Got my first Jet boat...few Q's

**84lsvette** · 06-25-2012, 07:56 AM

I've been doing a little reading up on this forum and it seems like there is some good knowledge here! I just got my first jet boat!!! it is an 18' 78 baja with a 402 BBC that was just rebuilt within the last year, 396 bored .30 over and I'm guessing to stock specs, gm aluminum intake and unknown holley carb. with a berkeley jet drive. Here are some pics of it and the engine. It is in quite good shape for it's age and runs like a sewing machine (a loud sewing machine lol).

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I have taken it out twice Since I bought it last week and had a few questions with it. I have fixed a few small things like a new battery etc. but now all of this jet drive stuff is foreign to me. First thing is that I notice is that it runs at about 4800 rpms at WOT (assuming the tach is right)and it runs about 45-47 mph with myself and my girlfriend in it..... is it just me or does that seem a little slow for the engine and boat??? I was thinking it would do more to the tune of 55-60 at least. Also the next thing is reverse seems to be almost non existent and sometimes it works sometimes it doesn't. I checked on land and if you pull the throttle backwards the cap comes down over the jet like it should but it doesn't come down all the way until its way back it seems like, by then it is shooting water into the back of the boat but still doesn't seem to go in reverse hardly at all. I have it trimmed all the way down should it be up when trying to reverse? It almost seems to work better sometimes if I pull the neutral switch out (the little knob next to the throttle that seems to lock that plate in plate) and push forward on the throttle then it will reverse better????? Maybe I am just not used to it especially since the shifter isn't like a regular outboard where you have to pull the button up and shift into forward or reverse. I will get the exact model of berkeley on it and some pictures of the setup for you guys to take a look at when I get off work. Any input would be greatly appreciated! especially on the reverse issue because it is embarrasing as hell when you can't reverse when you are trying to dock the boat.

**jetboatperformance** · 06-25-2012, 08:48 AM

Welcome and Congratulations on your jet boat aquisition, would think you would see a bit more speed (55 ish) with the boat normally loaded considering your other numbers , your likley fighting the effects of the bow tank (weight forward) If equipt boats are exceptionally weight and weight position sensitive ,suspect you could take advantage of jet trim such as a Place diverter to overcome this to decrease wetted surface at speed , re reverse under the best circumstances reversing with most jet drives is marginal , its a simple function or the bucket closing and redirecting water/thrust under the boat to effect the rearward movement of the hull , when you move your lever to reverse position the bucket should close fully, if not its likley an easy adjustment at either the lever/control or the terminal end near the steering nozzle.I belive your jet is and 12JE , reverse is less effective on "E" pumps when the ride plate is adjusted too low , feel free to call if you need help Tom

**84lsvette** · 06-25-2012, 09:39 AM

Thanks for the reply! I will check into it and like i said get pictures but I am 99.99% it already has a place diverter. When I look one of those up that bucket looks just like mine and I believe even has the same sticker on the end of it.....You can trim it up and down and it shoots a giant rooster when it is trimmed up. I haven't ran it on any amount of gas less than half a tank either. Not knowing if the gauge is accurate or not the first few times I have tried to keep it full so I don't get stranded. I'm thinking the reverse bucket may need adjusted like u said because it only fully closes when you have it ALL the way in reverse WOT not at part throttle reverse

**jet pilot** · 06-25-2012, 11:28 AM

welcome to the boards.

**$uperJoe** · 06-25-2012, 02:25 PM

does this style of reverse bucket work any better than the standard flap?

http://www.performanceboats.com/gall...m/DSCI0727.JPG

**84lsvette** · 06-26-2012, 06:53 AM

Well it for sure has a place diverter. Here are some pics of the jet setup. Maybe there is something not setup right that I don't know about.
and above shot just in neutral

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Here is a side shot

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Here is it wide open. Which appears normal to me

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Here is a shot of it when the stick is in neutral

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And here is a shot when it is reverse. and the cap is only down this low in FULL reverse otherwise its more of a neutralish position

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I noticed that if it is in reverse you can wiggle the cap up and down quite easy with your hand and seems like the cable is almost loose. In forward or neutral it does not have that kind of play it is solid. Anyway here are some pics to look at

**jet pilot** · 06-26-2012, 06:49 PM

Originally Posted by 84lsvette

Well it for sure has a place diverter. Here are some pics of the jet setup. Maybe there is something not setup right that I don't know about.
and above shot just in neutral

Here is a side shot

Here is it wide open. Which appears normal to me

Here is a shot of it when the stick is in neutral

And here is a shot when it is reverse. and the cap is only down this low in FULL reverse otherwise its more of a neutralish position

I noticed that if it is in reverse you can wiggle the cap up and down quite easy with your hand and seems like the cable is almost loose. In forward or neutral it does not have that kind of play it is solid. Anyway here are some pics to look at

you should be able to adjust that out to open and close all the way.

**Moneypit** · 06-27-2012, 06:29 AM

Originally Posted by 84lsvette

I haven't ran it on any amount of gas less than half a tank either. Not knowing if the gauge is accurate or not the first few times I have tried to keep it full so I don't get stranded.

Invest in a 2 gal plastic gas jug. Put 1 1/2 gallons in it and store it safely somewhere in the boat. As long as you have spare gas, you'll never need it. Go out without that gas jug and you will run out....30+ years I've never ran out if my spare gas is on board, but leave it in the truck and you can bet the farm I'll be "drifting" and "paddling" before the day/night is over.....
Ray

**84lsvette** · 06-28-2012, 06:16 AM

I got reverse figured out last night when I took it out! you just have to have it trimmed all the way up, then the cable is tight and you can feel the bucket locking down on it!!! also it doesn't shoot water up at you when you give it throttle lol.... The only bad thing about this is we were anchored on a sand bar and I think it has an electric fuel pump....well not thinking I was playing with the throttle and bucket for awhile

.....go to start it later....way flooded won't start...had to get a tow half way back then I tried it again in route and it started right away. ohh well it was a fun night of boating and I also learned trimmed up all the way it too far. shoots a giant rooster but it doesn't go as fast.

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Got my first Jet boat...few Q's

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