Jet boats are boats that are powered by a jet drive unit that is basically a high pressure water pump with no propeller. Most jet propelled boats are in the recreation class of boats but there are also jet powered boats in commercial  operation, working as water taxis, mail boats, guide boats, and sight seeing boats. 

Jet propulsion is also used as thrusters on large boats for docking and maneuvering.  The jet is a high powered pump attached to both the bottom of the boat and the back of the boat. The jet draws water in through the intake in the bottom of the boat and expels it out the back of the boat creating thrust. The Jet Boat is steered by changing the direction of the output nozzle of the jet. 

There are several advantages to powering you boat with a jet pump. The biggest advantage is that the boat can run in very shallow water. Some boats can run in as Little as 2 inches of water and still maintain speed and control. Another advantage of Jet Boats is that because there is no propeller, they are safer when used to pull water skiers and tubers or working as a tender for divers. Their biggest advantage is their ability to run easily up fast flowing rivers to access remote areas.

One of the biggest Commercial uses of Jet Boats is by fishing guides. Wherever you find Steelhead in rivers, you will likely  find Jet Boats. These boats vary in size and style but are the most efficient way to transport fisherman to the pools, and runs that hold the much sought after Steelhead. They are also of course used by guides offering fishing trips for large Rainbow Trout, Bull Trout, Dolly Varden and any other fish that is found in waters that have a lot of debris or in fast flowing rivers.

Jet Boats have recently become particularly popular with fishing guides in new reservoirs throughout the world.

The Personal Water Craft is also an extremely popular jet powered watercraft with recreational boaters around the world.

Jet boats can be built out of any of the popular materials that other boats are made out of including wood, steel, fiberglass and aluminum. Most of the boats build to run rivers are build of aluminum or steel. The jet boats built out of wood or fiberglass are usually used for racing, or spend most of their time on flat water. Most of the jet boats used for river racing are also made of fiberglass.

Jet boats also come in a vast array of sizes and power configurations. The small personal water craft come with a built in jet pump that is specially designed for these small boats.  For a skiff or Jon Boat You can also use an outboard motor that has been retrofitted with a jet leg. Outboards are usually used to power boats up to 35 feet.

For more efficient power in any size boat, an automotive engine with marine modifications is used. These engines are specially built to run under marine conditions and can be either gas engines or diesel engines. These engines vary in size from a 4 cylinder gas engines to a 12 cylinder diesel engine. Most boats running an inboard engine will have a gas powered V8 engine. Although in recent years more boat makers are offering more diesel engine options. Most boats will have only one engine but many boats will have 2 engines for increased reliability and power.