Looking for a jet!

Hey all. This will be my first boat. I have a few local boats in mind but I have a lot of questions. I'm in Acton ca so I will be going to any local lakes, the river, anyplace I can go really! The answers to my questions will help direct me on a good purchase. Any help will be appreciated!
First question, over transom exhaust or through transom. I understand insurance is different?
2nd covered or uncovered engine, again... Insurance based.
3rd sound laws. If I have an over transom exhaust am I more at risk for being "too loud"? What's the deal with loud exhaust? Are people getting warnings and tickets or what. Should I look for a quiet boat?
4th boat safety, is there a so cal course available? Do I need any license for havasu, or any of the local hot spots?

A little about me. I'm leaning towards the over transom exhaust with a big uncovered engine. I'm a bit of a gear head and I love the look. I just don't want to buy something then find out I can't take it to such and such lake or river because it's "too loud" or something.

Again, any direction you guys can give me I will appreciate. Thanks in advance. Btw, I'm looking for something in the $3000-$6000 range if ya have something for sale in the los Angeles area.


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I have this 1975 Gigi 455olds sound System-tandem trailer runs good hands not had any problems


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I have 4 kids. How many does that seat? What are you asking and where is it located?


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I have 4 kids. How many does that seat? What are you asking and where is it located?


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I have a crusader I'm selling. Big enough for all the kids. Engine is covered. I have young kids to. Nothing would ruin a day on the water like third degree burns.. LOL. I would possibly deliver too 😊


The gates of hell

Lets see some photos... Where are you located?


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I put some custom exhaust tips and made the resonators adjustable for sound pitch. New tires on the trailer a bunch of other stuff. Thing runs great. I'm in St George ut. About 90 miles from Vegas about 250 from Havasu


The gates of hell

Hey all. This will be my first boat. I have a few local boats in mind but I have a lot of questions. I'm in Acton ca so I will be going to any local lakes, the river, anyplace I can go really! The answers to my questions will help direct me on a good purchase. Any help will be appreciated!
First question, over transom exhaust or through transom. I understand insurance is different?
2nd covered or uncovered engine, again... Insurance based.
3rd sound laws. If I have an over transom exhaust am I more at risk for being "too loud"? What's the deal with loud exhaust? Are people getting warnings and tickets or what. Should I look for a quiet boat?
4th boat safety, is there a so cal course available? Do I need any license for havasu, or any of the local hot spots?

A little about me. I'm leaning towards the over transom exhaust with a big uncovered engine. I'm a bit of a gear head and I love the look. I just don't want to buy something then find out I can't take it to such and such lake or river because it's "too loud" or something.

Again, any direction you guys can give me I will appreciate. Thanks in advance. Btw, I'm looking for something in the $3000-$6000 range if ya have something for sale in the los Angeles area.


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Welcome to SCJB-

1. Over Transom. Ins is a tad more, but A) loud pipes save lives, and B) "The Look". 'nuff said.
    However, the right cam/compression ratio thru logs and snails is too loud. But they're often overlooked, too.

2. Usually covered engines have jump seats next to the doghouse, more seating for the kids, etc.

3. I don't know about SoCal, but on the river (at BHC), I've been checked several times. The LEO seen that they were baffled, and said 'Have a nice day'. I know its still too loud, but if you are trying to comply, they have been left me alone. That's what happened at the channel at Havazoo, and at Big Bear Lake, too.

4. Safety Course? Not that I know of. 100 bux rents you a jetski in BHC, no experience necessary. And it shows, lol. (you may need a licence in 2017 or 18 in AZ depending on your age.)

Get the type of boat for the type of boating you do. 'Horses for courses'

Dan'l

What kind of budget are you looking to spend? That will help us point you in a direction

4 kids, definitely go for through transom exhaust, quiet is better with kids from my experience and a covered motor would be cool, it gives the kids something to hangout on and jump off, open bow is bitchin as well, your going to probably want storage space for kids stuff "sand toys, food ,dinks, towels" stuff like that. First boat go for the easy and comfortable, that's just my opinion Lol I have two little girls and have been on the water for the last 6 years, and finally got a jet boat for our fun boat for the river trips.

Thanks for all the responses guys! Very helpful. Just a little about my 4 kids. I have two boys 10 and 12 and two girls 13 and 19. It's not like I'm dealing with babies. I highly doubt they would be with us 100% of the time anyways. If we go out with the family they would probably ride in one of the big boats with all the other kids. I would say the boat would usually be me and my girlfriend or some buddies. I like the look of the over transom exhaust better but I see the benefit of a closed engine compartment. I'm going to look at a few boats this weekend. I'll post some photos of what I'm looking at. I would like to stay between 6000-3000...


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Are you wanting to cruise or go fast?

I like fast... It doesn't need to be drag race fast but I want to be able to keep up with the big boats I'll be out with.


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My wife and I together have 6 kids, her2 my 3 and our 1, here's a pic of what I've got, and honestly we make it work. If anything I'll make a second trip to go pick up the three oldest, I kinda like it because I get a solo run lol. Open headers don't bother them either👍🏼👍🏼Also that white boat with the red,white,and black new interior is my buddy's, that's a pretty solid lil boat. Good luck with your search👍🏼🍻


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My wife and I together have 6 kids, her2 my 3 and our 1, here's a pic of what I've got, and honestly we make it work. If anything I'll make a second trip to go pick up the three oldest, I kinda like it because I get a solo run lol. Open headers don't bother them either👍🏼👍🏼Also that white boat with the red,white,and black new interior is my buddy's, that's a pretty solid lil boat. Good luck with your search👍🏼🍻


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That's the one I'm leaning towards.


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So I got a boat. I paid $1800 for it. It's a 18 foot Andrews with a 455 and a berkley jet. I haven't really dug into it much because quite honestly.... I don't really know what I'm looking for. It has a broken cam so it needs a rebuild. I would love info on rebuilding this olds for reliability. I have done a bunch of research and have come to a few conclusions.

Bigger oil pan
Reduce oil to top end? (Not sure how)
Should I go roller rockers or stay stock?
Any help would be great. I'm in the so cal area.


Some things I would love to do is put a stereo in it and a big scoop. Just for looks.


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Anyone?


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My best advice is to get your money back.   Selling that boat will be tough as it is not a brand that many have heard of, and isnt "flashy" enough to make up for that.  Plus you are going to spend every bit of $6000 rebuilding that 455 properly.   If you take shortcuts on either the rebuilds, the parts quality, or the break in, and you will have to do it again.
Sorry, but you asked.

For Sale

It's all good! Thanks for the reply. I'm not really worried about resale. I'm worried about getting this thing on the water. Any tips and tricks on rebuilding this olds would be great. I would also like to know what to look for in the jet so I can match the power to the jets abilities. I'm also interested in a scoop and I've seen some with a pan that looks like it's tapered towards the scoop. Love that look but can't find where these are being sold.


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Tips & Tricks for an Olds?   There are a ton.  Lately there are a few guys here who seem to be having success running these engines.  Use the search feature and find the article that Timm wrote years ago, as it will give you more tips than you can use, but more importantly it discusses how to find the right machine shop.  Hopefully someone has it easily found and can post a link for you.
Long story short is that these engines were never meant for high sustained rpms.  They can't return the oil to the pan fast enough and starve the bottom end.  There are several ways to fix that luckily.   Good luck with it, and be careful as there are a lot of shady builders in the high dez.

Jegs sells the Harwood scoops and tapered tray, that's where I got mine from.

Thanks for the info guys. Now if anyone could just point me towards a good machine shop....


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So I got a boat. I paid $1800 for it. It's a 18 foot Andrews with a 455 and a berkley jet. I haven't really dug into it much because quite honestly.... I don't really know what I'm looking for. It has a broken cam so it needs a rebuild.


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How do you know it has a broken cam?

Yes I've seen 'em, but its kinda rare this happens.

For a flat cam (lobe or few), it needs to come apart, and everything cleaned, re-cleaned, and then cleaned again.

Inspection of parts is very important. If/when everything checks out, and the rest of the parts are good to go, re-assemble using the "Practical Olds" as a bible.

If the cam is indeed 2 pieces, re-cam it and run the sh!t out of it. (after careful cleaning, of course.)

Just my $0.02

Dan'l

How do you know it has a broken cam?

Yes I've seen 'em, but its kinda rare this happens.

For a flat cam (lobe or few), it needs to come apart, and everything cleaned, re-cleaned, and then cleaned again.

Inspection of parts is very important. If/when everything checks out, and the rest of the parts are good to go, re-assemble using the "Practical Olds" as a bible.

If the cam is indeed 2 pieces, re-cam it and run the sh!t out of it. (after careful cleaning, of course.)

Just my $0.02

Dan'l

Look close at the photo of the engine, two pushrods are missing at the whole back half of the motor doesn't do anything. Visual inspection through the lifter holes shows the missing cam, and both broken ends. Lifters were hit. Bla bla.
Now that I'm clearly replacing the cam should I go roller or just leave it stock? I plan on a 10 quart sump, reducing flow to the top end...


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do they make a roller cam for a 455?