Anyone have a jet outboard?

[catalysthackle]

Hey guys,

I'm looking at a boat with livewells so I can do some small tournaments but I also want the most versitility. I found one I like with a jet outboard so it would be awsome in the rivers but I'm wondering how it would fair in the lakes? I don't have any experience with them what-so-ever. Any input would be great.

Mark

[thedude]

i used to have one, i sold it last year.
They are usually fine for lakes... you will have to watch what you are running in however - surface weeds, leaves, debris can all clog the intake and you'll have to have a way to clean it out on the water... it can also cause the motor to overheat. You loose a lot of torque so if you do get a jet and plan on pushing 2 guys, gear and 40 gallons of livewell water, make sure you get the biggest one you can put on the boat. If you're a bass fisherman, be prepared to fight the wind. Using a trolling motor with no rudder in the back on a shallow draft boat makes it hard to control... even on flat water/windless conditions.

In rough water its possible for the motor to cavitate which means you'll be idling... on *most* inland lakes you'd be hard pressed to see it that rough however.

They definitley shine in shallow rivers however.
You might want to consider a traditional outboard with a tunnel hull, they will still go pretty shallow and have the benefits of a prop.

[BradU20]

I've had experience with a few.

I don't think you would be making yourself versatile by adding one to your rig. What you would be doing is specializing it for river fishing. I don't know where you fish, but jets can be a major pain in any type of vegetation (as mentioned above). They clog up pretty easily.

If you fish deeper or cleaner lakes and a lot of rivers maybe it would work out for your situation.