@Shinanigans , when you read the responses, make sure to note that in 2015, the hull design was changed and the keel was added. So those who have pre 2015 boats are giving a different perspective than those who have 2015 or newer. I came from the prop world and my 2015 AR240 is my first jet drive. Relative to props, my AR240 will pull serious g force on full throttle turns WITHOUT any cavitation. I've never been half as close to this kind of performance with a prop. Also, the boat planes instantly relative to any prop that I've driven. There is absolutely no side to side sliding while tubing, knee boarding or wake boarding, and the boat tracks perfectly when crossing wakes and waves at an angle.
Although my boat has the keel, there is effectively no steering unless you use the throttle. Reverse steering is almost non-existent. Basically, use reverse to stop forward motion, or to go straight backward. I have no need to install fins because I find that I can control the boat fine the way it is. With the wheel cranked and both engines in forward no-wake, the boat will turn a tight circle such that the tip of the bow is the center of the circle. With one jet in forward and the other in reverse, the boat will spin on its center point.
The waters that I've been in have not been heavy with weeds or debris, so that's the only part that I can't comment on. With about 55 hours on my boat (including a crossing to Bimini), I have not yet sucked anything up that has required me to stop. I have never experienced any kind of cavitation except when the boat jumps off a wave and gets airborne.
I prefer an outboard or I/O in the sense of being able to trim the bow up in rough conditions, and from the perspective of raising the prop out of harms way when in sticky situations. That being said, I've done things with my AR240 that I'd never consider doing with a prop.
