ThunderJet Alexis OB Offshore 2009 boat specs
ThunderJet
ThunderJet Alexis OB Offshore 2009
2009
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VS
ThunderJet Bull Dog 18 ft. 2013 boat specs
ThunderJet
ThunderJet Bull Dog 18 ft. 2013
2013
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ThunderJet Alexis OB Offshore 2009 vs ThunderJet Bull Dog 18 ft. 2013 — A Close Look at Two Modified Vees

When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the ThunderJet Alexis OB Offshore 2009 and the ThunderJet Bull Dog 18 ft. 2013 are modified vee designs with aluminum construction — the buying decision usually comes down to a handful of practical questions: how many people are you putting on the water, how far do you trailer, and what does your tow vehicle weigh?

On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — ThunderJet Alexis OB Offshore 2009 at 21,0 ft versus ThunderJet Bull Dog 18 ft. 2013 at 18,0 ft. At 24 lbs and 25 lbs respectively, both sit in a similar weight class — either should pair comfortably with most mid-size SUVs and half-ton trucks, though always confirm your specific tow rating with the motor added.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The ThunderJet Alexis OB Offshore 2009 is rated for 6 passengers, while the ThunderJet Bull Dog 18 ft. 2013 caps at 5. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the ThunderJet Alexis OB Offshore 2009 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the ThunderJet Alexis OB Offshore 2009 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 6 passengers and at 21,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The ThunderJet Bull Dog 18 ft. 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.
General Boat Info
MakeThunderJet
MakeThunderJet
ModelAlexis OB Offshore
ModelBull Dog 18 ft
Model Year2009
Model Year2013
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam102 in
Beam90 in
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Meters2.29
Beam - Inches102
Beam - Inches9
Deadrise18° Entry: 45 °
Deadrise8°
Weight - Detail2,400 lbs
Weight - Detail2,500 lbs
Weight - kg1088.62
Weight - kg1133.98
Weight - lbs.24
Weight - lbs.25
Width [transom] - Detail84 in
Width [transom] - DetailBottom: 72 in
Height [transom]40 in
Height [transom]35 in
Length - Feet21
Length - Feet18
Length overall - Detail21 ft. 0 in
Length overall - Detail18 ft
Length overall - Meters6.4
Length overall - Meters5.49
Length overall - Inches252
Length overall - Inches216
Height - Detailnot available
Height - DetailSides: 35 in
Height - Metersnot available
Height - Meters0.89
Height - Inchesnot available
Height - Inches35
Body / Hull
Hull materialAluminum
Hull materialAluminum
Hull typeModified Vee
Hull typeModified Vee
Hull thicknessnot available
Hull thicknessSides: 0.125 in. Bottom: 0.375 in. Transom: 0.25 in
Engine and Drivetrain
Fuel tank capacity - Detail50 gal
Fuel tank capacity - Detail48 gal
Fuel tank capacity - Liters189.27
Fuel tank capacity - Liters181.7
Fuel tank capacity - Gal5
Fuel tank capacity - Gal48
Fuel typeGas
Fuel typeGas
Drive typeOutboard
Drive typeJet Drive
Engine makenot available
Engine makeMercury
Engine modelnot available
Engine model200 Optimax Sport Jet 60&#176 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
Trailer Info
Trailer - Detailnot available
Trailer - DetailGateway 5,200 lb. capacity galvanized tandem axle bunk

ThunderJet Alexis OB Offshore 2009 vs ThunderJet Bull Dog 18 ft. 2013 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the ThunderJet Alexis OB Offshore 2009 or the ThunderJet Bull Dog 18 ft. 2013?
The ThunderJet Alexis OB Offshore 2009 is the longer of the two at 21,0 feet overall. The ThunderJet Bull Dog 18 ft. 2013 comes in at 18,0 feet, making it roughly 3,0 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.
Which is easier to trailer — the ThunderJet Alexis OB Offshore 2009 or the ThunderJet Bull Dog 18 ft. 2013?
For trailering, the ThunderJet Alexis OB Offshore 2009 has the edge at 24 lbs dry weight versus 25 lbs for the ThunderJet Bull Dog 18 ft. 2013. Add a motor (typically 300–500 lbs for an outboard in this class), gear, and a partial fuel load and the difference grows. Lighter is friendlier on smaller tow vehicles and on fuel economy while hauling.
How many people can each boat hold?
The ThunderJet Alexis OB Offshore 2009 is Coast Guard rated for 6 passengers, while the ThunderJet Bull Dog 18 ft. 2013 is certified for 5. 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.
Which boat is wider, and does it affect trailering?
The ThunderJet Alexis OB Offshore 2009 measures 102" wide, compared to 9" for the ThunderJet Bull Dog 18 ft. 2013. The US standard-width towing limit is 8’6" (102") in most states — anything over that may need a wide-load permit. Confirm your specific route requirements with each state's DOT.
Which boat has the larger fuel tank — the ThunderJet Alexis OB Offshore 2009 or the ThunderJet Bull Dog 18 ft. 2013?
The ThunderJet Bull Dog 18 ft. 2013 has the bigger tank at 48 gallons, versus 5 gallons on the ThunderJet Alexis OB Offshore 2009. 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 Alexis OB Offshore 2009 and ThunderJet Bull Dog 18 ft. 2013 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the ThunderJet Alexis OB Offshore 2009 and the ThunderJet Bull Dog 18 ft. 2013 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.