Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
ThunderJet 185 Explorer 2013 vs ThunderJet TJ Offshore 2008 — Same Brand, Different Boat
Matching a deep vee ThunderJet 185 Explorer 2013 against a modified vee ThunderJet TJ Offshore 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 ThunderJet 185 Explorer 2013 carries a rated maximum of 150 hp. Engine data for the ThunderJet TJ Offshore 2008 wasn't available in our records — check the manufacturer's spec sheet before sizing a motor.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The ThunderJet TJ Offshore 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 TJ Offshore 2008 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the ThunderJet TJ Offshore 2008 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 8 passengers and at 28,0 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
MakeThunderJet
Model185 Explorer
ModelTJ Offshore
Model Year2013
Model Year2008
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam - Meters2.44
Beam - Meters2.74
Beam - Inches96
Beam - Inches108
Deadrise16°
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] - Detail25 in
Height - DetailSides: 34 in
Height - DetailSides: 42 in
Height - Meters0.86
Height - Meters1.07
Height - Inches34
Height - Inches42
Height [transom]34 in
Height [transom]not available
Length - Feet20.42
Length - Feet28
Length overall - Detail20 ft. 5 in
Length overall - Detail28 ft. 0 in
Length overall - Meters6.22
Length overall - Meters8.53
Length overall - Inches245
Length overall - Inches336
Body / Hull
Hull materialAluminum
Hull materialAluminum
Hull thicknessSide: 0.125 in. Bottom: 0.19 in. Transom: 0.19 in
Hull thickness0.250 in
Hull typeDeep Vee
Hull typeModified Vee
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Detail48 gal
Fuel tank capacity - Detailnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Liters181.7
Fuel tank capacity - Litersnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Gal48
Fuel tank capacity - Galnot available
Drive typeOutboard
Drive typeOutboard - Twin
Engine max150 hp
Engine maxnot available
Trailer Info
Trailer - DetailGateway 2,600 lb. capacity galvanized single axle
Trailer - Detailnot available