What are the disadvantages of a jet sled in salt water? Both for the motor - prop vs. jet; any special care after using in salt water; and also the handling of the boat vs a regular aluminum bow? thanks

Run it in freshwater and pressure wash the crap out of it

but zincs on motor and boat to be safe

The biggest issue is that most sleds have a pretty flat bottom, which limits your speed when on plane. Open bows are also a bit risky when it's rough.

I use my sled in the Sound all the time. I rinse it down pretty well after each trip, but no more so than I would any other boat.

All that rinsing seems like a lot of work....

SALT AWAY works great, and takes hardly any time at all. I Sportco has the best price on it.

Trolling with a sled is a bit nerve wracking especially with a flatter bottom. Get a gust of wind or a steady slight breeze and you're having to compensate, pretty noisy when you're kicking to a new spot, and the gas mileage is lousy with a jet. In the river its not bad to go from one hole to another just pull anchor and drift down with the motor in idle. I know the jet can wake alot of people up early A.M. in them apartments next to the launches . Mooching in a sled takes a liitle patience too with a breeze cause it can push you over the slot pretty fast or your lines drifting out too far and always got to have the little kickr' going as to correct the drift at times.

Robert

Forgot to mention that if you have the right trailer that the advantages at the boat launches is that you could line your trailer up in the middle of the launch and drive it up the trailer without a dock. Drop your buddy off and have him back the rig up and keep 2 FRS on board and give him one so as to let him know what to do.

Robert

I find I need to run around in a lake a bit till the thermostats in the main and kicker open up if I want a really good flush.

Up until a few years ago Wooldridge did not put zincs on all the pumps they mounted. They do now, but without a zinc in salt a pump will start corroding fast.

One other thing to note, is that without good zincs and using downriggers the ground voltages will be screwed up, I know commercial skippers who will swear themselves blue in the face that a boat with more zincs will catch more fish just due to the voltage difference.. I still think it sounds fishy

You will never get a boat that will do great in both the salt and rivers. It will do both but not great. I would worry about what you would do if you sucked some kelp in the pump. How you going to clean it. I was looking at the same thing when I purchased my boat. I finally decided to go with a prop as most of the time I would be on a lake or salt. I am still stuck on the shore when it comes to rivers but the time on the salt makes up for it.

If you already have a sled and want to run in the salt Don't worry about running it in salt as long as you rinse it in fresh water afterwards. as you should any boat prop or pump. I run my sled mostly in the river but do enjoy crabbing and fishing the salt once in a while. I have never had a problem with any corrosion but I do have zinc on the main motor and kicker. I would watch the weather as rough weather and sleds make for a nasty ride but as stated before in a low tide, launching and putting back on the trailer is a lot easier with a sled as you can motor up the trailer instead of winching.
Anyway go out and have fun and catch the big one!
Ramprat

Whats wrong with a little fish blood on the boat? I think it adds character!

Flat bottom boats on chop is brutal!