Many Advantages To Nw Jetboats Include Speed And Durability

“Today, jetboats provide a unique, cost-effective means of access to some of the best wild and scenic recreation areas left in America,” says Perry Heinecke, president of Duckworth Boat Co.

Duckworth, based in Clarkston, Wash., is the world’s oldest and largest manufacturer of welded aluminum jetboats. Annual production tops 300.

Jetboats are powered by a pump attached directly to the engine that propels water out a steerable nozzle. The heart of the pump, called the impeller, is enclosed in a housing, so there are no exposed moving parts, unlike propeller-driven boats.

Overall, jets feature fewer moving parts, greater dependability and tremendous power. Jetboats can run in as little as six inches of water, making them ideal for rocky western river running.

But mention jetboats to a novice and often the subject is intimidating. Heinecke said misconceptions about fuel economy and expense still linger.

While the initial expense is higher than for comparable fiberglass craft, Heinecke says welded aluminum jetboats incur virtually no maintenance expense, weigh one-third less, last almost indefinitely, and retain their value far better than any other powerboat.

“People are realizing that, compared to fiberglass boats especially, today’s welded aluminum powerboat is the best value on the market.” he says.

So who buys a jetboat?

“The typical jetboat buyer is one that has floated rivers, owned a canoe, is an avid angler, and appreciates and protects the outdoors,” Heinecke says. “The people who originally used a four-wheel drive and a camper to get to their favorite country are now using jetboats.”

Jetboats break into two categories, inboards and outboards, each with distinct advantages.

The entry level boat, also used by very serious anglers, has a specially designed hull and outboard motor rigged with a jet pump instead of a prop.

“The industry’s 16 to 19-foot boats, fitted with an outboard rated at up to 130 horsepower and jet, offer more room in the smaller craft than an inboard does,” Heinecke says. “They are the ideal fishing machine. Another advantage of outboards is that they will come on plane at a lower speed, roughly 15 miles per hour. This allows the new boaters to slow down and learn to maneuver their craft safely and effectively.”

Planing is term used by boaters to describe the ideal running attitude of a craft relative to the water’s surface. Under the best conditions, a boat should skim over the surface with a minimum of resistance from both the water and the air it slices through.

Heinecke explained that outboard jets sacrifice waterskiing capability, total carrying capacity, range and some fuel efficiency as compared to inboards.

The sacrifices come because a jet pump is considered to produce 22 pounds of thrust per horsepower. With a 130 horsepower engine, the maximum that the craft, fuel, passengers, and contents can weigh is about 2,800 pounds, he said.

Cost for an entry level outboard jetboat runs $15,900 for a 16-foot craft, complete with an 80 horsepower engine, jet and trailer.

Top of the line for welded aluminum outboard jets is the 18 footer with the biggest engine, at a cost of about $21,700.

Inboards are the next step up. These 18- to 21-foot boats feature a specially designed hull and - typically - a 302 cubic inch Ford V8 engine.

“The inboards handle bigger water, carry more, and have a longer range,” said Heinecke.

Inboard jets are ideally suited for water skiing, fishing and touring, and the jet pump can even be feathered back for efficient trolling.

Heinecke said 18- or 19-foot inboard models are the most popular. Complete with heater, top and trailer, they start at around $25,000. With specialty paint and other options the sleek craft can go as high as $30,000.

In the past, jet pumps were notorious for fuel consumption. But with dramatic improvements in hull design and pump efficiency, economy is much better.

“Measured in gallons per hour of use, our inboard jets now operate with essentially the same economy as similar prop boats powered by inboard/outboard or outboard alone,” says Heinecke. “And aluminum craft weigh a third less than comparable fiberglass ones adding savings, too.”

The average non-aluminum boat sees 35 hours of powered use annually in the Northwest, according to studies by fiberglass manufacturers, according to Heinecke. Welded aluminum craft average 150 hours of powered use per year and have an expected life of up to 2,500 running hours.

For 1995, Heinecke says his company is rigging about 20 percent of its new boats for prop applications, many to be used offshore. He said the inherent value and efficient design of the welded aluminum hull is driving the change.

“We build boats ideally suited for crossing the bar or Buoy 10 fishing as well as for running our inland rivers,” he says. “We’re also seeing a move to the smaller boat featuring the 100 to 120 horsepower engines.”