Outboard vs Sportsjet

[Fish4me]

Hi,
I'm new to this forum and have read a lot of great posts. I still have a little problem (big for me) that I can't decide wich way to go. I've been looking at two boats. Two great manufactures so I'm really deciding on the motor. One is the 175 Sportsjet and the other is the Merc. 150 Optimax pump. I've read so many opinions on both motors I think I'm more confused now than when I started. They are both 2003. I'm mainly wanting to know about reliability. Any thoughts?? I'm driving myself (and the wife) crazy trying to decide.
I hear horror stories for both. I wish one had a Yamaha but those are hard to find used.
Oh yeh..the Sportsjet in on a 19' and the Optimax is on a 20' both alum. boats.
Thanks,
Steve

[Coastalfisherman]

Go with the outboard. You gas bill will be the big thing that you notice. Outboards are very easy to work on. Plus you will only want an extra foot or two if you buy the smaller boat.

[Leader shy]

I had a sportjet and although we had no problems I think the next boat we get will have an outboard . Just for fuel costs alone .And I have heard they are a little quieter.

[Orion]

Fish4me,

The best way to decide is to take a ride in both and go with your gut feeling. I own a 20' Willie Predator with a 200 Optimax sportjet. I like it. But there are drawbacks as with any configuration. I have heard that the 175's can be a bit more finicky and they tend to smoke. I would hope the 175 owners might chime in. Having a "doghouse" in your fishing area can be a pain, but on the other hand it is nice to sit on, and provides a waist high table for various activites. Sportjets tend to be noisy. The good news is a that a 200 sportjet puts out 200hp at the pump. Go for a ride in both and pick the one YOU like. Better yet, buy the one your wife likes!

Orion

[Bluto]

I had a 200opti S/J in my last MM - found it powerful and reliable, but a bit loud. If I remember correctly, the 175 & 200 are the same powerhead, but the 175 is carbed and typically doesn't have a muffler system. I did find that routine maintenance on the S/J was a pain in the arse if you do it yourself.

A lot of it just depends on the manufacturer, size and layout of the boat...

[Orion]

Bluto has an excellent point about maintaining a sportjet. The way that mine is positioned, it is nearly impossible to change the spark plugs without pulling the powerhead. The first time I did it it took me about six hours to change six plugs. The space between the powerhead and the stern is so tight that you can barely get your fingers on the plugs. You certainly can't see them so you have to feel your way around and hope you don't pull any other wires loose in the process. I think I might be able to a plug change down to three hours next time!

Orion

[Fish4me]

Thanks, those are good responses. I will be test driving the boat with the optimax Sunday. Not sure when I will get to test the Sportsjet. I hope I get more responses from more boat owners, it really helps,
Thanks,
Steve

That was funny Orion

Go for a ride in both and pick the one YOU like. Better yet, buy the one your wife likes!

[craigcw]

I have an inboard jet and the next boat will have an outboard....simply more room without the doghouse.

[R Jackson]

The 175 spotjet and the 200 optimax sportjet do not have the same powerhead. The 175 is much easier to work on than the 200 opti sj. The 175 is smokey at idle, but not too bad on step. It is also loud in a ringing two stroke kind of way. I would be partial to the sj over the 150 opti, but as others have said you need to figure out what fits your needs best and go from there.

[HntnFsh]

The 175 sj in my 98 20ft. Predator has been a very good motor.I've had to replace the stator and thats it.

Its very easy to work on.Plugs are a peice of cake.Lots of room.Pump and everything else is pretty simple too.

They are a bit loud but lots of power and a very reliable engine.
Its all in what you want with your boat.+s and -s with both.

Hntnfsh

[Jedcraft]

Have a 175 Sportjet in 20' Jetcraft(for sale) that works real well. Is smokey when real cold but plenty of poop and dependable. Doesn't seem too bad on fuel to me. Easy to get to motor and small doghouse-about like a medium ice chest on end up against the transom. Have had no problems with it.
Previous boat had 115hp Yamy outboard 2stroke pump and the motor weight was noticably way out back.

[Pete]

Is the outboard on an offshore bracket, in a motor well or on a full height transom? Where will you be using the boat? Ocean, river, bay, lake, pond? Is there a reason you're looking at a jet instead of a prop? Unless you're going to be slipping up skinny rivers, a jet is going to cost you MPGs. I'm on my second 175XJR-SJ. As mentioned above, I did have a stator go out without warning. I think that's largely because the "dog-house" boat makers build to cover the SJ traps moisture at the top of the motor. The Optimax isn't one of Merc's most shining moments either, however. Bottom line, without knowing where or how you plan to use the boat, I'd be less concerned with the motor than the application of the boat.

[Fish4me]

Thanks for the good stuff!!
Pete, I believe the outboard is the full height transom. It doesn't have the offshore bracket and it doesn't have a motor well so it has to be the last. I will be using the boat on the Willamette, Santiam, coastal rivers and some high lakes. I live close to the Santiam. I have a small sled now but I can't get the whole family in (including the labs) so that is why I need a larger boat. I hear that alot about the Stator. How much did that cost to replace? Also does that kill your motor when it goes and then you are stranded? What do you mean about "Optimax isn't one of Merc's most shining moments either"?
Jedcraft, where can I see your boat for sale?
To add a little to the story, the boats are,
19' Northriver with the 175 Sportsjet and the other is a 20' Fish-Rite with the 150 Optimax. Does that make a difference? They boat seem like well built boats. (I've heard bad things about Fish-Rite because my father knew Willie of Willie Boats. LOL )
Thanks again for all the posts,
Steve

[HntnFsh]

Stators are about $150.you can get good aftermarket a little cheaper.

When mine went out it would barely run below below about 2000 rpm but ran perfect above that.

They are easy to change with the right tool.

I think they couls exhibit different problems when going out.Seems like the have a high rpm side and a low rpm side.

[Lured In]

I am 7 years in on my 19' NR Sportster with 175SJ. I can't complain about any issue aside from it being a little finicky when starting cold. It runs great and don't have any regrets.

[kelso]

I also have a 175 sportjet on a 19" northriver. As far as the noise goes, I took some 1/2" rv insulation and lined the dogbox with it. That cut the noise about 1/2. Great investment. The motor has ran great, and the cold start that is something that is common with this motor was corrected by a friend of mine with a simple wire ran dirrectly to the fuel pump. My opinion is the sportjet (175) although a little thirsty, is one solid motor.

[snit]

Had a 175 SJ in a Alumaweld Intruder for a little less than 2 years. Good boat, and decent engine but I just didn't like the inboard concept. The doghose was always in the way IMO. I had an outboard pumped sled before the SJ, so I was accustomed to lots of room in the stern. The sportjet was loud, a little smoky, but didn't cause me much grief except the first start on a really cold day. I went back to an outboard and I'm happier. I think the SJ's are a great "bang for your buck" though. I don't know much about the Opti's 'cept they had some problems on the early ones.

[Fish4me]

Thanks for everything,
I tested the Fish-Rite and liked it. I sure liked the extra room and the diamond plate floors. This boat also had a lot of extras that the previous owner knew how to set up a boat. It was a tough decision but it looks like I'm going with the Fish-Rite (if everything goes through with the credit union) I've always wanted a Northriver and may regret not getting one.
Thanks for all your opinions, see ya on the water
Steve

[HOOKUP]

If you really need a jet go with the sportjet. The drawbacks are mainly sound and the loss of room from the dog house.

Fuel econmony is very good I consistantly run at 32 mph at about 8-10 gph depending on conditions. WOT is 18-19 gph and only a speed gain of about 10 mph. this is on a 20 ft hull.

I love my sportjet but as much as i fish the dog house is becoming a pain in the arse, so my next boat will be an outboard.

[Thumper]

On the basis of bang for the buck the 175 SJ is hard to beat.

Advantages --- Excellent power and efficiency, light weight with weight forward (less boat draft at rear), cheap compared with 200 HP outboard, reliable. Perfect for running minimum water depth (boondogging tailouts, etc.).

Disadvantages --- Cranky to start (no choke), smoky as hell when first started, buzzy loud.

[wetaline]

OB on a tiller

[Half fast Toyn]

I have a 175 SJ in my 98 Alumaweld intruder. Here is what I think of that combo.

* Good shallow water boat, use it on the Santiam all the time.

* Good reliable motor, never had any problems and I USE MY BOAT ALL THE TIME for all different types of fishing. From Halibut to Bass. About 150 hours a year.

* Doghouse..... Hmmm, I have mine set up as a bait station with plenty of fishing room in the back. Ive taken open seats on outboard boats and miss my bait cutting area.

* 2 stroke motor.... hard on gas.... plenty of power.... easily maintained. Pull it out of the water and you have 1/2 of the winterization done.

* Absolute only maintainence I do is change the gear box lube and stator lube.... even has origional sparkplugs though I carry spares.

* Problems: 1. Throttle cable replaced after breakage. 2. Cap for 2 stroke oil resevour replaced after breakage. 3. Idle Screw vibrated loose and raised idle way high... Like 20 mph high. This prevented shifting into the nuetral position and required turning the key off. Correction was easy and lock-tight keeps it from re-occuring.

* Would I buy again? This boat was well worth the cost. As I direct more of my time and energy twards off-shore fishing, Its a hard call. I have buddies with 4 stroke outboards that I can fish in the ocean with now... and thats the plan. A man really needs access to 4 boats... Drift, jet sled, Prop economy, and pleasure.

[charlie h]

Originally Posted by kelso

I also have a 175 sportjet on a 19" northriver. As far as the noise goes, I took some 1/2" rv insulation and lined the dogbox with it. That cut the noise about 1/2. Great investment. The motor has ran great, and the cold start that is something that is common with this motor was corrected by a friend of mine with a simple wire ran dirrectly to the fuel pump. My opinion is the sportjet (175) although a little thirsty, is one solid motor.

Kelso
Would like to hear the details on fixing the hard to start when cold on the 175 .

Thanks Charlie

[Duckwheat]

I went through the same process a few years ago. I know a lot of guys over here who have had major problems with the sportjet. Engine problems.

With that in mind I went OB. It is really nice to kick it up when you have sucked up a chunk of moss in the dark. Couple of scrapes and away you go.

The cost of a sportjet is cheaper than OB. They are deafening. They are pretty fast.

I have an 80HP JET on my Alaskan Wooldridge. I might die still owning this boat. I have never said that about a boat before.

Duckwheat

[kelso]

Charlie H, yes I would like to hear what you have to say about the cold start.

Kelso

[Pickles]

Cold start is not much of an issue! once the mod has been done!