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Looking to join the jet boat community soon. Trying to compare maintenance issues between jetboats and regular stern drive. How often do you guys have to change your impellers and what’s the cost of such repair.
Impeller you might be thinking of is a water pump impeller on non jet boats that have to be replaced regularly.
Jet boats do not have those, cooling water comes direct from the propulsion jet.
I must have been confused with the regular stern drive boats. So overall you would say maintenance on jet boats are less expensive? I was always under the impression they’re pricier to maintain. Unbiased opinion of course. ?
Yes, maintenance is minimal compared to stem drive. No yearly impeller change and drive lubrication every 5 years if that. Steering is simpler, no hydraulic to maintain.
I must have been confused with the regular stern drive boats. So overall you would say maintenance on jet boats are less expensive? I was always under the impression they’re pricier to maintain. Unbiased opinion of course. ?
Once a year check / repack the aft bearing under the cone with epnoc grease. That’s it for the jet drive.
So yes, less expensive.
One thing that is rarely mentioned is that Yamaha jet boats have brakes. You can apply reverse trust immediately at any speed. Not something to be taken lightly.
I must have been confused with the regular stern drive boats. So overall you would say maintenance on jet boats are less expensive? I was always under the impression they’re pricier to maintain. Unbiased opinion of course. ?
Yes cheaper and easier. I’ve had my boat 4 years and the only maintenance I’ve had to do is oil changes and spark plugs just like any motor.
There is no transmission, trim hydraulics, etc so none of that maintenance either. I’ve done those impellers on a 90hp outboard I have and it’s not a small job.
I must have been confused with the regular stern drive boats. So overall you would say maintenance on jet boats are less expensive? I was always under the impression they’re pricier to maintain. Unbiased opinion of course. ?
Yamaha boat maintenance is way less expensive than stern drive or outboards.
I have owned my 2007 SX230 for ten years now. Every year I use 6 quarts of oil, 8 spark plugs and two oil filters for my annual maintenance that takes me less than two hours for the two engines. Depending on how much I shop around that cost is between $70 and $90.
I needed to replace the scupper valve that cost me $30 and a few hours.
I chose to replace the rear pump bearings in 2015 to 2016. Probably cost me a $100 in parts and a day of figuring it out.
I chose to replace the steering and shift cables. Parts cost was less than $400.
I chose to replace the impellers with a newer design. Parts cost was around $450
I have spent thousands on upgrades to flooring, adding trim tabs, adding a refrigerator, chart plotter, VHF radio, shower, two 100AH AGM batteries, an onboard charger, grill, rod holders, etc.
You can if; You are operating at higher altitude and your engines are not reaching max rpm at full throttle, or you want better low end performance for towing.
What is the boat not doing that you want it to do?