prop vs. jet drive outboard

[sea_dawg]

I am int he process of trying to find a good used aluminun boat for duck hunting. I came across one today that looked to be around 17 ft. with a 65 hp yammy 4-strokem with jet drive. i am not very familiar with a jet drive outboard, i have heard that you can get in shallower water with them but some of the stuff that i will put it in is it worth it? i can imagine that it is a good bit more to purchase a motor with jet drive as well as getting it worked on.

Some input on the matter as well as some pros and cons on jet drive vs. prop drive will greatly be appreciated.

Thanks,

CJ

[jaydubbs]

I have a 65 hp jet on a 1760 tunnelled hull. Jets are wonderful if you find yourself in shallow flows (i mean shallow). I do all the maintinence on mine and overall its not a big deal.
I also duck hunt and use it for that from time to time. Jets HATE ice!!!! I mean really hate ice! If you'll be hunting/ fishin in shallow water, i would consider it! If you'll be in 2-3' of water that freezes during winter stick with a prop

[sea_dawg]

i appreciate the info.. I live in South East Georgia so i dont think the is a real big issue, some of the places i do hunt requires me to get across sand bars that are less than a foot deep, so what about picking up trash and over heating, would that be a concern?

I guess I will talk to the man that owns the boat to make sure I dont have to take out a second mortgage for buy the damn thing.. i may be asking questions for no reason. if i do get it i will post befor and after pics.

Again I appreciate the info.

CJ

[Agitated88]

By far I am the LEAST of all experts on this subject...but, from what I know, jet vs prop = less thrust. How about a jack-plate...? Jay (Bite-Me) just added a jet, and Bill @billschwabe can probably give you the pros/con's on jets vs props. Good luck either way!!

[billschwabe]

For real shallow running nothing beats a jet drive. They are less efficient than a conventional prop setup, about 30% less in most cases but the manufacturers usually rate them based on produced thrust so the 65 probably is a 90 powerhead. Runing in real shallow sandy bottoms will suck up sand but if it has a stainless impeller and ring, they won't wear that quickly, aluminum ones will though. There are a ton of them running around here mostly on commercial net boats and duck guides. Those guys depend on them for income so they must be reliable!