Frequently Asked Questions

Why use an inflatable jetboat?

• Portability – You can transport a boat and motor package in the back of a truck, van, boat, or even aircraft. In most cases the entire boat and motor have a total weight of 400-500lbs. This allows users to deploy boats into areas that may not normally be accessible or into remote locations for hunting. Even when operating on within the bounds of road systems, it can be advantageous to transport your boat without a trailer in some cases. While it’s a not a desirable situation, the ability to extract a damaged or compromised boat from the field with another boat or aircraft is also possible.
• Damage Control – Many people want to know why not just use a tunneled lightweight aluminum jonboat. There are a lot of good features with a properly tunneled johnboat and the most obvious is that they last decades and they don’t get punctured easily unless you hit a rock. And that is one of the advantages of an inflatable jetboat. They aren’t impervious to sharp rocks, but rounded river rocks are generally rounded, and inflatables have a high resistance to damage from river rocks. This characteristic has literally opened up waterways that were previously considered to be non-navigable in aluminum boats.
• Choosing a boat – With more and more models and manufacturers entering the market, the choices for users have expanded. More options is great, but it can be tough to for a new buyer to navigate the limited and often opinionated information available. Jetech offers boats from 3 different manufacturers and we picked these specifically for the qualities that make each boat different. Whether your focus is on cargo capability, portability, price, steeper gradient water, UV resistance, or multi-use applications, Jetech can assist you in choosing the boat that best suits your needs and/or budget.

Outboard options

• 2-strokes – One of the most common questions we get is what is the best outboard motor for any particular model. The follow up is a request for a 2-stroke motor, and we are often met with confusion when we tell folks that new 2-strokes aren’t readily available in the USA any longer. There are people who have managed to get some “new” oil burners into the country, but the reality is that it’s not a viable option for the vast majority of customers. The best advice we can offer is that there are still some older units out there and given the price of new motors it is not unreasonable to consider refurbishing an older 2-stroke. The weight differences are considerable enough to consider this. The drawback to any older 2-stroke motor is noise and fuel economy. The later model EFI versions are not bad options, but the weight differentials are minimal and the parts will continue to get scarcer with time.
• 4-strokes – The obvious alternative is to purchase a brand new 4-stroke outboard, and weight is a constant concern. This is the part where we get to tell people that you can’t always believe what the manufacturer cites in regards to outboard weight. We have weighed virtually every model of 4-stroke outboard that can be used on these boats from 20hp to 60hp. Just FYI we reference the power ratings as a prop to keep things less confusing. The reality is that for the 470 size boats your choices are going to weigh about 235 to 290 pounds, and only 2 of the manufacturers offer a short shaft option. Even though this makes the idea of a new 4-stroke seem less than appealing, the reality is there are some great benefits to consider. Quieter operation, excellent fuel economy, no mixing/adding oil, and solid reliability will bring a smile to your face as you simply turn the key to start your motor. If you need more information on the best outboard for your boat, or the best boat for your outboard, we are here to assist. We can also provide custom setups in some cases.
• Steering systems – A lot of people ask if they can utilize a console steering system. The short answer is yes, you can. The reality is that the cost to install these is much higher and it uses up a lot of space in a small boat where space is usually at a premium. Perhaps the biggest thing to consider when comparing a tiller and a console is steering speed. Most console racks will have a 3:1 turn ratio, and this is simply too slow for rapid maneuvers. Tillers can move the motor from side to side quickly with very little effort. While many people aren’t initially comfortable with the idea of using a tiller if they haven’t had any experience, we have found that very few people cannot adapt in a short time.