyers.  I have driven many sizes of jet drives and props.  As I gained knowledge of boats for a number of years I also concluded my opinions.  Listen to others as well to help.

Jet boats are a "blast".  They turn on a dime, produce power and speed, just glide over the water with a nice noise level, and are great fun for tubing.  Yamaha and SeeDoo are building bigger jet boats to accommodate the busier lakes with some really cool designs that on-lookers will always notice.  Jet boats can get into very shallow water as well.

There are some disadvantages:  As you get into shallow water the propulsion of the jets will bring up mud and other debris that will get into the intakes.  Items floating in the water, i.e. fishing line, rope, etc. can get intangled in the jets.  These have to be removed or damage will occur.  As a skiier and very noticeable from others, since there is no prop in the water jet boats will move from side to side as a skiier or wakeboarder changes direction.  If you take to salt water you will need to know how to "flush" the engine and do this promptly.  Jet boat engines require "specific" oil to that manufacturer because of the "turbines" and oil burns quickly in these.  Each manufacturer has its own required oil that is color coded with a "die" and you need to be extremely careful and understand oil needed.  Some manufacturers install twin jet engines in their boats.  When you get serviced you will be "billed" for service on two engines so look for this as well.

Prop boats are common everywhere.  Not all repair shops or individual mechanics can (or don't want to) work on jet boats, but props can always be serviced easily.  If you ski or wake you will want a prop as mentioned above with the jet boats.  Resale is an easier transaction because there are a lot of folks that just do not want a jet boat.  Jet boat popularity just isn't there with most boat enthusiasts.  If you get the prop entangled you can easily unwind the obstruction.

Maintenance is billed the same by mechanics on an hourly basis for both types.  Service shops at companies I sold for spent more time with the jet boats, therefore, do cost a little more when serviced.  The reason is you have the engine and then the propulsion system, two "key" areas to breakdown and get to, and properly service.

I live in North Atlanta and if I were to purchase a new boat today I would go with a "jet".  I, nor my friends, ski much anymore and these boats, the bigger ones, are just fast and awesome to "handle", like a superior "sports car".

Answer 5

jet drives are useful only for joyriding. poor steering at low speeds,not suitable for skiing or towing. high fuel consumption. poor resale, require heavy inboard engine.