Our Custom Designed Shotover Jet ‘Big Red’ Jet Boats

Overview
Our Shotover Jet 'Big Reds' are unique and have been designed specifically for the Shotover River Canyons. Built here in Queenstown our 'Big Red' Jet Boats are designed for maximum strength, speed and manoeuvrability. We have 7 interchangeable highly specialised craft and the combination of the hull design as well as the engine and jet unit configuration means that fully loaded, carrying up 14 passengers and the driver (approx 3,500 kg) our boats can travel at speeds of up to 85kmph in as little as 10 cm of water. The unique design of our 'Big Reds' also enables our boats to do what most other Jet Boats can't - full 360 degree spins.
Our 'Big Reds' are packed with features, hover over the circles below to learn more.
Drivers Control Panel Area
The most advanced computer engine management system available (Engine Management Jet Boat Data-logger). This is similar to the 'Black Box' technology used in V8 Super Touring racing cars and also similar to an aircraft 'Black Box'.
Buoyancy Bags
Give the boat positive buoyancy, making it unsinkable.
Seats & Hand Rails
Heated, shock absorbing hand rails, plus moulded and padded seating provides for the maximum possible customer comfort. Seats on our boats are also tiered to give the best possible view and enjoyment for everyone in the boat no matter where you are sitting.
Roll Bar
Reinforced roll bar designed for maximum customer safety. The Roll Bar also incorporates the air in-take for the engines.
Jet Units
Movement, steering and control are provided by 2 x Hamilton 212 Jet Units, each thrusting 400 litres of water per second (800 litres per second total).
Engines
Power is provided 2 x Buick 3.8 Litre V6 Engines, with approximately 250 horse-power each. The engines are Super-Charged and Inter-Cooled and run on 98 high octane unleaded fuel.
Hull
5.30 metres long, 2.44 metres wide and constructed of heavy gauge marine aluminium, our 'Big Reds' have been designed for maximum strength, speed and manoeuvrability. Our Jet Boats are unique and have been designed especially for Shotover Jet and specifically for the shallow waters of the Shotover River and the narrow rocky Shotover River Canyon environment in which we operate.