SoCal Jet Boats
Tech Talk => Projects => Topic started by: 4fiddyR on July 29, 2011, 08:10:33 PM
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Hi Everyone,
My brother gave me this picklefork tunnel hull, which originally came with an outboard.
I am considering installing a small block and a Jet drive system for the sole purpose of cruising and throwing a rooster tail.
I really like the looks of this style hull, and I especially like the looks of a v8 inboard with the headers.
The transom on my boat is 12 inches tall, and the keel is about six inches below that.
What brand of jet drive will fit, and of those that will fit, which with make the biggest rooster tail, and which will have the best acceleration when not in rooster tail mode? I would like to have a good holeshot though.
Which pump is the best overall value?
What brand and model of jet drives do they use on those boats that race in jet boat sprint racing?
Thanks in advance.
(https://www.socaljetboats.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.atvpix.com%2Fintimidater%2Ftransom1.jpg&hash=966d7f2d25de9f673ee32a72079c8e67ea4c6408)
(https://www.socaljetboats.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.atvpix.com%2Fintimidater%2Fintimidater1sm.jpg&hash=1a24e5c2009c71250827294009fdf727c4141a41)
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thats a cool ride. Looks like it would rock with a pump in it
if you decide to do it
i got this for ya, everything you need jet wise
chris
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Jet conversion should not be a problem at all. A few things need to be verified. Does it have stringers and if so how long and how far apart are they? What is the make of the hull? Most tunnels have jet versions you can research on the web. Your outer sponsons seem to be of a design I am not familiar with I would really try to find someone who knows the hull and jets. Center sponson looks like it was designed for a jet. Don't use a transom adapter on your jet drive. look at other installations on this site and on the Performance Boat web site forum for examples of a plate transom adapter. Jet drives: Berkley 12JG, Dominator, Legend. Engines: BBC, BBF, Olds455 in that order, small blocks need lots of work IMO to run strong enough in a jet. It looks like maybe your in Minnesota? I don't know of any jet shops there but it would be best to find one. If you want to blow roostertails all over the lake I recommend getting a Place diverter for your Berkley so you can adjust it down for good hole shots (no roostertail) or spraying down the police patrol boat with the nozzle up (not recommended). Handling of your boat looks like it would be marginal if you have lots of power and got out of the throttle quickly due to the shallow bow profile. Being careful on shut down and not trying to turn it like a formula 1 car and you should be fine. Have fun and be safe.
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Thanks for the replies.
My hull is a 1988 Rapid Craft Intimidater (yes, that is how it is spelled.) It is 20 foot 3 inches long
It has wood stringers running down the keel sponsons.
It also has 4.5 inch wood stringers running full length up the floor, 24 inches inside to inside up to the front bulkhead. From a co-worker, I have learned that another local resident had a Rapid Craft hull with a 454 in it, but I haven't spoken to him about his setup yet.
To install without a plate, I just cut out the transom to exactly fit the bowl?
Thanks again.
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To install without a plate, I just cut out the transom to exactly fit the bowl?
wecome to SCJB
nice project :thumbup:
i'm not sure but i think wizard612 is thinking maybe a setback setup?
here's an example (picture pulled from jetboatpreformance.com, tom is a good guy and is a member on this site as well)
[attachimg=1]
and not this way
[attachimg=2]
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Woah! Thanks for the pictures and the ideas!
I have a Miller TIG welder I am pretty handy with so that setback setup should be no problem! I am hoping I will be able to trade the hydraulic jack plate for a pump, or at least an intake to get started.
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Woah! Thanks for the pictures and the ideas!
I have a Miller TIG welder I am pretty handy with so that setback setup should be no problem!
Unless you hull is aluminum...........THERE WILL BE NO WELDING........ just fiberglass work. The transom plate is closely fitted to the pump and then silicone to the suction housing.
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If you're going to do a setback install, PM Propless. His came out awesome and had his own little method for how he got it as square and as tight as he did. His acutally will not need those aluminum plates because he glassed the transom back in very tight to the pump. A little silicone around the pump and viola! You have the advantage of merely cutting out so it fits that snug and very little glass work. ;)
You'll probably spend a day or two with a grinder underneath once the intake is in reshaping the keel to work with the new jet intake, but shouldn't be too bad.
Ray
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Ok. Thanks for the heads up. I have been doing more research and as I understand, there is not much force on the transom from the jet (if any), it is all transferred to the keel/bottom
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If you're going to do a setback install, PM Propless. His came out awesome and had his own little method for how he got it as square and as tight as he did. His acutally will not need those aluminum plates because he glassed the transom back in very tight to the pump. A little silicone around the pump and viola! You have the advantage of merely cutting out so it fits that snug and very little glass work. ;)
You'll probably spend a day or two with a grinder underneath once the intake is in reshaping the keel to work with the new jet intake, but shouldn't be too bad.
Ray
Actually Ray its not that close and will still need plates. You just cant make it perfect because the front bearing and that area where the ID plate is is bigger than the back section of the suction housing where the plates go. But I will be able to make the transom plates quite a bit smaller than normal.
4fiddyR, Heres a link to a few pics of about what you will cutting out of your hull to fit the jet. This is about the minimum size hole it takes to be able to fit the pump in and out of the transom (second and third pics). First pic shows what you will be cutting out of the bottom. These are for a set back pump. Dont worry about the rest of the pics of the pump, that just me being picky. ;)
http://www.socaljetboats.com/projects/brendella-tunnel/msg159250/#msg159250 (http://www.socaljetboats.com/projects/brendella-tunnel/msg159250/#msg159250)
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I had to dig through the "way back machine" but heres a good thread about converting an OB to a jet. It gets a bit off track at times like most things around here, but its wort looking at. ;)
http://www.socaljetboats.com/projects/21-daytona-project/ (http://www.socaljetboats.com/projects/21-daytona-project/)
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I had to dig through the "way back machine" but heres a good thread about converting an OB to a jet. It gets a bit off track at times like most things around here, but its wort looking at. ;)
http://www.socaljetboats.com/projects/21-daytona-project/ (http://www.socaljetboats.com/projects/21-daytona-project/)
You guys are great! Thanks for the link. That is exactly what I am looking for. My hull and transom look similar to that Daytona, but I am pretty sure my transom is not that thick.
I spent last evening getting the jack plate off there, and removing the rigging and ripping out all the wiring.
This is my second boat. Both boats I have owned had "marine grade wiring" in them.