In-Fisherman Feature, Page 2
Performance
Pointers
“Weight is a critical factor for jet boat performance,”
Turner says. “The heavier the boat, the faster it has to move
to stay on plane. A heavy jet boat still can run through shallow
water, but high speeds aren’t safe on many smaller rivers,
especially after dark. The weight factor virtually eliminates car
engines from consideration for small-river fishing boats, another
strike against larger outboards.”
“Comparing the weight carrying capacity of flow and pressure
pumps is sort of like comparing a diesel truck engine to one from
a sport car,” Turner adds. “The sport car performs best
with light loads, while the heavy-duty truck is affected much less
by additional weight. In fact, acceleration and top-end speed of
the boats I’ve equipped with Sport Jets changes little, whether
they’re full of gas, batteries, and fishing gear or running
empty.”
Larger inboards also are easier to maneuver than large outboards,
since the wheel on an inboard moves only the nozzle rather than
the entire motor. The difference probably isn’t noticeable
on open river stretches, but the added maneuverability can be an
advantage when running rivers strewn with rocks, logs, and other
obstacles. Tiller outboards are a nice option for smaller boats,
but they’re less comfortable to operate than console models
during long runs.
Most large outboards and some inboards are available with power
trim to adjust bow angle, but Turner says this isn’t necessary
for Sport Jets. “The flow of water from the nozzle doesn’t
have to contact the surface of the water to provide propulsion,”
Turner continues. “With an outboard, lowering the angle of
the nozzle lowers the bow while the boat’s coming onto plane,
while raising the nozzle allows the bow to rise. Both tasks are
better accomplished with the Sport Jet’s increased static thrust
and trim tabs built into the bottom of the boat’s transom,
eliminating extra hydraulic lines and cables that may snag limbs
and other debris.”
Sport Jets also require less routine maintenance. The jet pump bearing
on an outboard and car engine must be greased after each use, while
the Sport Jet’s bearings are sealed in oil. Mercury recommends
that operators check the lubricant after every 50 hours of use and
change the oil every 100 hours, but Turner’s never seen a failure.
“One customer burns more than $500 worth of gas a month and
has never had a problem with his Sport Jet,” he adds. “That’s
about as dependable as you can get.”
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