How Our Shotover Jet ‘Big Red’ Jet Boats Work

A Jet Boat is different from other boats; they use an internal propeller (impeller) to provide propulsion. 

On our Shotover Jet ‘Big Reds’ water is drawn in through 2 inlet/intakes in the bottom of the boat, 2 jet units containing the impellors then drive the water out through 2 jet nozzles at the rear of the boat with great force (400 litres of water per second per jet unit).  By turning the nozzles the direction of the water forced out the back of the boat is changed and the boat changes direction.  The boat can brake and reverse using ‘deflectors’ and 'thrust buckets' similar to a jet aircraft.  On our ‘Big Reds’ this happens in tandem, as there are two engines, two jet units and two jet nozzles.

Click on the diagram below to see how our ‘Big Reds’ work.

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We’ll Have You Spinning – The World Famous Shotover Jet Full 360 Degree Spins

The unique design of our ‘Big Reds’, allows us to do what most other Jet Boats can't — full 360 degree spins — and boy are they fun!  The boat literally spins a full circle in its own length and without losing momentum or coming to a halt keeps speeding along the river.  Excitement guaranteed, it's fantastic!

Check out the Virtual Tour to see how our ‘Big Reds’ spin!