Seems counter-intuitive, but the only deckboats that provide for aft fishing are usually small -

http://www.ebbtideboats.com/ShowBoat.asp?sBoat=2100SC

http://www.larsonboats.com/escape/204/features.asp

http://www.starcraftmarine.com/index.php...p;section=specs

Really too small for a HO motor application.

Kelly

Thanks for the links!

I had contemplated the Starcraft but it is rather small. The other two I had not seen before but they seem small also. Would like to fit 10-12 on board for transport out to our island beach. The idea of a production company manufacturing the boat certainly has benifits. What are your thought of an ob vs the i/o? Does one have longer life expectancy with proper care for both? What about those outboard jets to keep the draft small?


Thanks again for your help in the descision process

I agree that 10-12 people need a bigger boat. Bigger than I would usually think of as a shallow water boat. Could these 10-12 people be broken down into 2 trips? There are a zillion 6 passenger boats that would be a snap to beach.

I prefer 4-stroke OB, but my wallet has a hard time stretching that far. With proper care I would say life time is the same. With lax care the outdrive on the I/O will go first. OB jets are terribly inefficient, no thanks, no way.

Kelly

I had convinced myself the 300-350hp outboard was the way to go. Especially the time saved on service and winterizing. Then I checked the prices. I like that yamaha v8 but I never realized the outboards were so significantly higher priced. I am hoping that the dealers get a big brake that they will pass on to sell the boat. It is a buyer's market now right?


Our lake has some stumpy areas (great fishing spots) and the only boats that have not lost props are the jets. Neighbor has a Yamaha (nice boat) but it is not really the style or size we are wanting. That is why I mentioned the jets. His does seem pretty fuel efficient though.

If the only boats that have not lost props are jets, why are you buying an outboard?

Or simply buy cheap props. Carrying a spare prop is always a good idea.

Kelly

Yamaha makes some engines with either prop or jet drives. They re-rate their jet drives to sorta show how much power one would feel. Example: 115 Hp prop O/B is a 80 Hp O/B jet.

click on...

http://www.yamaha-motor.com/outboard/products/subcatspecs/3/specs.aspx

Or change boats.

Click on...

http://www.roguejet.com/whitewater.asp

If you truely go in 12" of water, be prepared to wear out the jet. No jet can take sand, grit, etc. that it picks up in shallow water. They tend to wear over time, going slower and with worse milage the more one runs them over anything in less than 3' of water. It takes alittle time for shallow water running to take its toll, though, BUT they will do it, in an emergency.

When you pass over a submerged stump say 20" deep with a prop you know it. With a jet you never know it was there. We have 2 jetskis with over 300hrs on each with no pump problems. Of coure we don't use wide open throttle in shallow areas. We shut them off and coast in if we are beaching them. High speed and shallow sandy bottom does not mix well. In the sandbar areas (we know where they are) we speed along up to them and coast across to deeper water. Low speed in a couple of feet of water is no problem. Biggest problem we have had is weeds.

The advantage for the jet is the safety of children around a sharp prop and it doesn't hit anything. Check out the fuel usage figures for the Yamaha and you will be suprised. I don't know how long those engines will last with the high rpm's they turn however. The problem with jets for us is no one makes one in the style we want.

Did you see this?



On the bottom of this thread's page 4.

Also this one of the same page...

Yamaha makes some engines with either prop or jet drives. They re-rate their jet drives to sorta show how much power one would feel. Example: 115 Hp prop O/B is a 80 Hp O/B jet.

I was talking about the jet boats of Yamaha (210sx) not the Jet OB. I see your point on the JetOBs completely. Those Rogue jet boats look very nice especially with an aluminium hull. I will have to check into the layouts they offer and price. Look very pricy to me.