The Best Jet Boat Brands
The best jet boats will give you a thrill ride you’ll never forget.
Few boats are as adrenaline-inducing as jet boats. They have neck-snapping acceleration, sportscar-like handling, and commonly hit top speeds of 50-plus mph. Jet boats are often favored by parents who enjoy boating with young children since there’s no propeller spinning around in the water, and many are rigged for serious watersports fun like wake boarding and wake surfing. In some other cases jet boats are ideal tenders for larger boats and yachts, since it’s easier to store a small boat aboard a bigger one if there’s no bulky outboard or drive unit to worry about. And jet drives are also the propulsion of choice for some anglers who prowl rocky rivers. But, which jet boat brands are the best? There actually aren’t many builders of dedicated jet boats in today’s market, but these 10 sit at the top.
AB Inflatables
One of the brands catering to those who need jet-powered tenders is AB Inflatables, which makes a huge range of inflatable boats including RIBs with both fiberglass and aluminum hulls, center console RIBs, and dinghies. In fact, AB Inflatables also made a showing in our roundup of the best inflatable and rib boat brands. In this case, they make the list by virtue of their Jet Tender series. These boats range from 9’6” to 15’ and include both diesel and gasoline jet engines. Like most tenders they’re loaded with seating, though several models do double-duty as day-boats with sunpads, ski tow bits, and swim platforms with boarding ladders.
See AB Inflatables jet boats for sale on boats.com.
Argo Nautic
Argos Nautic is a builder of tenders designed to appeal to those as interested in luxury and style as in getting from Point A to Point B. They utilize different propulsion systems for different model lines and have two jet powered boats in their Luxury Jet Tender Series, the Jet 9.5 and the Jet 11. These stand out from the crowd with the level of customization they provide; buyers can choose different colors, Hypalon colors and textures, upholstery, and flooring options, to match up with the mother ship’s looks.
See Argos Nautic jet boats for sale on boats.com.
G3
Aluminum boat builder G3 offers several series of fishing and hunting boats, including a line designed for jet outboards called the Gator Tough Tunnel Jons. With a tunnel integrated into the hull and no need for a lower unit beneath the waterline these offer minimal draft and are ideal for running rocky rivers and extremely shallow waters. There are nine models stretching from 17’ to 20’, all of which are laid out with a center console design except for one tiller-steer version. Highlights include elevated forward and aft decks, integrated stowage compartments, livewells, and in several cases flip-up jump seats and/or bow-mount electric trolling motors.
Scarab
Scarab is one of the few major builders of traditional recreational fiberglass pleasure boats designed for all-around family fun. They build three model lines including the Wake (general recreation), the Wake Sport (for wake surfing and watersports), and the Multi-Sport (center consoles designed for fishing). These range from 15’9” to 28’0” and all are powered by BRP Rotax four-stroke inboard with jet drives. In a unique twist, Scarab is also the only jet boat builder to offer a production model that has a center console design yet is intended for wake sports, and can be equipped with ballast tanks, board racks on the T-top, a ski tow bar, and an onboard inflation system for water-toys.
See Scarab jet boats for sale on boats.com.
Sea Doo
Sea Doo is best known for their personal watercraft, which certainly do count as boats. The model lineup includes 15 different waterbikes geared towards touring, performance, and even fishing. However, Sea Doo also offers the only dedicated jet boat around that’s also a pontoon boat. The Sea Doo Switch is a pontoon with a modular deck layout, powered by a jet drive and controlled at the helm with PWC-like handlebars rather than a steering wheel. The 13’ to 21’ lineup of rotomold-constructed boats shocked the boating world with its uniqueness when it was introduced, and there are a number of 2024 Sea Doo Switch updates that have improved the model line even more since they first hit the water.
See Sea Doo jet boats for sale on boats.com.
Thunder Jet
Thunder Jet boats are welded aluminum fishing boats built in the Pacific Northwest, with models intended for both rivers and the ocean. Offering a dozen models from 18’6” to 32’3”, the lineup includes a mix of open and cabin boats. All are designed for all-weather use, however, and even the open boats have oversized windshield and Bimini tops. Rather than having inboards and jet drives, these boats are designed to have jet outboards mounted on the transoms. Originally founded back in 1981, today Thunder Jet is part of the Brunswick family of boatbuilders.
See Thunder Jet jet boats for sale on boats.com.
Watersports Car
Okay, the “boats” built by this brand are certainly more of a novelty than anything else, but how cool would you feel zipping around the lake in a sportscar? Models are available in two- and four-seat versions, with several different models in modern and classic styling. Power is provided by a Yamaha 1.8L high-output or supercharged jet engine in 180 or 250 hp, and under those tires there’s a 16’2” bona fide fiberglass hull. Plus, to make it feel more car-like they feature adjustable seating, a foot-pedal throttle, and of course a booming stereo system.
See Watersports Car boats for sale on boats.com.
Williams
Jet tenders are the purview of Williams, though they also make several RIB jets large enough and well-outfitted enough to serve as primary vessels. On the flip side of the coin, they also offer some of the smallest jet tenders around including the tiny 9’2” MiniJet. Their model line includes both gasoline and diesel powered jet boats with Rotax and Yanmar powerplants. Most of these come fully featured with accessories like electronics packages, faux teak decking, auto fire extinguish systems, and extensive seating, and Williams offers a long list of tender-oriented accessories like towing and tie-down kits.
See Williams jet boats for sale on boats.com.
Yamaha
Another PWC brand that enjoys an excellent reputation and immense popularity is Yamaha. Their line of Waverunners includes 20 models which run on a mix of Yamaha’s own TR-1, 1.9L High Output, and Super Vortex High Output supercharged four-stroke engines. Cruisers, high-performance, recreational, and stand-up models are all among the offerings. They’re known for exceptional performance and being outfitted for comfort and fun, with features like integrated trimming systems, reboarding steps, waterproof stereo systems, and the “Rec Deck” which allows for customizing the PWC with various accessories.
See Yamaha Waverunner PWCs for sale on boats.com.
Yamaha Boats
The name Yamaha is back again, but this time for a different reason: this company also has a lineup of jet boats. In fact, Yamaha boats are some of the most popular runabouts in the 19’ to 27’ range on the water today. They offer a full lineup of 19’, 22’, 25’, and 27’ boats, most of which are oriented towards general recreation and watersports with bowrider layouts. They also offer a lineup of center console fishing jet boats (eight in all) as well as a Wake Series designed for wake surfing, with features like tow towers and ballast systems. Yamaha is also the only production jet boat builder around to offer joystick controls on a jet boat, in the form of Helm Master EX on the 255 FSH Sport H. Many boaters like the way Yamaha outfits and sells these boats, too, providing different model levels with a set list of accessories rather than offering long lists of standard and optional features that can make pricing difficult to judge.
See Yamaha jet boats for sale on boats.com.
If you’re looking for a tender for your yacht, you want a day-boat that provides endless thrill rides and watersports fun, or you need to run the rocky rapids in a river, there’s a good chance a jet boat lies in your future. And if you want one to the best jet boats around, there’s an even better chance that one of these top 10 picks will fit the bill. So check out all the jet boats for sale on boats.com and keep on looking until you find that perfect boat for your own personal needs and desires.
