First Jet Boat Questions

[AresTahiti]

This will be my first personal jet boat for myself. I grew up around a 24' 75 Sleekcraft jet boat for most of my teen years so I am not completely unfamaliar with them at all. I am just curious as to what I should look for. Where I should look. Rebuild sites for jet pumps. Any good information threads or sites to look for. I am looking at 16' to 20' in the year range of 1971 to 1980 Tahiti's at the moment. I think I have found a few good starter boats, but again looking for good starter information. Please let me know what's up.
These are two of the ones I am looking at currently.
1979 20' Tahiti Day Cruiser 455 Olds (http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/boa/282801741.html)
1971 19' Tahiti 455 Olds (http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/boa/281536767.html)

[SmokinLowriderSS]

Pump rebuild info depends greatly on what pump you deal with. Berks, Dominators, Amer. Turbine, Aggressors, are all very similar, some parts interchange. Panthers are not even remotely similar. Jacuzzi has 2, one similar to the berk style, one similar to the panther.
Use of the search function on this site is highly advised when you come up with a question as almost everything has been argued over at some time. :D
The Olds engines are good base engines, but don't expect stellar performance from them. High performance from one demands a lot of work the big Fords and Chevy's do not require (mostly mods to the oiling system), as well as a good deal more expensive parts. They CAN BE a very solid moderate performance engine though.
Best of luck to you.

[AresTahiti]

Thanks for the response. I have literally spent the last two hours reading through different threads and saving the ones that have some good information. I am not looking for insane speed, just a nice cruising boat something that'll do 50-60 without a lot of trouble. The 24' Sleekcraft did about 55 max with the 455 it had in it, it had some work on it, nothing crazy but did have some work on it.

[boatgonewild]

Everyone I knew that had the 455 hated it bacause parts are really hard to find. Im running 454, never had a olds beat me, ford 460 shelby came close..:D :D :D :D
http://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u25/boatgonewild/boatgonewild020.jpg

[AresTahiti]

Well I would be willing to pick up a boat with an Olds in it as long as it runs good. IE Compression check out and so on. I could do a build over a season and switch out the motors over the winter and sell off the Olds or whatever.
454, 502? I remember someone saying you would have to switch out quite a few parts. Mounts, Bellhousing, and ??? :confused:

[Oldsquirt]

454, 502? I remember someone saying you would have to switch out quite a few parts. Mounts, Bellhousing, and ??? :confused:
You will need to replace everything but the alternator. :)
Do yourself a favor........skip the Olds altogether, if possible, unless it is perfect and the seller is willing to give you a water test AND hold the throttle wide open until you run out of water and fuel. That will tell you what he thinks of the condition of the Olds. :D (I'm a former Olds owner. Mine lasted 20+ years, but I built it to do so)

[AresTahiti]

What would you recommend I look for OldSquirt? I have been searching pretty much everything within a 300 mile radius on craigslist and onlineboattrader and haven't really found anything but Olds. Should I consider some Outboard Tahitis? I am trying to get by kind of on the less expensive side (I dislike the word cheap). I like projects cause it gives me something to do, however I would like something I would be able to take out this summer and play with in the meantime without having to worry about it blowing up and paddling to the shore...
1986 Kahonia Hall (http://sacramento.craigslist.org/boa/280700563.html)
1968 16' Tahiti (http://sacramento.craigslist.org/boa/281519666.html)
1976 Tahiti (http://adcache.boattraderonline.com/6/7/8/86510478.htm)
tahiti 16' clean!! 1st $400 takes it (http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/boa/284182891.html)
1976 Hawaiin Jet Boat - 360 Engine, Dual Axle Trailer - $975 (http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/boa/283911310.html)
'77 18' ELIMINATOR BUBBLE DECK JET BOAT (http://sfbay.craigslist.org/pen/boa/282506315.html)

[jetboatperformance]

Feel free to call or PM if I can help you Tom

[SmokinLowriderSS]

Everyone I knew that had the 455 hated it bacause parts are really hard to find. Im running 454, never had a olds beat me, ford 460 shelby came close
Yea but wasn't that the trip where you had the extra beer cooler, both anchors, and the fat-chick relative along for the ride? :confused:
:D :D

[jetboat]

remember,olds have a oiling problem.

[atxwrangler]

don't buy an olds,i can't stress this enough! everyone sets out to just buy a mild lake boat 55 to 65 mph, but then,they get their ass handed to them and all of a sudden they are looking for a little more speed!:D

[boatgonewild]

The beer all go along with, but I cant, I repeat I just cant do the large margehttp://i164.photobucket.com/albums/u25/boatgonewild/Randmastersworkpictures015-1.jpg....... Even she is just a little bit more petite than I prefer.......

[flat broke]

Of the boats listed, I'd personally buy the Eliminator. I've had one of the same model and they do alright with modest power and take a pretty dry set. That being said, expect to dump 2-3k into that motor to make it something you won't have to dick with for a season or two. That boat actually looks familliar like it may have been one a guy on here picked up for free or damn close to it a couple years back, got it running, then sold it.
The real important question isn't about the motor, it's about the style of the hull you need to fit your intended use, and the best mfg/quality hulls available for that purpose in your price range. A motor to push an 18-19 low profile shallow V to 60 mph isn't going to break the bank.
Chris

[jetboat]

what does,or why put a picture of a couple drinking when the subject was a newbie trying to get a answere?thats stupid!

[Moneypitt]

Damm, that pic sorta woke this thread up. And it was in response to another post about a "fat relative" along for a ride. I say we need more pics like that and less discussion about which boat/motor combo to buy. Simple, if you like the way a boat looks, like the color, and like the sound, go for a ride. If the ride confirms the boat is what you're looking for in a boat, buy it.......Just make sure the owner wrings it out on the water without any problems, NONE.....MP

[boatgonewild]

I guess I should of put that quote phase thing in there from smokin, sorry
But on another note that pics , and all my pics came after my jet boat, this are some added goodys that go along with owning your new jet boat... So do us proud..... were like the navy seals of boating:jawdrop:
Where you saw two people drinkin, I saw two headlights a blinkin :sqeyes:

[jetboat]

different strokes for different people!

[SmokinLowriderSS]

Damm, that pic sorta woke this thread up. And it was in response to another post about a "fat relative" along for a ride. I say we need more pics like that and less discussion about which boat/motor combo to buy. Simple, if you like the way a boat looks, like the color, and like the sound, go for a ride. If the ride confirms the boat is what you're looking for in a boat, buy it.......Just make sure the owner wrings it out on the water without any problems, NONE.....MP
Yep. Buddy of mine knowingly bought a jet-boat cheap, due to the dead 460, but the funny was the owner had been showing a previous prospective customer how well it ran. THAT is when the improperly torqued #8 rod nut finally spun loose, and the motor turned the rod into 3 piece wall-sculpture. Sam & I deciphered this on teardown. Found all the pieces, even the nut, undamaged, in the bottom of the oil pan. 3 holes in the block, the pan looked like a 12-gauge load of buckshot had hit it, about 4 times.
Well, whadda ya know, there WERE 2 people in the picture, and drinks. I had to scroll back and check, 3 times. :D

[squirt'nmyload]

Where you saw two people drinkin, I saw two headlights a blinkin :sqeyes:
LMAO!!!!!