Mud sucking jet party barge

fishesfrom tupperware · 07-31-2006, 07:52 PM

Greetings from way down south in New Orleans!

I've been down here since October helping to put my city back together and came up with this bright idea to fill my none-existent free time. I want to put a jet pump and inboard on a 28' party barge (pontoon boat) and I thought I might consult the considerable wisdom of all yall great jet jockeys on the board before I started cutting.

I'm not interested in speed. I just need to get into skinny water and be able to run over lots of areas that eat lower units (thanks Katrina). The boat is going to be used in flat water down to about 1' deep with little current. Top speed of 15 knots would be lovely. My neighbor (in OR) (KaluaPig) has a 4 cylinder jet pushing his 17' boat adequatly, can I get away with something similar?

Nobody has jet drives down here and they are practically ubiquitous in OR. How are jets at ingesting mud? I got a big mig (and tig for that matter) machine and I ain't afraid to use it. Somebody stop me,,

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Starfish · 07-31-2006, 08:38 PM

How about an outboard jet?

One drawback of jets in mucky water is that they tend to ingest weeds or trash and plug up the intakes. If you have an inboard-- you're going swimming unless you have a stomp grate. With an outboard at least you can tilt up the pump and clear it by hand.

I've never heard of running a pump on a pontoon boat, I'd consult the folks at outboardjet.com for ideas.

You might have better luck with a small outboard with a prop and a rock guard contraption of some sort... I've seen several commercial designs, some of which actually look like they might protect the lower unit and prop pretty well.

Good luck and keep up the good work down there!

fishesfrom tupperware · 08-01-2006, 08:52 AM

Thanks Starfish!

Weeds and trash are not that big of a concern. Its more 6' of soft mud bottom than anything else. Whats a "Stomp Grate"? Can you clear a mud clog with it? Much of what used to be land (or swamp) is now covered with water. Channels and cuts that used to be readily apparent and separated by 3' or 4' of saw grass growing on each side are now just mud flats covered in 6" of water. The coast is moving upstream.

The upside of all this is that the fishing has be fantastic nearer the city.

gotta make some lemonade when life gives you lemons.

I polked around the hamilton jets site and they had a couple of low speed applications including a 80' mussel harvesting barge that operates in "similar" conditions and "similarly" powered. I'll keep poking around and any input is greatly appriciated.

duckboy · 08-01-2006, 09:55 AM

You could rig up a set of Mudbuddy motors on it... or some go-devils

Tanner · 08-01-2006, 10:32 AM

Quote:

I've never heard of running a pump on a pontoon boat, I'd consult the folks at outboardjet.com for ideas.

A lot of the houseboats that they rent on Lake Shasta, California are jet drives and those are just big pontoon boats. They are all inboards too.

Starfish · 08-01-2006, 11:53 AM

Quote:

Whats a "Stomp Grate"? Can you clear a mud clog with it?

Caution: you're rapidly approaching the end of my expertise in jet drives! I'm a prop guy and an amateur one to boot!

But a friend showed me a "stomp grate" that is commercially available... I'd suggest talking to Stevens or one of the other shops to see what they can tell you about them. The stomp grate is sort of a grate within the intake grate, connected with a push rod to a pedal that you "stomp" on to push the grate downward and cut/clear the obstruction from the intake. I don't think regular mud would plug the intake (and the stomp grate probably wouldn't do much to it) but grass and weeds would definitely plug the intake and should be cleared by the stomp gizmo. I'd definitely install one if I ever get a jet boat.

Chrome Bumper · 08-02-2006, 11:07 AM

How about a stern wheeler Mr MIG master? Mud would be rough on jet seals and bearings, but not a show stopper. Weeds would be a pain.

jimh · 08-04-2006, 02:47 PM

I'd buy a outboard because it would be much easier to add to the pontoon and you could stay CG approved. You could buy an extra foot that is a prop for the times when you don't need the jet and you'd have extra power. My guess is a 80 or so would be big enough. Inboards are heavy. Of course, if you really want to put the max power, you have to go inboard.