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Runabout, powered by PWC

Posted: Fri Feb 01, 2013 11:07 am
by tech_support
We will be starting a new project in the coming weeks; a runabout powered by a donor PWC. :)

There are examples of small ski boat designs that were built with smaller jet-skit engines, mostly these are outboard designs that are modified to accept a jet drive. Our idea is to design a larger boat that is designed from the beginning to be powered by a large PWC engine and pump.

Advantages over adapting existing designs : 1) running surface will be designed for jet-drives, which have differences from running surfaces designed for outboards. 2) The transom area can be made much more aesthetically pleasing, can incorporate reverse and curved transom and even swim platform. Seating, center of gravity, etc. all planned with Jet-drive in mind

We picked up a donor jet-skit to use on the prototype. The runabout will be deigned to accept not just this brand, there are several others made by other companies that will work just as well. Its a Kawasaki 1500 cc, 3 seater, 4 cylinder, 4 stroke motor, rated at 150 hp, 35 hours on it.

The idea is to use almost everything from the PWC; motor/pump, all the rigging, steering helm (will give it a wheel) , gauges, fuel tank.


here is the donor....

Image

Re: Runabout, powered by PWC

Posted: Fri Feb 01, 2013 11:28 am
by wegcagle
Cool 8) This will be a fun one to watch.

Will

Re: Runabout, powered by PWC

Posted: Fri Feb 01, 2013 1:46 pm
by Boater45
Very cool!! I would be very interested!

Re: Runabout, powered by PWC

Posted: Fri Feb 01, 2013 4:38 pm
by 94Virago
Wish I had known about this before starting on my RB14.

Re: Runabout, powered by PWC

Posted: Fri Feb 01, 2013 4:47 pm
by AtTheBrink
Can you give us some info on the boat? Length, width, all that fun stuff. Maybe a rough drawing of two?

Re: Runabout, powered by PWC

Posted: Fri Feb 01, 2013 4:53 pm
by jacquesmm
Rough drawing is asking too much: the boat exist only in our mind.
Joel will pull all the innards out and we must measure everything carefully before starting a design.
We will almost certainly cut a fiberglass pad out of the jet ski and weld it to our hull.
From the specs, I guess we will end up with a light boat about 17' long styled like the RB16 but wider and a much more powerful hull.

Re: Runabout, powered by PWC

Posted: Fri Feb 01, 2013 4:59 pm
by AtTheBrink
jacquesmm wrote:Rough drawing is asking too much: the boat exist only in our mind.


I love working like that! :D 8) looking forward to seeing it jump from your mind into reality.

Re: Runabout, powered by PWC

Posted: Fri Feb 01, 2013 5:49 pm
by peter-curacao
Just curious why not just buy replacements parts instead of chopping up that ski, is it cheaper ? yeah yeah I know the less jet ski's the better :P

Re: Runabout, powered by PWC

Posted: Sat Feb 02, 2013 4:02 pm
by jorgepease
I was going to try to use one to power the xf20 but was told I am not allowed to run a jet in my area of the keys. Love the idea though!

Re: Runabout, powered by PWC

Posted: Sat Feb 02, 2013 4:39 pm
by silentneko
I thought about a jetski modified for fishing on the flats, but was told the sand and grass would ruin the impeller very quickly. Is this going to be for open waters? Lakes?