TRIPLE JET SNAKE RIVER TOUR BOAT
-Brief Specifications-

Maintaining a competitive edge over other tour boat operators in the Hells Canyon Recreational Area of the North-West United States means having the best equipment for the job. It was this philosophy that prompted Idaho's Snake River Adventures to commission a new custom built aluminum river craft powered by a triple HamiltonJet waterjet propulsion system.

Jodee Pearl is a 42 foot (12.8 meter) welded aluminum craft powered by triple HamiltonJet model 211 waterjets direct coupled to Redline 460 c.i.d. Ford gasoline engines. Since a typical days tour of Hells Canyon is about 12 hours and 200 miles for the round trip, speed and reliability is critical. The propulsion package enables the craft to cruise at 30 knots with a full payload of 57 passengers at a modest engine speed of 3,100rpm. Full speed unladen is an impressive 52 knots (60 mph) at 3,600rpm. Owner, Mike Luther reports that "there's places where I haul 50 people in less than 14 inches (355mm) of water. And I can keep up with cars on the adjacent highway, even with 40 people on board" because of the good load carrying capability of the Jodee Pearl, the responsiveness of the HamiltonJet propulsion system and the clean underwater lines.

An innovative feature on this craft is that rather than traditional wheel steering, a vertical lever beside the helm seat moves for and aft to control the jet steering deflectors through a hydraulically assisted linkage in the stern. The reverse deflectors are similarly hydraulically operated, with their movement being actuated by an electrical switch on the throttle. Snake River Adventures claim this system provides them with the means to respond quickly to avoid debris in the water or to stop quickly to yield right of way to other crafts on the river.

A bonus advantage of the triple waterjet propulsion system has been a much lower fuel consumption than anticipated. Compared with other craft operating in similar circumstances, fuel useage per passenger trip is considerably lower, adding to the operators overall pleasure in their new craft.