Jet power for your boat
Quiet, safe and compactJet boats have never really taken off in Australia as most people choose a simple propeller over a jet water drive -- but the situation is different over the ditch and in the US and Europe.
The Kiwis embraced water jets from the moment the locally-designed Hamilton jet drives were introduced more than 20 years ago. Few tourists to the Shaky Isles have not had their hearts in their mouths as they have blasted up a shallow New Zealand river at terrifying speed in a jet boat that only draws a couple of inches at full speed.
In the US jet drives are popular for picnic boats as they allow people to go "gunk holing" -- navigating into bays and rivers that are simply too shallow for any conventional propeller-driven vessel.
In Europe, water jets became the power choice for RIB tenders for big yachts. The craft could be driven straight off the water, without damage, into stern garages on mega yachts and stored on the decks of other cruisers without need the space of an outboard-powered vessel.
One of Europe's most popular jet propelled inflatables, the range from Williams Performance Tenders, are now available in Australia and will be on display at this month's Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show on Queensland's Gold Coast.
The five-model Williams range has centre-mounted engines coupled to shallow-draft jet drives that make them ideal for shallow waters and no risk to children or swimmers at crowded beaches.
By mounting their engines inboard, Williams can specify higher horsepower than an outboard-equipped tender of the same length and thus offer remarkable performance. The Williams 2.85 metre model is said to be the only inflatable under three metres that can tow a waterskier.
The Williams range extends from the nimble 2.85m craft to the 5.05m tender that can seat seven adults. The boats, apart from the 5.05D, are powered by 98hp petrol engines. The 5.05 has a turbo diesel that is not only powerful but which offers great fuel economy.
The Williams range is being imported into Australia by Sirocco Marine and will be available at all Sirocco Marine outlets in major capital cities.
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