Another boat questions

[idaho_Grizz]

I have been thinking about buying a different boat. I am one of those guys that will fish for anything that swims, not just kokanee. I live within about 4 mile of the Snake River in Parma, Idaho so sometimes I would like a boat that I could fish the fall bass there. I also like to fish steelhead when I can get north. I know I need a jet, but was wondering if I could do it with one of 50 hp or less, because of fuel. I like smaller boat because most I am fishing alone so it is easier to handle. Thanks for the info Grizz

 

[SuperD]

When you say "50 hp", I assume you are speaking of an outboard jet? When you power a boat with an outboard jet, you almost have to double the horsepower required to power that boat with a prop. The power loss in the converter is great.

 

[idaho_Grizz]

yes I know that is why I am asking if a 14 or 16 foot jet would be ok with a 50 hp jetpump for the river I listed. I have even looked at smaller jetpumps but am afraid they would be just to small. Too much fishing to do and not enough boats I guess. One of those people trying to find a boat to do it all, not knowing what I need Thanks

 

[DLM]

When you say "50 hp", I assume you are speaking of an outboard jet? When you power a boat with an outboard jet, you almost have to double the horsepower required to power that boat with a prop. The power loss in the converter is great.

Is this also true of inboards?

 

[SmokeOnTheWater]

Grizz

When you find a boat that "DOES IT ALL" please let us ALL know. There's just far too many varying conditions from small-big water lakes/reservoirs to rivers that meander to those that are violent. Be extremely careful as a lone fisherman on any water!

If you want a friend to chase steelies, give me a shout.

 

[Full_Monte]

I've been thinking about this quite a bit lately too. I did ride in a 16ft boat with a 50hp prop drive. It was underpowered.
If you look at a boat to buy, check the Coast Guard tag attached to the hull...usually a metal one attached with rivets. It will tell you the maximum hp you can put on the boat. I think this number is likely pretty close to the size motor you should use. The other thing to consider is 2-stroke or 4-stroke. When compared, a 2-stroke will be lighter and give you better acceleration. A 4-stroke will run quieter and smoother. If I personally was choosing, I would use a 2-stroke oil-injected main engine and a 4-stroke kicker. This would give me the ability to get to the fishing site fast without needing a huge 4-stroke, and then allow me to troll with the least amount of noise. Be advised, though, that (in California), 2-strokes are banned from a few lakes. I hope this is not a trend that continues.

You should also be aware that for each foot of boat you buy, required horsepower increases quickly, so the difference in horsepower on the engine on a 15 foot boat is a lot less that on a 19 foot boat...probably by a factor of 4 to 5.

 

[Bullitt]

Is this also true of inboards?

Nope. For an inboard like a small block 350, it's more about how much HP is needed to push a certain amount of weight taking into account the impeller pitch. Rarely do you run at max HP. That will chew through some fuel. Most inboards max out at 4000 to 4400 rpm and cruise at around 3200 if it's set up right.

Sportjets are rated at the pump and don't have much loss.

For an outboard, the loss due to the pump is 30%. A 50hp w/ pump would be ok for a couple of guys in a light boat.

Hard to beat a jetboat for versatility.

 

[DLM]

Hard to beat a jetboat for versatility.

Ya, but you don't have all that walking around room inside the boat with the inboard. Like I heard somewhere, there is no perfect boat.....movie89586

Thanks for the tech info.

 

[Bullitt]

Oh I don't know about that. Depends on how big you go and how deep your pocket book is. rolleyes At 24' and an engine I can walk completely around it fishes pretty well. 4 guys is no problem.

I've had a few boats, ob's, sportjet, high deck, and now a walk around. For my use an inboard works well and I could even step down a couple of feet and it would be ok. What some guys see as a big box in the middle of the boat...I see a work table and a kitchen.

In a perfect world we'd all have 5 or 6 boats. thumbsup

 

[idaho_Grizz]

I would love to have a bigger jet, was alway one of my dreams. But with what happen in my later life that dream kind of went down the drain. So am trying to just get by with something smaller until I win the lotterylaugh. In a purfact world I would have three boats, a drift, a big jet, and a boat for the lakes

 

[skyhammer]

Nope. For an inboard like a small block 350, it's more about how much HP is needed to push a certain amount of weight taking into account the impeller pitch. Rarely do you run at max HP. That will chew through some fuel. Most inboards max out at 4000 to 4400 rpm and cruise at around 3200 if it's set up right.

Sportjets are rated at the pump and don't have much loss.

For an outboard, the loss due to the pump is 30%. A 50hp w/ pump would be ok for a couple of guys in a light boat.

Hard to beat a jetboat for versatility.

I agree with most of your post, but a jet pump takes HP to run. In my MP 350, MP says it takes about 50HP to run the pump.
My 350 is rated 310HP @4800RPM. I can not make 310HP as I max out at 4000RPM.
I can make more RPM, but it is a waste of time with my pump and impeller combo, at higher RPM, all I do is burn more fuel, the pump is maxed out.
At 4000RPM, I am making 250HP, which means I am about 200HP though the pump.
On the other hand, 3200RPM is max torque, which happens to be my best cruising speed.

 

[Mark McWillis]

Oh I don't know about that. Depends on how big you go and how deep your pocket book is. rolleyes At 24' and an engine I can walk completely around it fishes pretty well. 4 guys is no problem.

I've had a few boats, ob's, sportjet, high deck, and now a walk around. For my use an inboard works well and I could even step down a couple of feet and it would be ok. What some guys see as a big box in the middle of the boat...I see a work table and a kitchen.

In a perfect world we'd all have 5 or 6 boats. thumbsup

Bullitt and I have very similar boats and I'd have to agree with all he says here.