ThunderJet Bull Dog 18 ft. 2011 boat specs
ThunderJet
ThunderJet Bull Dog 18 ft. 2011
2011
View full specs →
VS
ThunderJet Denali 2009 boat specs
ThunderJet
ThunderJet Denali 2009
2009
View full specs →

ThunderJet Bull Dog 18 ft. 2011 vs ThunderJet Denali 2009 — Which Modified Vee Fits Your Needs?

When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the ThunderJet Bull Dog 18 ft. 2011 and the ThunderJet Denali 2009 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?

The ThunderJet Denali 2009 tops out at 2 hp. Engine specs for the ThunderJet Bull Dog 18 ft. 2011 aren't listed — confirm with a dealer before selecting an outboard.

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The ThunderJet Denali 2009 is rated for 6 passengers, while the ThunderJet Bull Dog 18 ft. 2011 caps at 5. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the ThunderJet Denali 2009 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the ThunderJet Denali 2009 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 6 passengers and at 2,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The ThunderJet Bull Dog 18 ft. 2011 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
ModelBull Dog 18 ft
ModelDenali
Model Year2011
Model Year2009
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam90 in
Beam90 in
Beam - Meters2.29
Beam - Meters2.29
Beam - Inches9
Beam - Inches9
Deadrise8°
Deadrise6° Entry 25°
Height - DetailSides: 31 in
Height - Detailnot available
Height - Meters0.79
Height - Metersnot available
Height - Inches31
Height - Inchesnot available
Length - Feet18
Length - Feet2
Length overall - Detail18 ft
Length overall - Detail20 ft. 0 in
Length overall - Meters5.49
Length overall - Meters6.1
Length overall - Inches216
Length overall - Inches24
Weight - Detailnot available
Weight - Detail2,500 lbs
Weight - kgnot available
Weight - kg1133.98
Weight - lbs.not available
Weight - lbs.25
Width [transom] - Detailnot available
Width [transom] - Detail78 in
Height [transom]not available
Height [transom]34 in
Body / Hull
Hull materialAluminum
Hull materialAluminum
Hull thicknessSides: 0.125 in. Bottom: 0.375 in. Transom: 0.250 in
Hull thicknessnot available
Hull typeModified Vee
Hull typeModified Vee
Engine and Drivetrain
Engine/s standard200 hp Mercury Sport Jet
Engine/s standardMercury Sport Jet Optimax
Fuel typeGas
Fuel typeGas
Drive typeJet Drive
Drive typeInboard
Fuel tank capacity - Detailnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Detail50 gal
Fuel tank capacity - Litersnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Liters189.27
Fuel tank capacity - Galnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Gal5
Horsepowernot available
Horsepower2

ThunderJet Bull Dog 18 ft. 2011 vs ThunderJet Denali 2009 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the ThunderJet Bull Dog 18 ft. 2011 or the ThunderJet Denali 2009?
The ThunderJet Bull Dog 18 ft. 2011 is the longer of the two at 18,0 feet overall. The ThunderJet Denali 2009 comes in at 2,0 feet, making it roughly 16,0 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.
What is the maximum horsepower rating for these boats?
The ThunderJet Denali 2009 has a documented max rating of 2 hp. Engine specifications for the ThunderJet Bull Dog 18 ft. 2011 were not available in our database — check the OEM spec sheet or manufacturer's website for confirmation.
How many people can each boat hold?
The ThunderJet Bull Dog 18 ft. 2011 is Coast Guard rated for 5 passengers, while the ThunderJet Denali 2009 is certified for 6. 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 Bull Dog 18 ft. 2011 and ThunderJet Denali 2009 share an 90 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.
Are the ThunderJet Bull Dog 18 ft. 2011 and ThunderJet Denali 2009 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the ThunderJet Bull Dog 18 ft. 2011 and the ThunderJet Denali 2009 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.