I'm considering buying my first jet boat. I've owned prop powered boats from 18 - 30ft so far. I'm looking for something smaller that will pull tubes for a family of 4, but also double up as a shallow water boat for exploring/fishing the rivers in my area. I'm looking for something that is reasonably efficient, reliable and needs minimal maintenance.
I've found a 2004 Sportster 4-Tec 155hp with about 50 hours. I can get it for about $8.5k. It's in good condition with no obvious issues. The sale would be conditional on a water test and mechanical inspection (compression check etc).
I've scoured this forum for as much information as I can get on this model and jet boats in general.
I'm interested in your opinions on:
1. How well would this pull tubes? Is the 155hp version enough? Typically I would have 2 adults and 2 kids in the boat. I don't need a really fast boat, 30+mph is fine for what I want to do.
2. I originally thought a jet boat would be good for the potentially shallow areas in our rivers with it's shallow draft. However after researching here, I'm concerned about the jet sucking in weeds, sand etc from shallow water areas. We mostly have sandy bottoms to our lakes and rivers in this areas (West Michigan). Should I be concerned about this?
I'm flip-flopping right now between the Sportster or an outboard powered small boat (may be a RIB).
Thanks for your advice.
Jon.
I've found a 2004 Sportster 4-Tec 155hp with about 50 hours. I can get it for about $8.5k. It's in good condition with no obvious issues. The sale would be conditional on a water test and mechanical inspection (compression check etc).
I've scoured this forum for as much information as I can get on this model and jet boats in general.
I'm interested in your opinions on:
1. How well would this pull tubes? Is the 155hp version enough? Typically I would have 2 adults and 2 kids in the boat. I don't need a really fast boat, 30+mph is fine for what I want to do.
2. I originally thought a jet boat would be good for the potentially shallow areas in our rivers with it's shallow draft. However after researching here, I'm concerned about the jet sucking in weeds, sand etc from shallow water areas. We mostly have sandy bottoms to our lakes and rivers in this areas (West Michigan). Should I be concerned about this?
I'm flip-flopping right now between the Sportster or an outboard powered small boat (may be a RIB).
Thanks for your advice.
Jon.
