Advice wanted - is it a good deal?

[thehotrodguy]

I currently have 3 jetboats... 18' Galaxy sbc w/ Berkeley JE, 18' Sterling w/ 454 and Berkeley JG, wedge and place diverter, and a 21' Hawaiian w/ Berkeley JC and 460 bbf. There don't seem to be many jetboaters in my area (Chesapeake Bay, Maryland) so I am glad to have found some knowledge on the web.
I am going this week to look at and perhaps purchase a 1984 TX-19 youngblood. Basically, I am buying the hull and pump. It is a Berkeley JG with hardened shaft, stainless impeller, droop, ride plate. The hull is flawless - less than 40 hours on the boat since new. Perfect paint, great interior, boat was used less than an hour each time before being washed and covered in a heated garage. The owner is a friend of my father's, and he has lost interest in boating. He offered it to me for $5k with no motor. With motor he wants $12k - 454, .60 over, dart heads w/ ss valves, BDS 6-71 & a pair of blueprinted Holley 650s. I have the cash to invest but not throw away.
What is this worth? Trailer is included. I am basically buying it to steal the pump to replace the JC in my 21' Hawaiian, where it will be powered by a 460 BBF (bored .60, stroked to 520, DOVE heads). I then plan to put the JC into the TX-19 with a stock 454 BBC, Basset headers (I already have them) and sell the package, hopefully for similar money that I buy the hull for.
Am I crazy, stupid, or maybe lucky? Advise would be appreciated - hell, I'll accept offers on the hull once I get the pump off.
:)
Thanks all

[SBC Jetboat]

Id say hell yea its worth it with or without the motor. You couldn't fix one up or build the engine for any less.

[thehotrodguy]

I guess the real question is, what can I get for the hull when I'm done? Wife is VERY patient & understanding, but another boat in and none out make for unhappy wife. Unhappy wives go shopping, take away playtime money.
Happy wife = happy life
Thanks
Oh I forgot I have a 21' Sleekcraft bowrider hull for sale - needs lots of love, I have a clean title. Anyone interested? I'll let it go real cheap.....

[Gearhead]

Why would a man take the best boat in his stable and canibalize it? The JG is not going to do a whole lot for the Hawaiian, but the JC is going to kill the performance on the TX-19.
Before you you pass judgement on the TX-19, you may consider putting an engine in it and giving it a spin. There is the possibility that the stock 454 in the TX-19 would give the 520 in the Hawaiian a good run :)
If the boat and/or engine are as nice as you have been told, they well may be worth the money. Is the boat in "good paint" or "good gellcoat"? That will make a difference on the value.
Have Fun!
Gearhead

[thehotrodguy]

both the paint and the gelcoat are flawless. The absolute only problem I can find with the moat is that the reverse cable is frozen - it has NEVER been used. The boat was always shut off and paddled in to get back on the trailer.
I can buy it with the blower motor in it - the boat is turn key right now - the problem is that I have put a $3500 deposit on the BBF before this boat came available - and the wife is looking forward to the Hawaiian. Perhaps I should sell the Galaxie & the sterling instead of the tx-19 - but then I going to have to come clean about how much money has been spent. The other reservation I have with all this is I have ZERO garage space to give up - so other than a good quality tarp, the tx-19 will sit outside for the first time in it's life. And winter is coming. Better outside than in my shop, where it will certainly be damaged. Or worse yet, I could put the '68 vette outside and the boat inside.... or not.
What could I expect to get for the bare hull, with no motor and no pump at all, assuming I sell the tx?

[victorfb]

buy a JG bowl and leave the TX-19 alone. it doesnt sound like you have that much interest in the TX-19 and i would rather see you leave it be for someone who would love to get ahold of it.

[thehotrodguy]

What makes the tx-19 great? The waters I am commonly in are highly traveled... lots of boaters, skiers, etc... I was lead to believe that the tx-19 is too likely to "float" on air and would not be good in the waters here. Having never been in one, what quality ride / stability can I expect?
The sterling is the fastest jet I have, about 68. I have previously had fast outboards (my Allison would easily hit mid 90's, but with lots of chine walk). I want to go a little faster than I am going now, but have to deal with wake and average chop of about 12-18". Occasionally, I run up smaller rivers that are more like glass, but want to play where I launch.
I figured with the JG, droop, ride plate and the 520 BBF I should be able to get the Hawaiian to mid 70's, maybe a little more. I have purchased a hyd place diverter to add to the mix, thinking that the longer, slightly heavier boat will handle the conditions best of the "fleet".
Can someone educate me? I don't want to ruin a nice boat, waste money, or do anything more than have a great time... and I am feeling a little overwhelmed with choices and wrestling with decisions. If buying a JG bowl is my best bet, where can I find one? I've scoured ebay for the last few weeks, closest I came was a $599 JB setup....
Thanks to all for the wisedom & advice
Andrew

[SBC Jetboat]

Thats a very desireable hull for going fast in chop. A V hull would ride much rougher. All the racers out there desire a tunnel or air entrapment design. I am not too far from you. I am 35 miles up rt 301 in Massey, MD. Thats near Galena /Millington. I was just down your way today for the hydro races. There are a few other jet boaters around. One is Henry Morris, a widely known and respected jetboater all across the country. Hes in Newark, DE. I get a lot of parts from him. Hes big into drag racing them all around the country.
Id really love to have it but I already dumped everything I have into this hawaiian. I have to have a tunnel someday though.
The tunnels handle rougher water better than a V or a flatbottom. The diverter will help a lot, and I believe a droop will help with the heavy hull on the hawaiian. It'll help lift the back a bit higher and level the nose a bit. I would sell one of the other boats and keep the TX-19. You'll probably sell all the other boats if you buy the TX and the blower motor. Im assuming you run out in the Narrows? That is a busy place.

[rivrrts429]

I currently have 3 jetboats... 18' Galaxy sbc w/ Berkeley JE, 18' Sterling w/ 454 and Berkeley JG, wedge and place diverter, and a 21' Hawaiian w/ Berkeley JC and 460 bbf. There don't seem to be many jetboaters in my area (Chesapeake Bay, Maryland) so I am glad to have found some knowledge on the web.
I am going this week to look at and perhaps purchase a 1984 TX-19 youngblood. Basically, I am buying the hull and pump. It is a Berkeley JG with hardened shaft, stainless impeller, droop, ride plate. The hull is flawless - less than 40 hours on the boat since new. Perfect paint, great interior, boat was used less than an hour each time before being washed and covered in a heated garage. The owner is a friend of my father's, and he has lost interest in boating. He offered it to me for $5k with no motor. With motor he wants $12k - 454, .60 over, dart heads w/ ss valves, BDS 6-71 & a pair of blueprinted Holley 650s. I have the cash to invest but not throw away.
What is this worth? Trailer is included. I am basically buying it to steal the pump to replace the JC in my 21' Hawaiian, where it will be powered by a 460 BBF (bored .60, stroked to 520, DOVE heads). I then plan to put the JC into the TX-19 with a stock 454 BBC, Basset headers (I already have them) and sell the package, hopefully for similar money that I buy the hull for.
Am I crazy, stupid, or maybe lucky?Advise would be appreciated - hell, I'll accept offers on the hull once I get the pump off.
:)
Thanks all
I hope you don't take offense but this sounds to much like spam. You have all these other jet boats that sound to be pretty stout, your not new to jet boats and you have no idea what a tx-19 is good for or worth:confused: ??
You want to butcher it so you can put the pump in your Hawaiian?? Why don't you save the $$ and just replace the pump in your hawaiian and call it a day. Leave the youngblood to somebody who will appreciate it. Maybe I'm wrong and your not new to jets, just lucky to have 3 boats, and really don't know what a youngblood is worth...if thats the case I apologize ahead of time.
Now go ahead an PM the sellers #;)
And to answer your question...You are crazy, stupid and lucky:D :D :D

[thehotrodguy]

Certainly close enough to get together one evening! I ride out of the narrows, often just to the south side (where the hydro races were). The Corsica River (Centreville) is the river I grew up on and is a perfect place - relatively low traffic & GREAT water conditions. Very sheltered. I am familar w/ Millington, I am a paramedic in QA County (actually working right now... great to get paid to surf the web).
How does the tx-19 or other tunnels for that matter handle tight corners & at speed turns? If the boat impresses me, I will have to buy it... but I am a little skeptical about "blowing my wad" in boats and having no winter shelter for them...
Thanks. I'd love to get in touch... thehotrodguy@gmail.com
Andrew

[thehotrodguy]

I hope you don't take offense but this sounds to much like spam. You have all these other jet boats that sound to be pretty stout, your not new to jet boats and you have no idea what a tx-19 is good for or worth:confused: ??
You want to butcher it so you can put the pump in your Hawaiian?? Why don't you save the $$ and just replace the pump in your hawaiian and call it a day. Leave the youngblood to somebody who will appreciate it. Maybe I'm wrong and your not new to jets, just lucky to have 3 boats, and really don't know what a youngblood is worth...if thats the case I apologize ahead of time.
Now go ahead an PM the sellers #;)
And to answer your question...You are crazy, stupid and lucky:D :D :D
Sorry to be posting such long stuff....
I am not at all new to boating, and I fell for my first jet about 2 years ago. The thrill, the fun, the simplicity. Until I found this site, I didn't even know the diff between a splitbowl, full stringers, tunnels, etc. I just knew jets were cool and tried to buy all the ones I could afford!
What I am gathering from you guys is that I should sea-trial this boat with the motor in it, then buy it, hide it in a buddy's garage until I ditch one (or more) of the other jets, and bring it home. Maybe I'll put the place diverter on the tx-19 and just leave the hawaiian tame at the 55 or 60 that the 520 & JC will push it?

[SBC Jetboat]

It'll corner tight enough to throw you out of the boat if ya aint holdin on (or flip if you hit a wake sideways). You drive it and it'll be all over, Ill gaurantee it!!! The other ones will all have a sign on them.
When I get my boat done (in thje water ) Ill e-mail you. We hang out on the Sassafras and frequent LLoyds Creek a lot. Its a big hang out for the powerboats (offshore and a few jets). We want to get down to the Narrows with it though for something different.

[rivrrts429]

I like your thinking now :D :D

[thehotrodguy]

Sounds like a good time. Drop me an email. FYI, Tred Avon regatta is this weekend... I'll have the Sterling (and maybe also the tx) out there to shower the blow boaters!
I go to look at / sea trial the tx-19 wednesday. I'll post an update.
Thanks again!
Andrew

[IMPATIENT 1]

i'll sell ya my tx-19, everything is new or rebuilt;) and it will scared the shiat outta you:devil: if your a jetboat newbie:D

[sleekcrafter]

[QUOTE=Oh I forgot I have a 21' Sleekcraft bowrider hull for sale - needs lots of love, I have a clean title. Anyone interested? I'll let it go real cheap.....[/QUOTE]
CAN YOU SEND PIC'S OF THE 21 SLEEKCRAFT BOWRIDER, AND ANY MORE INFO YOUR HAVE ON IT? THANKS.

[Gearhead]

You can learn about the history and design of the TX-19 at http://www.youngbloodjetboats.com
Gear

[thehotrodguy]

CAN YOU SEND PIC'S OF THE 21 SLEEKCRAFT BOWRIDER, AND ANY MORE INFO YOUR HAVE ON IT? THANKS.
New to the site, haven't figured out how to PM or post pics. Send me an email to thehotrodguy@gmail.com I'll send you what I got.

[rivrrts429]

New to the site, haven't figured out how to PM or post pics. Send me an email to thehotrodguy@gmail.com I'll send you what I got.
Hotrodguy -
It will take a few days for the system to recognize you. You'll be able to PM in a few days

[thehotrodguy]

i'll sell ya my tx-19, everything is new or rebuilt;) and it will scared the shiat outta you:devil: if your a jetboat newbie:D
The last time I was "scared" in a boat was a dozen years ago, when my 13' Allison craft (running a 32 pitch chopper prop from a hydro) hit the triple digit mark - 13', 450 lbs (including me). Since then, nervous has been a goal on the water - and no offense, but I doubt you'd be willing to sell a boat the could do that. I'm not saying I'm the bravest guy, but it does take an awful lot.
Thanks for the challenge, if you were closer I'd love to try it....

[thehotrodguy]

Well, I too a ride in the tx-19 youngblood gullwing today. Neat boat. As promised, the hull was near-flawless. I found one small imperfection in the paint. The boat ran well, although not the promised 100+ - I'm guessing high 80, maybe low 90. Speedo not onboard, so no real data.
What surprised me is that the boat has no real use. Unless, of course, I was going to strictly drag race it. I would not idle below 1800 rpm without cutting out. The kill switch is messed up a little, so we had to hold the button. The motor is running rich, and there is blow-by enough from the breathers that the back of the boat looked REALLY BAD after the 20 min ride we took.
Some small wiring issues, the need for a tune, and the fact that with the blower on it it really just doesn't do what I want to do... so I left it alone. He has decided on a low price of $10k for the package. Oh yeah, don't plan on towing the trailer very far. Boat is located in Huntungton, MD. If anyone want's his number, shhot me a message ( thehotrodguy@gmail.com ) and I'll be happy to pass it along.
Back to the drawing board. Thanks for all the advice and insight!
Andrew

[speedymopars]

Well, I too a ride in the tx-19 youngblood gullwing today. Neat boat. As promised, the hull was near-flawless. I found one small imperfection in the paint. The boat ran well, although not the promised 100+ - I'm guessing high 80, maybe low 90. Speedo not onboard, so no real data.
What surprised me is that the boat has no real use. Unless, of course, I was going to strictly drag race it. I would not idle below 1800 rpm without cutting out. The kill switch is messed up a little, so we had to hold the button. The motor is running rich, and there is blow-by enough from the breathers that the back of the boat looked REALLY BAD after the 20 min ride we took.
Some small wiring issues, the need for a tune, and the fact that with the blower on it it really just doesn't do what I want to do... so I left it alone. He has decided on a low price of $10k for the package. Oh yeah, don't plan on towing the trailer very far. Boat is located in Huntungton, MD. If anyone want's his number, shhot me a message ( thehotrodguy@gmail.com ) and I'll be happy to pass it along.
Back to the drawing board. Thanks for all the advice and insight!
Andrew
Sounds like blown power valves / incorrect rated power valves in the carb with some ring probs...

[IMPATIENT 1]

Well, I too a ride in the tx-19 youngblood gullwing today. Neat boat. As promised, the hull was near-flawless. I found one small imperfection in the paint. The boat ran well, although not the promised 100+ - I'm guessing high 80, maybe low 90. Speedo not onboard, so no real data.
What surprised me is that the boat has no real use. Unless, of course, I was going to strictly drag race it. I would not idle below 1800 rpm without cutting out. The kill switch is messed up a little, so we had to hold the button. The motor is running rich, and there is blow-by enough from the breathers that the back of the boat looked REALLY BAD after the 20 min ride we took.
Some small wiring issues, the need for a tune, and the fact that with the blower on it it really just doesn't do what I want to do... so I left it alone. He has decided on a low price of $10k for the package. Oh yeah, don't plan on towing the trailer very far. Boat is located in Huntungton, MD. If anyone want's his number, shhot me a message ( thehotrodguy@gmail.com ) and I'll be happy to pass it along.
Back to the drawing board. Thanks for all the advice and insight!
Andrew
maybe its time to chang eyo name to thebaylinerguy;) :D :D :D there's no better hotrod for a lake than a tx-19:devil:

[Longstr]

Since you sound like you are in the business of buying boats that are not FAST... I got a 78 Galaxie for you with a small block, come and get it 4k.. You can have twins. :D