This should start some discussion... Outboard vs Sterndrive vs Jet

[cane.mba]

http://www.boatingmag.com/gallery/photos/outboard-vs-sterndrive-vs-jet-drive

Let the discussion begin...

 

[Bruce]

I present this Google Images Search as exhibit number one.

Ever seen a jet do this?

 

[BoaterGuy]

Outboard vs Sterndrive vs Jet Drive
From the aft seat forward, each of these Glastron boats is exactly the same except for slight differences in controls and instruments.

Anyone notice that the stern drive didnt have the extra weight from the tower? Also the rear of the outboard is completely useless...

 

[beachbum]

I wanted an O/B when we thought about getting a new boat. My wife kept on saying JET ... for no reason other than we have a very shallow bay (it isn't that shallow)... However, she is not really a boat person, which makes the whole boat thing MY thing ... which is fine ... the NEW boat will change everyone in my family...

So... the reason for the JET ... when i first met my wife, she had just lost a friend to a boating accident ... she was on the gunwale, captain took a turn, she was over and chopped up in no time.

From what I have read here and there.. we made a wise decision.

This is our first jet boat .... but I have to say ... all the bigger ones look really really nice.

 

[BoaterGuy]

I wanted an O/B when we thought about getting a new boat. My wife kept on saying JET ... for no reason other than we have a very shallow bay (it isn't that shallow)... However, she is not really a boat person, which makes the whole boat thing MY thing ... which is fine ... the NEW boat will change everyone in my family...

So... the reason for the JET ... when i first met my wife, she had just lost a friend to a boating accident ... she was on the gunwale, captain took a turn, she was over and chopped up in no time.

From what I have read here and there.. we made a wise decision.

This is our first jet boat .... but I have to say ... all the bigger ones look really really nice.

I had an 18 ft stern drive and it had a 7' 6" beam. Your 19ft has an 8' 6" beam, thats a huge difference, plus you have an awesome swim platform to hang out on and a fun boat to drive. The worst thing about a jet is the docking, but that is a marginal amount of time when you consider total hours of use. Plus, the docking differences can actually become a benefit once mastered. You have an awesome boat for sure!

 

[jcyamaharider]

Grew up around I/o and outboards all my life and it was always in the back of my mind "what if the prop suddenly came on." So as I grew up and cut my feet while playing back behind the boat I knew that when it was time for my family to start boating that Jet was the only answer. Much safer from exposure, shallow water running, low maintenance.

 

[Gym]

I wanted an O/B when we thought about getting a new boat. My wife kept on saying JET ... for no reason other than we have a very shallow bay (it isn't that shallow)... However, she is not really a boat person, which makes the whole boat thing MY thing ... which is fine ... the NEW boat will change everyone in my family...

So... the reason for the JET ... when i first met my wife, she had just lost a friend to a boating accident ... she was on the gunwale, captain took a turn, she was over and chopped up in no time.

From what I have read here and there.. we made a wise decision.

This is our first jet boat .... but I have to say ... all the bigger ones look really really nice.

Your wife sounds like a smart lady.

 

[Gumbeaux]

In shopping for our lake boat, I wanted something versatile and I wanted to have the option of quickly jumping on if we get a blue bird day during the shoulder season. Stern drive requires a real commitment to winterization. I was leaning heavily towards outboards, but could not find what I wanted in the marketplace. Looked for example at the Hurricane line of boats. Not impressed with their fit and finish....

Jet boat fit the bill. Winterization is minimal, and it is easy to get on her on that bluebird day for fishing, etc. Plus the added safety bonus and rear deck space.

Not a fishing boat, but she is really flexible and I will be fishing from her! The 242 LS has great fit and finish and all the amenities. Perfect choice for family lake boating.

 

[JDSCHMOO]

Looking for my first boat, I wanted a jet boat for no other reason than I just wanted one. Now that I've had it for 2 seasons, I gotta say that I can't imagine having this much fun with any other type of boat. THe shallow draft has definitely helped my navigate more comfortably in some very shallow bays and canals that prop just wouldn't allow. As far as the docking goes, very minimal practice and I could confidently get it to the dock and on the trailer. After having it sideways on the first approach of course... Now, after plenty of boating and a little extra practice, it's a non-issue. Really not nearly as bad as everyone makes it sound.

 

[steined]

I disagree with the worst thing about jets being docking, with twins at least, and the "Thrust Direction Enhancers" TDE setting on my 2013 242 (AND Fins), this thing is super easy to dock. WAY easier than my previous boat - 19ft Stingray with 4.3 Alpha 1 drive. It really makes me look like a pro!

I think the worst thing about jets is the noise. I'm highly sensitive to noise, and I didn't fully appreciate the noise being made by these boats (for one thing it is 2 engines that almost never perfectly sync). However I don't think it is too out of line with other boats, just higher pitched. A close second negative with jets is how many times I have to clean out debris on the river. It has become second nature and no big deal, but it was a concern our first few times out. I'm sure I was shredding my prop with stuff just as often, but that almost never required any clean out, unlike the jet. I'm going to try some of the other methods for cleaning out, but usually it is a small twig or something that wedges itself in the impeller. I've even had one of those heavy plastic crazy straws plug up the impeller once!

As for other attributes, I love the jet acceleration, I love the jet winterization process!, and I love how easy the motors are to work on. I also love the space they give you. My wife loves that there is no trimming to worry about. So I am VERY happy with the jets in this size boat.

I've never owned a boat with an outboard bigger than 40HP so I can't comment on noise/acceleration/etc of bigger outboards, but I would assume they operate in a similar manner to I/O and have similar downsides with winterization and serviceability.

 

[RumDiet]

I have one of each - they all have their uses. I wish that jets could be used on larger boats. Would gladly have them on my Cruiser's Yacht. LOVE not having to spend big bucks on outdrive service every year! Not to mention winterization!

 

[Kevin107]

Had an I/O for a few years. But last year, my brother slipped while getting back on the boat and the prob slit his foot open. (engine off) Saw his foot with 15 stitches on it, I decided to sell it and shop for a JET. I have a small kid so safety is number 1 reason for a jet.

 

[Britboater]

A big plus with a jet over others when docking is the ease of shifting from forward to reverse. The constant "clonking" of I & O/B's is horrible.
I was practicing docking and actually got the boat going side wards easier with a jet.

 

[Lspeedss]

Had them all at one point or another..Love my Jet...love the free glide feel on the water you can't get with a prop drive. So maneuverable! Once you master the split controls and steering coalition, its like intuitive. My father in law( I/O guy. Ebbtide) is just amazed how well my Jet maneuvers. Its a blast and feels so much like an extension of my body. Love my Jet Boat. I too hope Yamaha develops a 26-27 ft Jet boat in the next few years.

 

[maboat]

I wish that jets could be used on larger boats.

How large do you want? These are all powered by water jets...

 

[cane.mba]

Safety, Reliability, Ease of Service, Price were the factors that convinced us to go with Yamaha. One of my sons T-ball team mates was hit by a prop when the boys were 4. He was moments away from no longer being with us. He actually made a full recovery and 2 years later was playing baseball again.

So when it came time for us to buy a boat a prop was a non-starter.

 

[Gthunter5]

I'd take a jet up to one engine (20')

Any longer I wouldn't want 2 engines so i'd go with an inboard. Would prob have to settle on I/o.

Now for fishing I want an outboard but would certainly entertain a jet platform. Not a jet foot though.

If I'm gonna have two engines I want 35'+ Cruiser.

 

[TonkaTuff]

Aside from a lot of other reasons, a big reason I purchased a jet boat is the ease of engine maintenance and the fact that I did not have to maintain or worry about a lower drive.

 

[Lspeedss]

How large do you want? These are all powered by water jets...

look at the 3ft tubes on that middle boat.

 

[jdonalds]

My wife and I just had this discussion on Sunday when we took the boat out for the firs time. Our four-year-old loves the boat, loves to go fast, and is all over the boat while we're underway. Nancy is concerned we'll hit a wave and he'll get thrown overboard from his favorite spot in the bow. I told her my biggest concern is him falling down in the boat and bumping his head. My position is if he fell overboard he might hit his head but perhaps not, but for certain he wouldn't be chopped up by a prop. I'd shut down the boat and jump in to get him. He might have a few bruises but he'd be fine.

Of course we have no concerns about people around the stern of the boat while swimming or getting back on the boat from water sports.

From the first moment we decided to buy a boat back in 2009 there was only one choice - a Yamaha jet boat. It turns out to have been a very good decision.

My decision for a Yamaha was first and foremost reliability. Second was the simple design of a jet pump, how simple it is, and how easy to maintain. Third was boat layout. Fourth was the safety sue to the lack of a prop.

I never owned a prop boat but I figured I could deal with the safety issue if I had a prop. The bigger issue for me would be the protrusion of a prop into the swim area.

It always amuses me that there is so much discussion about the difference between a small internal prop (impeller) vs a large external propeller. Really it's a bit silly.