• Mercury Sport Jet

. Operation Maintenance Warranty Manual.

Declaration of Conformity ‑ For Recreational Craft Propulsion Engines with the Requirements of Directive 94/25/EC as amended by Directive 2003/44/EC Name of engine manufacturer: Mercury Marine Address: W6250 Pioneer Road, P.O. Box 1939 Town: Fond du Lac, WI Post Code: Country: USA Name of Authorized Representative: Brunswick Marine in EMEA Inc. (they are) to be installed has been declared in conformity with the relevant provisions of the above mentioned Directives. Name / function: John Pfeifer, President, Mercury Marine Date and place of issue: September 10, 2014 Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, USA Welcome You have selected one of the finest jet drives available. Mercury Marine EPA Emissions Regulations Jet Drives manufactured by Mercury Marine in the United States are certified to the United States Environmental Protection Agency as conforming to the requirements of the regulations for the control of air pollution from new Jet Drive motors. Offers a clean, neat shop with well‑organized tools and service literature. Copyright and Trademark Information © MERCURY MARINE.

All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited.

Alpha, Axius, Bravo One, Bravo Two, Bravo Three, Circle M with Waves Logo, K‑planes, Mariner, MerCathode, MerCruiser, Mercury, Mercury with Waves. WARRANTY INFORMATION Warranty Registration United States and Canada.1 Transfer of Warranty United States and Canada.1 Transfer of Mercury Product Protection (Extended Service Coverage) Plan United States and Canada. 2 3 Year Limited Warranty Against Corrosion.2 Warranty Coverage and Exclusions.4 U.S. Engine Break‑In Procedure.39 Starting the Engine.

39 Shifting.41 Stopping the Engine.42 Maintenance Mercury Jet Drive Care.43 Replacement Parts for Your Power Package. 43 EPA Emissions Regulations.43 Inspection and Maintenance Schedule.

44 Clearing A Clogged Water Intake.46 Fuel System. Service Away from Home. 68 Stolen Power Package.68 Attention Required After Submersion. 68 Replacement Service Parts.68 Parts and Accessories Inquiries.

68 Resolving a Problem.69 Contact Information for Mercury Marine Customer Service.69 Ordering Literature. 70 Maintenance Log Maintenance Log.72. Federal Safety Act be required. You may change your registered address at any time, including at time of warranty claim, by calling Mercury Marine or sending a letter or fax with your name, old address, new address, and engine serial number to Mercury Marine’s warranty registration department.

Protection or an authorized dealer to receive a Request for Transfer form. Submit to Mercury Product Protection a receipt/bill of sale, a completed Request of Transfer form, and a check payable to Mercury Marine in the amount of $50.00 (per engine) to cover the transfer fee. COVERAGE: Warranty coverage is available only to retail customers that purchase from a Dealer authorized by Mercury Marine to distribute the product in the country in which the sale occurred, and then only after the Mercury Marine specified predelivery inspection process is completed and documented. Mercury Precision Parts or Quicksilver MerCathode system and/or Galvanic Isolator. Corrosion damage caused by improper application of copper base antifouling paints is also not covered by this limited warranty. Use of other than Mercury Precision or Quicksilver parts when making warranty repairs.

Oils, lubricants, or fluids changed as a matter of normal maintenance is customer's responsibility unless loss or contamination of same is caused by product failure that would be eligible for warranty consideration. EPA Emissions Limited Warranty Consistent with the obligations created by 40 CFR Part 1045, Subpart B, Mercury Marine provides an emission warranty of three years or 480 hours of engine use whichever occurs first to the retail purchaser, that the engine is. NOTE: The emission‑related warranty does not cover components whose failure would not increase an engine's emissions on any regulated pollutant. Warranty Policy—Australia and New Zealand MERCURY/MARINER OUTBOARD LIMITED WARRANTY—AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND POLICY This limited warranty is given by Marine Power International Pty Ltd ACN 003 100 007 of 41–71 Bessemer Drive, Dandenong South, Victoria 3175 Australia. WARRANTY INFORMATION What is Covered Mercury Marine warrants its new products to be free of defects in material and workmanship during the period described following.

The benefits to the consumer given by the warranty are in addition to other rights and remedies of the consumer under a law in relation to the goods or services to which the warranty relates. The customer must provide Mercury Marine with a reasonable opportunity to repair and reasonable access to the product for warranty service. Warranty claims shall be made by delivering the product for inspection to a Mercury Marine dealer authorized to service the product. A list of dealers and their contact details is available at www.mercurymarine.com.au. Mercury Marine to make any affirmation, representation or warranty regarding the product, other than those contained in this limited warranty, and if made, shall not be enforceable against Mercury Marine. For additional information regarding events and circumstances covered by this.

You may change your address at any time, including at the time of the warranty claim, by calling Mercury Marine or sending a letter or fax with your name, old address, new address, and hull identification number (HIN) to Mercury Marine’s Warranty Registration Department. WARRANTY INFORMATION CANADA WARRANTY CHARTS–OUTBOARD AND JET Standard Limited Standard Limited Product Corrosion Warranty Warranty 2‑Stroke carbureted (50 ‑ 90 hp) 1 year 3 years 2‑Stroke EFI (150 hp) 2 years 3 years 2‑Stroke carbureted (V6) 2 years 3 years FourStroke (2.5 ‑. WARRANTY INFORMATION SOUTH PACIFIC WARRANTY CHART–OUTBOARD AND JET Standard Standard Limited Products Limited Light Commercial Corrosion Warranty Warranty Contact the Marine All outboard 2 years 3 years Power Service Center closest to you Outside of South Pacific For product purchased outside of the South Pacific region, contact the distributor in your country, or the Marine Power Service Center closest to you. WARRANTY INFORMATION EUROPE AND THE CONFEDERATION OF INDEPENDENT STATES (CIS) WARRANTY CHARTS–OUTBOARD AND JET Standard Product Standard Limited Commercial (Recreational Limited Corrosion Application only) Warranty Warranty 2‑Stroke 2 years 3 years FourStroke 2 years 3 years Contact the Marine OptiMax Power Service Center (including Pro 3 years.

WARRANTY INFORMATION Racing Product Standard Limited Standard Limited Corrosion (Recreational only) Warranty Warranty Verado 350 SCi 2 years 3 years Outside Middle‑East and Africa For products purchased outside of the Middle‑East and Africa regions, contact the distributor in your country, or the Marine Power Service Center closest to you. If you have any questions, contact your dealer. This manual as well as safety labels posted on the Mercury Jet Drive use safety alerts to draw your attention to special safety instructions that must be followed.

26777 High‑Speed and High‑Performance Boat Operation If your Mercury Jet Drive is to be used in a high‑speed or high‑performance boat with which you are unfamiliar, we recommend that you never operate it at its high speed capability without first requesting an initial orientation and familiarization demonstration ride with your dealer or an operator experienced with your Mercury Jet Drive. GENERAL INFORMATION Mercury Jet Drive Remote Control The remote control connected to your Mercury Jet Drive must be equipped with a start‑in‑gear protection device. This prevents the engine from starting when the Mercury Jet Drive is in forward or reverse. GENERAL INFORMATION Read the following safety information before proceeding.

Important Safety Information: The purpose of a lanyard stop switch is to stop the engine when the operator moves far enough away from the operator's position to activate the switch. This would occur if the operator accidentally falls overboard or otherwise moves away from the operator's position.

Stop the Mercury Jet Drive engine immediately whenever anyone in the water is near your boat. The Mercury Jet Drive is always drawing water through the water intake grate when the engine is running. Stay away from the water intake located under the stern (back) of the boat and never insert an object into the water intake or water outlet nozzle while the engine is running. GENERAL INFORMATION Exhaust Emissions BE ALERT TO CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING Carbon monoxide (CO) is a deadly gas that is present in the exhaust fumes of all internal combustion engines, including the engines that propel boats, and the generators that power boat accessories. By itself, CO is odorless, colorless, and tasteless, but if you can smell or taste engine exhaust, you are inhaling Early symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning, which are similar to the symptoms of seasickness and intoxication, include headache, dizziness.

GENERAL INFORMATION Example of desired air flow through the boat: 5448 POOR VENTILATION Under certain running or wind conditions, permanently enclosed cabins, canvas enclosed cabins, or cockpits with insufficient ventilation may draw in carbon monoxide. Install one or more carbon monoxide detectors in your boat. Although the occurrence is rare, on a calm day, swimmers and passengers in an open area of a stationary boat that contains, or is near, a running engine may be exposed to a hazardous level of carbon monoxide. GENERAL INFORMATION Wave and Wake Jumping Operating recreational boats over waves and wake is a natural part of boating. However, when this activity is done with sufficient speed to force the boat hull partially or completely out of the water, certain hazards arise, particularly when the boat enters the water.

Some accessories not manufactured or sold by Mercury Marine are not designed to be safely used with your Mercury Jet Drive. Acquire and read the installation, operation, and maintenance manuals for all your selected accessories. Prepare other boat operators.

Instruct at least one other person onboard in the basics of starting and operating your Mercury Jet Drive, and boat handling, in case the driver becomes disabled or falls overboard. Passenger boarding. Stop the engine whenever passengers are boarding, unloading, or are near the back (stern) of the boat.

Model Number XXXXXXX Model # XXXXXXX XXXXXXX Serial # Serial Number XXXXXXX XXXXXX Mercury Marine Brunswick Corp. Fond du Lac, WI 54935 Assembled in the USA from US and foreign components 44931 Engine serial number Model designation Year of manufacture.Battery manufacturers may rate and test their batteries to different standards. MCA, CCA, Ah, and reserve capacity (RC) are the ratings recognized by Mercury Marine.

Manufacturers that use standards different than these, such as equivalent MCA, do not meet Mercury Marine battery requirements. GENERAL INFORMATION Component Identification 44935 Reverse gate Rudder Stator Wear ring Bilge siphon hose ‑ from engine Bilge siphon pickup screen Water intake. Fuel Additives To minimize carbon deposit buildup in the engine, add Mercury or Quicksilver Quickare Fuel Treatment to the engine's fuel at each tank fill throughout the boating season.

If electrical acces- nize that some aftermarket accessories. Yamaha v-star 950 reviews. • SAFETY INFORMATION Check that the fuel cock (if equipped) is in the “OFF” position and that there are no fuel leaks.

Use the additive as directed on the container. FUEL RATINGS Mercury Marine engines will operate satisfactorily when using a major brand of unleaded gasoline meeting the following specifications: USA and Canada ‑ having a posted pump octane rating of 87 (R+M)/2 minimum. IMPORTANT: When operating a Mercury Marine engine on gasoline containing alcohol, storage of gasoline in the fuel tank for long periods should be avoided. FUEL AND OIL 2. Tighten the fill cap.

FEATURES AND CONTROLS Bilge Siphon The Mercury Jet Drive incorporates an automatic bilge siphoning feature. The bilge siphon is working whenever the engine is running above idle speeds. Maximum performance of the bilge siphon is realized above 3000 RPM. FEATURES AND CONTROLS 1.

Continuous six second beep: Indicates a critical engine condition. Depending on the condition, the Engine Guardian system may engage and protect the engine by limiting power. You should return to port immediately and contact your servicing dealer. Engage the throttle. If the engine does not respond, repeat step 1. SMARTCRAFT PRODUCT A Mercury SmartCraft System instrument package can be purchased for this outboard.

A few of the functions the instrument package will display are engine RPM, coolant temperature, oil pressure, water pressure, battery voltage, fuel consumption, and engine operating hours. OPERATION Before Starting the Engine NOTICE Lack of oil pressure in the system can cause severe internal engine damage during start‑up. Prime the oil injection pump on new or rebuilt engines or after performing maintenance on the oiling system. Refer to Priming the Oil Injection Pump for instructions. Prestarting Checklist Ensure that you are familiar with safe navigation, boating, and operating procedures. The jet drive works by drawing water up through the bottom water intake and directs it to the rear for forward thrust. The Mercury Jet Drive has a steerable rudder that can direct the jet thrust to the right or left.

If the engine stops or the water flow is blocked, this will stop the jet thrust causing the boat to slow to a stop. OPERATION. If the jet intake becomes fouled such that the boat cannot reach planing speeds, it may be possible to clear the obstruction as follows (perform this maneuver only in an area clear of obstacles and hazards as steering control will momentarily be lost): a. OPERATION Wash the exterior and interior of the jet drive with fresh water after each use. Each month, spray Quicksilver or Mercury Precision Corrosion Guard on external metal surfaces.

Do not spray Corrosion Guard on the corrosion control anodes. Coating the anodes with Corrosion Guard will reduce the effectiveness of the anodes.

OPERATION 1. Before starting, operate the bilge blower for at least five minutes to remove explosive fumes from the engine compartment. 4640 NOTICE Avoid damaging the engine and drive from overheating. Never start or run the power package without water circulating through the cooling system. OPERATION 4.

Shift the jet drive into neutral. Do not advance the throttle speed past idle for starting. Dual handle Single handle 44355 5. For initial start of a new engine or for an engine that ran out of fuel or was drained of fuel, fill the fuel system as follows: a.

OPERATION b. Neutral (N) ‑ has the reverse gate covering half the water outlet nozzle to distribute thrust both forward and backward. The drive impeller continues to rotate and the boat may tend to creep in one direction. This is normal for a direct‑drive jet‑driven boat. Use caution whenever the engine is running. Mercury recommends using original Mercury Precision replacement parts and lubricants.

EPA Emissions Regulations All new Mercury Jet Drives manufactured by Mercury Marine are certified to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, as conforming to the requirements of the regulations for the control of air pollution from new Mercury Jet Drive motors. MAINTENANCE EMISSION CERTIFICATION LABEL An emission certification label, showing emission levels and engine specifications directly related to emissions, is placed on the engine at the time of manufacture. EMISSION CONTROL INFORMATION THIS ENGINE CONFORMS TO CALIFORNIA AND U.S. EPA EMISSION REGULATIONS FOR SPARK IGNITION MARINE ENGINES REFER TO OWNERS MANUAL FOR REQUIRED MAINTENANCE, SPECIFICATIONS, AND ADJUSTMENTS IDLE SPEED (in gear).

Mercury Sport Jet

Drain and replace the stator housing lubricant. Refer to Stator Assembly Lubricant. Remove the impeller and lubricate the impeller shaft with Quicksilver or Mercury Precision 2‑4‑C with PTFE to prevent the impeller from seizing to the shaft.

Inspect the alternator belt. Refer to Alternator Belt Inspection. MAINTENANCE Clearing A Clogged Water Intake The hydro surge (weed) grate and cast aluminum grate are intended for general use.

The rock grate is intended for use if operating the jet drive in rocky, shallow conditions. 5465 Hydro surge grate Cast aluminum grate Rock grate MANUAL CLEARING. MAINTENANCE c.

Apply Loctite 242 Threadlocker to the threads of the screws. Tighten the screws to the specified torque. Tube Ref Description Where Used Part No. Loctite 242 Water intake grate screw threads 92-809821 Threadlocker Description lb‑in. Lb‑ft Front screws –.

MAINTENANCE FUEL LINE INSPECTION Inspect the fuel line for cracks, swelling, leaks, hardness, or other signs of deterioration or damage. If any of these conditions are found, the fuel line must be replaced. FUEL LINE FILTER Replace the fuel filter once a season or every 100 hours of use. 44568 Fuel filter IMPORTANT: Visually inspect for fuel leakage from the filter connections. MAINTENANCE 2. Disconnect the wire from the bottom of the filter.

Remove the filter (a) by turning the filter in the direction of the arrow (clockwise). Tip the filter to drain the fluid into a suitable container. 44939 Water separating fuel filter 3. MAINTENANCE The fuses and circuits are identified as follows: 44940 Good fuse Open (blown) fuse SmartCraft data bus circuit ‑ 5‑amp fuse Ignition system circuit ‑ 20‑amp fuse Spare fuse Electric fuel pump (VST), ECM driver power, and oil pump circuit ‑ 20‑amp fuse Main power relay ‑.

Anodes help protect the Mercury Jet Drive against galvanic corrosion by sacrificing their metal to be slowly eroded instead of the Mercury Jet Drive metals. Anodes a a a 5467 All anodes require periodic inspection, especially in saltwater. MAINTENANCE Spark Plug Inspection and Replacement WARNING Damaged spark plug boots may emit sparks that can ignite fuel vapors under the engine cowl, resulting in serious injury or death from a fire or explosion. To avoid damaging the spark plug boots, do not use any sharp object or metal tool to remove the spark plug boots. MAINTENANCE IMPORTANT: The color of the plug may not accurately reflect its condition.

To accurately diagnose a faulty plug, inspect the precious metal on the plug's electrode. If no precious metal is visible, replace the plug. 9381 Precious metal 5. Set the spark plug gap. Refer to General Information ‑ Specifications. MAINTENANCE Description lb‑in.

Lb‑ft Spark plug – 7. Inspect the expansion chamber gasket on the adapter plate.

Do not remove the gasket from the adapter plate. Replace if damaged. Install the expansion chamber. Tighten the mounting nuts to the specified torque. MAINTENANCE 2. Push the cover down onto the alignment pins and onto the air intake tube for the air compressor.

44545 Air plenum intake flange Air intake tube for the air compressor 3. Attach the retaining strap to the cover. 44528 Retaining strap. MAINTENANCE Alternator Belt Inspection Inspect the alternator belt and have it replaced by an authorized dealer if any of the following conditions are found. Cracks or deterioration in the rubber portion of the belt.

Belt surfaces rough or uneven. MAINTENANCE 2. Secure the filter with the retainer. Belt Tensioner Idler Pulley Lubrication Lubricate through the fitting with 2‑4‑C with PTFE.

29399 Tube Ref Description Where Used Part No. 2-4-C with PTFE Tensioner pulley grease fitting 92-802859A 1 Flushing the Cooling System Flushing the cooling system is essential after each use in saltwater, after the boat has run aground, or if the warning horn sounds due to an overheated engine. MAINTENANCE 3. Remove the cap from the boat's flush adapter.

The adapter may be mounted to the hull or in the engine compartment. Flushing attachment (hull mount) Flushing attachment (engine compartment mount) 5469 IMPORTANT: Do not run the engine above idle when flushing.

In either case, have the drive housing checked by your authorized Mercury Marine dealer. Water in the lubricant can cause premature gear or bearing failure or, in freezing weather, damage to the drive housing. In either case, have the stator checked by your authorized Mercury Marine dealer. Water in the lubricant can cause premature bearing failure or, in freezing weather, damage to the stator.

MAINTENANCE Tube Ref Description Where Used Part No. Loctite 242 Stator bolts and ride plate screws 92-809821 Threadlocker Description lb‑in.

Lb‑ft Stator bolts – Ride plate screws – ADDING OR REFILLING LUBRICANT 5474 Fill hole Reverse gate (bottom edge) Rudder (outside diameter) Fluid Type Capacity High Performance Gear Lube. Check that the bottom edge of the reverse gate is above the outside diameter of the rudder. If the reverse gate is below the outer diameter of the rudder, do not operate the boat. See an authorized Mercury Marine dealer for proper adjustment. MAINTENANCE 2. Inspect the hole in the siphon break for blockage. Clean with a small wire if necessary.

Ensure that the siphon break is secured above the waterline. Submerged Power Package A submerged power package requires prompt service by an authorized dealer after recovery. STORAGE Storage Preparation The major consideration in preparing your Mercury Jet Drive for storage is to protect it from rust, corrosion, and damage caused by freezing of trapped water. The following storage procedures should be followed to prepare your Mercury Jet Drive for out of season storage or prolonged storage (two months or longer). Using the flushing adapter, start the engine and allow the engine to run at idle speed for 10 minutes to allow the treated fuel to fill the fuel system.

Protecting Internal Engine Components NOTE: Make sure that the fuel system has been prepared for storage. Refer to, preceding. TROUBLESHOOTING Starter Motor Will Not Crank the Engine POSSIBLE CAUSES. 20‑amp fuse in the starting circuit is open. Refer to Maintenance. Jet drive is not shifted into the neutral position. Battery is weak or the battery connections are loose or corroded.

TROUBLESHOOTING. Threaded connection of an air hose is loose. Fuel pump failed. Ignition system component failed.

Performance Loss at Normal RPM POSSIBLE CAUSES. Boat overloaded or load improperly distributed. Excessive water in bilge. Boat bottom is dirty or damaged. Performance Loss at Wide‑Open Throttle POSSIBLE CAUSES OF LOW RPM (USUALLY ENGINE RELATED).

Stolen Power Package If your power package is stolen, immediately advise the local authorities and Mercury Marine of the model and serial numbers and to whom the recovery is to be reported. This information is maintained in a database at Mercury Marine to aid authorities and dealers in the recovery of stolen power packages. OWNER SERVICE ASSISTANCE Resolving a Problem Satisfaction with your Mercury product is important to your dealer and to us. If you ever have a problem, question, or concern about your power package, contact your dealer or any authorized Mercury dealership.

If you need additional assistance: 1. Before ordering literature, have the following information about your power package available: Model Serial Number Horsepower Year UNITED STATES AND CANADA For additional literature for your Mercury Marine power package, contact your nearest Mercury Marine dealer or contact: Mercury Marine Telephone Mail Mercury Marine (920) 929‑5110 (920) 929‑4894. OWNER SERVICE ASSISTANCE Mercury Marine Submit the following Attn: Publications Department order form with payment W6250 Pioneer Road P.O.

Box 1939 Fond du Lac, WI Ship To: (Copy this form and print or type–This is your shipping label) Name. MAINTENANCE LOG Maintenance Log Record all maintenance performed on your Mercury Jet Drive here. Be sure to save all work orders and receipts. Date Maintenance Performed Engine Hours.

The Mercury Sport Jet Drive is a very good jet system.It used to come with 'Carbed' or Optimax Powerheads.I own 5 Boston Whalers with jet drives,2 of which are Mercury Sport Jet -Rages,with the 200 Hp Black Max power head,rated at 175 hp.They can be used in Saltwater,just flush after use and do not leave in the salt water for weeks. They have a flushing port on the rear on the engine that takes a hose.Best if trailered,rather than left in the water where marine growth will effect it. I can't say anything bad about the system,I perfer it to outboards or I/O.Once you fish with a jet drive,you won't go back to anything else. Weed patties and weed lines present problems,just avoid them.The Opti Max power heads use thur hull above the water line exhaust systems,that's the reason they are louder.Some like the sound,you can allways use Aqua- Muffs on the transum to quite then down. Anyother questions?? Ahoy:Spoiled One Right On!

That can be done easy,great video.The nice thing about a Mercury Sport Jet is you shut it off all the cooling passages drain dry when it's beached,don't have too worry about water in the pump/engine turning into ice and cracking water jackets. There is a six mile river run in central MA i run, that people kayak and canoe on and a train track runs over and along,you should see their faces when you run 60 mph by them.

The engineers on the train can't get over it,i run it once or twice a year to show the boat off,pasengers don't beleive it can be done at first,then want more!! Too bad there isn't more water back east,that can be run.

People just don't know what can be done with a jet. I also run the saltwater flats in Chatham,MA off Monomoy.On a foggy am you should see and hear the fly fishermen fishing the flats when we run. Tuna1 - 1/2/2008 9:59 AM The Mercury Sport Jet Drive is a very good jet system.It used to come with 'Carbed' or Optimax Powerheads.I own 5 Boston Whalers with jet drives,2 of which are Mercury Sport Jet -Rages,with the 200 Hp Black Max power head,rated at 175 hp.They can be used in Saltwater,just flush after use and do not leave in the salt water for weeks. They have a flushing port on the rear on the engine that takes a hose.Best if trailered,rather than left in the water where marine growth will effect it. I can't say anything bad about the system,I perfer it to outboards or I/O.Once you fish with a jet drive,you won't go back to anything else. Weed patties and weed lines present problems,just avoid them.The Opti Max power heads use thur hull above the water line exhaust systems,that's the reason they are louder.Some like the sound,you can allways use Aqua- Muffs on the transum to quite then down. Anyother questions??

Tuna- I heard the 250 Optimax jet run on Sunday, and it sounded great, sort of like a souped up car, but no too loud. It has some type of mufflers mounted in boxes on the transom, with big three inch exhaust pipes.

We weren't able to take a test drive, but the owner says the boat, a 22 ft. Flat bottom skiff, is super quick. Supposed to test drive next weekend. The 250 is the largest jet that Hancock (the mfr.) would mount on this boat. Why exactly do you prefer the jets? I plan to use the boat for pulling kids on tubes, and for some shallow water fishing/cruising in North Carolina's Core and Pamlico Sounds. How big of a deal is the weed ingestion?

The owner of the boat says that he can clear weeds 9 times out of 10 by reversing the jet drive a few times. Ever heard of this? YES, 'Geter Done'- the crew and you will have the biggest smiles on your faces. Your uses are perfect for a jet drive.I prefer jets for the simple drive system,little to go wrong,shallow water operation,and don't have to worry about loberster bouys ropes in the props, and safety with the kids!!! Yes, sometimes backing down won't clear the inlet grill,most times it will,but Mercury has rake you can use to clear the inlet grill,otherwise it a dip over the side to clean the grill. Hinkley,Surf Hunter and other small boat companies in the NE are building Jets Now for close to a million$. Test Drive It, And ENJOY IT!!

You won't be sorry! I have a Mercury 200 hp sport jet and love it. Negatives are that it is a bit more difficult to navigate at idle speeds especially in a windy or current running conditions. Not as maneuverable as a propped boat but very reliable, less maintenance, and less parts to break down. They don't even use thermostats in the engine. Also yes they are noisy, in fact I am going to look into those Aqua muffs mentioned above, but not that terrible. Weeds can be a problem when idling as stated above, but they run great at wide open with very low draft at cruising.

No more dinged props to replace. Ahoy:abfish Now by looking at the data,your window of advantages opens.Mercury has a winning product with there Sport Jet drive systems,but they don't support nor promote it very WELL. I would love to have a 23' deep-vee offshore center console,with twin drives.But builders don't seam to accept the idea.It would be a winner but would need time to catch on.

The instalation of the 175Hp SportJet in the Boston Whaler Rage series could be done better,it's reverse thrust could be improved greatly with a minor change in the transum shape.As it is now, the bucket for reverse drops in place and the wash just hits the transum very little goes underneath the hull for reverse,a poor design. The fill plate that fills the area between the hull bottom and seals the area around the inlet to the jet drive,i have added a set of 'Skid Fins' to so the boat now rides and steers like it's on rails,rather than chine walk and swap ends like it use to-very easy.A jet boat is truely a 'High Preformance'craft and needs a experience person at the helm,because you can swap directions in a blink of the eye. But that's also part of the lure of driving it because it can do things other craft can't do. Abfish I too have some experience with the boats Tuna has, and I know he says this: 'Yes, sometimes backing down won't clear the inlet grill,most times it will,but Mercury has rake you can use to clear the inlet grill,otherwise it a dip over the side to clean the grill.' I will only tell you that after seven half-miserable years with a Whaler Rage I was never so glad to see a boat go.

If you have any major weed issues at all, GET SOME FIRST HAND EXPERIENCE IN YOUR WEEDS before buying any jet. Bear in mind what 'otherwise, it's a dip over the side to clean the grill' really means.

Mine was used in MInnesota rivers in the summer and in the Florida Keys in the winter. In the rivers, the best small boat I ever had/drove/rode in. Everything said about them here is true. And we have no weeds to speak of in the rivers. In the Keys, we have an ocean (literally) of floating weeds. (I specify 'floating' because those are the problem; standing grasses/reeds/etc. Are not much of a problem.) The mats of floaters WILL plug the grates, as I'm sure Tuna will tell you.

He says he has five Whaler jets, two of which are Mercs, so I am assuming that at least one or two of his others had the OMC package. There was no weed clearance mechanism at all on the OMC's; I tried brushes, hand rakes, etc. About half the time I could use them successfully. The other half it was, as Tuna says, over the side. Often I'd take two dips just trying to get OUT of my canal. Now, in our 70-85 degree water that really isn't too bad (how warm is your water?) but sometimes you'd like to use the boat without taking a swim.

Like fishing? Out for a drink and not in a swim suit? I loved that beautiful little Whaler.and God, I hated it.

The weed rakes on some of the jet skis work sort of well. I think the Merc system works less well, and there are some weeds it won't work at all with.

There are custom inlet grills, and I tried 'em. I thought I could better and a machinist friend and I remanufactured one. Nothing helped. I knew nothing about weeds and jets before I bought but now you won't have that excuse if you buy one. Ahoy,KeyPineSavage Agree 100% with you! Sorry about your Love/Hate relasionship(but you did have a LOVE-It's The Same Way With Women)!!! Your Correct if you try to drive over/thur a Weed Mat,Your Screwed!, 'Mother Nature's Way' of giving you a 'BITCH SLAP'!

Same think as a TREE with a CAR,your going to come to a STOP! Again,As With Women,you can't live with them,or Without them - either way 'Your Screwed' As i stated you try to avoid them,by driving around them, But 'Life' does provide some unsirmountable obstacles - IT allows You to stop and say -'What the F.K Did I Get Myself Into'!!! Such Is Life - Enjoy it ALL,the Good and the Bad,besides it could allways get WORST! Ahoy:AB Fish Do you live in a Forest? Is there roads where you live?

Do trees line the roads,where you live? Do you drive a car? When was the last time,if ever,you smacked a tree while driving?

You don't normally drive and crash into trees! You may at sometime,nail a tree while your driving,but you haven't stop driving,because it can happen! It the same thing with 'Jetboating' - Don't let a MAY BE-What IF type situation - SPOIL Your Love For Life!!! If your not in the forest,you can advoid the trees. Take a chance,Get the Craft!

You and Your's Will Love It!!! Worst Case-You and the crew all go for the Test Ride!, It will be the best $200 bucks you ever spent!!!! They make different Inlet Grills for the SportJets now to stop this from happening.Mercury Marine makes a 'Hydro-Surge' grill,it's fingers aren't fixed they are spring loaded and move. So if the inlet becomec clogged the grill/grate moves upward and lets the weeds into the impeller where it chews them up,as you move.But you must be moving!!!if you stop, your going to have to clean the grill. There is a shop in the North West the make a 'Stomper' grill set up.It uses fixed grill fingers and another set of movable fingers that a petal at the stern/transum is placed and when you step-on/Stomp-on it the fingers that move pull the weeds away from inlet to clear them away-simple and it works! Like others have said in the past - There is 2 Happy Days in owning a boat - The Day You By It!

And The day you sell it! The rest inbetween-ENJOY IT.

Life is too short- Too Worry, Enjoy the time you have here! Tuna and AB AB, the 'Stomper' Tuna is talking about is basically the system I said worked well on a jetski. I have not tried it in a boat, but see no reason it wouldn't help. On the ski, it is a hand lever you move back and forth to activate the finger rake, not a foot pedal, but same thing. I take Tuna's point about driving around 'em, but as he notes, sometimes you can't. Sounds like you can in your area. I'm not kidding, I totally loved that boat (both the Whaler construction/finish/etc.) and the jet power, except for that one issue.

The spring fingers would definitely be better than nothing, but, again, as T says, once you are stopped you are toast. That was the problem for me. A jet loses way quickly if the water flow is interrupted. If I accidentally found my way onto a mat, I would sometimes try throwing it directly into reverse and throttling back up to a high setting. With luck, this would drop some weeds and then the reverse would clean off the rest. But it was a crapshoot.

And once you can't go back or forward, that's when you swim (or, maybe, stomp.) Good luck whatever you do. Is a pic of the boat just before I sold it. Nearly ten years old when this was taken, so you can see how it had held up.and how it had been cared for.