Power to weight ratio with SJ and OJ motors....

Lured In · 03-15-2005, 12:49 PM

I currently own a 19' NR Sportster(forward helm) with the 175 Sportjet. It will run between 42 and 45 mph (not kph

) at WOT. Fully loaded I can't complain about the hole shot or handling, even with 35 gallons of gas on board.

Like many I suffer from 2 footitis (or more). As I daydream about a bigger boat, I can't separate myself from the ingenius design and function of the SJ. It is lighter and smaller (compared to small block inboards) and has less HP loss at the pump when compared to outboard jets (OJ).

What I fail to understand is why the boat manufacturers seem to be overlooking what could be the ideal Columbia river and smaller river boat. We see lots of 21-24'+ open boats with 200hp OJ's on them. Keep in mind these pumps are only running between 140 and 150hp at the pump. That aside, the have up to six people in them, at least 30+ gallons of gas and are much heavier than my 19'.

So this leads me to the question why doesn't somebody make a 21-24' forward helm, 7' bottom, 11/12* deadrise boat with either the 200hp optimax SJ or 250 optimax SJ in it?

Going from the 175 SJ to the 200 SJ is a 12.5% increase in power. My boat is rated at roughly 2000#. So if power to weight ratio were equal (in general), I could go up to a boat that weighs another 250# and still maintain 'similar' performance. (Yes I know there are other factors, but let's keep it simple.

)

Going from the 175 SJ to the 250 SJ is roughly a 28% increase in power. Again that would equate to a boat that was another 560#. (Keep in mind that the 250SJ only weighs another 130#'s over the 175SJ)

So, if you look at the rated weight of the larger open boats, they are approaching 3000#+. And they are running in the mid 30mph range with those 200hp pumps and lots of bodies.

So maybe I am missing something here, but I would LOVE

to see a 24' x 7' forward helm boat with a 250hp optimax SJ on it. It would probably float like a cork, have enough room for 5 people to dance and still pull 40mph.

Am I off in the broccoli patch here or what?

Any thoughts? Would you buy one if they made it?

Orion · 03-15-2005, 01:47 PM

Lured In,

You might want to check out a Willie Raptor. Since they are a sponsor you can simply click on the link and go in to their web site for a look. Fine looking machine with most if not all the attributes you seek. I have a 20' Predator with a 200 Optimax SJ. Great boats from an outstanding boat builder. Certainly worth a look.
Good luck with your search.

Orion

MetalHead · 03-15-2005, 03:04 PM

Lured, two words Motion Marine. They make what you are looking for

KEITH · 03-15-2005, 06:20 PM

Is this what you are talking about 2002 NORTH RIVER 21'

HOOKUP · 03-15-2005, 11:00 PM

I was in a custom boat shop in Lewiston the other day, where a guy was putting together a "Clearwater" guide boat.
Pretty much you described 22' with 240 SJ tiller!!!That would be a ride.

03-15-2005, 12:49 PM	#1
Lured In Sturgeon Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Camas, WA Posts: 3,862	Power to weight ratio with SJ and OJ motors.... I currently own a 19' NR Sportster(forward helm) with the 175 Sportjet. It will run between 42 and 45 mph (not kph ) at WOT. Fully loaded I can't complain about the hole shot or handling, even with 35 gallons of gas on board. Like many I suffer from 2 footitis (or more). As I daydream about a bigger boat, I can't separate myself from the ingenius design and function of the SJ. It is lighter and smaller (compared to small block inboards) and has less HP loss at the pump when compared to outboard jets (OJ). What I fail to understand is why the boat manufacturers seem to be overlooking what could be the ideal Columbia river and smaller river boat. We see lots of 21-24'+ open boats with 200hp OJ's on them. Keep in mind these pumps are only running between 140 and 150hp at the pump. That aside, the have up to six people in them, at least 30+ gallons of gas and are much heavier than my 19'. So this leads me to the question why doesn't somebody make a 21-24' forward helm, 7' bottom, 11/12* deadrise boat with either the 200hp optimax SJ or 250 optimax SJ in it? Going from the 175 SJ to the 200 SJ is a 12.5% increase in power. My boat is rated at roughly 2000#. So if power to weight ratio were equal (in general), I could go up to a boat that weighs another 250# and still maintain 'similar' performance. (Yes I know there are other factors, but let's keep it simple. ) Going from the 175 SJ to the 250 SJ is roughly a 28% increase in power. Again that would equate to a boat that was another 560#. (Keep in mind that the 250SJ only weighs another 130#'s over the 175SJ) So, if you look at the rated weight of the larger open boats, they are approaching 3000#+. And they are running in the mid 30mph range with those 200hp pumps and lots of bodies. So maybe I am missing something here, but I would LOVE to see a 24' x 7' forward helm boat with a 250hp optimax SJ on it. It would probably float like a cork, have enough room for 5 people to dance and still pull 40mph. Am I off in the broccoli patch here or what? Any thoughts? Would you buy one if they made it? __________________ Dr. Pepper Pro Staff "Hunt and fish, hunt and fish...there must be more to life than this...but I hope not."

03-15-2005, 01:47 PM	#2
Orion Chromer Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Salem / Pacific City Posts: 921	Re: Power to weight ratio with SJ and OJ motors.... Lured In, You might want to check out a Willie Raptor. Since they are a sponsor you can simply click on the link and go in to their web site for a look. Fine looking machine with most if not all the attributes you seek. I have a 20' Predator with a 200 Optimax SJ. Great boats from an outstanding boat builder. Certainly worth a look. Good luck with your search. Orion __________________ "A government big enough to give you everything you want, is big enough to take away everything you have" Thomas Jefferson

03-15-2005, 03:04 PM	#3
MetalHead Chromer Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Washougal, WA Posts: 597	Re: Power to weight ratio with SJ and OJ motors.... Lured, two words Motion Marine. They make what you are looking for __________________ *Northwest Steelheaders* *Southwest Washington Anglers* *Coastal Conservation Association*

03-15-2005, 06:20 PM	#4
KEITH Steelhead Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Sutherlin Or. Posts: 300	Re: Power to weight ratio with SJ and OJ motors.... Is this what you are talking about 2002 NORTH RIVER 21' __________________

03-15-2005, 11:00 PM	#5
HOOKUP Tuna! Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 1,308	Re: Power to weight ratio with SJ and OJ motors... I was in a custom boat shop in Lewiston the other day, where a guy was putting together a "Clearwater" guide boat. Pretty much you described 22' with 240 SJ tiller!!!That would be a ride. __________________ "When the facts don't fit the theory, change the facts."

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