Anybody run a jet prop duck hunting?

[Soybean Man]

I have a 40 hp long shank prop motor and hunt in a shallow lake. I can motor around the outside in a deep canal, but when I enter the dead timber, I have to get out and pull the boat to where I want to hunt. The boat never drags bottom when fully loaded. I am considering buying a jet prop to get around the getting out part. I know I will lose some propulsion, just wondering about concerns. I will also be trout fishing out of the boat. I don't want to get a different motor, just a jet prop. Any thoughts?

[Trip]

I'm not real sure on your conditions in the woods, but where we hunt in the timber gets pretty nasty. Most of our places are dry in the summer and when they flood all the debris floods along with it. If you're running water that's there year round you shouldn't have any problems.

[Soybean Man]

No debris.

[wuchang]

Hunted with a jet prop boat for a couple of years and then switched to a Pro Drive

If there is any trash in the water--the jet will eventually pick it up and lose power/clog/stop--if the water is cold--it is an enlightening expericew to clear the grate

ditto for mud/grass etc

they do real well on hard pan bottoms,rocky streams and clear water

The other problem with the jet is you need to keep that bad boy up on plane--no low end to speak of

You also pay a price in the conversion to the jet both in bucks and in power--ran a Merc 50 and as a jet it ran about like a 30--35 horse

On the other hand--they are hoot to drive and in the right conditions they can't be beat----but they are not for the faint of heart when zipping thru the timber at 0 Dark Thirty

If you are running shallow trout water--they can't be beat and you'll scare the hell out anyone wading as well as cause a true panic for all the drunks in the aluminum canoes as you jet by them at what looks like the speed of sound

as an aside gals that like floating that kind of river love them--kind of like the water version of having a gal that rides on the back of a Harley--they don't call Harley's Milwaukee Vibrators for nuthin

later

Wu

[BeastMaster]

LMAO

i bet you could get some funny looks if you went running down the Spring River in AR on a hot july saturday in your jet boat... folks would think you lost your mind as you went across some falls...

[mallardchaser]

Why not get a go-devil or something like it?

[Soybean Man]

Don't want one.

[mallardchaser]

Don't want one

Why???

Why don't you get a godevil for duck season and keep your outboard for the trout.

[Soybean Man]

Why buy 2 motors for one boat? Why would I hassle with taking that heavy motor on and off? I have an Xpress 1650DB with Johnson 40 that is paid for. I can trade my lower unit in and get a new jet prop for a whole lot less than a new motor. I personally think the tiller on an outboard would be easier to handle while trout fishing all day and no modifications or loss of room in my boat. Just always wanted a jet prop and wondered if anyone else had one. I know if I was using it anywhere else but my reservoir or the White or Little Red River, I would consider a ProDrive. Thanks for your input.

[wuchang]

I think the ol boy runnin the river taxi on the White is running a jet--on those rivers--it should run like a striped booty ape and on Bull Shoals--you shouldn't have any problem

The jet can and will suck up the occassional rock/pebble that will need to be removed but--you should be able to cover just about anything from 0 generators to wide open

Wu

[Soybean Man]

Wu, are there any components that can freeze if left in the water and the lake freezes? I assume it still has the water uptake to cool the 2 stroke motor. Thanks for the info.

[timberjack]

Don't know if it'll fit but I saw this over at the 'fuge and remembered:

http://www.refugeforums.com/refuge/show ... e&t=317394

[wuchang]

As to freezing???

Yep, it still circulates water to the cylinders etc for cooling but I don't think you'd have any more problems than a conventional as far as that goes--

the problem you'd have with ice would be ice getting sucked up into the grate and possibly clogging the intake-

I don't know any jet boat guys down near Bull Shoals but Troutt and Sons in Missouri ( near St. James MO)is who everyone uses in my neck of the woods( even if it is a 90 minute drive from St Louis)

If you want their phone let let me know--they can probably answer any of your questions

Wu

[Soybean Man]

Thanks for the info. If I buy it, I will buy it through Current River Marine in Doniphan, MO. I bought my boat from there and he services it for me. Somewhere around $1,500 before trade.

I believe the one posted on the fuge is for 50-60 hp. It would be a good deal if it would fit mine. Thanks.