60/40 jet: Mercury vs. Yamaha ... BIG question

[Imbit]

Hi guys - I'm about to pull the trigger on a 16' Sea Ark tunnel jet 1652, without pods ... dealer is pushing me towards the far more expensive Yamaha. I've read the new Yamaha's have a slightly smaller impeller and may not provide the performance the Merc will. Does anybody have first hand experience with these two engines ? I'm well aware the 60/40 isn't going to be a hotrod either way, but I really do need to get the one that performs best under heavy load (me & my buddy are each well over 200lbs). Also, just a fyi ... I know alot of folks will recommend I upgrade to a 90/65, but I have reasons for not doing that, so any intel on the 60/40 would be massively appreciated - thx !!

PS - if anybody has any experience with how the 1652 compares to the slightly wider 1660 with the same 60/40 engine, I would love to hear from you on that as well (I have a very narrow single car garage and I would have a far easier time getting the 1652 into the garage.

 

[FuzzyGrub]

Do you have a link to the specific boat/model? Sounds like it is designed for a jet, just wanted to see if they moved the console forward for better weight distribution.

We have been running a 17’ G3 with a Yamaha 90/65 and have been very happy. I do see a few 16’ers with 60/40s. I see more with Mercury, but wouldn’t put much on that.

The Merc 60hp has been around quite a while, not sure why the dealer would push for the 60 Yamaha. I assume they are a servicing dealer for both. What reason did they give? These days, it seems like all the boat mfg lock in with one brand, so surprised they offered both.

 

[FuzzyGrub]

I poked around on the SeaArk site, but didn't find a 1652 tunnel model. Look like good quality boats though.

PS: OK, see in the jon specs a 1652MVJT and 1660MVJT.

 

[FuzzyGrub]

From just the spec analysis, the wider boat is only 50lbs heavier than the narrow. Being the weight comes from the wider beam/bottom width and 4" more side depth, it will be distributed. So the wider boat, all else being equal, will plane sooner but will have less top end speed, ie more surface area drag. The wider boat will float higher in the water, as well. Obviously, the wider boat will have allot more room, and probably be better with a center console. The wider has a slightly higher HP max, but not a common jet combo.

In your other thread, you mentioned wanting a side console. The ones available from SeaArk appear to be fiberglass or rotomolded, big, and probably heavy. Most of the side consoles are set back by the rear bench, where you don't want all the weight with a jet. Also looks like the passenger would sit back there. The center console is moved forward more and has passenger seat forward, but probably not enough room to easily get around it. My recommendation would be, if going with the narrower one, consider using stick steer controls by a front mounted seat. Better visability for watching the water ahead of the boat, and much better weight distribution when using a jet. If you go with the wider one, that might be OK with one of their center consoles.

Just my analysis, but hopefully you can get some "real world" performance numbers by some owners. If you are on FB, see if there are any SeaArk Owners groups. Probably someone can proide some info.

If you don't receive a good answer on why the Yamaha would be better for the additional $, I wouldn't be afraid of the 60/40 Merc.

Good luck with your search.

PS: Don't be afraid of posting some of those Del gap smallies.

 

[Imbit]

From just the spec analysis, the wider boat is only 50lbs heavier than the narrow. Being the weight comes from the wider beam/bottom width and 4" more side depth, it will be distributed. So the wider boat, all else being equal, will plane sooner but will have less top end speed, ie more surface area drag. The wider boat will float higher in the water, as well. Obviously, the wider boat will have allot more room, and probably be better with a center console. The wider has a slightly higher HP max, but not a common jet combo.

In your other thread, you mentioned wanting a side console. The ones available from SeaArk appear to be fiberglass or rotomolded, big, and probably heavy. Most of the side consoles are set back by the rear bench, where you don't want all the weight with a jet. Also looks like the passenger would sit back there. The center console is moved forward more and has passenger seat forward, but probably not enough room to easily get around it. My recommendation would be, if going with the narrower one, consider using stick steer controls by a front mounted seat. Better visability for watching the water ahead of the boat, and much better weight distribution when using a jet. If you go with the wider one, that might be OK with one of their center consoles.

Just my analysis, but hopefully you can get some "real world" performance numbers by some owners. If you are on FB, see if there are any SeaArk Owners groups. Probably someone can proide some info.

If you don't receive a good answer on why the Yamaha would be better for the additional $, I wouldn't be afraid of the 60/40 Merc.

Good luck with your search.

PS: Don't be afraid of posting some of those Del gap smallies.

Thanks - good advice on how the width would impact performance. Alot of variables to consider