First Jet Boat...1973 Hondo. Need a little help.

« **on:** January 22, 2009, 06:12:34 PM »

Guys I am having a hard time getting pictures on here. Below is a link to a Picasa folder with 5 or 6 pictures of the boat. First off let me start by saying this website is great! I am in Arkansas and it is hard to get good info here. Let me give you the short version of how I come across my first jet boat.

I always wanted one. I have had nice ski boats,etc. We have wonderful lakes here. Just not so many jet boats. I have a good friend who owns a nice Motorcycle/Boat shop. Attached to the building he also has a pawn shop. I drive by my friends store everyday. One day I looked up and there sat this boat. Somebody pawned the boat and had to let it go. I looked the boat over and decided to offer a really low price and see where it led to. 10 minutes later I was hooking this boat up to my Tahoe for $1000!!
That leads me to some questions I have guys. I do not know the least about these boats and what i have purchased for that matter. I have basic knowledge of engines,etc. But nothing like most you guys. Here is what I have. I was able to contact the last owner of the boat and here is what I have:

Owner said the boat ran great last time out last summer. Said it GPS at 72 MPH. Who know if he is telling me the truth.

1973 Hondo
Ford 460 with about 10 hours on motor.
Tandom axle trailer

I have had the starter rebuilt, Changes fuel pump and filters, plugs, etc. Plan on trying to start it this weekend. The ignition hangs up and I do not want to hurt the starter. Especially after just having it redone.

Look at the pics and tell me what you think. Where should I start? I am not looking to race up and down the lake but just hit the sandbars and relax. Was this a good buy? Is Hondo a popular JB?

I could ask a million questions. I look forward to working on this boat and getting it ready for summer!! Any advice is greatly appreciated!!

http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=4wd2ngy.ezv2wwi&x=0&h=1&y=-pbhgac&localeid=en_US

Sorry for having you navigate to this above. I know about as much about computers as I do my new boat!!! haha.

« **Reply #1 on:** January 22, 2009, 06:15:40 PM »

NICE FIND welcome to the craziness of SCJB.com. there is alot of info on this site and alot of people on here that will be giving you all the advice and then some on here

The Beav

« **Reply #2 on:** January 22, 2009, 06:20:06 PM »

Nice smoke en deal

« **Reply #3 on:** January 22, 2009, 06:26:22 PM »

First off, welcome

I am also a Hondo owner.

What you have there is a very good start to a nice boat.

It seems that many Hondos came with BBF (I'm one of the lucky ones with a BBC)

Yours has a Jacuzzi WJ pump (not as bad as some people think). You will probably want to install a Place Diverter (nozzle/trim control).

I would recommend just go through and get to know whats there (all very simple), get all the wires and cables tied up and get it started "on the hose" (running water into the engine/jet) but don't run it for more than just a minute (possible damage to pump).

Well now that I've spewed out some information I'll let the others offer up something

« **Reply #4 on:** January 22, 2009, 06:41:21 PM »

Nice boat , and welcome to the sanitarium

« **Reply #5 on:** January 22, 2009, 06:53:05 PM »

Welcome to the world of jet boats. Where fuel mileage doesn't matter, it's all about pegging the fun meter.
Just service it and enjoy. Change the oil, grease the pump, check the cables, check for cracked fuel lines, and change the water lines.
I'm diggin the 70's upholstery, but I would ditch the air cleaner for a scoop and spark arrestor.

« **Reply #6 on:** January 22, 2009, 07:05:26 PM »

Welcome, and nice find ! Like 76 Bonneville said , get rid of that air cleaner and get a nice scoop. Check out the pics of this one http://www.socaljetboats.com/index.php?topic=5770.0;topicseen . Your boat has lots of potential, and should be lots of fun.

« **Reply #7 on:** January 22, 2009, 07:09:32 PM »

Thanks for the info!! Keep it coming!! This is exactly what i was wanting. I did not know what a place diverter was. After researching I feel like a goof. But I am anxious to learn this stuff. Where can i find a scoop like is in that pic? Very nice.

« **Reply #8 on:** January 22, 2009, 07:25:56 PM »

You can call Tom at Jet Boat Performance for any parts or questions you may have. Tom also checks in here oftin so he may post soon anyway.

« **Reply #9 on:** January 22, 2009, 07:35:47 PM »

805-466-4719. That's the number to Jet Boat Performance. You will call it ALOT (we all do

), so save it in your phone

. Tom has his rafters stuffed with cool old used parts and can find just about anything you want new. Also keep an eye on the classified section here and on the other sites, those scoops come up for sale fairly often.

« **Reply #10 on:** January 23, 2009, 11:36:53 AM »

Nice Boat !

Welcome to SCJB !! you will find this site and all the guys ( any girls in here ?? ) here Invaluable for your questions...Lord knows Ive had a few !!

« **Reply #11 on:** January 23, 2009, 12:45:18 PM »

very nice first boat and sounds like a great price to, welcome to the fun, keep the pics coming

« **Reply #12 on:** January 23, 2009, 12:47:44 PM »

Here is the scoop I bought last night. I agree that the other one needed to go.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=220348610683&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWNX%3AIT&viewitem=

« **Reply #13 on:** January 23, 2009, 12:49:52 PM »

nice scoop. i would ditch the paper filter and get a flame arrestor though

« **Reply #14 on:** January 23, 2009, 12:52:13 PM »

Quote from: FORKEDUP on January 23, 2009, 12:49:52 PM

nice scoop. i would ditch the paper filter and get a flame arrestor though

X2, I have a spare one I'd like to sell.

« **Reply #15 on:** January 23, 2009, 01:45:05 PM »

sweet deal!!! and welcome to the site/addiction/craziness!

« **Reply #16 on:** January 24, 2009, 04:59:13 PM »

BUMP for more advice...

« **Reply #17 on:** January 24, 2009, 05:03:17 PM »

Quote from: mehogfan on January 24, 2009, 04:59:13 PM

BUMP for more advice...

place diverter -----> http://www.jetboatperformance.com/index.php?p=placedivert

contact tom on this site aka jet boat performance

« **Reply #18 on:** January 24, 2009, 05:07:58 PM »

Already have!!! thanks! I am like a kid in a candy store right now with my boat!!!

« **Reply #19 on:** January 24, 2009, 05:14:31 PM »

well then depends on how much bread you're looking to spend. we can go on for days. best to probably take her out and get a little wet, then go from there. remeber... sh!t likes to break on boats all the time. so if its runnning good, leave it alone! save your money for when something happens.

« **Reply #20 on:** January 24, 2009, 05:16:17 PM »

Quote from: JWBOYER21 on January 24, 2009, 05:14:31 PM

well then depends on how much bread you're looking to spend. we can go on for days. best to probably take her out and get a little wet, then go from there. remeber... sh!t likes to break on boats all the time. so if it runnning good, leave it alone! save your money for when something happens.

good advise rite here

« **Reply #21 on:** January 24, 2009, 06:40:13 PM »

This is very true! That is my next step. Get it on the water. Run it a little then go from there. i catch myself wanting to dress it up first. But I need to make sure it is reliable before anything else....Thx guys!

« **Reply #22 on:** January 24, 2009, 06:45:16 PM »

Ben,
Your flame arrestor should be to you by the end of the week.

« **Reply #23 on:** January 24, 2009, 06:47:32 PM »

Thanks a ton! I look forward to passing along the goodwill to somebody else in the future. you guys are great on here.

« **Reply #24 on:** January 24, 2009, 07:53:04 PM »

you guys are great on here. Ha ha ha Boy do we have you fooled

mehogfan

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