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TOURISM » Thunder Jet
May 2017 Business South
New boat delivers on performance Kelly Deeks In a proactive response to increasing demand adventure company Thunder Jet Queenstown has introduced an innovative new generation of jet boat, able to carry almost double the number of passengers than the average river boat. Company founder and jet boat pioneer Neville Kelly says the new jet boat, which joined the fleet just before Christmas, is the first of its kind to use the powerful, next generation 6.2L Ford Raptor engine in a commercial application. The fourth addition to the fast-growing Thunder Jet fleet was designed and built by McKenzie Marine in Bluff, with a high level of input from Neville, who was in Bluff during the CAD design phase and also for the all-important finishing of Thunder Jet 4. Neville says the 8-metre long Thunder Jet 4 can carry 34 passengers at a time, dwarfing the standard 20 passengers of a standard jet boat, but uses the same amount of fuel. Neville came up with the concept in 2015 when planning how to best manage the current increase in demand, as well as future proof the company given expected tourism growth for Queenstown. “When you’ve got the competition that we’ve got in Queenstown, it’s vital to stay one step ahead of the rest,” he says. “The ability to cater for larger groups was where we were lacking.” With the conference and events sector a significant proportion of Thunder Jet’s business, the company would often get groups of more than 20 who would have to be separated up and taken over several boats. With Thunder Jet 4, large groups and families can enjoy their adventure together. At the same time, the new boat brings increased efficiencies to Thunder Jet, as to cater for up to 34 people the company now only needs one jet boat driver, and can spend less on fuel and less on maintenance. “We’ve operated Thunder 4 since Christmas Eve and have been blown away by its performance,” Neville says. “It handles as well, if not better than our smaller boats.” The boat is also proving a hit with large groups and families. “One of the things we hear from groups and families is they don’t want to split up to do the trip, and families don’t want one of the parents to have to stay back with the smallest child. In our boats the whole family can go together from toddlers up. They just have to fit our life jackets.” With an impeccable safety record, all of
The 8-metre long Thunder Jet 4 can carry 34 passengers at a time, dwarfing the standard 20 passengers of a standard jet boat. Thunder Jet’s drivers hold higher maritime safety qualifications than the standard required for jet boat drivers. Each of the drivers has a Skippers’ Restricted Licence (SRL), a commercial jet boat licence, and a wealth of knowledge and experience. “While safety is obviously our number one priority, our customers come away from their experience sporting huge grins,” Neville says. “Our ride takes people skimming across the lake and then weaves between the cliffs and along the braids of the Kawarau river, with a few famous Hamilton spins thrown in for good measure. “Thunder Jet 4 also boasts a 600W sound system which massively adds to the whole adventure.”
“Our ride takes people skimming across the lake and then weaves between the cliffs and along the braids of the Kawarau river, with a few famous Hamilton spins thrown in for good measure.”
MCKENZIE MARINE & MACKRAFT LTD BLUFF, NEW ZEALAND
Office Phone 03 212 8778 Fax 03 212 8777 Peter McKenzie 027 437 7039 03 218 2668 www.mackraft.com jetboats@mackraft.com Cnr Palmer & Barrow Streets Bluff. P.O. Box 72 Bluff, New Zealand