I have a question for the sled owners here. In your opinion which handles better a outboard jet or a inboard jet? At slow(docking) speed and at cruise?
Im kinda interested in a 16' or 17' Custom Weld Sport model and im wondering which is the better setup. Thanks

My guess is the outboard does better at slower speeds. You may know that the nature of pumps is that there isn't a neutral. So, having less power is an advantage at slower speeds/neutral.

I don't think either has much an advantage at speed other than more hp is better when you turn and that edge goes to the inboard, generally speaking.

Other things to consider, inboard pumps are more efficient per hp can have more hp, but they are heavier. Outboards don't have an engine box inside the boat. Outboards don't run as shallow and have more exposed parts. Being exposed can be advantage when you need to clean out your grating. Finally, there isn't a trim on inboards, so you may want to consider adding trim tabs if you buy an inboard.

I really like my inboard, but they make different types for a reason.

They're both pretty manueverable, if you know what you are doing. My inboard has opposite reverse behavior to my old outboard sled. That is, to move the bow right on the inboard when in reverse, I turn the steering wheel to the right, rather than to the left as was the case with the outboard.

My inboard (Northriver) corners much better than the outboard (old Almar) did, but I think that's mostly due the hull being better. With the inboard, I can spin the boat within it's own length. However, I could do that with the outboard boat, too.

The Sportjet inboards aren't any heavier than a comparable outboard. You do give up the space for the doghouse, but you get great power and shallow draft. And you get a spot on the back of the boat for a cooler and a place to sit while driving the kicker. I love mine, can you tell???

One big difference between the two is the steering ratio - how many turns of the steering wheel does it take to move the outboard or jet nozzle from lock to lock. Because the outboards need more leverage to move the weight of the motor, they seem to get a high ratio steering gear, so it takes more turning of the steering wheel to get the same effect. I think this makes the inboard feel more nimble.

Thanks for the input guys. I really like the inboard but in a boat as small as im looking at the engine cover sure takes up alot of the floor space.Im thinking my 15' tiller boat that I have now has more usable space than a 16' or 17' with the dog house.

Aunty,
Good point on the motor well for the outboard. I checked some pictures of the model boat im looking at and it does indeed have a pretty large motor well.My little duroboat doesnt have a motor well so I didnt even think about that. Isnt your boat alot larger than 16' I was thinking yours was about a 20' Intruder. If so that extra 4' gives you alot of deck space.