Electric Jet Boats

[fleanme]

I have been looking for "economical" jet boats. What I have found is one three companies that make them, and none that import into the US. Billings makes the Palm Beach, and Graupner, and KnB make the Jet Sprint. Does anyone here know how these perform, and where to get them, beside going out of the country? Can anyone suggest a more economical boat? I was thinking of just getting the Mini Jet drive from Graupner, and making a Mickey Mouse version. Any thoughts would be appriciated.

[Twmaster]

The Graupner line is availble at www.hobby-lobby.com

[fleanme]

Thanks, I have checked their site numerous times. Apparently they are the distributor for Graupner. Some of my local hobby stores get their stuff from them. Apparently, they have their complete catalog on their website; it does not have the jet sprint listed. Searching as many sites as possible, I have yet to find a site based in US that has one. I found one recently in Cananda. I would like to find someone for the KMB company though.
Great Planes is the distributor for them, but I cannot seem to find their boats on the website.

[Twmaster]

I would be willing to be t Hobby-Lobby would be willing to order the boat for you.

Give'em a call. The worst is they say no-can-do.

[Andrew Gilchrist]

Hi jet boats are neat

the Graupner Jet Sprint is about 18" and stock runs a speed 500 altho it would be faster with lighter cells and something like a Neo 480

Unfortuneately the impellor design is fairly basic and jets are rarely as efficient as theory suggests they should be. The upshot being that they are not quick for the inputs.

A better bet is a boat with a surface piercing prop which will run approximatley 25% faster all else being equal

[fleanme]

Thanks for the reply. Eff aside, I am looking at it more as a point to build on. The use I have for this boat will be in shallow water. I like the novelty of the jet propulsion. Thank you for the inputs.

[Andrew Gilchrist]

Email me if you like. I seem to remember a couple of Jetsprints in stock - I can check by the time you email

price is $111 shipping is free

kit comes with hull deck fittings and jet - requires motor and cells - however rather thna the recommended set Iwould go for 480 sized components and lighter cells - I think this will be the fasteest setup and definitely be longer running and better handling

[fleanme]

Thank you for the contact info. i am presently strapped on the hobby allowance. since my origianl post, i have made some plane purchases. this one will have to wait. . . . although with father's day coming. . . . thanks for the help

[Andrew Gilchrist]

if you are a little strapped try making a kit

good jet boat hulls - eg monos have a variable deadrise which is almost flat at the rear so the jet can work well

that means they have a sharp vee ont he nose going to a flatter vee say 12 degrees at the rear

look for flat surfaces rearward of the widest point of the boat and you should be ok

build to about 18-20" using the smallest graupner jet and 480BB motors and 7 of the 1700aup or CP1300 - these shoudl be light and fast - lots of excitement

[boaterguy]

fleanme what was the canada one?

[fooman2008]

now being a smartass I could suggest Toes jet powered springer
Foo

[pompebled]

Hi Fleanme,

To go easy on the hobby budget, you could try to find a Chinese knock-off like this one on eBay:
http://cgi.ebay.de/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=310094351428

It comes completely installed and with a brushless upgrade in future you'll have a blast.

Regards, Jan.

[fleanme]

i cannot remember which canadian one that was, but it at the time it was probably a robbe, or graupner.
more recently, raidentch has a line of boats called aeroboat.(or something of that nature). that is a RTR jet drive. not a jet sprint body.
xenonproject had a jet sprint of probable similar quality, but it appears they have sold out, and have not had any new ones in.

i will have to check out the ebay item.
neal

[boaterguy]

i just want the propulsion for a homemade boat