I need some in put on which one to purchase.I've always been a out board fan.But the sport jet has my wheels turnin.Any feed back would be nice.I don't want it to turn into a north river thread that was on another board.Good luck,
STRIKE ZONE

SZ, I've only driven one - guide Jerry Shipe's SJ 175 on his 20' Motion Marine sled - and it performed very well. It cavitates less than the OB/jet and runs quieter/smoother. It seems to handle as quickly with the tiller run model. Most feedback on it has been good. However, the newer SJ 240 model has had some negative feedback; i.e.- it cavitates some (maybe too much power for the pump they use?). I don't see where you would need that much power though. The SJ 175 uses a 225 h.p. 2 cycle head I think; and 175 at the pump is plenty, and felt strong with a load when I drove it. They give you the benefit of running greener water thru the pump w/o taking up as much room as an inboard V-8 with pump. But I would also be very happy with a Yamaha 200/140 OB jet too. Mercs are OK, but will usually need a re-build sooner.

RT

Thanks R.T.
Good luck,
STRIKE ZONE

Sport Jets = yuck. Thats just my opinion. Actually Ive been pretty impressed with the SJ's Ive been around. They seem to move the boat along at a pretty good clip. The only boat boat Ive ridden in that has a SJ was a 19' JetCraft Yukon. It jumped out of the hole fast and would run about 48 mph at top speed.
Im still for a V8 inboard or a big outboard. One thing I would look at before buying any motor is the cost of maintainance.

STRIKE ZONE,
The 175 Sportjet is a 200 horse Merc. powerhead, it pushes my 19' Thunderjet around quite well; out of the hole pretty quick, 48-50 mph top speed, handles well at high speed and especially maneuvering at low (off plane) speed such as loading and around the dock. It will bury the bow if needs be to emergency stop. I had a 16' Wooldridge Alaskan with a Merc. 55hp jet outboard, it is hard to compare the two, obviously quite different boats. The SJ is quieter than my old outboard but that outboard was 12 years old. Compared to my partners 2000 Merc. 80 Jet outboard the SJ is a little quieter (that is my partner's comment and I agree). Good luck on your choice. If you would like to go for a ride and check it out, e-mail me and we will get together. Just have to plan around work. Hope this helps. Good luck

Doubletake

sportjets were made for fiberglass jetski`s and those little 2 seater glass play boats, no clean out, no stainless sleeve to protect the case, gear drivin ?? the main thing you save on these is money, you ever changed the gear lube on a sportjet ?? not fun. this sportjet is a toy and was not made for the conditions they are being put in.

I would agree with what Doubletake and RT said. It's a better setup than an outboard since the pump is bigger and more efficient. Unless your running big whitewater I think its a good choice. Plan on 6-10 gph fuel consumption depending on how fast you like to go.

Never mind what boater says.....uh, I mean dogsalmon :p .......the SJ has been around for over 3 years now and have had little problems. Looking at my service manual, the gear oil change looks pretty simple to me. Good luck!

Can anyone tell me the price difference on a 175 Sportjet and say a 200 horse optimax outboard? I think that would be the big factor for me.

Thanks guy's.I beleive the price difference
is around $4,000.00 to $5,000.00.That's why
it's got me leaning towards a sportjet.Good luck,
STRIKE ZONE