info about 18ft jetboats?

[boatncraze]

I am interested in purchasing an 18 to 20 ft jet boat. I havent been able to get alot of info on them, and I have a few questions. First, If I purchase a low profile jet can it only be used in dead calm water? Because of their low profile are there alot of limitations to their use? Does anybody who has one really enjoy their boat? How many people can usually rade along comfortably? any information would be greatly app. and hel;p me to make a wise discision! thankyou

[BrendellaJet]

Depends on what you want to do with the boat. An 18 footer is limited on space for storage. Not a lot of room for things like skis, innertubes, ice chests, especially if you plan on having 4 or 5 people in there at one time. The fewer passengers the more room available for all that stuff. There are some open bow setups that would allow considerably more storage. If you are willing to get creative, you can "make" some room on the boat, utilizing bow storage space which on some boats isn't always accessible until you do a little cutting...As far as water conditions, it depends on the hull style, a lot of them look very similar, but the hull design deep vee (Early Wreidt Jet Boats) or shallower(Southwind and its derivatives) are quite different and you will feel it. If the chop is less than a foot IMO, an 18 footer does fine. Anything more than that and the ride is not so fun. Do some resarch and find out what the water conditions are like on the areas you would be boating. They are definitely more versatile than a flat bottom, but they do have their limitations. They are a blast to drive!

[Liberator TJ1984]

IMO ,go with a 19 - 20' picklefork ,medium layup for all round use, or heavy layup for lake runner / 1-2' chop :idea: but thats just my thoughts :D

[sanger rat]

Where are you going to use this boat? Let us know there may be someone here from your area that could help answer your Q.

[sanger rat]

IMO ,go with a 19 - 20' picklefork ,medium layup for all round use, or heavy layup for lake runner / 1-2' chop :idea: but thats just my thoughts :D
Dam you run that in 2 foot chop? Me, I would be on the trailer.

[old rigger]

18 or 19 foot Rogers. Best small boat made. Roger was the first to build a v bottom jet, his stuff dominated circle races for years, rode great in rough stuff and smooth water and he had a very loyal following from the 60's to when he retired a few years ago. Built his stuff one at a time, no mass produced, stock-the-shelves boats. Just my .02 and I know I'm more than slightly biased towards his boats. lol Other builders had their loyal followers as well.
Buy a proven hull, Hallett, Rogers, Liberty, Spectra or the like, something built with intergerty, not a mass produced boat for your first one. Save you lots of head aches. That is if your looking to buy a used boat, which you might consider for your first one. There's quite a few deals on this board from time to time.
Like Brendella jet said, depends on what you want to do with the boat.

[boatncraze]

I am in phoenix,az.. I have looked at a few diffrent types of jets kona, tahiti, and southwind. I plan to use it on local lakes around the area.. maybe havasu, and the colorado river. I like the lower profile konas and tahitis but nervous about their riding capabilites..

[boatncraze]

any ideas o0n motors? I have heard that the 455 is not my best choice? any ideas between a 460 and a 454? what will an 18ft tahiti or kona run with a 454 with a berkley pump?

[Coleitis22]

Just a thought. There are a lot of good hulls out there. Go to Boat Traderonline. My first jet was a Carrera 19/454. Very stable, not much room and the headers could cook a non suspecting leg or butt cheek. However the gel was gorgeous and the boat was fast.
Carrera
Eliminator
Southwind
Don't get in a Hurry!! :cool: :cool:

[Coleitis22]

I am interested in purchasing an 18 to 20 ft jet boat. I havent been able to get alot of info on them, and I have a few questions. First, If I purchase a low profile jet can it only be used in dead calm water? Because of their low profile are there alot of limitations to their use? Does anybody who has one really enjoy their boat? How many people can usually rade along comfortably? any information would be greatly app. and hel;p me to make a wise discision! thankyou
Carrera
Eliminator
Southwind
Sanger
Stick with the Chev 454, parts are easy to find and there are great folks out there that like to help and trade. Pumps? Berkely and Dominator. The 455 is a great boat anchor, try to avoid it. That's my story and I'm stickin 2 it.

[boatncraze]

yeah I have been loooking on traderonline for awile now and that has kind of got me to the point where I cant decide between a 20 ft minidaycruiser or an 18 ft lowprofile jet

[boatncraze]

yeah I have heard that about the 455. So your careera was a low profile I take it? Any problems with wave conditions? can these l9ow profile jets handle a dayu on the lake with 22 25 ft runabouts around? Will my girlfriend hate it? haha.

[sanger rat]

Shop with a open mind and look for the best deal. Ebay is a good place to watch too. Look for something turnkey with a Chevy or Ford.

[Squirtin Thunder]

I will have a turn key 18' Sanger Super Jet forsale around tax return time. It will be powered by a 460 Big Bad Ford and a Berkley jet. The nice thing about this boat is you can have some input on how its rigged and colors. Check out the Chainsaw Bait Project !!!
Jim
1-928-704-1158
codeblueracing2004@yahoo.com

[victorfb]

i too, like oldrigger, am a bit biased with the Rogers, but there are alot of great boats out there. since its your first and your not looking for the fastest thing out there id recommend finding a 19-21 foot boat that has through transum exaust. the lakes can and will get rough and these smaller hulls get beat to crap, not to mention the possability of sinking with an unexperienced driver. the through hul exaust will help you live longer without getting a bassett tattoo. stick with the berkeley pump and the 454 bbc, or 460 ford, the 455 olds are fine but as you gain more confidence in driving the more speed and for longer durations you will want to go and thats the downfall of the stock 455 olds.(no sence in having that limitation). my first jet boat (which i still have tucked away) is an 18 Tahiti, berk pump, and 455 olds with log exaust. it was a great, cheap boat to learn how to be a driver and owner. dont spend too much on your first boat. get something to learn with that you wont cry if you scratch it on the docks, or while launching/retrieving. it happens. if your passengers are not boat owners they WILL treat your boat like crap, so its a learning curve for your friends aswell. and by all means dont think the river is any less dangerous for low freeboard boats. it gets just as choppy with all the boats out there now. but atleast you are closer to a shoreline if any problems occure. and if at all possible, have the owner take you out on the water and make sure that the boat is sound and runns fine. if your not much of a mechanic, take it to someone who is.

[Coleitis22]

yeah I have heard that about the 455. So your careera was a low profile I take it? Any problems with wave conditions? can these l9ow profile jets handle a dayu on the lake with 22 25 ft runabouts around? Will my girlfriend hate it? haha.
Yep, it was low profile and I took a few over the bow. I believe Captain Morgan was in charge at the time. Learned not to trust him on future outings. Check out Squirtin Thunders Sanger. :cool: :cool:

[Liberator TJ1984]

Dam you run that in 2 foot chop? Me, I would be on the trailer.
True dat ! Mine probably trailered too ! :sleeping:
although I have been in a few "Deep " Hulled/Freeboard ?? Pickleforks that ran well in chop and were very roomy , 21's with blown power...
a Cherokee , Liberator , and an Eliminator , but like the rest of you guys are thinking I did not consider ...first boat or "user Friendly " aspects of his question,water conditions ..etc...... Chevy power is everywhere though.. :idea:

[Nubbs]

My first boat was an 18' Nordic bubbledeck w/ a 502 BBC. It was beautiful, however, it wasn't very practical for what I wanted to do. I had it at Havasu twice. I could pretty much run it from 6am till about 10 am. I could run it more at Parker, but when Parker got rough I had to park it. I ran it all day long at Blythe. It had seating for 5, but that was pretty crowded. I sold it last year and bought a 21' Caliber 1. Give me a call if you want to talk some more about boats. I'll pm you my number.
Nubbs

[victorfb]

there ya go. learn from Nubbs experience. you may have a differant use for the boat but any and all info is very valuable.

[djunkie]

I did the same thing. Started out with an 18 ft. jet boat. Didn't last very long cause it didn't like the rough water at the river. Depending on where you plan on using it I would step up to a 21 footer. And if you want more passenger room then definatley get an open bow. I ended up with a 23'Howard. Doesn't have a whole lot of seating area but it has a huge V and takes the rough water like a dream.

[LakesOnly]

The most copied 18 ft hull is the Southwind 18-ft v-bottom. Other boat manufacturers that copied include (I'm pretty sure...): Challenger, Charger, Hondo, Kachina, Anthony, and Liberty.
It's the bottom design in particular that was used in all the splashes. Last I heard, Cobra Boats was making the latest exact copy...possibly from the original molds. Look at the detailed lines, they are the exact same boat. Here is an orignal Southwind 18-ft.:
http://www.***boat.com/image_center/data/500/350Anderson_New_Motor-med.jpg
And here is a 2003 Cobra 18-ft.:
http://www.***boat.com/image_center/data/500/350Cobra-Southwind_Copy-med.jpg
It does not need dead calm water to be a pleasure to ride in. Set up properly and they can be a pretty fast v-bottom hull:
http://www.***boat.com/image_center/data/500/350CBBB_04_Pass_1A.jpg
Click Here (http://home.earthlink.net/~kaneofthenation/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderfiles/firstpass.mpg) to see a pass in mpeg.
LO
p.s. Three are lots of good hull designs out there; Rogers, Sanger and Eliminator come to mind...

[BarryMac]

I am interested in purchasing an 18 to 20 ft jet boat. I havent been able to get alot of info on them, and I have a few questions. First, If I purchase a low profile jet can it only be used in dead calm water? Because of their low profile are there alot of limitations to their use? Does anybody who has one really enjoy their boat? How many people can usually rade along comfortably? any information would be greatly app. and hel;p me to make a wise discision! thankyou
Sandstorm has a pretty nice boat for sale, 20' Commander I think, check it out in the Sandbar forum...

[LakesOnly]

any ideas o0n motors? I have heard that the 455 is not my best choice? any ideas between a 460 and a 454? what will an 18ft tahiti or kona run with a 454 with a berkley pump?
You can start a war with a question like that! :D
I have spent a lot of time playing with all kinds of engine configurations, covering inline, opposed, V-configuration, four-stroke, two-stroke, automobile, boat, motorcycle, and rpm ranges of 2500-14,000 rpm. I was biased against the Ford over this entire period and never cared much for them because of my bias.
Then, after seeing it all, I took a Ford 460 apart and was totally blown away. Almost all the stock components in the 429/460 engine had features that were found on the other brand's aftermarket components only. Long story short, the stock components of the Ford are not only stock-reliable but can also be used to make high horspower engines without the need for aluminum heads or intakes or forged cranks or major block mods/trick blocks, etc. The advantages of the stock stuff over the other brands stock stuff is just unbelievable.
As far as advising you on an engine, let me just say this: When I purchased my boat in the above photos, I made the conscious decision that this time, I was not gonna sell my next boat (because I always ended up just wanting one again). So I decided to take all the time in the world and find a very well-kept hull. Powerplant wise at time, all that mattered to me was that it had either a Ford or a Chevy engine in it...I would pass on all boats with any other brand motor. This is not an effort to dis any other engine manufacturer, just a personal choice...and I am making the same recommendation to you. Find a well-kept turn key boat that is not in need of repair or upgrades because marine stuff is expensive as a rule. Get a popular engine that has plenty of parts avaliablity both OEM & aftermarket, and also has proven its reliability in this application.
Go with a Ford or Chevy. My personal choice is the Ford these days...
LO

[moneysucker]

i too, like oldrigger, am a bit biased with the Rogers, but there are alot of great boats out there. since its your first and your not looking for the fastest thing out there id recommend finding a 19-21 foot boat that has through transum exaust. the lakes can and will get rough and these smaller hulls get beat to crap, not to mention the possability of sinking with an unexperienced driver. the through hul exaust will help you live longer without getting a bassett tattoo. stick with the berkeley pump and the 454 bbc, or 460 ford, the 455 olds are fine but as you gain more confidence in driving the more speed and for longer durations you will want to go and thats the downfall of the stock 455 olds.(no sence in having that limitation). my first jet boat (which i still have tucked away) is an 18 Tahiti, berk pump, and 455 olds with log exaust. it was a great, cheap boat to learn how to be a driver and owner. dont spend too much on your first boat. get something to learn with that you wont cry if you scratch it on the docks, or while launching/retrieving. it happens. if your passengers are not boat owners they WILL treat your boat like crap, so its a learning curve for your friends aswell. and by all means dont think the river is any less dangerous for low freeboard boats. it gets just as choppy with all the boats out there now. but atleast you are closer to a shoreline if any problems occure. and if at all possible, have the owner take you out on the water and make sure that the boat is sound and runns fine. if your not much of a mechanic, take it to someone who is.
That is the truest statement I have heard i a long time. My first boat was a tahiti with a 455 and I learned a lot on that boat. Also, there was nothing you could hit with that boat that could hurt it. It was laid up thick enough to be bullet proof. You will have more fun with a boat that you don't have to wory about. Now I have at least 1 dog per season jump on the deeck of my boat which causes me to have to wet sand and buff the scratches out. Everyone loves to play foot ball around it spotting up the aluminum as well as the gell, and it takes at least 1 day to get the boat ready to go anywhere. Has to be completely checked out and cleaned. My tahiti, I would change the oil 3 or so times a year, fill with 92 and go. Simple turn key operation. The most problems I had were the amps overheating in the 120 degree heat. The gell on the tahiti was bass master brown with the gold flakes and it looked the same if you washed it or not. It was great. I wish I still had it. But, it never did the 70 mph I thought it did. And there was no amount of money that would have made it do 100. Tahiti's are great, 18 Southwinds are nice riding boats as well, Sanger superjets ride good and have a lot of room in them, The 19 hallet is a great riding boat and has the most cockpit space of all the ones I stated in my opinion. For anything above 1.5 ft chop you want a mini day cruiser. 1.5 and I am heading fot the trailer in my drag tunnel.

[BarryMac]

Which is where you should stay...
Nice, just trying to help a guy out...

[Jake W2]

Lakes nice call on the Cobra I have seen it befor but never put 2 and 2 togeather with it being the same as your Southwind.I like the way yours looks better than the Cobra though.
You might think about a Taylor SS it has a low profile bottom but a higher deck so they look cool in the water and they have more free board and a good ski boat but not a runner.
I know you guys thought I was gona say GULLWING :D
Jake

[78Southwind]

I am interested in purchasing an 18 to 20 ft jet boat. I havent been able to get alot of info on them, and I have a few questions. First, If I purchase a low profile jet can it only be used in dead calm water? Because of their low profile are there alot of limitations to their use? Does anybody who has one really enjoy their boat? How many people can usually rade along comfortably? any information would be greatly app. and hel;p me to make a wise discision! thankyou
http://www.***boat.com/image_center/data/520/1676Last_River_Trip_78Southwind.JPG
Boatncraze
If I was you I would make a list of the most import things that matter to you in your boat buying decision making process. I bought my boat when I was 20 which was sixteen years ago. The things that were important to me at that time was the price and the low profile hotrod look.
If you are looking for the lowest price an 18' will generally be less expensive compared to a 20'. But buying in the winter will usually land you a cheaper price than buying in the summer any how. The hulls that I like for the 18' are of course the Southwind...Southwind splashes and the Rogers. I am sure that one of the ***boat members would take you for a ride at a local lake to see if you like the ride of an 18' or the 20'
To answer your question no you don't need dead calm water but the ride in an 18' is rougher than a 20'. When I bought my Southwind things where a little different I pretty much took my boat every where Lake Mead, Lake Mohave, Lake Havasu, and the river. But that was before Ocean Liners were a common sight on the Lakes. I am more selective where I boat now mostly on the river.
A side note to this is that you should make sure you have a good bilge pump and bilge lines you may even want to replace these items after you buy your new to you boat. I would go with at least a 500gph pump. I don't care if you buy the 18' or 20' your going to get water in your boat.
My boat will comfortably fit 4 people in it but I have had 5 and the brochure say's 6, not. A couple months ago I had four of us in the boat all close to 200lbs each and I was pretty low to the water. In fact the bilge line was taking water back in the boat so I had to leave the bilge on. If bringing lots of friends and comfort is of concern then the 20’ is the answer.
If you are going to get a jet make sure you get a big block Chevy or Ford. I have never owned an Ols but have heard of oil problem issues. You should also stay with a jet that they still make parts for Berkeley would probably be one of the most common. If the jet has a jetovator or place diverter that is a plus your boat will handle the rough stuff and get on plane a little faster.
Once you find the boat of your dreams have the owner take you for a ride at a local lake and ask the owner maintenance questions. How often does the owner change the oil in the engine most will change it at least every season? Does the owner keep the gear oil in the pump topped off, is the packing for the pump and trailer bearings greased up. Do a compression check of the engine cylinders. Also, get under the boat and check for cracks and bondo an old boat will have hair line cracks on the deck but there should not be anything that looks structurally wrong with the boat. Check for any gas leaks let them be from the carbs, tanks or lines. You may want to replace the gas lines any way. This is a small list of what you should be checking but I am sure the others will comment.

[Coleitis22]

The most copied 18 ft hull is the Southwind 18-ft v-bottom. Other boat manufacturers that copied include (I'm pretty sure...): Challenger, Charger, Hondo, Kachina, Anthony, and Liberty.
It's the bottom design in particular that was used in all the splashes. Last I heard, Cobra Boats was making the latest exact copy...possibly from the original molds. Look at the detailed lines, they are the exact same boat. Here is an orignal Southwind 18-ft.:
http://www.***boat.com/image_center/data/500/350Anderson_New_Motor-med.jpg
And here is a 2003 Cobra 18-ft.:
http://www.***boat.com/image_center/data/500/350Cobra-Southwind_Copy-med.jpg
It does not need dead calm water to be a pleasure to ride in. Set up properly and they can be a pretty fast v-bottom hull:
http://www.***boat.com/image_center/data/500/350CBBB_04_Pass_1A.jpg
Click Here (http://home.earthlink.net/~kaneofthenation/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderfiles/firstpass.mpg) to see a pass in mpeg.
LO
p.s. Three are lots of good hull designs out there; Rogers, Sanger and
Eliminator come to mind...
Hey if your gonna do that, you should consider a longer lake! :2purples: :2purples: :2purples: :2purples:

[PonyFiveO]

http://www.***boat.com/image_center/data/500/350Anderson_New_Motor-med.jpg
Looks Good Lakes! :) I think this and the Southwind Dragster is one of the coolest looking hull designs I have seen (outside of a CP that is :D ) Anyways, please continue on with this thread :)

[blown19]

try looking at bahners, my 19 semi v does 95 gps with 800 horse and feels safe :)

[boatncraze]

what about a 19 to 21 ft mini daycruiser? is this a better choice for rougher water? or is the profile just about the same as an 18ft jet? I found a nice southwind for sale in cali with a 460. mini daycruiser. it looks a little deeper. except the dealer who has it on consignment said one cylinder has a compression of 85 with the rest at 110 that scared me off!

[78Southwind]

what about a 19 to 21 ft mini daycruiser? is this a better choice for rougher water? or is the profile just about the same as an 18ft jet? I found a nice southwind for sale in cali with a 460. mini daycruiser. it looks a little deeper. except the dealer who has it on consignment said one cylinder has a compression of 85 with the rest at 110 that scared me off!
I would pass on the Southwind unless you get it for a song. Once you buy your new to you boat make sure to come to this event. I had a blast last year.
Classic Boat Beach Bash (http://www.***boat.com/forums/showthread.php?t=69514)

[Coleitis22]

:D Now you're lookin for mini cruisers?
Sanger built a really hot mini cruiser V Drive. Those things just screamed across the lake and from what I heard were nice riding boats. Maybe some of the 70's Sanger fans would have some data on that ride. I remember the boat but not the details, or vice - versa. CRS is setting. The 60's really screwed me up. Too many Grateful Dead Concerts. :idea:

[LakesOnly]

Lakes nice call on the Cobra I have seen it befor but never put 2 and 2 togeather with it being the same as your Southwind.I like the way yours looks better than the Cobra though.
Jake
Thanks very much Jake. I too don't care much for the cheesy graphics of the Cobra.:yuk: It's nice to know the boat is still available new, though. By the way, last I heard the the Cobra 18 was $25,000.
LO

[LakesOnly]

http://www.***boat.com/image_center/data/500/350Anderson_New_Motor-med.jpg
Looks Good Lakes! :) I think this and the Southwind Dragster is one of the coolest looking hull designs I have seen (outside of a CP that is :D ) Anyways, please continue on with this thread :)
Yo P_, you got a tow vehicle yet? Spring is around the corner and the reservoirs around us are all full.
At the moment, I have two good tow vehilces if you still don't have one yet, if you wanna trip over to Anderson or mayube even Berryessa...I think I can get another 5 mph out of your boat as is...
LO

[roostwear]

My first boat was a 18' Tahiti Tiger, and, to be honest, I wish I still had it. It had a mild 460 with a Berk 'C",diverter, and handled like it was on rails. The rigging was crap, and the floor needed to be replaced, but it was fun, bullet proof, and took an excellent set even with a massive hook. Outhandled my 18 Advantage semi V in low to medium chop. The bottom line is this: They're cheap to own if you don't care, and expensive if you do. Not a whole lot different than any other LF boat, but once you get the itch, make sure it's with something you want long term.

[Brooski]

If you were just going to visit local lakes, I know of a boat for sale that would be a nice buy (just look down). But, you mentioned you want to go to Havasu. The Silverado I have for sale is a great boat, but even though it is a 20ft boat, it does not have a deep V, so it is not that smooth in rough water. And Havasu seems rougher each year with all the bigger boats on it. I took it last year from the Avi to Havasu and back, and it was a little rough in Topok Gorge when the big boats passed. The deeper the V, the smoother the ride in rougher water.

[PonyFiveO]

Yo P_, you got a tow vehicle yet? Spring is around the corner and the reservoirs around us are all full.
At the moment, I have two good tow vehilces if you still don't have one yet, if you wanna trip over to Anderson or mayube even Berryessa...I think I can get another 5 mph out of your boat as is...
LO
I am trying to get setup after taxes. In a pinch I can use my brother's tow vehicle. It will be nice to finally take it out!
It looked like you did that speed run on the North end of Anderson. If it was Anderson, did the rangers hassle you at all? Have you taken your boat there yet this year?

[spectras only]

I would prefer a 20' jet over an 18 for chop . Here's a pic info
on southwinds. The second from the top is the same as the 18'
spectra. CoastguardSteve over at www.spectrasmarine.com has one
for sale
4000 turnkey .
http://www3.telus.net/spectrasonly/southwindinfo.jpg

[boatncraze]

that email for spectramarine.com isnt working?? You have another way to view pics on the 18 spectra for sale?

[Squirtin Thunder]

that email for spectramarine.com isnt working?? You have another way to view pics on the 18 spectra for sale?
Give me a call I am working on a 18' Sanger Super Jet that will be ready soon. Your input if interested would be helpfull.
Jim
1-928-704-1158

[LakesOnly]

Click Here (http://home.earthlink.net/~kaneofthenation/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderfiles/firstpass.mpg) to see a pass in mpeg.
LO
Hey if your gonna do that, you should consider a longer lake! :2purples: :2purples: :2purples: :2purples:
It looked like you did that speed run on the North end of Anderson. If it was Anderson, did the rangers hassle you at all? Have you taken your boat there yet this year?
Coleitis, the size of the lake is deceiving. PonyFive-0, good eye.
The clip is as far north at Anderseon reservoir as one can go. It is a weekday when nobody is there, and I have even ventured into the 5-zone to make the pass in very calm water. Reason: All the new homeowners popping up at the south end of Anderson complain about the boat noise, and so the ranger--while looking at my headers--asked that we head north.
Being that it was a weekday and we were the only ones in the lake, and in an area where there was not another living soul, we went to where the water was most calm..the 5-zone. yes, the lake is at a very low level during the pass, but I am actually heading south into deeper water.
Incidentally, that clip is taken when the new engine had just 45 minutes run time on it and was only a test & tune...that is the first flat-out pass and I wanted to evaluate boat attitude at speed so I shot mpeg. That pass is only 73.5 mph and I have since picked up an additional 12 mph.
LO

[spectras only]

Boatncrazy , here's the link =
http://www.***boat.net/forums/showthread.php?t=49813

[Squirtin Thunder]

that email for spectramarine.com isnt working?? You have another way to view pics on the 18 spectra for sale?
Here is a link;
http://www.***boat.com/forums/showthread.php?t=69171
Give me a call I am working on a 18' Sanger Super Jet that will be ready soon. Your input if interested would be helpfull.
Jim
1-928-704-1158
This will have a very nicely ported 460 with a mild cam.

[HoffmanEagleMarine]

My .03 cents, "Go Ford!" and don't cheap out! You'll have it for sale in no time and get crap for it! I had my Wriedt Maverick for 20 years and love it! It's heavier than heck and still kick'n! Doug :cool: