Prop versus Jet

[Terry Imai]

I totally understand that there's no perfect fly fishing boat but I'm looking for either the Lowe or G3 16' boat to fish:

1. Stillwater (50% of the time)

2. Delta (35% of the time) and

3. Shallow rivers with obstacles (15%)

I currently own a driftboat with an 8 hp to putt around along with a 10' pram but I'll be shopping next spring for an additional boat for the above conditions. I understand the pluses and minuses with determining between a prop versus jet. Given the type of fishing I'll be doing, it appears a prop makes the most sense but I'm just checking to see if I'm not considering something else to influence my decision to go "jet".

Thanks in advance...

[shawn kempkes]

I would reccomend you buy a jet with a bay kit. That way you have both. Several of my friends have them. The bay kit allows you to change between a prop and a jet in about an hour. http://www.baymfg.com/

[Terry Imai]

Thanks for the info. I didn't know this particular OEM existed but I can see this being a situation of "having my cake and eat it too"....

Wonderful solution...

[Jim May]

Hi Terry
You should check Sutter Marine they can set you up with the G3 with a prop. and a jack plate for a jet pump best of both worlds.I have had boats set up this way it takes about 1/2 an hour to change it over from prop. to pump if your handy with tools.
Jim May

[Bill Kiene semi-retired]

Terry,

Lots of good info here.....

Go see Brian @ Sutter Marine.

He has set up dozens or our friends with nice boats, mostly jet outboards.

Having one go from jet to prop is the way to go.

The Lowe and G3 all welded aluminum boats are very similar but Brian can get better pricing on the G3 because it is owned by Yamaha and the package prices are better.

Be sure Brian will be there when you go to check them out.

[TaylerW]

i ran a g3 1652 vbw with a 40/30 yamaha jet all summer in alaska. amazing boat. AMAZING.

[ptychocheilus]

Also consider just going with a jet. You may find yourself spending more than 15% of your time on skinny water, if only because you'll discover new water that you (and other prop-bound souls) previously couldn't get to. The cost, minor drop in performance, and occasional gripe of pulling weeds or leaves or gravel out of the intake is MORE than made up by not having to ever worry about losing a prop or lower unit! If I had to switch between prop and jet every time I wanted to go fishing, I think I'd wade instead.

[Bill Kiene semi-retired]

Also consider just going with a jet. You may find yourself spending more than 15% of your time on skinny water, if only because you'll discover new water that you (and other prop-bound souls) previously couldn't get to. The cost, minor drop in performance, and occasional gripe of pulling weeds or leaves or gravel out of the intake is MORE than made up by not having to ever worry about losing a prop or lower unit! If I had to switch between prop and jet every time I wanted to go fishing, I think I'd wade instead.

This is a good post....

A jet will let you fish many Nor Cal rivers for trout, steelhead, salmon, stripers and smallmouth bass.

[trinity]

I bought a lowe jon boat a few years ago and had similar thoughts about switching from pump to prop depending on what type of water I'd be fishing. I had the jack plate put on the transom so it would be easy to switch over. Since I have had the boat I have never switched over to the prop. I use the boat mostly for river running, but also enjoy bass fishing on the lake. The pump is fine for the lake, or any other place I would use a prop. It is definitely not as fast as the prop, but not that big of a deal to me. Going with the pump just makes your boat more versatile. Also, going with the jon boat is a great move! They can do so much, really a blast.

[JAWallace]

From Craigslist: Near new Tracker 1654 Honda 50/35 jet with warranty 'til 2014. Center console, Minn Kota, looks really nice and clean. Asking $11K. Not bad for an opener. The only thing better IMO would be a Lowe vs. Tracker and etec power, but this is a nice package. http://sacramento.craigslist.org/boa/2624382201.html

[RobK.]

Hi Terry
You should check Sutter Marine they can set you up with the G3 with a prop. and a jack plate for a jet pump best of both worlds.I have had boats set up this way it takes about 1/2 an hour to change it over from prop. to pump if your handy with tools.
Jim May

G3 's by Yamaha are a great boat . i have a 1442 with a 8 hp 2 stroke prop , even though its a prop i can get into some of the darnedest places .:) Plus you need way less weight and HP with a prop .


http://s365.photobucket.com/albums/oo96/Rkempton/duck%20hunting/?action=view&current=largphotoG3Jonboat.jpg

[Frank Alessio]

The only down side of the jet is in a weedy area you are done as soon as you suck that stuff into your pump.... a prop will chop its way thru some of it....

[Hogan Brown]

Prop. with a tunnel hull set the cavitation plate even with the top of the tunnel so there is no prop below the bottom of the main hull. Done.

There a few welders in chico, ca that will but a tunnel hull on any boat for about 6-800$ depending on the boat.

[Swanee]

I'm running an 18 1/2' smokercraft CC sled w/ an 115/80 jet and when I get into trash and have to go slow anyway, I kick in the 8 HP prop thats linked to the steering. The economy on a lake isn't great but usually only use 5 to 7 gallons a day running around, most time fishing with the electric.
The worst situation was last fall at Disco when the weeds choked me out of there because it wasn't worth fighting.
I have wondered what it would run like if I had a prop but can't justify the bucks. just my 2 cents.
Swanee

[matooka]

I agree with the previous posts. I purchased my jet from Brian at Sutter Marine 9 years ago...and it's still going strong. On rivers, I prefer the tiller which equates to more room in the boat, better oar configuration and optimum directional response time when needed. I have a Honda 2hp trolling motor on the stern for trolling lakes and equip the bow with the Minn Kota when stalking stripers in the delta. You will enjoy the flexibility with the jet. You'll no longer need a shuttle and you'll always have the ability to leave the water if necessary. Over time, the pump will require more maintenance and money to stay in the game...unless...you risk too many props in small water! Word of caution, the learning curve operating a jet on a big river is risky and challenging. My maiden voyage on the Lower Sac ended prematurely with a gaping hole after broadsiding a submerged boulder while drifting. I've also lost my reverse gate on a completely different trip navigating the Lower Sac. Reverse is important on a river. I go through intake grates like they're toothpicks. Brian repaired my boat for free even though it was operator error. He's a good man!