My two cents.

A jet boat is a hot rod on the water. And just like hot rods they got to have a look that's right.     On a hot rod you make it light and smooth, no fenders, no chrome mouldings, etc... jet boat's have no cleats, no lights, etc... My jet boat has a bow light on it already, therefore it stays, and since it has a bow light it's getting one for it's asss too. NO lights and no cleats looks smoother and cleaner. Ever see a Cheby driving down the highway with every Taiwanese gadget bolted to it looking all cluttered up?

I still haven't used my boat, I'm on this board instead of working on it,    , but when I go out with friends (who never go out alone) they don't need anything to tie off their boat to the dock because they're in it hanging on to the dock - waitin' for my slow asss to park their truck and get back down to the boat. At the sandbar they use the same hook that keeps the boat from falling off of the trailer.

 

For Lights, I use the battery stick on flashlight with the red and blue lense in the front and a white one stuck to my intake scoop. West Marine has them for under $20. Pop right off for day time. If your going to use them allot then I'd hard wire.

My two cents.

A jet boat is a hot rod on the water. And just like hot rods they got to have a look that's right.     On a hot rod you make it light and smooth, no fenders,

Hotrod with No FENDERS!!!.....I'm Offended Hotrod!!!

No problem Bro, That?s what we are all here for. There is only one dumb question here. The one that was never asked. Sadly enough I have sank two boats. Well, one twice. It sucks. Both times on the river. I have lost 3 very, very close friends in boating accidents. 2 on Havasu and a girlfriend on Elsinore. Simple mistakes. You have to have respect for your boat. Your light wait, big horse power and in water. Always keep a cool head and if something doesn?t feel right leave it on the trailer. That way there is a next time. Just a little advice from a guy that has been there, done that. Keep it fun.

Wild Thang

No problem Bro, That?s what we are all here for. There is only one dumb question here. The one that was never asked. Sadly enough I have sank two boats. Well, one twice. It sucks. Both times on the river. I have lost 3 very, very close friends in boating accidents. 2 on Havasu and a girlfriend on Elsinore. Simple mistakes. You have to have respect for your boat. Your light wait, big horse power and in water. Always keep a cool head and if something doesn?t feel right leave it on the trailer. That way there is a next time. Just a little advice from a guy that has been there, done that. Keep it fun.

Wild Thang

I have a friend who used to have a Hondo hydro with a jet drive, 468 w/87/1, etc... Once he sunk it after unloading it (he forgot the plug for the pump) and then second time he sunk it he was at idle, it died, and it sunk before he could get it started due to passer-by boater's wakes.   

Yup, My 1st Eliminator Sprint, put it in the water for the 1st time. Sank it right on the ramp. I cried. Thankfully some guys helped me out and within four hours had it back in the water. This time with a plug in it. Now I put it in before I pull out the driveway. Here is some more tips. Put your keys in the ignition before you leave. Visually look in the gas tanks unless you just filled them. Always go up river and stay on your side of the shore tell your thermostat opens. On a lake, stay in the No Wake Zone till it does. If you are having engine problems, fix them in the water but still hooked to the trailer, not across the other side of the lake. Just remember you can suck rocks off the bottom in three feet of water. If your boat won?t Idle in the water, leave it on the trailer and find out why. You have no control without thrust and if your motor dies at speed IT?S DEADLY. When I think of more I?ll post them later Bud.

Wild Thang

How about I start a new thread on this. Other guys can add and I won?t jack this thread with a bad ending. It would be good to do this now that it is the beginning of our season. I hope that in November we are all still here safe and sound.

Wild Thang

... Always go up river and stay on your side of the shore tell your thermostat opens...

Wild Thang

You run a thermostat in your jet boat? Other than way up north where the water is really cold have I heard of that. What temp thermostat do you run? Sorry to jack the thread...

You run a thermostat in your jet boat? Other than way up north where the water is really cold have I heard of that. What temp thermostat do you run? Sorry to jack the thread...

I knew I would here something about this. Yup, 185. I have always had the typical big block cooling problems in trying to keep a constant water temp and now having through the transit Bassets this complicated things. If you have over transit headers this won?t apply as much as you don?t have to worry about pitching your water and keeping your headers cool. I am in a lot of different lakes and rivers, all with different water temps and us old guys get tired of wrenchen and turning flow control knobs so we spend money. I have a nice setup but I would have to take pictures to explain. I think that would be a good thread in the tech section. How I Keep It Cool. You start it and I?ll come in on Friday after I take some pics.

The temp thread is here

http://www.socaljetboats.com/index.php?topic=545.msg5944;topicseen#new

and the accident thread is here

http://www.socaljetboats.com/index.php?topic=546.msg5950;topicseen#new