Let's see your boats!
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Joined: Apr 2005
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From: In a van down by the river
Originally Posted by PSS-Mag
there are two inboard engine types.
Most common is a stern drive, AKA I/O which means inboard/ourboard.
The one I was talking about and he is asking about is just called an inboard. Only difference is that the engine is mounted in the middle of the boat, there is no lower unit, just a drive shaft that come out from the bottom of the boat in the middle. The prop is stationary, the steering is handeld by a rudder.
Inboards
Stern drive
Stern drives are the most common, they are used in power boats and cruisers, where speed and agility sometimes take second place to ride comfort being more important.
Inboards are used in ski boats, where speed both out of the hole and top end, constant maximum power, plus agility are the only concerns.
A jet boat, is a stern drive with a jet pump instead of a lower unit.
The thing that jet boats and inboards have in common is there is not a trim to mess with.
Good part to that is that you just hit the throttle and go.
Bad part is if you accidentlayy run into shallow water..... only thing you can do to save your prop or impellar is shut it off and push it out or wait till someone comes and pulls you out.
With stern drive, w/ lower unit... you can just trim up to get your prop off the ground and power yourself out.
Like I said there are many pros and cons of each one, depending up on user intentions and thier experince determins which one is best.
As far as inboard brands ski boats that I'd recomend, I dont have an yexperince, but I see alot of a boat called Ski Nautique and Gekko
and looks like gekko has a nice seating arrangment that I for one could live with....
hehehe
Most common is a stern drive, AKA I/O which means inboard/ourboard.
The one I was talking about and he is asking about is just called an inboard. Only difference is that the engine is mounted in the middle of the boat, there is no lower unit, just a drive shaft that come out from the bottom of the boat in the middle. The prop is stationary, the steering is handeld by a rudder.
Inboards
Stern drive
Stern drives are the most common, they are used in power boats and cruisers, where speed and agility sometimes take second place to ride comfort being more important.
Inboards are used in ski boats, where speed both out of the hole and top end, constant maximum power, plus agility are the only concerns.
A jet boat, is a stern drive with a jet pump instead of a lower unit.
The thing that jet boats and inboards have in common is there is not a trim to mess with.
Good part to that is that you just hit the throttle and go.
Bad part is if you accidentlayy run into shallow water..... only thing you can do to save your prop or impellar is shut it off and push it out or wait till someone comes and pulls you out.
With stern drive, w/ lower unit... you can just trim up to get your prop off the ground and power yourself out.
Like I said there are many pros and cons of each one, depending up on user intentions and thier experince determins which one is best.
As far as inboard brands ski boats that I'd recomend, I dont have an yexperince, but I see alot of a boat called Ski Nautique and Gekko
and looks like gekko has a nice seating arrangment that I for one could live with....
hehehe
Wow, thanks for the info PSS! I didn't know any of that stuff and it really helps me understand what to look for and what each configuration means.
Thanks again,
Duke
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 891
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From: Lost some where in the middle of the Ozark Mountains!
No problem.
There are many terms, and people often get them confused, it is so common for people to call a Stern Drive an Inboard that I often get confused when someone is talking about an actual inboard.
There are many terms, and people often get them confused, it is so common for people to call a Stern Drive an Inboard that I often get confused when someone is talking about an actual inboard.
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 273
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From: Las Vegas, NV
don't waste your time with a jet boat IMO. How many people are you gonna be taking out typically on the boat with you??
A jet boat will be a decent cruiser and can probably pull a tuber for some fun with a max of 4 people on the boat. obviously it depends on the size you get but they are typically smaller boats. If you load that thing full of people it's gonna run like a turd and you can probably forget skiing behind it. unless following the boat on 2 skis is your thing.
I have had experience with direct drive boats and I love them. I have always had Mastercraft's, but a buddy of mine has a ski nautique. These boats are definately a bit pricier but the performance and handling of them on the water is just awesome I love driving them. Plus they have plenty of power to do everything no matter how full the boat, or how fat the person being towed
Just pick up a nice used one and you don't have to get the fancy fully loaded ones either just stick with the standard open bow mastercraft or equivelent.
A jet boat will be a decent cruiser and can probably pull a tuber for some fun with a max of 4 people on the boat. obviously it depends on the size you get but they are typically smaller boats. If you load that thing full of people it's gonna run like a turd and you can probably forget skiing behind it. unless following the boat on 2 skis is your thing.
I have had experience with direct drive boats and I love them. I have always had Mastercraft's, but a buddy of mine has a ski nautique. These boats are definately a bit pricier but the performance and handling of them on the water is just awesome I love driving them. Plus they have plenty of power to do everything no matter how full the boat, or how fat the person being towed
Just pick up a nice used one and you don't have to get the fancy fully loaded ones either just stick with the standard open bow mastercraft or equivelent.
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 3,009
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From: In a van down by the river
In terms of Jet Boats I was thinking about one of these...but not at this price. I think this is a bit steep considering the boat retails around $22,000 brand new. It has a 215 HP supercharged intercooled rotax 4-tec engine. Is that not enough HP for 5 adults and two 130 adults in a tube behind the boat?
If so, what HP should I be looking for?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2007-...QQcmdZViewItem
If so, what HP should I be looking for?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2007-...QQcmdZViewItem
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Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 3,009
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From: In a van down by the river
Originally Posted by ThumperMX113
Duke, I've got that 215 hp in my 10' long jet ski.
Well how about the upgraded version the 230 with a 430 HP motor?
Duke
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 891
Likes: 1
From: Lost some where in the middle of the Ozark Mountains!
things you'll never hear a boat owner say....
I wish I'd gotten the smaler one
or
I wish I'd got the one with less horspower......
Smallest I'd go on any inboard of any kind is a 4.3L Merc v6.
From that, I'd step up to a V8. merc or volvo either one.
Automaticly subtract 20 hp for a jet drive vs a prop. It requires an extra 20 hp to turn the impellar.
I wish I'd gotten the smaler one
or
I wish I'd got the one with less horspower......
Smallest I'd go on any inboard of any kind is a 4.3L Merc v6.
From that, I'd step up to a V8. merc or volvo either one.
Automaticly subtract 20 hp for a jet drive vs a prop. It requires an extra 20 hp to turn the impellar.
