We've got a small boat already. 18' jon boat with a 35 hp Merc outboard. Runs pretty good. Hasn't seen water since summer of '03, but has been in the shop under cover. It's a good little fishing boat, but since neither me nor my dad like to fish, we'd like to sell it, but my wife and mom and sister don't wanna, so in the shop it sits. If we were gonna run it on the river we adjoin (shallow), we'd probably wanna get a jet for it instead of a prop.
Went out with the in-laws on the river. He's got about the same boat, but a 70 hp Evinrude o/b. After maybe an hour or so of fishing, we just started cruising around and had a good time. I build mud trucks to break as a hobby, and while the wife is semi-supportive, she'd rather be out on the river. I've always felt that boats are useless unless you fish, due to the need of good weather and a water source to use it. Thought again, and really, the mudder only goes out 3, maybe 4 times a year, tops.
So, here's my new plan: jet boat. Been looking around for used ones, and they're relatively cheap for the ones I'm looking at (under $7k). I'm just having trouble finding any info for jet boats in my area. Any of ya'll have a jet boat out there that can share information? I did some looking around and found that most have either a Berekley or a Jacuzzi jet pump. Of course, it would HAVE to be powered by a 460 with a tunnel ram and twin 600 Edelbrocks. Most of em seat 3-5, but I'd like to have one that may can seat up to 10. I really have no NEED to go 80 or 90 mph, but if I did, I could. Any thoughts? Even other forums that I might be able to go look at that may have more info?

 

if it DIDN"T have to be powered by a ford, check out www.realoldspower.com. there's quite the following of olds powered jet boats over there. even if you do go with a ford, they'll help you out with the boat and drive itself.

 

I've got a CustomWeld and love it.

 

I had a 21' Tahiti with a 460 and Jacuzzi J12Y jet. The J12Y is very easy to work on and at the time was the one jet you could take apart, grind the knicks out of the impeller and shim the clearance between the impeller and wear ring. Cost was a few hours time, tube of silicon and shims (less than 10 bucks) I was told that the jet drew water 8-10 ft down from a standing start when you nail the throttle. Don't know if thats true but I did get a few rocks and mud squirting out the back a time or two. The boat sat 8 people and top end was about 65 mph with 2 people.

 

Power it by a rotary... They are Ford, well kind of...
Watch this video to see what I mean (I tuned the engine), it has a prop, but it flys (128mph so far).
http://www.xtremerotaries.com/boatvideo/roh_boat_3.wmv

 

my freind and i had a jetboat with a 455 in it. It was fast, and fun, but VERY VERY thirsty. we would burn about 25 gals per hour.

If i were in the market for a jetboat, I'd look at sea doo or one of the newer factory made boats.

 

blech. Big block power or no power at all. Nah, those things cost WAY too much. I want something I can work on and customize, like my mud truck, not something I can only drive, like my daily driver. Those are nothing more than an oversized waterbike. I don't want that stigma. I want something that sounds good and looks good and can haul a skiier if I feel so compelled.

 

I have a 22' Miller marine built in Boise Idaho. 460 ford, 3 stage Kodiac. It is very thirsty, but lots of fun. IMO aluminum hull is the only way to go. There is nothing to ever rot out and pulling up on a beach is no problem. If you want to see some really neat big boats look at Bentz jet boats. Twin 350's with twin Hamilton 212pumps etc..Very expensive but also very cool. www.bentzboats.com. Some of my friends have Duckworth as well as Customweld, both are good boats.