Jetstar boats

[alanr]

We occasionally supplied hull and deck mouldings for owners to fit out themselves.
This could well have been one of them and we would have made the hull to accept
a jet drive or sterndrive as required. We also made an outboard version of this
hull which we called the Bluebird 17/8 and we probably made about 12 or so of these.
Alanr

[covell123]

Hello all,

I am new to this site but stumbled across it when searching for information about refurbishing mine. I have a Jetstar 525 which has remained in the family every since it was purchased by my grandfather however many years ago. It has now come to me and it is my duty to refurbish it to its former glory. I plan to install a new engine into it but would love to know what you all think, perhaps a Mercruiser, and how to connect it up to the original Castoldi 05 jet. I would also like to rebuild all of the dashboards and stuff, but that will all come in due course.

Many thanks,
Charlie

[covell123]

A few more pics....

[enginuitytriumph]

[covell123]

Hi Mark, for the past ten years or so the boat has sat idle in the barn. It has no engine but I believe that the old one was a ford v6 petrol which packed in. The castoldi jet is still with it but no engine. What size do you reckon would be good? Is a 4.5l too big? I don't know whether the gearbox is still with it or even a throttle cable but I think to be honest it all needs to be replaced, wouldn't mind going electric though....
Many thanks, Charlie

[alanr]

Hi Charlie,
 Do you still have the old engine or pics of it? If it was a Ford V6 it was probably
the 2.8 lt Cologne engine. Any pics inside the engine bay showing the 05 jet
would assist me in giving more info.
 AlanR

[enginuitytriumph]

Hi Charlie, I think electric would be good if you didn't want to plane! If it came with the Cologne V6, it's an easier option. you could maybe do the 4.3 mercruiser? I think Alan said that they'd done those before? & if so it could be easier / cheaper to buy the kit even second hand ?? Mark

[Skippiemanz]

Hi All,

Just joined this forum sind i recently discovered that i am the owner of a Jetstar 520(Originally White and blue) equipt with a mercruiser sterndrive.

My hello topic is here http://www.oldspeedboats.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=1554.0

Ive replaced the old mercruiser engine witch where giving me trouble with a diy marinised VW 1.9 TDI 110 HP Engine!

Enclosed som pictures:

[enginuitytriumph]

I know I've been looking at you-tube again  but....http://www.britishpathe.com/video/donald-campbell-speed-boat-aka-water-jet-propelled/query/Campbell
I can't help it, that background commentator & the music   

[alanr]

The Jetstar was filmed at Hedgecourt lake near East Grinstead. We had permission
from the owner (a doctor) to use it for testing all new production Jetstars
and for demonstrations.
Its now used by the Crawley mariners sailing club.
Alanr

[enginuitytriumph]

Hi Alan,that lake is very shallow, my kids sailed on it & I was told you can walk from one side to the other! Following on from our conversation many moons past, the gearing on my jet unit.... it revs out at about 5750, I think you told me it needs to be more like 5000. What sort of gearing would I need?   I was going to ask Lancing if they had a second hand pair, but I need to know roughly which one or ones might do the job?   many thanks....
Mark

[alanr]

The lake was only 4 foot deep and ideal for jet boats although when skiing it was possible
to get your head stuck in the mud if you nose dived !!!
Your 5750 rpm with 27/39 gears equates to 3958 impellor rpm.
Fitting 29/37 ratio would give 5049 engine rpm with the impellor still at 3958.
Is it worth the expense? We had a standard 3 ltr V6 modified by Weslakes of Rye
that we fitted to the Heineken trihedral used on the Rio Balsas race that ran
up to 6000 rpm quite happily.
 AlanR

[enginuitytriumph]

That must have been funny to watch! I've beached a few of skiers wanting to show off walking onto the beach, twice they've eaten sand letting go too late!
  I don't know about the gearing.... It seems worth it if they've got some second hand ones or they'll do me a deal with something else??? Can you change them easily enough?  Do you have to remove engine / jet drive unit?  I know I've got to take the engine out again as the sump is going rusty! 

[alanr]

The engine has to be removed. Changing the gears I can do for you.

[enginuitytriumph]

Excellent, thank you very much !! They have the gears in stock, waiting for Mike to get back from holiday to give me a 'better price' than retail. So fingers crossed. I just think it will be more comfortable at the same engine revs & maybe more economical ?? ( I didn't say faster did I ?  )