Merc Jet Conversion?

[alanpeters]

I have a 2009 Triton 1657 stick steer fishing boat with a 40 horse 4-stroke Merc. The boat is just laid out the way I want I live in Stroudsburg, PA and I'd like to fish the Delaware River more but the prop just doesn't fit in the rocky terrain. I am unfamiliar with jet drives. Rather than buying another boat I am wondering if I could convert the 40 to a jet drive. I would welcome the pros and cons of converting my motor, replacing it with another jet motor or hearing if I really need to start with a different boat, maybe one with a tunnel hull. My boat looks just like the photo, attached. Thanks!

 

[FuzzyGrub]

Putting a jet on that 40hp, will make it, at best, a 30HP jet. A 30HP jet does not perform as well as a 30HP prop. A jet will work with your hull, assuming it is a mod V or flat bottom. A tunnel would provide a couple of inches more clearance, but might not be critical for your water. You will need a jack plate to raise the motor up to the correct height. Look at the Outboard jets manual jack plate. Having the stick steer at the front seat will be good for the balance with a jet.

If you plan on "dual use" the jet will cavitate in wave chop. Probably will need to set the motor deeper for those occasions.

Offhand, I'd say it will be the minimum power for when you are fishing alone. With two people it will struggle to get on plane. Last I knew, there was about a year wait on ordering and receiving the pumps from Outboard Jets.

I would either look for a boat that is already set-up/designed to run a jet, or look at repowering with a 60/40 Jet.