ThunderJet Bull Dog 18 ft. 2012 boat specs
ThunderJet
ThunderJet Bull Dog 18 ft. 2012
2012
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VS
ThunderJet Maxim Classic Outboard - 23 ft. 2008 boat specs
ThunderJet
ThunderJet Maxim Classic Outboard - 23 ft. 2008
2008
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ThunderJet Bull Dog 18 ft. 2012 vs ThunderJet Maxim Classic Outboard - 23 ft. 2008 — Which Modified Vee Fits Your Needs?

When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the ThunderJet Bull Dog 18 ft. 2012 and the ThunderJet Maxim Classic Outboard - 23 ft. 2008 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?

For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The ThunderJet Maxim Classic Outboard - 23 ft. 2008 is rated for 7 passengers, while the ThunderJet Bull Dog 18 ft. 2012 caps at 5. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the ThunderJet Maxim Classic Outboard - 23 ft. 2008 could be the deciding factor.

Bottom line: Choose the ThunderJet Maxim Classic Outboard - 23 ft. 2008 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 7 passengers and at 23,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The ThunderJet Bull Dog 18 ft. 2012 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
ModelMaxim Classic Outboard - 23 ft
Model Year2012
Model Year2008
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam90 in
Beam96 in
Beam - Meters2.29
Beam - Meters2.44
Beam - Inches9
Beam - Inches96
Deadrise8°
Deadrisenot available
Weight - Detail2,500 lbs
Weight - Detailnot available
Weight - kg1133.98
Weight - kgnot available
Weight - lbs.25
Weight - lbs.not available
Width [transom] - DetailBottom: 72 in
Width [transom] - Detail34 in
Height - DetailSides: 35 in
Height - DetailSides: 34 in
Height - Meters0.89
Height - Meters0.86
Height - Inches35
Height - Inches34
Height [transom]35 in
Height [transom]not available
Length - Feet18
Length - Feet23
Length overall - Detail18 ft
Length overall - Detail23 ft. 0 in
Length overall - Meters5.49
Length overall - Meters7.01
Length overall - Inches216
Length overall - Inches276
Body / Hull
Hull materialAluminum
Hull materialAluminum
Hull thicknessSides: 0.125 in. Bottom: 0.375 in. Transom: 0.250 in
Hull thickness0.190 in
Hull typeModified Vee
Hull typeModified Vee
Engine and Drivetrain
Engine/s standard200 Optimax Mercury Sport Jet 60&#176 direct fuel injected V-6
Engine/s standardSuzuki
ExhaustTuned thru transom exhaust with dual mufflers
Exhaustnot available
Impeller4-blade progressive pitch SST
Impellernot available
Jet pumpMixed flow high volume
Jet pumpnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Detail48 gal
Fuel tank capacity - Detail110 gal
Fuel tank capacity - Liters181.7
Fuel tank capacity - Liters416.4
Fuel tank capacity - Gal48
Fuel tank capacity - Gal11
Fuel typeGas
Fuel typeGas
Drive typeJet Drive
Drive typeOutboard
Trailer Info
Trailer - DetailGateway 5,200 lbs. capacity galvanized tandem axle bunk
Trailer - Detailnot available

ThunderJet Bull Dog 18 ft. 2012 vs ThunderJet Maxim Classic Outboard - 23 ft. 2008 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the ThunderJet Bull Dog 18 ft. 2012 or the ThunderJet Maxim Classic Outboard - 23 ft. 2008?
The ThunderJet Maxim Classic Outboard - 23 ft. 2008 is the longer of the two at 23,0 feet overall. The ThunderJet Bull Dog 18 ft. 2012 comes in at 18,0 feet, making it roughly 5,0 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.
How many people can each boat hold?
The ThunderJet Bull Dog 18 ft. 2012 is Coast Guard rated for 5 passengers, while the ThunderJet Maxim Classic Outboard - 23 ft. 2008 is certified for 7. 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 Maxim Classic Outboard - 23 ft. 2008 measures 96" wide, compared to 9" for the ThunderJet Bull Dog 18 ft. 2012. 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 Bull Dog 18 ft. 2012 or the ThunderJet Maxim Classic Outboard - 23 ft. 2008?
The ThunderJet Bull Dog 18 ft. 2012 has the bigger tank at 48 gallons, versus 11 gallons on the ThunderJet Maxim Classic Outboard - 23 ft. 2008. That 37-gallon difference translates to roughly 111–185 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.
Are the ThunderJet Bull Dog 18 ft. 2012 and ThunderJet Maxim Classic Outboard - 23 ft. 2008 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the ThunderJet Bull Dog 18 ft. 2012 and the ThunderJet Maxim Classic Outboard - 23 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.