Owning a Jetboat in Morehead City/Atlantic Breach NC Area?

[SeaNugz]

Hello everyone,

I am new to the forums and hope I can get some guidance. My family and I are considering our first boat. We live in the Morehead City/Atlantic Beach/Emerald Isle area in NC. Lots of boats here. We have noticed that the majority of the boats here are center consoles and skiffs. Most locals here recommend getting a skiff since we have a lot a shallow water. I am drawn to the Yamaha boats due to the shallow draft and lack of prop. I don't really fish so I am less inclined towards a skiff and really like the seating and storage in the Yamahas. Just wanted to get some feedback from people who own boats in the area or have boated through here to see how the jet boats handle the water in this area. Thanks!

 

[mrmeaniemeateaterman]

Boat will be fine assuming you will be trailering boat (or have a lift) and not leaving in the water full time. Just make sure you are flushing engine after every use and washing after every use. Probably more importantly for you is just knowing the water and sandbars to avoid problems in the first place. Just take your time if unsure.

I will warn you too a lot of people on this forum say they won't buy a used boat that has been in saltwater regularly. So you may take more of a hit if you ever try to sell it, especially compared to a CC or a skiff that has a bigger demand at the coast. But there are lots of people that like you that live at coast and only boat in saltwater. But ultimately all boats are a losing proposition. Buy what you want and enjoy it as a toy because that is what it is.

If you want to demo a boat I'm pretty sure the owners of Performance East usually keep a demo boat at their house in Emerald Isle.
@redthumper9 can probably give you more details on this.

Good luck with your decision and welcome aboard.

 

[redthumper9]

@SeaNugz ......our boats are fine in saltwater. Like any other boat, if you don't maintain it properly following saltwater use, it will quickly deteriorate. I'd venture to say most people on this forum are enthusiasts, therefore we take those little extra steps to not only personalize our Yamahas, but to take care of and maintain them as well. First things first, a skiff or bay boat is a great idea if you plan to fish. You can hang out at sandbars with them, navigate shallow waters and just hose them out when you are done. On the other hand, last week we made the trek with another family from Sneads Ferry to Wilmington, ate dinner, stopped at a sandbar, did a little wakeboarding and just generally made a day of riding.......most of which, I would have never done if I had a skiff. I have owned a jetboat for 6.5 seasons now. I have probably sold 10 other friends (now boaters) on jets for their ease of maintenence, family friendly interiors and most of all, safety of not having a propeller for the kids sake. We anchor stern first at all of our hangouts and this kids all flock to our boat. You hear parents all day down the sandbar "hey kids....stay away from the props!" It's simply not an issue with us and provides us with a much more relaxing day. There are a few downsides to a jetdrive......they obviously don't handle at low speed quite as well, but most of that can be corrected with Thrust Vectors from @JetBoatPilot. The only other thing that sticks out for me is how they handle other boats wakes while overtaking. This is also due to not have a rudder (or something similar) in the water. I have a 2010, so some of that may have been corrected in the newer boats with the differ keel and rudder design.
@mrmeaniemeateaterman is right. The guys from Performance East in Goldsboro usually have a Yamaha on one of their lifts at their house in Emerald Isle. If you are interested in a test drive and are a serious buyer, let me know and I can help you get that set up. They are a great bunch of guys. They also sell a few different brands as well in case you decide to go the bay or skiff route.

This was taken yesterday at a sandbar in Sneads Ferry. Yamaha is starting to get represented very well around these parts. There was a Scarab and another Yamaha I couldn't get in the picture

 

[Julian]

@redthumper9 said it all well....many people go for a CC because they love to fish and are easy to wash fish scales and slim from. If you aren't into fishing, a Yamaha is a great option. You don't want to leave a jet boat (or an I/O) sitting in salt water for an extended period (over a week or two), so you'll want to keep that in mind. Other than that....we love taking our boat to the intercoastal, and will probably be in the Emerald Isle area over labor day weekend!

 

[redthumper9]

@Julian .....awesome. if we are around that weekend, maybe we can meet up!

 

[SeaNugz]

Thanks for everyone's input!! Yes the idea is to have a family friendly boat we can take to Shackelford Banks, Cape Lookout etc. We definitely will either trailer the boat or keep it in dry stack if we go Yamaha. Going to hit a boat show in Raleigh and I believe Performance East will be there so the wife and I can can take a closer look at their boats.

I am glad there are others in the area with Yamaha jetboats. A lot of people looked at me funny when I told them I was looking at a jetboat and didn't want a skiff since I don't fish.

Probably looking into a new sx190 as we will be new boaters and it appears to be a good entry level model. Hopefully I will be able to post again about our purchase.

 

[redthumper9]

@SeaNugz .....we make the trip to Shackleford and Lookout usually once a year or so. We love to boat up to Ruddy Ducks in Morehead or Finz in Beaufort. Such a beautiful place. Hoping to camp at Lookout this fall.

 

[Julian]

@SeaNugz many people think of the older bench seat river rockets when you say jet boat to them. Nothing wrong with those boats (I'd love to take a ride in one someday) but they are a whole different class of boat.

@redthumper9 we haven't put the details into our visit yet....but will keep you posted! Would be nice to hook up on a sandbar!

 

[2nazt]

I would research looking at 21'-24'. Being a new boater doesn't mean anything. How many people are you planning on a normal outing. I'm not familiar with your boating area but usually I hear salt water and think coastal with possible open water areas. You may want larger due to a better ride in chop and rougher waters. A lot of 1st year 190 guys trade up due to this but also some people are totally happy with the 190. Just something to consider and read up on for you. I only spearfish so I didn't want a CC my wife loves the jetboat now.

 

[redthumper9]

@2nazt is correct. The areas around Morehead and Beaufort......specifically the Core Sound, can get pretty rough. There is no doubt that on calmer days the 190 would be fine, but Cape Lookout is a long ride in choppy water through the Core Sound. I wouldn't rule out at least a used 21' or 24'.

 

[SeaNugz]

@2nazt area is coastal town right on intercostal waterway: will be boating mostly in protected water but the sounds can be very shallow but can also get quite choppy due to the wind, locals tell me to get a skiff because of the skinny water, but I figured with a jetboat my draft may still be more than a skiff but I am don't have to worry about a prop strike if I do run aground; will talk to the wife about considering a larger boat *cross fingers*