• Jet Boat Safety - Frequently Asked Questions

  • The boat looks fast. What is the top speed? How much horsepower does it have?

    • Important facts to consider before addressing the top speed of our boat.

      • While we appreciate the curiosity that our boat brings, it can be misleading because the boat is designed more for maneuverability rather than speed.

      • Jet drives have impellers that produce about 30% less horse power over boats with propellers.

      • We can’t viably operate at our top end speed for more than a few seconds, if that, depending on the conditions and passengers on board. With that being said, we can’t do any maneuvering at that speed.

      • From a commercial operating standpoint, the boat isn’t fast. It’s design to deliver a safe and fun experience for the general public. Most, if not, all of the local recreational open motor jet boats in our community are much faster.

    • Finally, the top of end speed of the boat can only be an estimate because it changes based on the conditions.

      • With a full load, the boat tops out at about 40 miles per hour.

      • With 1 or 2 people on board it does about 45 miles per hour.

    • Our boat is sporting a fresh Hamilton 212 Jet Pump paired with a Kodiak Marine GMC 6.2L Direct Injected outputting just over 361 horse power at wide open throttle.

  • How safe is this ride?

    • Every decision anyone makes comes with a certain amount of risk. Our risks are outlined in our liability waiver. Keep in mind, anything resembling fun usually requires a waiver. With that being said, our opinion is that you’re safer on our boat than you are in a moving vehicle.

  • Why is it safe? When compared to most jet boat type operations, the following sets us apart:

    • No Big Water. What is big water?

      • No White water/river rapids navigation

      • Protected from most directions of wind driven wave action

      • No Ferry, Ship or Freighter wakes

      • Big water is a common factor in most commercial jet boat accidents

    • We operate exclusively on the 8 mile stretch of river south of the Rocky Reach Dam which posses the follow characteristics that make it the most equisite peice of water for this type of jet boat.

      • No shallow water even when the river is low

      • No narrow corridors

      • No blind corners

    • Experienced USCG Licensed Owner Operated

      • Wiley entered the charter boat business in 2003, licensed since 2007 and specialized as a commercial watersports operator. He began crafting this experience is 2016. From the boat, route, experience as well as the business plan with safety being second nature.

      • Revenue as it relates to safety in our business plan

        • In terms of risk management, it’s possible to say that owner operators don’t have the oversight that larger operations have to ensure safety precautions are meet. We hope that’s true in most or some cases. However, in Wiley’s first hand experience, businesses with silent owners, managers and/or supervisors (particularly ones that don’t have operating experience) tend to be the ones cutting the budget on safety equipment, maintenance and procedures. That’s not all, they even pressure captains to operate in adverse conditions.

          • Wiley operates with a clear conscience because his business plan and lifestyle doesn’t have the enormous expenses that other operations have that tend to push result in poor judgement calls in order to cover overhead expenses.

        • Watersports and boat tour businesses tend to rely on low wage seasonal employees, usually college or high school students, as their front end staff. While anyone could argue that training and management could always be better, but ultimately you get what you pay for most of the time and it comes down to money. Tour operators tend to not have the budget to pay well and it can effect the safety of customers.

          • When Wiley interacts with a customer, he talks to them directly over the phone and in person. He watches how they move and pays attention to every detail when it comes to a judging whether or not they are fit for the activity.

        • Wileys Boat Rides in some sense has no competition locally. While, that could change, its unlikely, but it does allow us to operate without the pressure of competitors driving the price below a healthy point. We understand that competition can be a good thing, but in Wiley’s first hand experience, some competitors are so malicious that they will operate below cost for an extended period of time to drive out other companies which makes budgeting for safety equipment, maintenance and procedures very hard to do which ultimately puts customers safety at risk.

        • The boat is designed for it’s purpose so well that it’s nearly full proof in given these operating conditions.

          Stay tuned to our social media and blog, Wiley will cover these topics in more detail.