I have been involved with jet skis and jet boats for over 10 years. One of the questions I often get from new boaters looking to get into a jet boat is, can a jet boat go in saltwater? In this article, I am going to answer this question based on my own experience, combined with some extensive research I have done.
So can a jet boat go in saltwater? Absolutely yes, there is nothing that prevents a jet boat from going in saltwater. With the appropriate care and maintenance, you can take your jet boat to saltwater as often as you like without any problems.
Obviously, saltwater effects on any boat are harsher than freshwater effects on the same boat. In this article, I’m going to explain some of the precautions you need to take as well as some helpful information concerning taking your jet boat to saltwater.
Precautions Before Taking A Jet Boat On Saltwater
These are some of the things you need to check and take care of before taking your boat in saltwater.
- Anti-corrosion spray
- Weather
- Instruments
- Sacrificial anodes
- Safety equipment
- Freshwater
Anty-corrosion spray- make sure all exposed metal parts are properly coated with a layer of anti-corrosion/lubricant. I have been using corrosion x (link to amazon) on my boat for years and are very satisfied with the results. I usually spray a layer of corrosion x all around the engine and jet drive after washing the boat from saltwater. It helps keep all metal parts corrosion-free and new looking.
Anti-corrosion spray plays a vital role in keeping your boat working right, especially when exposed to saltwater. Saltwater is sneaky and can get everywhere. Without the protection of corrosion x or any other anti-corrosion spray, your boat is bound to deteriorate really fast, and you will run into some problems.
Weather- Most jet boats are on the 19 to 24 feet range. These are considered “small” boats in the boating world. Even though most jet boats are, in fact, very capable vessels, most of them are not equipped with radars or VHF radios from the factory; this is why it is essential to pay extra good attention to the weather forecast.
Some people choose to install these devices afterward to their boats which, if you plan on doing a lot of saltwater boating, is definitely a good idea. But if you are the occasional saltwater boater and don’t want to spend the money on that kind of stuff, just pay close attention to the weather forecast. Not only the day you are going to the water but also a few days before as well, so you can determine if it’s going to be safe out there.
Instruments- this means to check your boat’s navigation instruments to make sure everything works well before going on saltwater. Check your Chartplotter and make sure it works properly, and the charts are up to date. Check all gauges to make sure they are working correctly. Check the depth sensor, and don’t forget the bilge pump.
Sacrificial anodes- Make sure your boat is equipped with the right anodes for saltwater. Some boats are equipped with magnesium anodes which work great for freshwater. The traditional saltwater anode metal for a long time has been Zinc. Nowadays, aluminum anodes are a better option as they are a good option for boaters that frequent both saltwater and freshwater. In addition, aluminum anodes are lightweight, last longer, and have a lesser negative impact on the environment.
Safety equipment- here is a list of required safety equipment by the USCG. Keep in mind that some states might have some special requirements, make sure to check your local state requirements.
- Life Jackets
- Visual Distress Signals
- Fire Extinguishers
- Ventilation
- Backfire Flame Control
- Sound Producing Devices
- Navigation Lights
- Pollution Regulations
- Marine Sanitation Devices
Here is a link to my recommended safety equipment
Freshwater- bring at least a gallon of fresh water onboard. Sometimes when you are floating in saltwater, you’ll have the need for some fresh water to clean something, rinse something, or just wash your face. There are many other reasons, do yourself a favor and bring at list a gallon with you.
Can You Take A Jet Boat Offshore?
Taking all the necessary precautions and with proper planning, you can definitely take a jet boat offshore. Modern jet boats are, in fact, very capable boats and fuel-efficient enough to go several miles offshore. I have gone with a group of other jet boats from Florida to the Bahamas on multiple occasions.
Again taking all the necessary precautions like studying the weather, making sure your boat is in optimal conditions, you can, without doubt, take your boat offshore successfully.
You can check jetboaters.net. This is an awesome community of jet boat enthusiasts. They have a yearly fling to the Bahamas, where everyone is welcome.
You can also check this article about crossing to the Bahamas on a small boat if you are interested.
Can a jet boat handle waves?
There is a limit to what you can do with a 19 to 24′ jet boat comfortably. The consensus is that these boats don’t do very well handling waves. Most modern jet boats are often too light to handle big waves. Another flaw is the tendency to drop the bow when coming off plane. These characteristics will, unfortunately, make for a very uncomfortable ride on waves. A jet boat will most likely pound on waves as opposed to cutting through waves as a heavier boat would.
The addition of smart tabs on smaller boats or trim tabs on bigger models can definitely help with the issue. The principal is that the tabs will force the bow down to cut through waves as opposed to riding on top of them, making the ride smoother. In my opinion, the tabs help a great deal. Unfortunately, they don’t solve the problem completely because the boats are just to light. Here is a link (affiliate link) to the tabs I installed on my boat.
Can I Leave My Jet Boat In A Wet Saltwater Slip
It is not recommended to leave a jet boat in a wet saltwater slip. The problem is that Jet boats are at a slight disadvantage from galvanic corrosion than other more traditional boats due to their running gear being always below the waterline. It doesn’t mean that you can’t take your jet boat on saltwater at all, but it shouldn’t be left in saltwater for more than a few days, maybe a week tops. Keep in mind that jet boat’s motors and exhaust can’t be flushed while still in the water, and the salt will cause corrosion to start much faster than with fresh water.
If you must have your boat on a slip, try a lift slip. This way, you still have the advantage of having your boat ready to go while still been able to flush the engine after each outing.althoug lifts are pricier than regular wet slips. It will save you money and headaches in the long run.
How To Flush A Jet Boat?
The flushing proses is very simple. It might vary slightly depending on your jet boat brand and model, but for the most part, the proses are the same on both Yamaha and Rotax engines. Here are my 7 step prosses.
- Connect a water hose to your boat’s flushing point, which is usually a pipe the size of a garden hose on Rotax engines or a quick disconnect adapter on Yamaha’s.
- Start engine before turning on water
- (quickly) turn on the water hose and/or activate hose valve (sometimes the quick disconnect kits have a little valve)
- You’re now flushing your jet boat’s engine. You’ll see water start spilling out of the jet pump area. Flush for about 10 to 15 minutes. Rev the engine moderately and briefly, just to blow any vegetation that could have been stuck, out. Keep your backblast area clear when you do this. I plastered the wife with bits of seaweed, which, as it turns out, is not a popular move.
- Turn water hose off
- Keep the engine on for a few more seconds, letting the majority of the water drain
- Turn off the engine immediately
If your boat is equipped with two engines, repeat the same process on the second engine. Also, it is good to run saltaway (link to amazon) in your engines from time to time if you constantly boat in saltwater.
Salt-Away is a water-based, non-hazardous, biodegradable solution and contains properties that dissolve, release and remove salt crystals from any surface. Water alone does not remove all the salt from a surface. Use of Salt-Away does not correct past damage but will work to protect against salt corrosion and reduces costly repairs caused by salt. Salt-Away breaks apart and removes salt accumulation with repeated use.
www.saltawayproducts.com
Jet Boat Maintenance After Saltwater
I have been doing the same maintenance to my vessels for over 10 years, and never had an issue related to saltwater exposure. The routine is very simple; after a weekend of fun on the water, I trailer my boat back home. Once at home here is what I do
- Rince entire boat and trailer with freshwater
- Wash the boat and trailer with a mild detergent, such as dish soap, (applied with a sponge or scrubbing pad)
- Rince everything with freshwater again
- Open the engine compartment and spray lightly with fresh water to get any salt off
- Flush engine with saltaway
- Dry boat
- Spray corrosion x on the engine, jet drive and any other metal parts you want to protect from saltwater
- Store boat or install boat cover if kept outside
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a jet boat stay in the water? Yes, a jet boat can be left in the water (freshwater). If left in the water for a prolonged period of time, it is recommended to have some sort of shore power or a solar trickle charger to keep the batteries charged, and the bilge pump is working. Also, if the boat is in saltwater, you don’t want to leave it in the water for a prolonged period of time. It really better to keep it on a lift so you can flush the motors properly.
Can you take a jet boat to the Bahamas? It depends on what size, model, engine size, and fuel consumption. But for the most part, you can take almost all newer jet boats to the Bahamas. Taking a boat across the gulf stream should not be taken lightly, a lot of preparation and precautions must be taken if planning a trip to the Bahamas on your jet boat.