Choosing Between Water-Jet and Propeller-Driven Boats

I am a boating advocate. I love to watch the shows regarding the Luxury Liners on Sunday evening, readily anticipating the day I retire and have the time and money to indulge in those passions I have decided are the ones that will take up my retirement years, and I eagerly review the boats, as they are previewed. When I watch the million dollar liners, I daydream and anticipate someday being able to purchase something in the range of let's say oh, $100,000 to $150,000 dollar range. However, in all practicality, unless I win the lottery, I am more in the line of a purchase somewhere within the $5000 to $10000 dollars range. Therefore, for that amount, I want to get the best for my dollar. By the time I retire, the types and probably the propulsion methods will be drastically advanced, but let's say you are in the market for a boat right now. What are you looking for? What will determine your purchase? Are you a beginner or more advanced boater? By no means can I tell you what to purchase, I can just offer some suggestions based on the enormous amount of information out there. However, the conclusions I have come to are that the well-versed dealers all indicate or provide about the same information.

Your base factor when making your selection should be price. What amount are you willing to invest in your boat? From there, we can move on into the type of propulsion you will need.

The pros and cons of each will provide you with some food for thought. Let's first consider the pros and cons of the Jet driven boats vs the Propeller driven:

Water Jet: for speeds of up to 25 knots, propellers are more efficient than jets. When traveling between 28 to 30 knots use the water jet. Jets have not been found to be effective when traveling in heavier boats. It is also quite hard to find Jet driven boats for fast steel pilot or patrol boats. Sometimes the comparison of propellers vs. waterjets is based on the diameter, nozzle to prop diameter. The water jet gets its power from the main engine. Water jets are expensive. The recommendation is that when investing your dollars, you work with the next level up in cost. Well worth it when you think of the one, you can just get by with. It may hit your pocket initially, however well worth it in the long run. Remember, the jet driven boat crew has to be well trained on the operational requirements when guiding a water jet boat.

Propeller Driven : If you plan on cruising about twenty knots or lower, try the propeller driven. The propeller driven gets its power from the propulsion energy of the propeller. The crew of a propeller driven boat may not require training.

To summarize, Water jet boats are easily maneuvered, protected, and safer, less stress on the engine. But on the other hand, they cost more; have lower efficiency at low speeds.
The propeller driven boats cost less, higher efficiency at lower speeds and require less training. However, the propeller is more vulnerable to damage, less safe and requires more pull on the engine.

There you have it. Enjoy your boating.