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Hello all. Just purchased my first jet boat. I am use to tillers and fishing boats so this is all new to me. I am in Central Florida (Orlando-Maitland) and the lakes near me have too many weeds and small branches (learned the hard way) so I am looking for recommendations on different areas around Central Florida. i love the boat just trying to find the right places to use it.
Thanks all and looking forward to learning from this community.
I would trailer to the St. John’s River. As your kind of land locked in the middle of the state that may be the best bet that I know of. The next question, how far are you willing to tow? Also, I’m not familiar with the Atlantic side of the state, so not sure if it’s worth that? Maybe St. Augustine? Trying to remember what’s around I4 and I95 when we drive through to Hilton Head.
New to the group and new to having a jet boat. We just picked up a Yamaha 2024 222SD. Trying to get used to the steering..lol
I’m also trying to get may bunks set on my lift. I have read a lot of people writing on this subject. Thanks for letting me join.
New to site and still shopping for a boat to use on Lake Erie around Sandusky and Huron, Oh. Have a 22CS Cobalt That stays in Michigan and want a second boat for use on Lake Erie. I have had lots of I/O and outboard boats over the last 40 years.
Consider a jet boat and have looked at Yamaha, Scarab and Thunder Jet Aluminum hull boat in the pacific NW.,
The Yamaha and Scarab boats fit and finish and overall quality seems cheap. I normally like Yamaha products but not that impressed.
Maybe it is a case of both companies trying to put to many features on the boat and not focusing on building a solid heavy duty boat.
The Thunder Jet is very simple and heavy duty, but not many jet versions in the great lakes region. All the dealers carry are outboard versions currently. I understand a jet will use more fuel but want the shallow draft and the sound of a big block.
Has anyone had an experience with a Aluminum hull jet boat in the great lakes?
New to site and still shopping for a boat to use on Lake Erie around Sandusky and Huron, Oh. Have a 22CS Cobalt That stays in Michigan and want a second boat for use on Lake Erie. I have had lots of I/O and outboard boats over the last 40 years.
Consider a jet boat and have looked at Yamaha, Scarab and Thunder Jet Aluminum hull boat in the pacific NW.,
The Yamaha and Scarab boats fit and finish and overall quality seems cheap. I normally like Yamaha products but not that impressed.
Maybe it is a case of both companies trying to put to many features on the boat and not focusing on building a solid heavy duty boat.
The Thunder Jet is very simple and heavy duty, but not many jet versions in the great lakes region. All the dealers carry are outboard versions currently. I understand a jet will use more fuel but want the shallow draft and the sound of a big block.
Has anyone had an experience with a Aluminum hull jet boat in the great lakes?
I guess this comes down to personal preference. I grew up in a family of charter captains on Lake Erie from Grand River to Port Clinton. Having had a Yamaha down here in Florida, and having ridden on aluminum boats on Lake Erie several times, both in my opinion are based on "performance hulls" and ride somewhat the same in heavy water as they do not have the deep V to cut the water. Like everything, fit an finish can lack from the manufacture, but with the Yamaha I had (2022 SX195) the finish items were easy to address myself and didn't have any real issues. I would keep in mind that whatever you look for, make sure there is a dealer in your area, or a reasonable drive that do any warranty work if needed. I personally went with the Yamaha when looking for a jet boat because of the reliability on the engine and what is offered in the overall package (trailer and bimini). I had the 1.8 super charged engine that seems to be used in a variety of boats and ski's throughout the years, and to me, was beneficial as they didn't change up the overall aspect throughout the years. One thing to keep in mind, the smaller Yamahas and Scarabs have a lower freeboard than the 22'+ models moving to a twin engine set up. The finish on mine was surprisingly nice seeing it was a Covid built boat and Yamaha comes with a great warranty, along with most dealers wanting to take care of their customers. I have seen some Scarabs in the same class as mine was, but never rode on one, so my opinion is swayed in the ownership direction I had. Are you looing to trailer and hit the islands and Sandusky Bay, or are you wanting to set up for some Walleye and Perch? Yamaha makes a great FSH model in various sizes if you are wanting more than just a beach hangout type of boat. Mine did burn a lot of fuel compared to the IO or Outboard on an equivalent size boat, but I knew that going into it, along with the fact the super charged engines require premium fuel and most gas docks don't offer that around me, but I was trailering so fueling up on my way home wasn't a deal breaker for me. I assume you have walked around on all the boats you mentioned and see the difference in layout and what room you get for the size of the boat? I was able to cruise comfortable with 7 people on mine at 30ish MPH and WOT with 7 around low/mid 40's. I do wish I would have put trim tabs on mine, just to balance out the load and bring the bow up in a head wind or chop, but that's just me, and some on this site have done so.
Therobrett
Thanks for the response. I do plan on trailering the boat vs docking and would do some fishing but mostly cruising. Still reviewing options and have lots of time to select and order a boat for next spring.
Therobrett
Thanks for the response. I do plan on trailering the boat vs docking and would do some fishing but mostly cruising. Still reviewing options and have lots of time to select and order a boat for next spring.
I don’t have any personal experience with the Scarabs or the larger Yamahas…. Having said that, and considering your experience, you know it’s always about compromising in terms of hull performance. From what I’ve seen say of the Scarab 255 ID center console, it has what appears to be a sharper entry than the Yamaha and carries the reverse chine up further to promote a drier ride. But it’s 50 gallon fuel tank is going to have a lot less range than the 255 FSH sport or Sport H with its 111 gallon fuel tank. Personally I think the Yamaha has a better use of space and has some better amenities like a dedicated tackle storage area, 5 gallon bucket storage in the fore deck. All three of these boats have a 20° dead rise.
With your intended use of Lake Erie it seems to me you’re going to want some bigger water performance, a boat with a sharp entry, possibly a bit more angle on the dead rise in the 22-24° range, and some decent bow flare to promote a drier ride of course this is at the expense of some room in the bow area.
The thunder jet is going to give you the big block sound and power with a 7.4L big block..there’s one of these here locally and it does sound bad ass and it’s fast, it’s also got a kicker for trolling. It’s cabin is going to give a very dry ride and keep you out of the wind, rain and any wind blown spray, but it’s 14° dead rise may not give the big water performance you may or may not want or need but it will be stable, and it comes standard with suspension seats for the pilot and navigator. What I do not see on the Thunder Jet Jet boat is a self bailing deck…something that is standard on the Yamaha and Scarab, and that feature is a must have for me on any boat.
Built with the boating family in mind, the Thunder Jet Maxim Classic 23 foot heavy gauge aluminum fishing boat is the best heavy duty big water jet boat.
