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[goodangler]

Hi There, I am looking for a Jet boat. I found a nice 19 ft.with a 175 sport jet in it with low hours. I am not too familiar with these ,so I was hoping for some input. Would it be better to go with a 305 ?
Thanks

[Mike D.]

depends how your looking at it....

175 is a good motor in my opinion....I personally like the sport jets

Positives with the 175 in a 19 footer are:

More fishing room as the 175 V6 is a lot smaller engine diameter then a 305 V8 probably half the size when you compare it.

Boat will get on plane faster due to the motor weighing less. (depends on boat weight however)

Boat will probably go faster due to the sportjet running at higher RPM's I think the 175 maxes out at 5200-5500rpm where as the 305 tops out at 3500 - 3700 this also depends on boat weight.


Downsides

More fuel consumption then the 305, typically a 175 drinks 6-9 gallons per hour compared to 4-7 gallons per hour in the 305

Louder, sport jets are 2 strokes and are a bit louder to the ears as they are higher pitched, you can still talk with a 175 though but they do make mufflers for them.

You have to have a special oil and add this in the boat ever so often, there is a separate reservoir for this in the motor....a 305 you don't need to keep adding oil all the time. Its just like a car engine verse a dirt bike engine.

No reverse, not really a must have, but you can weld ears on the pump and get OK reverse. Is fun for nose dives and playing around having no reverse!

That iss pretty much all I can say. I have a sport jet so if you have any questions ask away. The way I would look at is compare your fishing space to fuel efficiency. Which one do you want more?


What kind of boat is it?

[goodangler]

Thanks for The feedback. The Boat is a Thunderjet Luxor
Ron

[Mike D.]

That would be a nice boat with the 175 in it!

[leaseman]

That is the boat I have except mine has the 200.......... took until roughly 75 hours until the motor was "broken in" and delivers pretty good fuel economy..... Like Mike said, they are noisy (sound deadening can be put under the cover), reverse is just about none existant, but there are fast out of the hole and the extra room in the back is great!! Down side is the cost of the mix.....

[warlo_527]

I have had one for 2 years and very happy with it. It should also be noted that they are a bit cold blooded to start...it takes mine 2 to 3 cranks to get it started. I would say that the reverse is adequate. It can stop you almost on a dime in an emergency..but no you will not motor up the fraser in reverse. They have been rock solid reliable motors and are based on the old Mercury Black Max which is a proven powerhead. Mine is a 99 and haven't replaced the impeller yet and have done some gravel pumping and all my boating is in the Fraser which is tough on impellers due to silt. Handles 4-5 people just fine. My fuel economy at cruise is about 7 gph which is about 24 mph. At WOT it is about 15 gph at 43 mph...but you never want to burn that much fuel..I just cruise to my spots and think that respectable mileage...i would like to see what people with 305 or 350's get at cruise..i would think it's close if not more.

[goodangler]

Thanks for the feedback guys. I think maybe I will keep looking for a boat with a 305 or 4.3 in it.
Ron

[tnt]

try to stay clear of the 4.3Ltr... they are heavier than a 305, they require more rpm to get on step(especially with a load) and will use more fuel because you have to work the motor harder...the 175 is a great motor but uses way more fuel than the 200 optimax. with a standard carbed 305, in a 19 ft 7.5ft beam, 6 ft bottom thunder Jet Luxor hooked up with a floscan the motor at cruise which is 3100-3200rpm will burn 4.9-5.3 GPH, a fuel injected 350, 19 ft 7.5ft beam, 6 ft bottom, thunder Jet Luxor on the computer will burn at 3000rpm 4.2-4.5 Gph... the 350 at WOT will be burning 14GPH and topping out at 53-55MPH... these are actual numbers and not gauged by what we put in at the end of the day... in the end none of us just cruise...