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.

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. 

To install without a plate, I just cut out the transom to exactly fit the bowl?

wecome to SCJB
nice project 

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)


and not this way

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.

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

 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/