Abstract: A high-efficiency motor/pump system (20) for jetted baths/spas includes a pump assembly (22) removably secured to a motor assembly (24). The motor assembly (24) includes a motor (26) having a conventional laminated stator (30), a front housing (32) at the forward end of the motor (26), a rear housing (34) at the back end of the motor (26), and a ventilation plate (36) at the end of the rear housing (34). An armature-mounted internal fan (104) draws ambient air through openings in a ventilation plate (36) and forces the air through annular channels (80) in the rear housing (34) to effect cooling of the motor (26). The motor (26) is of the permanent split-capacitor type to eliminate the centrifugal switch commonly used in capacitor-start induction motors to thereby improve reliability. Additionally, telescoping structures on the forward end of the motor assembly and the rearward end of the pump assembly facilitate self-aligning assembly of the components.