posted 10-21-2013 12:47 PM ET (US)        

Brunswick's announced entry into the jet-boat market was curiously timed, as it came just about two years ago, simultaneously as Bombardier Recreational Products (BRP)--at one time a very important maker of jet-boats with a large market share--was ending their jet-boat building operation.

Cf:

http://blog.boats.com/2012/07/ sea-ray-jets-into-the-jet-boat-market-with-weber-motors/#.UmVaECgd7UQ

http://blog.boats.com/2013/09/ sea-ray-reverses-decision-to-enter-jet-boat-market/#.UmVZyigd7UQ

posted 10-21-2013 01:28 PM ET (US)            

http://www.tradeonlytoday.com/home/ 526660-rec-boat-holdings-unveils-scarab-jetboat

We also recognize the name Roch Lambert. Was he not the BRP CEO at one time.

posted 10-21-2013 02:01 PM ET (US)            

There is a market for jet boats but the product does not last and the durability is just not there. We can even see this with the Boston Whaler Rage series from the 1990s. The long term durability is the issue. It maybe because of the way they are operated but no one has been able to tame the jet boat market.

posted 10-22-2013 12:51 AM ET (US)            

http://www.uscg.mil/acquisition/rbm/

I imagine with a pedigree like Rolls-Royce behind the jet drive there won't be too many problems.

posted 10-22-2013 06:28 AM ET (US)            

See "Apocolypse Now".

Dave

posted 10-22-2013 10:14 AM ET (US)            

There are a few independent fabricators who build stout welded aluminum boats 16-24 feet for fishing, typically for King Salmon in these fast flowing rivers with rapids. Typical power is a marinized GM V6 or V8 with fresh water cooling mated to a jet pump. The gold standard jet pump has been Hamilton out of New Zealand.

I owned a 22 foot version of one of these 2003-2007. I loved the simplicity and performance of the thing. Its an exciting type of boating: you never take your eye off of the water for one second and at 25 mph the depth can change from 20 feet to 2 feet in the blink of an eye.

posted 10-22-2013 11:02 AM ET (US)            

The boys in the Pacific Northwest have had jet pumps down for decades. One reason - because their a%sses are on the line running whitewater through rock gardens, big waves and gravel bars. That's the big difference between running water like the Grand Canyon and the Rogue, Deschutes and other streams. You gotta know what you're doing. Grand Canyon or big water - point down stream and ride the waves - PNW point at obstacles and pull back, pass one, spin and same or know the lines through w/ power boats. Takes years.

I have never understood why boat companies have screwed around with flatlander components only to have long histories of failures and expensive repairs.

I don't know much about New Zealand boat manufacturers but know that outboard and inboard river jet manufacturers are doing well and some make incredible boats. Top on my list is Wooldridge now out of Seattle but born on the Rogue River, South Oregon Coast. Grandson of the founder runs the company and they build awesome river jets and offshore boats for AK. Glenn Wooldridge as I understand it, ran the Rogue way back in the day with outboards on wooden modified drift boats. He have an oarsman on board (Bob??) usually so when he shredded a prop or stalled in a wave oarsman would take over and spin them out of the abyss. Outboard was mounted on what they called a "Jackass Up Lifter" (invented it) with a big lever handle so if he needed to raise it immediately he shoved down on the handle and saved the lower unit or cleared the rocks or bar.

As the story goes, Glen worked with an engineer from Cali Dick Stallman to develop the first outboard jet.

Others who know what they are doing and hatched by real rivermen are Alumaweld, Duckworth (Hell's Canyon), Willie and Fish Rite. (check the websites for interesting history)

From their advertising -
"Wooldridge offers Chevrolet V-8 inboard jet power. The actual jet pump is mounted inside the boat, with the water intake through the bottom. Wooldridge Boats prefers Hamilton jets for their V-8 inboard jet models.
Hamilton inboard jet pumps come with different pitch impellers to match up correctly with boater needs and the motor selected.

posted 10-23-2013 08:50 AM ET (US)            

BRP OFFERS AN INBOARD JET PROPULSION SYSTEM FOR BOAT BUILDERS

Valcourt, Qubec, March 19, 2013--BRP expands its marine engines portfolio by offering an in-board jet propulsion system, using its proven Rotax 4-TEC 1503 engine. BRP's Marine Propulsion Systems division in Sturtevant, Wisconsin, formerly the Outboard Engine division, will now assemble Rotax inboard propulsion systems in addition to Evinrude outboard engines.

The heart of the jet propulsion system is the proven Rotax 4-TEC 1503 engine that is currently used in Sea-Doo watercraft. This jet system provides an energetic, thrill-seeking driving experience not available with other propulsion systems, and is a viable alternative to stern drive. The Rotax 1503 power pack is available exclusively to boat builders and includes the 4-TEC 1503 engine, controls, fuel and jet pumps, along with the exhaust, electrical, propulsion and cooling systems.

"The Rotax power pack is a quality jet system superior to competitive engines, with more than 450,000 engines in the market," said Jos Boisjoli, president and CEO. "Though we've exited the sport boat business, there is demand from boat manufacturers seeking an alternative to stern drive."

In 2012, BRP completed a $15 million renovation to its Evinrude facility. The addition of the Rotax 1503 power pack assembly underscores BRPs commitment to product development and assembly of propulsions systems.

http://www.brp.com/en-us/company/news/ brp-offers-inboard-jet-propulsion-system-boat-builders

March 19, 2013

BRP to assemble inboard engines in Sturtevant

by Jeff Engel, Reporter--The Business Journal

Bombardier Recreational Products Inc. on Tuesday said it is expanding its marine engines portfolio and has renamed its division based in Sturtevant.

Valcourt, Quebec-based BRP, a privately held motorized recreational vehicles manufacturer that employs about 6,800 worldwide, will now offer an inboard jet propulsion system using its Rotax 4-TEC 1503 engine.

The Sturtevant location will now assemble Rotax inboard propulsion systems in addition to building Evinrude outboard engines, the company said. The outboard engine division is now called BRPs marine propulsion systems division.

The Rotax engine is currently used in Sea-Doo watercraft. BRP said the new jet system promises an energetic, thrill-seeking driving experience not available with other propulsion systems.

BRP views the jet propulsion system as an alternative to a stern drive engine, which is a hybrid between an outboard engine and jet propulsion engine, said BRP spokeswoman Laurie Duffy.

The Rotax 1503 power pack is being sold exclusively to boat builders and includes the 4-TEC 1503 engine, controls, fuel and jet pumps, as well as exhaust, electrical, propulsion and cooling systems, BRP said.

Though weve exited the sport boat business, there is demand from boat manufacturers seeking an alternative to stern drive, said Jos Boisjoli, BRP president and CEO, in a written statement.

BRP completed a $15 million renovation to its Sturtevant facility last year, which resulted in 137 new employees at the facility.

There are no immediate plans to add more jobs, but BRP is evaluating the facilitys work load with the new assembly work and could add additional resources if its unable to cover the new production requirements with existing staff, Duffy said.

There will be a dedicated space for assembly of the jet propulsion systems, but this shouldnt have an impact on our current outboard engine production areas, Duffy said in an email to The Business Journal.

http://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/news/2013/03/19/ bombardier-recreational-products-to.html

And, yes, it is a bit interesting that one of the first boat builders to begin using the BRP jet propulsion system is headed by Roch Lambert, who was formerly vice-president and general manager of BRP's Evinrude operation in Wisconsin.

Here is a good interview with Roch Lambert in which he explains quite a bit about why BRP left the boat building business--it was not a core business for them--and why the Scarab line was revived to enter the jet boat segment:

http://www.boatingindustry.com/top-stories/2013/05/03/ roch-lambert-on-rec-boat-holdings-jet-boat-move/

Mr Lambert is now heading the Recreational Boat Group, bringing it out of bankruptcy. His background is in business and he holds a degree in Aerospace Engineering. It is interesting to see a company headed by someone with an engineering background.

Having an engineer like Mr. Lambert in charge reminds me of the time when George Buckley, a Ph.D. in engineering, was head of Brunswick. In that era Brunswick brought out the innovative VERADO engine and acquired a number of high-technology companies like NAVMAN and MOTOTRON. After Mr. Buckley left, Brunswick was taken over by a lawyer and went on a spree of buying boat builders. It was a strategy that made instant multi-millionaires out of the owners of a number of boat brands that were acquired, and then made stockholders scratch their heads when a few years later all of those brands were either scrapped or sold off for ten cents on the dollar and hundreds of millions of dollars had to be written off as bad investments.