Deciding on a jet boat for BC interior lakes and rivers

[Opticalmike]

I would disagree with the notion that the 200 Optimax SPORT JET burns more fuel than a 350 with any jet drive. the sportjet motor and jet drive are
a good 500 pounds lighter...and the optimax sportjet at 30 mph burns 7 gph or less.



Re: 200 Sportjet fuel consumption?

Postby riverhound » Wed Nov 28, 2012 11:25 am
20' Alaskan XL with 200hp Mercury Optimax

750 lbs. payload
RPM MPH GPH MPG
1000 4.5 0.5 9.0
1000 4.5 0.5 9.0
1500 5.4 1.1 4.9
2000 6.8 1.8 3.7
2500 8.4 2.6 3.2
3000 10.7 3.8 3.3
3500 22.4 5.6 4.0
4000 28.6 7.6 3.7
4500 33.2 10.5 3.1
5000 38.4 13.2 2.9
5400 42.2 20.0 2.1
2,250 lbs. payload
RPM MPH GPH MPG
4000 15.6 7.6 2.0
4500 28.9 10.5 2.7
5000 34.8 13.2 2.6
5600 39.0 20.0 2.8
3,750 lbs. payload
RPM MPH GPH MPG
5000 32.0 13.2 2.4
5600 35.3 20.0 1.7

User avatar
riverhound
Boat Enthusiast

Posts: 242
Joined: Mon Jul 09, 2007 8:56 pm
Location: Billings, Montana

[Norriv commander]

I would disagree with the notion that the 200 Optimax SPORT JET burns more fuel than a 350 with any jet drive. the sportjet motor and jet drive are
a good 500 pounds lighter...and the optimax sportjet at 30 mph burns 7 gph or less.



Re: 200 Sportjet fuel consumption?

Postby riverhound » Wed Nov 28, 2012 11:25 am
20' Alaskan XL with 200hp Mercury Optimax

750 lbs. payload
RPM MPH GPH MPG
1000 4.5 0.5 9.0
1000 4.5 0.5 9.0
1500 5.4 1.1 4.9
2000 6.8 1.8 3.7
2500 8.4 2.6 3.2
3000 10.7 3.8 3.3
3500 22.4 5.6 4.0
4000 28.6 7.6 3.7
4500 33.2 10.5 3.1
5000 38.4 13.2 2.9
5400 42.2 20.0 2.1
2,250 lbs. payload
RPM MPH GPH MPG
4000 15.6 7.6 2.0
4500 28.9 10.5 2.7
5000 34.8 13.2 2.6
5600 39.0 20.0 2.8
3,750 lbs. payload
RPM MPH GPH MPG
5000 32.0 13.2 2.4
5600 35.3 20.0 1.7

User avatar
riverhound
Boat Enthusiast

Posts: 242
Joined: Mon Jul 09, 2007 8:56 pm
Location: Billings, Montana

I have been running a flow scan fuel gauge for the last three years and so far it's been accurate to within 2 litres on a 200 litre fill up...
so when loaded as described in previous post I'm 3400rpm 29-30mph and 42litres per hour which works out to 9.25 imperial gallons per hour.

we both started with full tanks and after the trip both filled up at same gas station to compare...He had burned 120 litres I had burned 110litres and I was definatly
packing a lot more weight than he was...so just going by what gas pump said.

[smitty]

Keep in mind, I've only been running my own boat for two years now. But I have some observations:

- a 20' boat with a sport jet packing 5 or 6 guys with 10 days worth of camping gear? Seems like a lot to ask of the boat, unless the guys are all skinny and all camping gear resembles what back packers use
- the fuel burn rate listed above, referencing riverjohn with the 20' Alaskan with 750 pounds, I think 4 mpg sounds impressive for a jet boat
- I would be impressed to see a 20' boat with 200 hp (correct me if I'm wrong) packing 3,750 pounds. That's almost like parking my Pathfinder in the boat and going for a ride

When boat shopping, buy more room and more power than you think you will need. You want to be happy with it and satisfied with the performance 5 years from now, not just on a test drive. Best of luck.

[PeterKam]

Keep in mind, I've only been running my own boat for two years now. But I have some observations:

- a 20' boat with a sport jet packing 5 or 6 guys with 10 days worth of camping gear? Seems like a lot to ask of the boat, unless the guys are all skinny and all camping gear resembles what back packers use
- the fuel burn rate listed above, referencing riverjohn with the 20' Alaskan with 750 pounds, I think 4 mpg sounds impressive for a jet boat
- I would be impressed to see a 20' boat with 200 hp (correct me if I'm wrong) packing 3,750 pounds. That's almost like parking my Pathfinder in the boat and going for a ride

When boat shopping, buy more room and more power than you think you will need. You want to be happy with it and satisfied with the performance 5 years from now, not just on a test drive. Best of luck.

Thanks,

That is quite the load. I should clarify. The 5 to 6 would be 2 adults with 3 to 4 small kids. And camping gear is light. Most trips with adults would be 4 and that is usually a 3 day trip. Anyway, after a lot of consideration I have made a choice to go with a prop configuration. A Kingfisher 2025 with a 150 Yamaha and kicker. Decided that my use will be mostly lakes and the odd shallow river. I have navigated the short white water river between Clearwater Lake and Azure Lake with a prop in the past and replaced about 4 props over 20 years. As much as the jet is appealing, it just doesn't warrant the additional cost in both equipment and fuel use.

[smitty]

.. and sometimes a prop makes more sense. My brother runs a 20' Hewes Craft with a 130 Honda prop, which works fantastic in local Eastern WA state.

Between my brother and I, I'm the dummy who feels the need to drag my barge down to Lewiston and runs the silly stuff like Hells Canyon and Lower Salmon. Meanwhile, my truck and boat... vacuum money out of my account via the gas pump.

Please show us pictures of your new boat when you get it, and tell us stories... have lots of good memories in prop boats

[Norrey]

I have a 19 foot North River Seahawk deep v with an in-board jet. Bought it for exactly the same reasons you are looking. Handles great in waves on the lake but you can still run most rivers. I put a Scott Hydraulic trim nozzle on it which gets you on step with a large load. I may be selling it if your interested. Located in Kelowna. I am considering moveing up to a tottaly enclosed hard top.....if the wife will let me

[waylon]

if you are worried about fuel consumption. you can't afford a jet boat.

[Opticalmike]

Get the sportjet....I have both a 18ft harbercraft with the 240 sport jet and a 21' Outlaw Eagle Saber steptec with the 5.7 330 hp Vortec. The harbercraft and 2 stroke are much easier to
get unstuck due to weight. There is plenty of payload with the much lighter sportjet. Lots of power for pulling kids in tubes. Hole shot is much better with the 2 stroke as well. I love the sound of a V8
but the boat is noticeably slower to get up and go especially with a 250 liter fuel tank which is right in front of the engine...in the rear of the boat. My 2002 open bow Eagle E6 sabre is currently for sale if interested in the v8.
Mine has only 300 hours on it. New camper top and travel tarps, an espar diesel heater and coolant heater.
mike

[westsyde]

I am heading up to azure this week , 20 outlaw 383cu 4 people and gear . how much fuel usually do u go through , I have 80 gallon tank

[worthy]

Waylon is right, if you want to play you have to pay! You will only remember the fun you had, not how much it cost for gas.