Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
Thunder Jet 28 Pilot 2021 vs ThunderJet Denali 2013 — Same Brand, Different Boat
The Thunder Jet 28 Pilot 2021 vs ThunderJet Denali 2013 comparison sits squarely in the category of decisions where specs alone won't tell the whole story — intended use, storage, and long-term ownership costs all factor in.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The Thunder Jet 28 Pilot 2021 is rated for 8 passengers, while the ThunderJet Denali 2013 caps at 5. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the Thunder Jet 28 Pilot 2021 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the Thunder Jet 28 Pilot 2021 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 Denali 2013 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 5 that costs less to run day-to-day.
Measurements / Dimensions
Length overall - Detail28.00 ft
Length overall - Detail18 ft
Length - Feet28
Length - Feet18
Length overall - Meters8.53
Length overall - Meters5.49
Length overall - Inches336
Length overall - Inches216
Beamnot available
Beam90 in
Beam - Metersnot available
Beam - Meters2.29
Beam - Inchesnot available
Beam - Inches9
Deadrisenot available
Deadrise6°
Weight - Detailnot available
Weight - Detail1,900 lbs
Weight - kgnot available
Weight - kg861.82
Weight - lbs.not available
Weight - lbs.19
Width [transom] - Detailnot available
Width [transom] - DetailBottom: 78 in
Height - Detailnot available
Height - DetailSides: 28 in
Height - Metersnot available
Height - Meters0.71
Height - Inchesnot available
Height - Inches28
Height [transom]not available
Height [transom]28 in
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Gal11
Fuel tank capacity - Gal48
Fuel tank capacity - Liters416.4
Fuel tank capacity - Liters181.7
Engine makenot available
Engine makeMercury
Engine modelnot available
Engine model200 Optimax Sport Jet 60° direct fuel injected V-6
Exhaustnot available
ExhaustTuned thru transom exhaust with dual mufflers
Impellernot available
Impeller4-blade progressive pitch SST
Jet pumpnot available
Jet pumpMixed flow high volume
Fuel tank capacity - Detailnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Detail48 gal
Fuel typenot available
Fuel typeGas
Drive typenot available
Drive typeJet Drive
Operational Info
Boat typePower
Boat typenot available
General Boat Info
Makenot available
MakeThunderJet
Modelnot available
ModelDenali
Model Yearnot available
Model Year2013
Body / Hull
Hull materialnot available
Hull materialAluminum
Hull thicknessnot available
Hull thicknessSides: 0.125 in. Bottom: 0.19 in. Transom: 0.19 in
Hull typenot available
Hull typeModified Vee
Trailer Info
Trailer - Detailnot available
Trailer - DetailGateway 3,980 lb. capacity galvanized single axle bunk