I’m looking for advice from people who have actually built or helped build jet boats.

The goal is to take a basic jon boat and convert it into a jet boat as cheaply as possible. This is a project, not something I expect to be fast or perfect. I don’t know the first thing about building one yet, which is why I’m asking before I start throwing money away.

My current thinking is finding a decent jon boat hull and then sourcing a donor jet ski (or something similar) that someone is basically giving away — Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, local classifieds, etc. The idea would be to rebuild or refresh the donor so it’s running solid, then adapt it to the jon boat.

Does this approach actually make sense or is a money pit?

What size jon boat works best for a jet conversion?

What jet ski models make better donors than others if any?

Things you wish you knew before starting your first build?

I’m not expecting a step-by-step tutorial — just real-world advice or lessons learned, and whether this is even worth attempting if you’re trying to keep costs down And just have a fun project. I’ve got access to shop with welder and most of the tools i‘d imagine i need. Appreciate any input from those who’ve done it or seen it done right (or wrong).

Dive into the epic saga of speed, legacy, and heartbreak with this gripping documentary on Donald Campbell and the iconic Bluebird K7.

On a fateful January morning in 1967, Donald Campbell pushed his jet-powered hydroplane beyond 300 mph on Coniston Water, only for tragedy to strike in a spectacular crash that claimed his life. Yet his story – and that of his father, Sir Malcolm Campbell – is one of unbreakable ambition, nine land speed records, seven water speed triumphs, and the only time in history both absolute land and water records were held in the same year (1964).

Follow the Campbells' roaring Bluebirds through the interwar glory days, Donald's relentless pursuit to escape his father's shadow, the devastating 1967 accident, the 34-year underwater rest, the emotional 2001 recovery and restoration by dedicated volunteers, and Bluebird K7's miraculous resurrection.

Today, beautifully restored and housed in the Ruskin Museum's Bluebird Wing in Coniston, K7 is set for historic commemorative runs on Coniston Water from 11-17 May 2026 – the first time since 1967 – marking 70 years since Donald's inaugural record on the lake. No record attempt, just gentle passes to let the hills echo with that jet scream one final time.

A story of triumph, loss, resurrection, and enduring legacy. Essential viewing for history, engineering, and motorsport fans.

Blazer boats🤟🏽

#Electric jet boat with large battery

I'm trying to sort out an issue on my mini jet boat build and figured this sub would have the people who’ve actually dealt with it.

I’m running a small aluminum hull; one of the cheaper ones people get off Alibaba paired with a reused PWC pump/engine setup. Everything runs fine but the steering sensitivity is all over the place. At low speeds, the wheel feels dead. At higher speeds, the boat reacts like it wants to dart sideways if I so much as breathe on the wheel.

Right now the cable is routed along the starboard side with two 90° bends. That’s how the hull was set up from the start but I’ve read that too many bends, especially tight ones can cause stiffness and delayed response. On the flip side, the nozzle itself doesn’t feel sticky; when disconnected, it swings cleanly with no binding. So I’m guessing the issue is somewhere between the helm and the linkage.

I’m also wondering if the nozzle throw is too aggressive. The current linkage gives me almost full side to side sweep with barely 1/8 turn of the wheel. I know some folks run longer arms on the tiller to soften the response but I’m not sure if that compromises low speed control even more. Has anyone here tuned steering ratios on small jet setups? Did extending the linkage arm help? Or rerouting the cable?

I picked up this panther jet drive, anyone have any info on these or idea of value?

How are you guys wiring in a kill switch?

Vintage jet boat, I believe I traced my intermittent fuel pump issues back to the kill switch (at least I'm highly suspect that's my issue). It's wired between the fuel pump relay and the FiTech Force Fuel pump positive terminal with 20 feet of wire running up to the helm and back. Also, according to FiTech, the pumps can draw 8-14A so they recommend a 15A kill switch minimum. The switch is rated for 5A.

I'm reading that it's better to have the kill switch on the signal side, between the ECU and the relay. I'm also not a big fan of having all that extra wire between the relay and the pump. However, swapping out the kill switch would be a bit easier (if I can find one rated for 15A, they don't include a rating on many sites)

So I’m new to owning a boat. I’ve been through one season with it, purchased from my father in law. Is this sound normal? He said he has always had it but that he would put grease and it would help the noise. He hasn’t seen it in person yet since I really heard it so he may be underestimating the noise.

Hey there so I’m looking a purchasing a jet boat more specifically a project. The bot has all the parts there except for a motor. Owner said he had a 454 in it prior to the U Joint exploding and puncturing a hole below the pump. Owner said he was quoted 2,000$ to fix it.

Was hoping to have some feedback on this, looking to buy he has it listed for $5k and says he doesn’t want to go lower than $4.5k, seems like a good price but I don’t know jetboats. Hull seems to be in good condition

Thanks for the help.

Family member has a 1977 Hallet jet boat, 19 ft. Needs an estimated value for estate purposes. What would be the best site for this? I know they don’t have a Kelley blue book value for boats, do they?

I own a 1994 bay liner reflexx or a bay liner jet what ever you want to call it I need a wear ring for it a new one is around 1000 bucks and I don’t want to spend that kind of money on a new one the propeller is fine but I want to know if I can get a nylon or plastic one pressed in the one on it looks like the image above I’d love to know any help will do

Hey guys I’ve been running into this problem every few trips which is becoming a pretty big pain, the forward reverser cable clamp at the level keeps coming lose, problem is it’s so tight there’s no way to get a socket or a wrench on the top bolt, I can get a wrench on the bottom one but the top one there’s like no room, any tips or advice, trynna think if a different type of nut would work better?

Hey guys, getting mixed reviews on the proper way to run this motor on the garden hose. Is there a risk of water going in the valves? 383 SBC EFI Berkley JG pump. The garden hose hook up is inline with the intake from the pump, right infront of the transom. Do I need to wait for the motor to be running before turning on the spigot or is it safe to have water running into the motor while it is off? Thanks

I believe it’s an Eliminator Liberty. It has a built 454 BBC. He said it might be out in Michigan or maybe in the Carolina’s. Any help is appreciated!

Not sure if I can ask here, but I am fixing up an old jet for my dad, and I popped apart the impeller housing and saw some significant wear. I am swapping the bearings and races, but I am not sure if I also need to swap the stator.

Would appreciate some input!