Newbie in need of help... I will soon be the owner of my first jet sled.

Could somebody out there post a link to a good resource for the overall care and maintenance of an outboad jet?

Here's a good article with pics and more links after doing a quick search. Link

Doc:

Way to go on the purchase of a jetboat. My poor old drift boat just sits. Be prepared for a different reaction from "bankies and drift boaters", sometimes no matter how hard you try to be nice.......just having the jet boat is wrong in some people eyes.

Here's some of the things I recommend:

1. Have a set of tools: wrenches, to be able to take the lower unit apart, most are 1/2, then one to take the nut off the shaft. This is really no big deal but sure makes it nice to be able to do "right on the river". Tough to "get home" sometimes with just a kicker motor.

2. Carry at least a extra quart of oil......I've never run out but saved someone butt out in the Chehalis who did.

3. Grease the lower unit---everytime, you use boat.......I do mine after I've pulled out of the way at the boat launch.......after I'm done fishing.

4. Grease the "buddy bearings" on the trailer. Tough call here, cause it depends on on far you are pulling, I do mine often only cause I don't ever want to be 1 of those, along side the road with a "burned up bearing".

5. If you hit gravel, and sooner or later you will, then learn how to straigthen the "bars" at the bottom of the pump housing. This is best done at home.

6. If you hit gravel, you might nic the blades on the impeller. Can look up there and see if they are bad, if they are then take the impeller out, and "only file the bottom side.
This is a do at home, but sure can make a difference in getting up on plane and top end speed.

7. All jet units have "shims" located at the top end of the shaft that holds the impeller. As you get wear between the impeller and the liner it is sometimes necessary to move a shim from the top of the impeller, down to the bottom. I've had to do this 2 times right on the river, running into sand will cause this. If the clearance between inpeller and housing is to great........then "its no go or not much", engine will run fine but blows no water out.

I'm amazed at how many people are afraid to work on the lower unit. Sure saved my butt, and have helped 3 or 4 others.

"Worse day sport fishing, still better than the best day working"

Hey FNP, what are you buying, how big and what brand? I really miss my Alumweld, but it was doing an awful lot of sitting while I used the glass boat. The times I really miss it are during the fall salmon times, used run the satsop at 3 in the morning to get the best spot, remember doing that once and got there to only find a guide sled with the same idea, had to laugh. It is spooky running at night, but if you have run the river enough, you can do it in the dark.
I'll have to beg for a ride this fall....lol.

Steve

Way to go you got that boat thats a real nice boat and would like to know if you have open seat for the cowlitz.

Nice resource, Coop! That one is bookmarked for life!


Thanks!

Carry strong pliers to pull rocks and other "stuff" out of your grate.

American Turbine makes inboard pumps, but the principles are the same. Your tach is your friend. http://www.americanturbine.com/information/understand_jetboat.htm

More info... What happens when you hit?

Thanks jimh... those links are marked as well. You guys are great! Now back to Outboard Jets 101.

you can always go right to the source at http://www.outboardjets.com . They helped me with a few questions I had on converting an old merc over to a jet.