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Snorider
06-30-2003, 04:09 PM
Just wanted to let out a tip for all those looking to get into the jetboat market...
I was lookin to upgrade my jet, and get a diff one.. well, i found a tahiti for sale, for 10,250... seemed reasonable, so i looked at it.
At first glance, it was sweet, dark blue, flames on the hood, SBC powered, racing seats, polished pump and more.
Then things didnt add up. Guy said it would do 75mph with a SBC pushing 450hp. It had tiny logs for an exhaust with a 650cfm edelbrock, and stock heads; this raised the first alarm.
Second, it had a stock JC pump, no diverter, no jetovator, no wedge.
Third, no speedometer - that should raise a flag.
Nonetheless, i humored the guy and went for a ride. Upon acceleration, the thing would tach right up to 6000rpm, and stay there and the boat wouldn't move (cavitation like mad). The guy told me all jets do this :rolleyes: "ya, right, i was thinking" - guess he didnt know i already new a lot about jet pumps
Once it finally got going, the boat prolly tops out at about 40mph @ 6000rpm - signs of a shot pump sleeping
I know the flames on the deck are good for about another 30mph on GPS, maybe he should have added a chrome waterneck to the intake, that should have made it 600hp at least!
And to top it all off, the thing was backfiring coming back into the docks... At this point, i would keep my sleekcraft with its extremely burnt out 460, that has lots of blow-by, and the original 1978 paintjob.
Anyways, buyers beware, and if it dont seem to add up, it prolly isnt. Looks arent everything.
[ June 30, 2003, 05:12 PM: Message edited by: Snorider ]

bordsmnj
06-30-2003, 04:13 PM
Did at least call bullshit on the guy? i would be pissed if he tried to pawn that crap off on me. 10K??!!!??!!WTF? i'm glad yuh didn't get burnt. :cool:

Snorider
06-30-2003, 04:16 PM
Actually, here was the sales pitch i got:
"We really arent making out well here, but since you paid 4000 for your boat, ill take that and 6k to make the deal work" ... he continues... "We can buy running 60mph jets for $2000 all over"
My question is where were they shopping? I want in on that action!
[ June 30, 2003, 05:21 PM: Message edited by: Snorider ]

lakesmodified
06-30-2003, 04:20 PM
[QUOTE]Originally posted by Snorider:
"We have can buy running 60mph jets for $2000 all over"
WHAT????

Moneypitt
06-30-2003, 04:30 PM
I think there are safe guards in the automotive world against this sort of thing, but not so for boats. Its buyer beware. This guy not only needs to be called on his bullshit, he needs a good old fashion ass whooping!!!!!!!!..Moneypitt

King Kuracz
06-30-2003, 05:55 PM
Sounds like a GPS in the pocket would have put a dent in his BS. Would have loved to see the look on his face.
And if he could buy running 60mph jets all over for 2k, why was he asking 10k for his?

HotHallet
07-01-2003, 11:37 AM
high as a Kite and needs to be smacked. If that guy told me my boat was only worth 4k I would deck him right in the face!

Duane
07-02-2003, 09:12 PM
the small block should have been a tip off, I wouldn't of wasted my time going for a ride. Looked at a boat the other day that was hammered, the guy keeps calling like I am a dumb--- or something. It was a super clean sanger jet, thats what he said on the phone, what a waste of time?

Moomawnster
07-03-2003, 02:15 AM
My Tahiti runs 60 mph @ 4k with a clapped out sbc[240hp] and diverter .... planes out in 20ft ....that pump ain't just loose .. ... its been shot for years ! eek!
[ July 03, 2003, 03:17 AM: Message edited by: Moomawnster ]

Snorider
07-03-2003, 05:51 AM
Moomawnster:
My Tahiti runs 60 mph @ 4k with a clapped out sbc[240hp] and diverter .... planes out in 20ft ....that pump ain't just loose .. ... its been shot for years ! eek! I would believe that when i see it. If people could get a 240hp jet to 60mph, they would be a very popular boat, since they would actually get good fuel economy!

Moomawnster
07-04-2003, 11:53 PM
Rider .. last year I hit 59.7 on GPS @ 4000 rpms , the speedo read 60 .... this year I can bury the 65 mph speedo and hold it there . I would love to be proven wrong here but if that 16yr old sbc has more than 240 hp UHHH .. Anybody ?
http://www.***boat.com/image_center/data/500/139MOO.jpg

LVjetboy
07-05-2003, 09:29 AM
It's all about power and weight. What impeller you got Moomawnster?

nelsonf
07-05-2003, 09:56 AM
I love these SBC naysayers they are the ones with there mouths hanging out when one spanks there Big block. We have a stock 350 in a 73 Hondo turning a A impellar Berk JC 63 at 4300 switched to a good running 400 still pretty stock turns 5000 right at 71 on GPS there are alot of Bigblocks around here that get smoked often

Snorider
07-05-2003, 04:58 PM
I wasnt talking down a SBC, its a great motor, especially if you want to turn something past 6000rpm.
I just guess Tahiti makes that light of a hull - thats all. My boat is heavy - around 800lbs empty without a drivetrain, so that is why i was skeptical about a sbc, in my particular application it wouldnt work well, but i am sure it works well in lightweight boats.

Moomawnster
07-06-2003, 02:14 AM
I am running a "B" aggressor Jet Boy .... but the diverter is the key . This boat never trimmed out well till I "Placed" it :D I don't know what the hull weight is but like Rider said it must be light , I can lift it off the trailer with the motor out! I wish someone had video of me this weekend , I got more air time than a skydiver ! eek!