ThunderJet 185 Explorer 2013 vs ThunderJet Alexis - 20 ft. 2008 - Boat Spec Comparison

Q: Which is the larger boat — the ThunderJet 185 Explorer 2013 or the ThunderJet Alexis - 20 ft. 2008?

The ThunderJet 185 Explorer 2013 is the longer of the two at 20,4 feet overall. The ThunderJet Alexis - 20 ft. 2008 comes in at 2,0 feet, making it roughly 18,4 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Q: Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The ThunderJet Alexis - 20 ft. 2008 is rated to a maximum of 425 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The ThunderJet 185 Explorer 2013 tops out at 150 hp. Keep in mind that maximum ratings are just that — matching the motor to the actual load and usage pattern usually matters more than chasing the ceiling.

Q: How many people can each boat hold?

The ThunderJet 185 Explorer 2013 is Coast Guard rated for 6 passengers, while the ThunderJet Alexis - 20 ft. 2008 is certified for 8. Note that legal capacity and comfortable capacity aren't always the same thing — on a full day out, most experienced boaters aim for about 80% of the rated number to keep things comfortable.

Q: Do these boats require an oversize trailer permit to tow on US highways?

Both the ThunderJet 185 Explorer 2013 and ThunderJet Alexis - 20 ft. 2008 share an 96 in beam — meaning both sit right at the 8’6" threshold that most US states use for standard-width loads. In most states you can tow at that width without a special permit, but regulations vary. Always check the rules for your state and any states you'll be passing through before your first long haul.

Q: Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the ThunderJet 185 Explorer 2013 or the ThunderJet Alexis - 20 ft. 2008?

The ThunderJet 185 Explorer 2013 has the bigger tank at 48 gallons, versus 5 gallons on the ThunderJet Alexis - 20 ft. 2008. That 43-gallon difference translates to roughly 129–215 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Q: Are the ThunderJet 185 Explorer 2013 and ThunderJet Alexis - 20 ft. 2008 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the ThunderJet 185 Explorer 2013 and the ThunderJet Alexis - 20 ft. 2008 are built by ThunderJet. That means shared dealer networks, common parts availability, and consistent build quality across the line. The choice between them is essentially a question of how much boat you need, not which brand you trust.

Boat Comparison

ThunderJet 185 Explorer 2013 vs ThunderJet Alexis - 20 ft. 2008

ThunderJet

ThunderJet 185 Explorer 2013

2013

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ThunderJet

ThunderJet Alexis - 20 ft. 2008

2008

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Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation

ThunderJet 185 Explorer 2013 vs ThunderJet Alexis - 20 ft. 2008 — Same Brand, Different Boat

Matching a deep vee ThunderJet 185 Explorer 2013 against a modified vee ThunderJet Alexis - 20 ft. 2008 means you're likely deciding between two genuinely different on-water experiences. Hull type shapes everything from ride quality and fuel burn to dock handling and resale trajectory.

The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 425 hp, the ThunderJet Alexis - 20 ft. 2008 has a 275-hp advantage over the ThunderJet 185 Explorer 2013's 150-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the ThunderJet 185 Explorer 2013 carries 48 gallons versus 5 gallons in the ThunderJet Alexis - 20 ft. 2008. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The ThunderJet Alexis - 20 ft. 2008 is rated for 8 passengers, while the ThunderJet 185 Explorer 2013 caps at 6. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the ThunderJet Alexis - 20 ft. 2008 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the ThunderJet Alexis - 20 ft. 2008 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 8 passengers and at 2,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The ThunderJet 185 Explorer 2013 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 6 that costs less to run day-to-day.

General Boat Info

MakeThunderJet

Model185 Explorer

ModelAlexis - 20 ft

Model Year2013

Model Year2008

Measurements / Dimensions

Beam96 in

Beam - Meters2.44

Beam - Inches96

Deadrise16&#176

Deadrisenot available

Weight - Detail1,300 lbs

Weight - Detailnot available

Weight - kg589.67

Weight - kgnot available

Weight - lbs.13

Weight - lbs.not available

Width [transom] - DetailBottom: 72 in

Width [transom] - Detail34 in

Height - DetailSides: 34 in

Height - Meters0.86

Height - Inches34

Height [transom]34 in

Height [transom]not available

Length - Feet20.42

Length - Feet2

Length overall - Detail20 ft. 5 in

Length overall - Detail20 ft. 0 in

Length overall - Meters6.22

Length overall - Meters6.1

Length overall - Inches245

Length overall - Inches24

Body / Hull

Hull materialAluminum

Hull thicknessSide: 0.125 in. Bottom: 0.19 in. Transom: 0.19 in

Hull thickness0.190 in

Hull typeDeep Vee

Hull typeModified Vee

Engine and Drivetrain

Fuel tank capacity - Detail48 gal

Fuel tank capacity - Detail50 gal

Fuel tank capacity - Liters181.7

Fuel tank capacity - Liters189.27

Fuel tank capacity - Gal48

Fuel tank capacity - Gal5

Fuel typeGas

Drive typeOutboard

Drive typeJet Drive

Engine max150 hp

Engine max425 hp

Engine/s standardnot available

Engine/s standardCarbureted Vortec 35

Jet pumpnot available

Jet pumpAmerican Turbine SD 309

Trailer Info

Trailer - DetailGateway 2,600 lb. capacity galvanized single axle

Trailer - Detailnot available

Operational Info

Maximum capacitynot available

Maximum capacity1,800 lbs

Maximum peoplenot available

Maximum people8 / 1,750 lbs

ThunderJet 185 Explorer 2013 vs ThunderJet Alexis - 20 ft. 2008 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the ThunderJet 185 Explorer 2013 or the ThunderJet Alexis - 20 ft. 2008?

The ThunderJet 185 Explorer 2013 is the longer of the two at 20,4 feet overall. The ThunderJet Alexis - 20 ft. 2008 comes in at 2,0 feet, making it roughly 18,4 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.

Which boat can handle a bigger outboard?

The ThunderJet Alexis - 20 ft. 2008 is rated to a maximum of 425 hp, giving it the larger power ceiling. The ThunderJet 185 Explorer 2013 tops out at 150 hp. Keep in mind that maximum ratings are just that — matching the motor to the actual load and usage pattern usually matters more than chasing the ceiling.

How many people can each boat hold?

The ThunderJet 185 Explorer 2013 is Coast Guard rated for 6 passengers, while the ThunderJet Alexis - 20 ft. 2008 is certified for 8. Note that legal capacity and comfortable capacity aren't always the same thing — on a full day out, most experienced boaters aim for about 80% of the rated number to keep things comfortable.

Do these boats require an oversize trailer permit to tow on US highways?

Both the ThunderJet 185 Explorer 2013 and ThunderJet Alexis - 20 ft. 2008 share an 96 in beam — meaning both sit right at the 8’6" threshold that most US states use for standard-width loads. In most states you can tow at that width without a special permit, but regulations vary. Always check the rules for your state and any states you'll be passing through before your first long haul.

Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the ThunderJet 185 Explorer 2013 or the ThunderJet Alexis - 20 ft. 2008?

The ThunderJet 185 Explorer 2013 has the bigger tank at 48 gallons, versus 5 gallons on the ThunderJet Alexis - 20 ft. 2008. That 43-gallon difference translates to roughly 129–215 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.

Are the ThunderJet 185 Explorer 2013 and ThunderJet Alexis - 20 ft. 2008 from the same manufacturer?

Yes — both the ThunderJet 185 Explorer 2013 and the ThunderJet Alexis - 20 ft. 2008 are built by ThunderJet. That means shared dealer networks, common parts availability, and consistent build quality across the line. The choice between them is essentially a question of how much boat you need, not which brand you trust.

← ThunderJet 185 Explorer 2013 full specs ← ThunderJet Alexis - 20 ft. 2008 full specs