What can you tell me about the 175hp SportJet

[salmonking]

Hi there,
I have been at the sport show, looking at the new Jet Sleds, and the North River I am interested in is powered by a Mercury 175hp SportJet engine. What is it and can anyone tell me pros and cons? Mileage? Reliability?
Your input would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks graemlins/1zhelp.gif

[Pete]

I've been running my 175 SJ for almost 4 years. It's hard to start and blows a big cloud of smoke. If I were to do it over again today, based on what I know, I'd go for either the Optimax based SportJet or the 5.7 Liter Vortec.

The 175 will give about 5 to 8 gallons per hour consumption. You can probably figure on replacing the stator shortly after the warrantee expires.

You might also want to examine how the motor is mounted in the boat. Is it set on sheet aluminum that's been bent into shape or extruded parts? 2 cycle, 6 cylinder motors vibrate like crazy and could fatigue the hull in the area of the motor.

[ 01-06-2003, 08:41 PM: Message edited by: Pete ]

[boater]

the sportjet kinda reminds me of a ford pinto.

[Jettin' Fool]

I would get a V8 but.....I know a lot of people here love there sportjets. Except myself and Boater :wink:

There was a thread awhile back with many, many, many posts. What was the name of that thread again :grin:

I think its time to bring back the beast graemlins/lurk.gif

Fool

[HOGTIDE]

Will have had my sportjet for two years this Feb. Nothing but outstanding reports to this point. Super performance, very reliable and contrary to popular belief, it's quieter than any other jet I have run.

Just love the thing. Leaves lotsa room in my boat and the performance of the pump puts my old outboards to shame.

Downside- doing the full-works impeller lube is a pain in the neck.But probably not worth considering when making the purchase.

[metalhead madness]

forget about the 175. The 240 offers more horse power @ about the same consumption (which is alot). It also is efi as appossed to carbed. Easy starts, Lighted weight, and jumps up on plane quickly. Only Problem is North River dosen't offer that powerplant. I think. Make sure you look @ Thunder Jet before you buy. Good luck.

[Green Machine]

What do you really think of Sportjets Boater? :grin: There's a reason the back of the Green Machine says "Got V-8?" :cool: I agree, read the archives. You may save money and space, but the inboard seems a lot more durable in the motor and the pump. LOL

Green Machine

[brshooter]

I have a 175 sportjet in my 19' North River. I have run it two seasons with no problems what so ever. It will push my boat along at about 45 mph. I like the idea that it takes up less room, but I would do something different when it comes time to upgrade to a new boat. Like Pete said, they are slow to start and they smoke quite a bit when you start them. I don't know much about the optimax sportjet. Maybe someone could shed some light on it.

[Silver Hilton]

I have one of the 175's too, and like it. Mine is also slow to start, but once started, runs perfectly.

I did the math on the Optimax. I am averaging about 50 hours a year currently on the engine. Assume $2 a gal fuel costs (oil, etc). That means you have to save 1500 gals of fuel to pay the difference. If the Optimax uses 60% of the fuel of the SJ, and the SJ burns 8 gals per hour, that means that the optimax saves you about 3.2 gals per hour. You have to run it at least 468 hours to break even. That's at least nine years for me, and I fish a fair amount. 20 plus trips in 2002.

If fuel is cheaper, the payback is longer, more expensive, it's shorter. If the Optimax burns 80% of the gas of the SJ, the payback is longer. You do the math.

[HOGGEMIN]

I have a 20' Motion Marine sx a windshield boat with a 240 sj it starts easly with its fuel injection and will do 58 mph with 60 gals of fuel aboard and 4 people. I personaly love it and with Motion Marins outback option there is lots of room in the back.

[Fishplay]

:shrug:
They're two strokes. :rolleyes: :depressed: :sick: What more do you need to know!

[finclipped]

NorthRiver is having some trouble with the 240 sport jet and decided to stop offering them. The 200 Optimax is still an option, but I have heard about problems with them from Alumaweld.

I am looking forward to getting my sportjet. Only 4 months to go. :depressed: graemlins/berry.gif

[willierower]

Whenever I see a post on Sport Jets I just have to read it to see what boater has to say about. He never lets me down! :grin:

[TundraIII]

I also have a Motion Marine with a 175 Sportjet. I really like this motor. It has never let me down. My boat is an 18 footer and if I can trust my speedo, in the right conditions my top speed is over 50 mph. With regular usage the motor starts right up every time. When I start to notice that she's taking longer to fire up, I change my plugs. Sure like the other posts said, the motor puts out a little smoke when you first fire it up, big deal. You see the smoke for 2 minutes and then you dont see it for the rest of the day.
The SportJet is basically just an outboard motor with the houseing removed. I would also add that my boat is much quiter than most V-8 applications of heard.

[Flatfish]

Mercs have always been cold blooded. But once they get warmed up they scream. The price of owning a racehorse....
I know little of big outboards, but have heard mixed reviews of the optimax. the Black Max( I think thats it ) has been the basis for greatness for years.
Yes they smoke.They are 2 cycle engines.they do that. But they out accelerate any other form of engine/jet combo available today. Since jet boats are not about actual top speed, but acceleration,they rule the roost. Don't believe me with little experience? Ask the guides of the NW. Why do they run the more expensive 2 stroke outboards? Makes you think now don't it.
Hi Boater.

Mark and the rowboat dog.

[Fish Hunter]

I've run mine for almost 3 years. I would not hesitate to get another. Lot's of folks running them. The powerhead on it is a proven design used for many years on outboards. Never had a problem with the pump that required putting it on the trailer to remedy. I put down some black HPDE on top of the doghouse for a more useful/durable work surface and that works well. I notice that Hogtied's Alumaweld is much quieter than my NRiver. I may improve the sound insulation inside the doghouse in the future.

[Kinebra]

I run a 200 Optimax and love it. No problems other than starting is always a PITA... :cool: