Jet verses Prop

[Pandion]

I'm fairly new to IFISH and have been watching the ads for a 18 t 20 ft aluminum boat. Since I'm still a fry I recoginze that I'm in a steep learning curve but I have made some observations. Please help clarify facts or fiction.

I'm looking for a late model aluminum boat, 90hp+, prop. My field of streams will be the Willamette, the mighty Columbia, and a few large high lakes so a prop seems to more appropriate.

Just about all of the ads for an aluminum boats have a pump or sportjet. Can anybody help a newbie sort out fact or fiction on a prop verses Jet?

And another thing, what does TTT stand for in the ads?

[high_arc]

TTT--to the top, so the ad can be seen a little quicker.

[YaHoeeFishOn]

To The Top . People update with a TTT to put there add back to que .
I've run jets and props both inboards and outboards. Pro's & cons both . Jets can run shallow water . Jets loose 1/3 hp because a pump isn't as efficient as a propeller. Jets do not have neutral , there in gear all time. Jets do not get good gas milage. Jets are fun to run shallow water and run up streams or accross shallow bays. Sport jet is a cross between a outboard and a inboard pump. It has powerhead of a outboard mounted like a inboard running a inboard jet pump. Big two stroke power from a lite small package running a inboard style pump .

Guess you need to now how much shallow water running your going to do . And what uses your using boat for. Fishing , Cruiz'n, Water skiing , Wake Boarding , Rivers , High Lakes , Coastal Bays , Rivers ....

Anyways hope that helps some .

[love2fish]

I have an inboard jet. Sometimes I wish I had the prop. A jet isn't very economical, but you don't have to worry about busting a prop or burning up a water pump. I think the maintenance cost of a jet is a little less than a prop. A prop gives a lot nicer ride in rough water than a pump. If I were to change boats I would probably go with the prop next time since I don't take my boat in the smaller rivers very often. This is what I have learned in the last 3 years. I'm sure you will get a lot of better advice from other Ifishers that spend more time on the water than I do.

love2fish

[Jignfloat]

Theres' all kinds of scary things in the waters you've mentioned that are just dying to get you by the prop and make your life miserable...... :shocked: :shocked: .....It may be nothing more then a little less risk of hitting something to most of us....(reason for pumps), plus necessity in other streams...Some loss of performance, prop being superior, and certainly doable in the waters you've mentioned. To me....if they call it a river, I'm more comfortable with a pump....and I like rivers.

Russ

[Pirate]

anderswl,
I used to have a jet with a prop and traded for a jet with an inboard pump. My neighbor has a jet with a prop, so they're faily common. Keep your eyes on boats for sale on ifish, the boat trader on line, the paper and Stevens and you should start becoming educated as to what you like. Then when that perfect boat does come along, you'll know it. Good luck.

[ 02-18-2004, 07:07 PM: Message edited by: Pirate ]

[blacktail519]

I have got the perfect boat for your needs!!
2002 Alumaweld Intruder, 20' With 150hp saltwater merc... It runs about 53 miles per hour. Make me an offer...

[Space]

I have an outboard with a pump on my sled. I really enjoy running the skinny water. The pump is louder than a prop and by far less fuel efficent. You also loose horse power with a pump. Since you are staying in the big water I would stay with the prop. My next boat will have a prop and a windshield. Family reasons. Many more opportunities to fish with a windshielded boat when you have a family.

SPACE

[DownTime]

Anderswl;
Jet for shallow water,prop for deeper water.A jet will outturn a prop if you need to maneuver in tight places and will stop almost on a dime.You will burn more gas to get to the same places with a jet.If you hurt your prop or lower unit though you can buy a lot of gas for what it will cost to repair or replace them.Go for a demo ride in both types of boats if you are undecided.my $.02

JB

[Space]

One more thing. The deeper the V on the boat the more comfortable the ride. Just something else to think about.

SPACE

[Pandion]

Originally posted by blacktail519:
I have got the perfect boat for your needs!!
2002 Alumaweld Intruder, 20' With 150hp saltwater merc... It runs about 53 miles per hour. Make me an offer...

<font size="2" face="verdana,arial,helvetica">

[blacktail519]

YUP It even has an 18 Degree V hull :grin:

[corkyking]

My personal guarantee.

No matter what you decide you will not be 100% satisfied so make a list of the pluses and minuses
of each type of boat and each type of propulsion system then tape it to the wall and throw darts at it. You'll get as good a boat as any I could recommend.

[blacktail519]

corkyking has it right

[fishitis]

Two years ago, I agonized over the same thing. A jet can do just about everything. But I was only planning on about 10% of my fishing in shallow water, so I went with a prop. I run an 18' aluminum, deep vee with a 90 hp Honda and absolutely love it. I think the best part is the deeper vee, because I spend a lot of time in the Columbia, especially Astoria. When the water is rough, it's a lot smoother. I had an uncle with a pump and when he crabbed in the bays, he would get kelp in the pump and it'd be a headache to clean. You can probably avoid this hassle if you're careful and use the right grate, but sometimes the bay is just full of that rope like kelp.
And all the other good things about props people have mentioned, especially that you save a lot of money by a smaller motor and no pump.
Although I'd like to fish some shallow water in the Willamette and lower Santiam around where I live, it's not that much of a loss. You just have to have a friend with a jet or drift boat and trade trips.
Oh, and I've only filled up the gas tank five times in 66 trips.

[Ty]

Prop is the only way to go if u are not runnin real shollow water.

Definitily go with a lift too, well worth the $800!

[Boatdog]

Originally posted by anderswl:

I'm looking for a late model aluminum boat, 90hp+, prop. My field of streams will be the Willamette, the mighty Columbia, and a few large high lakes so a prop seems to more appropriate.

Just about all of the ads for an aluminum boats have a pump or sportjet. Can anybody help a newbie sort out fact or fiction on a prop verses Jet?

<font size="2" face="verdana,arial,helvetica">My "input" and "recommendation" for the places you are talking about is...PROP!
I have run both, and IMO a pump/jet is only worth investing in if you run in shallow areas, or rivers like the Clack, Sandy, etc. Jet/pumps are much harder to control at low speed (assumption made you are looking at an 18+ feet boat).
I do want to add that the jet/pumps are awesome, and work where props won't.

[Mikeymoto]

Why not get a sled with an outboard with both the prop and pump kits? From what my friend who had this setup on his willie told me it was a simple and relatively quick change over. Just an thought [img]graemlins/idea.gif[/img] Have the prop on for most of your trips and if you feel like going shallow do the changeover.
MM
Look on ifish classifieds, RiverRick69 has one that may fit your bill, there was a 18 weldcraft that may be a good fit too.