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Hello, I'm very interested in building a Sweet Caroline. I think it would be the best design for my needs. I've never seen anyone down here use a jet foot motor, but I think they would be ideal. Most of the places I like to go are surrounded by shallow water and underwater obstructions. I don't know, but it also seems a jet foot would be less damaging to sensitive underwater grasses, and I hate seeing manatees with prop scars. I was thinking of the Sweet Caroline with the console forward with the jet foot. Would anyone have an idea of how shallow she could run, or is this even a option? Thanks so much.

Hi Mullet and welcome.

I am buliding the Rogue Runner in the 20' extended version. I have the Mercury 115 outboard already, but am glad I waited finalizing my plans. I was also looking into powering it with a 1200cc size jet ski pump. That project is on hold while I finish building my shop to build the boat in.

I picked up a 20' aluminum sled for $700 and have the same options as the RR. BUT! I foumd surface drives and am going to explore them fully. I need shallow water running too. But jets dont like weeds, sand or gravel. I dont have Manatees, but plenty of submerged obstacles. Im going with a DIY (plans from an NA) version that rides at normal depth, but will lift/ride up in shallows. The prop should be protected for marine safety too I think. Cutting prototype parts now.

Good luck and have fun!

Chris

Thanks Chris, I know nothing about jet motors, the more I hear, I'll know how to power my boat. Some buddies of mine have surface drives.One has a go devil the other a pro drive, they both love them, but the go devil has started getting some rust. The pro drive has not, it might be aluminum, I'm not sure. Good luck. Scott

Hi Scott,

The ones Im planning are inboard version run by small diesel. Look at the Levi 170-150 for a fixed version of what Im building. http://www.levidrives.com/index.php/sam ... -foot-boat

I'm building a boat that I intend to use as a jet foot outboard powered setup. Here is a link of the place that builds all the jet foot pumps. They are great to talk to on the phone, I learned loads from them. Basically you almost double the horses of planing horsepower needed compared to a conventional propeller outboard. Once planned its fine but you don't have the hole shot torque of the conventional props, so more is needed to get out of the hole and onto plane. Browse through the website and it'll keep you from making alot of mistakes on choosing a setup, flat vs Vee, Tunnel vs no tunnel.
http://www.outboardjets.com/index.php