SoCal Jet Boats
Discussion => The No Wake Zone => Topic started by: jigsaw86 on June 20, 2016, 12:36:30 AM
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I'm sure this has been on here numerous times so I appoligize in advance. I recently bought a 18' 74 challenger with a 455 olds and a jacuzzi jet drive. Any info on this set up would be great as well as any tips on a virgin jet boat owner. I've only owned stern drive boats so in sure this is going to be a new animal. Any tip on how not to make myself look like a fool is appreciated lol. Thanks a bunch fellas. I'll post some pics of the new toy
Jigsaw86
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Lucky for you jets are easier to work on than stern drives. That motor and drive package is what I had in my Southwind. They're strong, torquey motors, but you can't full throttle it for miles up river unless serious oil modifications have been made. The Jacuzzi WJ pump is a decent mixed flow that works like a Berkeley. Make sure your control cables and steering are in good, working order. I've heard of and seen too many break.
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I'm sure this has been on here numerous times so I appoligize in advance. I recently bought a 18' 74 challenger with a 455 olds and a jacuzzi jet drive. Any info on this set up would be great as well as any tips on a virgin jet boat owner. I've only owned stern drive boats so in sure this is going to be a new animal. Any tip on how not to make myself look like a fool is appreciated lol. Thanks a bunch fellas. I'll post some pics of the new toy
Jigsaw86
1. Jet boats have power steering. No power, No steering.
2. The FWD/REV lever in NOT forward/reverse, but rather 'Forward', And 'NOT Forward'
3. The Jacuzzi WJ has a plastic wear ring, and should never be run out of the water, without the driveline disconnected.
4. Olds 455's, in stock form, do not like extended RPM runs.
5. Don't forget the bilge plug. get a spare, too
There is a few other tricks for the WJ, to get them to perform well.
Dan'l
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I'm sure this has been on here numerous times so I appoligize in advance. I recently bought a 18' 74 challenger with a 455 olds and a jacuzzi jet drive. Any info on this set up would be great as well as any tips on a virgin jet boat owner. I've only owned stern drive boats so in sure this is going to be a new animal. Any tip on how not to make myself look like a fool is appreciated lol. Thanks a bunch fellas. I'll post some pics of the new toy
Jigsaw86
welcome to the site jigsaw 86. Good looking boat you got there really. Got some real good advice there too. I can only add regarding the motor. My first jet boat had a 455 as well. I ran the p waddl'n out of it. And that was 36 years ago. It's on an engine stand now because I got the hot rod bug and put another 455 in it.
As far as looking like a fool , we all learn from our mistakes. Go out there and enjoy that thing.
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Thanks guys. I've only rode a jet ski once but was told it's similar to that as far as the reaction of he turning goes. I have a 468 bbc that I might put in after I get used to it. I'm glad to hear I atleast didn't end up with junk. The engine is cuurently out as it was just rebuilt to factory specs. I live in Pennsylvania and am pretty limited to lake boating. I have friends in havasu and have been doing to desert storm the past couple years. 2 years ago I found myself in Parker and I was hooked. This big offshore racers just don't skreem HOT ROD like jet boats do lol. I was drooling over some of the awesomeness that was on the river in Parker.
Jigsaw86