iboats.com
Recruit
- Joined
- Apr 5, 2011
- Messages
- 4
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]Many of us remember the early jet boats of the 70's with massive Ford or GM engines powering Berkley and other jet pumps that could spray people off the dock just as well as they could rocket the boats to near triple digit speeds. While there may be a few of them still roaming the waterways, they were replaced in the 90's by more family oriented, yet fun, bowrider style jet boats powered by outboard designed engines pushing water through jet pumps just barely larger than those found on personal watercraft. Around twenty boat builders made boats for the smaller jet pumps. Their popularity soared; then their popularity declined as families wanted larger boats for broader boating uses not just playing near shore or trying to get occupants as wet as if they had gone scuba diving. The boating industry was down to just one last jet boat builder when suddenly, jets have caught on again. There are now five boat builders making fun, fast and family friendly jets.[/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]A few weeks ago, iboats was invited to preview the 21' and 24' jets from Sea Ray. In the 90's, Sea Ray too built a series of "SeaRayder" jet boats aimed at the fun loving crowd. The new Sea Ray jets target fun with the room, comfort and features the boating family demands. [/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]Both new Sea Ray jets are dressed for success. They sport conservative color schemes but carry fun features including wakeboard (tubing, skiing, etc.) towers, voluminous storage and copious creature comforts.[/FONT]
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[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]Both boats could be viewed as "Bowriders" but..., there's always a "but"; their power makes them very different.[/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]Hidden below the back deck are two Weber engines; either 120hp or 155hp, driving Weber jet pumps. Who? Weber? Never heard of 'em. They've been around since the 60's making engines and engine components for brands like Audi, Porsche, Mercedes-Benz, VW, BMW, Ferrari, Ford and others as well as making engines and jet pumps for PWC manufacturers.[/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]Both the 21' and 24' jets have twin engine and pump installations. The engines are tucked discretely below the rear sundeck. [/FONT]
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[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]The engines are compact yet powerful. They send their power to a very unique jet pump [/FONT]
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[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]The pump features a stainless steel impeller, stator, wear ring and fasteners which function within an all composite pump housing (housing, nozzle, turn nozzle and reverse gate). Yes, "composite". You mean "plastic"? Well, kind of. The exact name is "reinforced composites" from Weber. Such materials are used in a variety of applications to help avoid corrosion yet provide strength similar to the metals they replace. This may be a trend that is continued on other boating products in the near future. Stay tuned.[/FONT]
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[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]Since each of the boats has twin engine installations you would assume there would be conventional controls for two engines and two pumps. Not on these boats. A single, side mount control handles throttle and shifting for both. It simplifies control. The engines pair themselves for power and differential thrust from twin engine installations with jets is not practical so... no need for separate controls. [/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]The 21' jet will be at your local Sea Ray dealer soon. The 24' jet will appear later this summer. Look here for more info on Sea Ray boats and to find your local dealer. [/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]Bill Gius is a three-plus decade marine industry veteran with extensive, hands-on accessory, boat and engine experience. Bill has been working with iboats.com for six years to help manufacturers and dealers use iboats' online marketing, advertising and lead generation services. Bill can be reached at 800-869-1686 x199 or bill@iboats.com.[/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]A few weeks ago, iboats was invited to preview the 21' and 24' jets from Sea Ray. In the 90's, Sea Ray too built a series of "SeaRayder" jet boats aimed at the fun loving crowd. The new Sea Ray jets target fun with the room, comfort and features the boating family demands. [/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]Both new Sea Ray jets are dressed for success. They sport conservative color schemes but carry fun features including wakeboard (tubing, skiing, etc.) towers, voluminous storage and copious creature comforts.[/FONT]
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[/FONT][FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]Both boats could be viewed as "Bowriders" but..., there's always a "but"; their power makes them very different.[/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]Hidden below the back deck are two Weber engines; either 120hp or 155hp, driving Weber jet pumps. Who? Weber? Never heard of 'em. They've been around since the 60's making engines and engine components for brands like Audi, Porsche, Mercedes-Benz, VW, BMW, Ferrari, Ford and others as well as making engines and jet pumps for PWC manufacturers.[/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]Both the 21' and 24' jets have twin engine and pump installations. The engines are tucked discretely below the rear sundeck. [/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]
[/FONT][FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]The engines are compact yet powerful. They send their power to a very unique jet pump [/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]
[/FONT][FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]The pump features a stainless steel impeller, stator, wear ring and fasteners which function within an all composite pump housing (housing, nozzle, turn nozzle and reverse gate). Yes, "composite". You mean "plastic"? Well, kind of. The exact name is "reinforced composites" from Weber. Such materials are used in a variety of applications to help avoid corrosion yet provide strength similar to the metals they replace. This may be a trend that is continued on other boating products in the near future. Stay tuned.[/FONT]
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[/FONT][FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]Since each of the boats has twin engine installations you would assume there would be conventional controls for two engines and two pumps. Not on these boats. A single, side mount control handles throttle and shifting for both. It simplifies control. The engines pair themselves for power and differential thrust from twin engine installations with jets is not practical so... no need for separate controls. [/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]The 21' jet will be at your local Sea Ray dealer soon. The 24' jet will appear later this summer. Look here for more info on Sea Ray boats and to find your local dealer. [/FONT]
[FONT=Trebuchet MS, Lucida Grande, Arial, sans-serif]Bill Gius is a three-plus decade marine industry veteran with extensive, hands-on accessory, boat and engine experience. Bill has been working with iboats.com for six years to help manufacturers and dealers use iboats' online marketing, advertising and lead generation services. Bill can be reached at 800-869-1686 x199 or bill@iboats.com.[/FONT]