New & Used Jet Boats Dealership & Sales in Michigan City, IN
Family-owned on Trail Creek since 1953 — Northwest Indiana’s Yamaha jet boat dealer, with financing, service, and storage under one roof.
Jet boats have become one of the fastest-growing categories on Lake Michigan, and B&E Marine sells and services more of them than almost anyone in the region. No exposed propeller, shallow draft, quick acceleration, and a price that undercuts comparable sterndrive boats — it’s a combination that wins over a lot of families. Visit our showroom at 31 Lake Shore Drive in Michigan City to compare new and used models, or browse current inventory online.
- 73+ Years in Business
- Authorized Yamaha Dealer
- Top 100 Marine Dealer
- NMMA 5-Star Certified Dealer
What makes a jet boat different
Instead of turning a propeller hanging below the hull, a jet boat draws water through an intake in the bottom of the boat, accelerates it through an impeller, and pushes it out a steerable nozzle at the transom. Everything that would normally sit underwater and exposed is tucked inside the hull. That single design change is responsible for nearly every advantage owners talk about: a draft measured in inches rather than feet, no spinning blade near swimmers or the swim platform, and acceleration that pins you to the seat because there’s no gearcase drag to overcome.
It also changes how the boat behaves. Jet drives steer with thrust, so at idle speed they respond differently than a sterndrive — something that takes an afternoon to learn and then becomes second nature. Current Yamaha models address this directly with an articulating keel and low-speed maneuverability systems that make docking genuinely straightforward. On the water at cruising speed, the difference disappears entirely; you just have a boat with a flat, open floor where an engine box would otherwise be.
B&E Marine has been selling boats on Trail Creek since 1953, and we’ve watched this category go from novelty to mainstream. We’re a Top 100 marine dealer, a Brunswick Ambassador Dealer, and an NMMA Marine Industry 5-Star Certified Dealer — and our technicians are trained on jet propulsion specifically, not just adapted from sterndrive work. More on our background on the About Us page and our certifications and awards.
Find the right jet boat for how you’ll use it
The jet boat category spans compact 19-footers to 27-foot day boats with cabins and sunpads. Here’s how it breaks down based on what our customers actually buy and why.
19–20 ft Jet Boats
The most affordable way into a new boat. Light enough to tow behind a mid-size SUV, quick on the throttle, and simple to store at home.
21–22 ft Jet Boats
The volume seller. Twin-engine power, seating for ten, and enough hull to handle Lake Michigan chop on a typical summer afternoon.
24–27 ft Jet Boats
Full day boats with head compartments, galley space, premium audio, and the freeboard for longer runs offshore.
Watersports Models
Tow pylons, ballast, board racks, and wake-shaping systems for families who spend most weekends behind the boat rather than in it.
Fishing & Sport Models
Jet-powered fish-and-play layouts with livewells, rod holders, and the shallow draft to reach water a propeller boat can’t.
Comparing to Sterndrives?
Many buyers cross-shop jet boats against traditional bowriders. Browse both categories side by side before you decide.
Considering other styles? We also stock center consoles, pontoons, cruisers, and yachts, or browse our complete inventory.
Jet drive or sterndrive — an honest comparison
This is the question we field most often, and the answer genuinely depends on where and how you boat. Here’s how we lay it out for customers.
Where Jet Boats Win
Shallow water access, no exposed propeller around swimmers, strong acceleration, lighter weight for towing, a flat open cockpit floor, and typically lower purchase price for comparable length and seating. Winterization is also simpler — there’s no lower unit gearcase oil to change and no outdrive bellows to inspect.
Where Sterndrives Win
Better low-speed docking control out of the box, stronger holeshot pulling heavy skiers, and slightly better fuel economy at displacement speeds. Jet drives can also ingest weeds or debris through the intake, which usually means a quick clear-out rather than a repair — but it’s a real difference worth knowing about.
Our team has also published a detailed Yamaha vs. Scarab jet boat comparison if you’re weighing specific brands.
Yamaha jet boats at B&E Marine
Yamaha builds the marine jet propulsion systems in its own boats rather than sourcing them, and that vertical integration shows up in reliability and in how well the hull and drive work together. As an authorized Yamaha dealer, we stock across the lineup — from the compact SX and AR models through the 220-series sport boats to the 252, 255, and 275 day boats with cabins and expanded transom lounges. The 220 FSH series covers buyers who want to fish and cruise from the same boat. We also carry Sea Ray, Boston Whaler, and Navan for customers comparing jet propulsion against traditional sterndrive and outboard options.
New or used — which makes more sense?
Jet boats hold value well when they’ve been flushed, stored properly, and serviced on schedule. Both paths are worth considering, and here’s how we frame the trade-off.
Buying New
Full factory warranty, the current generation of low-speed maneuverability and digital helm systems, and the ability to spec the color, seating, and audio package you want. Jet boat technology has moved quickly over the past several model years, so a new boat’s docking behavior and connectivity are meaningfully better than a five-year-old equivalent. Check our current inventory for active factory incentives.
Buying Used or Brokerage
A well-kept pre-owned jet boat can be an excellent value, but service history matters more here than on most hulls. Ask about engine hours, whether it was flushed after saltwater or brackish use, and when the impeller and wear ring were last inspected. Our brokerage program lists boats from local owners we often know, and our used and brokerage listings are the place to start.
Trading up? Our trade-in program applies your current boat’s value to the purchase, and We Want Your Boat gives you a number even if you’re not buying this season.
What jet boat ownership actually involves
After years of selling and servicing this category, these are the points we make sure every buyer understands before they take delivery.
Low-Speed Handling
Jet drives steer with thrust, so they behave differently in a slip than a sterndrive. Modern systems have largely solved this, but plan on one practice session before your first busy weekend.
Intake Awareness
The intake sits flush in the hull bottom and can pick up weeds or debris in shallow, weedy water. It’s usually a two-minute clear-out through the inspection port, not a repair.
Simpler Winterization
No outdrive to service, no gearcase oil, no bellows to replace. Layup is genuinely less involved than a sterndrive, which shows up in annual ownership cost.
Impeller & Wear Ring
The one jet-specific wear item. Clearance between impeller and wear ring affects thrust and fuel burn, and we check it as part of routine service.
Trailering & Storage
Jet boats are lighter than comparable sterndrives, which widens your tow vehicle options. We can also arrange slip space or indoor winter storage.
Fuel Planning
Jet boats are most efficient at cruise, less so at low planing speeds. Knowing your boat’s efficient cruise RPM makes a real difference over a season — ask us to show you where it is.
Everything that comes after the sale
Jet propulsion needs technicians who know jet propulsion. Ours do — and the rest of what you’ll need each season is here too.
Boat Financing
Multiple marine lenders and terms structured around your budget, with an online calculator to estimate payments first.
Explore Financing OptionsTrade-In Valuation
A straightforward number on your current boat, applied directly toward your new jet boat.
Start a Trade-InBoat Insurance
Marine-specific coverage quoted through partners who understand what they’re insuring.
Request an Insurance QuoteJet Drive Service
Impeller and wear ring inspection, intake clearing, engine service, spring commissioning, and winter layup.
Schedule Service OnlineShip’s Store
Tow ropes, tubes, boards, life jackets, and the parts and accessories jet boat owners go through mid-season.
Visit the Ship’s StoreSlips & Winter Storage
Private slips on Trail Creek plus indoor winter storage that protects gelcoat and upholstery through the off-season.
See Storage OptionsServing jet boat buyers across Northwest Indiana
Our showroom and marina sit on Trail Creek in Michigan City, but our jet boat customers come from across Northwest Indiana and the greater Chicago area. Here’s how we support each community.
Jet Boats for East Chicago, IN
East Chicago buyers make the drive to Michigan City for a jet boat selection that’s hard to match closer to home, and for technicians who work on jet propulsion every day rather than occasionally. We handle financing, trade-ins, and seasonal service in one visit.
See how B&E Marine serves East Chicago boatersJet Boats for Gary, Indiana
With direct Lake Michigan access, Gary boaters benefit from a jet boat’s shallow draft along the shoreline and its prop-free swim platform. We stock the 21- to 25-foot sizes that suit those conditions and keep them running all season.
Learn more about our services for Gary, Indiana boatersJet Boats for Hammond, IN
For Hammond buyers, we offer real depth across new and pre-owned jet boats, plus the chance to compare them directly against sterndrive bowriders on the same lot. Our Ship’s Store and service bays cover you well past the purchase.
See what we offer Hammond boatersJet Boats for Valparaiso, IN
Valparaiso families have made B&E Marine a regular stop for jet boat shopping, watersports rigging, and spring commissioning. Buy the boat, slip it, and service it here without heading into Chicago for dealership support.
Explore our services for Valparaiso, Indiana boatersComing from farther out? We also maintain pages for boats for sale near Chicago, Northern Indiana, and Southwest Michigan.
Come see them on Trail Creek
The open cockpit floor is the thing photos never quite convey. Step into a jet boat and the space where an engine box would sit is simply gone — which is why so many buyers who came in skeptical leave with one. Our Michigan City showroom lets you compare jet models against sterndrive bowriders back to back, and our team is happy to let you sit in them without a sales pitch.
We’re on Trail Creek, minutes from Lake Michigan and roughly 38 miles from downtown Chicago by water. Our marina offers private slips up to 60 feet with drive-up access, a seasonal fuel dock, pool, bathhouse, and laundry. The showroom and Ship’s Store are open six days a week.
Planning a visit? Use our quickest route tool for directions, check current fuel prices, or contact our team ahead of time so we can have specific models ready to walk.
What jet boat owners say about B&E Marine
The real test of a dealership is whether customers come back for their second and third boat. Here’s a sample of what ours have shared.
“I was worried about docking a jet boat. They spent twenty minutes on the water with me at delivery and that was the end of the worry.”
— M. Alvarez, jet boat owner“Third boat we’ve bought from B&E. Same service department, same people, same honest communication every time we bring it in.”
— D. Kowalski, boat owner“We cross-shopped a sterndrive and a jet for months. They laid out both sides instead of pushing us, which is why we bought here.”
— T. Reyes, jet boat ownerFrequently asked questions
How does a jet boat work?
Are jet boats better than sterndrive boats?
Are jet boats safer around swimmers?
Are jet boats hard to dock?
What jet boat brands does B&E Marine carry?
What maintenance does a jet boat need?
Can jet boats pull tubes and wakeboards?
Can I finance or trade in toward a jet boat?
Where is B&E Marine located?
Ready to find your jet boat?
Browse current inventory online, or come see them in person at our Michigan City showroom. Our team will compare jet against sterndrive honestly, talk financing, and give you a real number on your trade.
