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View Full Version : Poor mans jet pump?



Lowell Bernhardt
09-12-2002, 05:19 PM
While at work this week. I was thinking while doing one of those menial tasks that doesn't require much thought.

While in moments like these I like to day dream about the obvious, BOATS. :D My mental demon this week was, a cheap alternative to marine propulsion. I know you're thinking, ME CHEAP? ;) Any way, here's my thought:

I've got a tool catalog that sells just about everything redneck could ever want. But probab;y can't afford. :D They sell a replacement pump for a 5 HP motor. You know the type, a big ditch pump or irrigation pump. I though to my self that 12,000GPH is ALOT of water through a 2" outlet. And this would give me something constructive to do with that old mower that SWMBO is always on me about.

If you could mount this inboard with the suction line through the hull bottom aft (screened of course) and then extend the outlet from the rear. Viola! I think if it were me I would have to build some sort of, manifold to reduce the 2" down even more, which would in tern give it more head pressure. However, this would more that likely cutdown the flow of the pump and may hamper performance, but you'd just have to experiment.

This pump in the catalog was about $144.00 not including shiping. Between that and a new carb for the mower and say $25 in misc. stuff you'd be in business. Right?

Just some food for thought, I think :confused: ?

Donn
09-12-2002, 05:57 PM
Lowell...last year, a neighbor sold 2 old jet-ski's for $100 each. That's a real good price for a good jet-pump, and in most old skeets, the pump is fine, but the engine and/or body is shot.

Look around for a decrepit skeet, and you may find a cheap but powerful pump.

JimConlin
09-13-2002, 12:15 AM
I understand there's a decent supply of wrecked ones, too.

wolfietuk
09-13-2002, 04:52 AM
The Pump in Jet skis is not really a pump. A shaft from the motor goes into a chamber and drives an impeller. The water comes out in about a 3" stream at about 350 psi if I remember correctly. And yes I thought about putting the motor out of my old ski into a boat. I opted for a quiet sail with electric auxilliry. Gee, Men really do mature.

Rick

whb
09-13-2002, 08:57 AM
Lowell,

Great minds and all that stuff. Well maybe not so great... :D

Anyway, I put by 5 hp water pump on the back of my 14 foot aluminum last year just for fun. I used some ABS pipe in a tiller shape for the outflow and so I could turn the boat.

It moved but I could have swum upriver faster and boy was it noisy.

Mind you, the boat is not exactly light. I normally have a 30 hp outboard on it.

Oh well, it was a fun experiment and served to reaffirm my wife and friend's opinions of my sanity. :rolleyes:

Good Luck,

Howard