Wacky new vehicle lets you zip through the water - in a SHARK
- last year
A wacky new vehicle lets you zip through the water - in a SHARK.
The Jet Shark is a semi-submersible boat that can dip beneath the water.
The 20ft (6m)-long vessel - which will cost up to £248k - is also able to launch from beneath the waves to pull off impressive tricks.
A prototype has a top speed of 45 mph (72kph), but the commercial version should be able to approach speeds of 55 mph (89kph).
New Zealand-based Jet Shark company founder Rob Innes has been designing and selling unique custom built watercraft for over 25 years.
He previously co-invented Seabreacher, a two-seater craft, but wanted to allow for more on board.
An initial Q model of the new watercraft has room for four, but there are plans to accommodate up to six thrill seekers.
Rob explains: "The goal with the Jet Shark was to offer the unique experience of diving below the waters' surface but in a far more spacious, user-friendly vessel."
The Q model Jet Shark has seating for four, full sized adults inside, a climate-controlled, watertight cockpit with large panoramic windows.
The vessel can also be operated with its two large gull-wing doors fully open so it can be used like a conventional boat on nice sunny days.
The current model is powered by a 420hp, Kodiak Marine engine which is a marinised version of the new generation Corvette 6.2l V8 engine.
Future variants will also sport 600hp supercharged engines as well as diesel engines for the commercial tourist vessels.
Electric versions may follow in the future but only when a safe, reliable marine electric power package becomes available.
The Jet Shark is approximately three times the volume of the smaller, two seat Seabreachers, so electro-hydraulic controls are required to operate the large dive planes. These, along with the rear elevators, and vectored jet thrust, are responsible for manoeuvring the very buoyant Jet Shark under water.
The Jet Shark will only dive about five feet below the surface and the snorkel/camera pod remains above the water at all times. If the vessel loses power for any reason, it instantly returns to the surface.
The company say that safety has been an overriding obsession in the development of the Jet Shark. The vessel contains enough static flotation that it will always remain buoyant and self right even if the entire vessel is completely flooded.
A host of onboard cameras, sensors, and Lidar will also ensure the Jet Shark remains well away from other vessels and waterway users during its shallow dives.
Cockpit controls and instrumentation look more like those out of a private jet than a conventional 20 foot long boat.
All onboard functions can be controlled via the twin touch screen displays directly in front of the two front pilot stations
Retail price for the Jet Shark is estimated to be US$200k (£165k) to $300k (£248k).
The Jet Shark is a semi-submersible boat that can dip beneath the water.
The 20ft (6m)-long vessel - which will cost up to £248k - is also able to launch from beneath the waves to pull off impressive tricks.
A prototype has a top speed of 45 mph (72kph), but the commercial version should be able to approach speeds of 55 mph (89kph).
New Zealand-based Jet Shark company founder Rob Innes has been designing and selling unique custom built watercraft for over 25 years.
He previously co-invented Seabreacher, a two-seater craft, but wanted to allow for more on board.
An initial Q model of the new watercraft has room for four, but there are plans to accommodate up to six thrill seekers.
Rob explains: "The goal with the Jet Shark was to offer the unique experience of diving below the waters' surface but in a far more spacious, user-friendly vessel."
The Q model Jet Shark has seating for four, full sized adults inside, a climate-controlled, watertight cockpit with large panoramic windows.
The vessel can also be operated with its two large gull-wing doors fully open so it can be used like a conventional boat on nice sunny days.
The current model is powered by a 420hp, Kodiak Marine engine which is a marinised version of the new generation Corvette 6.2l V8 engine.
Future variants will also sport 600hp supercharged engines as well as diesel engines for the commercial tourist vessels.
Electric versions may follow in the future but only when a safe, reliable marine electric power package becomes available.
The Jet Shark is approximately three times the volume of the smaller, two seat Seabreachers, so electro-hydraulic controls are required to operate the large dive planes. These, along with the rear elevators, and vectored jet thrust, are responsible for manoeuvring the very buoyant Jet Shark under water.
The Jet Shark will only dive about five feet below the surface and the snorkel/camera pod remains above the water at all times. If the vessel loses power for any reason, it instantly returns to the surface.
The company say that safety has been an overriding obsession in the development of the Jet Shark. The vessel contains enough static flotation that it will always remain buoyant and self right even if the entire vessel is completely flooded.
A host of onboard cameras, sensors, and Lidar will also ensure the Jet Shark remains well away from other vessels and waterway users during its shallow dives.
Cockpit controls and instrumentation look more like those out of a private jet than a conventional 20 foot long boat.
All onboard functions can be controlled via the twin touch screen displays directly in front of the two front pilot stations
Retail price for the Jet Shark is estimated to be US$200k (£165k) to $300k (£248k).