Running a Winter Low-Tide Creek in Chassahowitzka, Florida (G3 16CCJ Jet Tunnel Hull)

[@WesLovelace]

That's just the kind of boat and ride I'd expect in the Skinny wandering around the back country in the Refuge!!

[@frankhunt5018]

I'm looking into a G3 16CCJ now, thanks for posting this video. However, it looks like the 17' is the shortest they make now.

[@erehwon777]

Yes, this boat is a 2019 and it’s the last year that they made it. I didn’t want anything bigger personally, certainly not the bigger engine.

[@mikesimek6448]

It’s pretty funny to look at the Navionics charts for that area, especially Gator Creek. They couldn’t have been any more wrong.

[@nickhatzistefanou960]

How tricky is the area. Just got a tunnel hull with jack plate. Local knowledge of the area will take time. Slow and steady for quite some time.

[@pieniogalon5449]

I can ask at what engine speed you reach 25 mph and how much fuel you burn, for me even 20 mph is enough, I need to calculate the fuel consumption for long distances.

[@erehwon777]

The engine model is Yamaha F60 T JR. I have never calculated fuel usage for the boat so I don’t want to estimate and give you bad information. Both the boat and engine were manufactured by Yamaha so I would consult them. In general, jet propulsion is less fuel-efficient than propeller-driven boats.

[@chrisedwards5701]

I live in Homosassa . Was told by boat dealers NOT to get a jet drive , to many problems with grass , poor performance & not reliable ??? Your thoughts after owning 1 ???

[@erehwon777]

Yep, same thing they said to me when I started shopping for a jet in spring 2020 :-). This is a mantra that’s repeated generally in this area where few people have direct experience with jets. If anyone tells you’re going to get rocks and shells in the intake running around Chaz / Homosassa / Ozello / Yankeetown, it’s an indication that they are just repeating the mantra an have no real experience running a jet around here. I was pretty familiar with jets from fishing in the rocky VA, MD, PA rivers when I decided to try a jet. I’d never operated one but had ridden as a passenger and knew quite a few who had them. The only issues I’ve had are surface weeds which can be an issue especially in spring and again in fall when they die back and develop clumps on the surface. With a little experience you learn to avoid them and to clear them quickly when they get sucked onto the intake grate. I’ll gladly deal with the weeds for the ability to run around the backcountry without worrying about a prop drive. I ran a G3 1860 tunnel hull prop drive with jack plate around here for three years and that’s a good option … just not as good for the backcountry as a jet. The ”poor performance” claim is misleading: jets get poor gas mileage relative to prop drives. You’re running I guess about 1/3 less efficiently than a prop boat. So if that’s a problem, a jet might not be for you. I’m on the trolling motor a lot more hours than the main motor. There is a another option called a surface drive or “mud boat” offered around here. I checked them out and decided it wasn’t for me but it’s worth looking into before taking the plunge. Hope this helps.

[@matthewkellerman593]

Chris I've been running a jet in Homosassa for 5 yrs now best boat I've ever had. I only fish inshore though definitely not made for long distance runs in chop.

[@slyfox720]

wish they made a 5hp jet drive for my 13' gheenoe...lol

[@johnvenners1456]

I’m looking at getting this same boat. How has it handled to saltwater?

[@erehwon777]

About 80 trips so far and no issues with salt. Typical trip for me starts and ends in fresh and runs through brackish and salt. Hose it down after the trip, especially the trailer.

[@sniperx400gamer]

Whats the top speed?

[@erehwon777]

25 MPH with just me in it.