Hello All

Thank you to all who responded on line and off to my post seeking advice on
the suitability of a water jet propelled tender. This was the only post I have
seen where all opinions were virtually identical and all negative the problems
mentioned were also almost identical.  Poor low speed control, weeds and
debris clogged intake, hard to find service, poor corrosion resistance, noisy and
smokey. Now remember I asked you folks about this because I liked the idea so
if anything I was bias in favor of it. But as hard as I tried I couldn't find
one person in favor of it I even had a local distributor tell me if I insisted
on a jet I would have to buy it somewhere else said he didn't like unhappy
customers. No wonder there are so many good deals on these things used less than
a year old with just a few hours. Well, thanks to your good advice I will
forget the jet and go for one of the 4 cycle outboards.

I'm looking at a Caribe with a Honda 4 stroke any thoughts good or bad?
Should the pontoons be treated with anything to prolong life? Is it important to
keep them covered to prevent deterioration (of the pontoons) from the sun? Any
thoughts would be appreciated

Thank You  Brian Palmetto FL

<Brian wrote:
I'm looking at a Caribe with a Honda 4 stroke any thoughts good or bad?>

Good call on deep sixing the jet boat idea!

The Honda is a great engine but....if I recall you were looking for
something to use cruising. Once outside of major centers the Honda isn't a
popular engine due to service availability. We've had several issues with
them and the parts had to come from the factory in Japan! Both very time
consuming and VERY expensive.

Suggest Yamaha or Mercury 4 strokes (same engine up to 60 HP from what I can
see...one is grey the other black ;-) The Yamaha guy might complain about
this but check it out.

We've had great luck with both the Caribe and the AB RIB's. Currently have a
2000 model 14.5 AB with a 2004 60 Merc 4 stroke and a 10' Caribe RIB.

As with all things, YMMV. Also, remember the source of this info ;-)

Cheers

Dave
Swan Song
Tortola, BVI

Brian, 4 cycles are very sensitive to dirty fuel, heavy, complex, and
underpowered compared to two cycles of equal horsepower.

Personally, I'd go with the largest outboard you can bolt to your dinghy.
I'd recommend a two cycle Yamaha Enduro 25 if your boat will handle it.  You
might have to get it in the Bahamas where they are a lot more reasonable
($2,200) than in the states.  Bahamians live and die around their outboards
and the Enduro series is a simplified, bulletproof design made for "working"
folks which makes it an ideal motor for serious cruisers.

                                      Regards....

Phil Rosch
Old Harbor Consulting
M/V "Curmudgeon" MT44 TC
Currently lying Bond Creek, NC