How to Buy a Jet Boat
Jet boats are extremely maneuverable and can skim so lightly across the water that they are great for recreational outings on shallow rivers as well as lakes. Without the danger of a spinning propeller, jet boats are excellent for pulling water skiers and tubes. Know what to look for when you shop for a jet boat.
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Instructions
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Choose an inboard jet or an outboard jet motor. Inboard jet pumps are mounted on the inside of a boat. The water is taken in from the bottom. Inboards have great handling during the RPM range, giving you optimum control in shallows or extreme river conditions. They generally have a better reverse action. Outboard jets are more popular for boats larger than 14 feet. The majority of impellers on outboard jets are made out of aluminum, which is the softest impeller material. For low horsepower boats it is suitable.
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Look for stainless steel or bronze impellers for the best ability in hauling loads or skiers. These more durable impellers also yield vast performance in acceleration capabilities.
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Ask about the hull. The performance of a jet boat can hinge on the design of the hull. You want somewhere between a 9 to 12 degree "V" on the boat's transom in order to slice back the densest amount of water through the motor. Flat hulls tend to cavitate. Too much of a "V" makes poor handling and actually slows the boat.
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Test drive the boat. Arrange to take the boat out on the nearest lake for a short drive before committing to a purchase. If that isn't possible, make sure there is a period for returns after taking the boat out the first time.
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Listen for cavitations. To cavitate means that the jet motor is sucking in air, not water. This usually happens during the change in the engine's RPM. This can damage the motor. Listen for a strange grinding whine.
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Evaluate the planing ability. This is how long it takes a boat to go from gunning the engine and making the nose go in the air to plane out back down on the water. How quickly the boat does this shows how well it functions and was designed.
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