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

When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the ThunderJet Bull Dog 18 ft. 2013 and the ThunderJet Bulldog 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?

On paper these two are close siblings in the size department — ThunderJet Bull Dog 18 ft. 2013 at 18,0 ft versus ThunderJet Bulldog 2009 at 17,0 ft. At 25 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.

The ThunderJet Bulldog 2009 tops out at 2 hp. Engine specs for the ThunderJet Bull Dog 18 ft. 2013 aren't listed — confirm with a dealer before selecting an outboard.Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the ThunderJet Bull Dog 18 ft. 2013 carries 48 gallons versus 32 gallons in the ThunderJet Bulldog 2009. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.

Both boats are rated for 5 passengers — a good fit for a family of four or five plus guests. Comfort at capacity is another matter; the longer hull typically means more seat options and better weight distribution.

Bottom line: The ThunderJet Bull Dog 18 ft. 2013 and ThunderJet Bulldog 2009 are closely matched on the specs that matter most. Test-ride both on the water you actually use, check current dealer pricing, and factor in long-term service access before you sign.
General Boat Info
MakeThunderJet
MakeThunderJet
ModelBull Dog 18 ft
ModelBulldog
Model Year2013
Model Year2009
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam90 in
Beam76 in
Beam - Meters2.29
Beam - Meters1.93
Beam - Inches9
Beam - Inches76
Deadrise8°
Deadrise8° Entry: 35°
Weight - Detail2,500 lbs
Weight - Detail2,500 lbs
Weight - kg1133.98
Weight - kg1133.98
Weight - lbs.25
Weight - lbs.25
Width [transom] - DetailBottom: 72 in
Width [transom] - Detail78 in
Height - DetailSides: 35 in
Height - Detailnot available
Height - Meters0.89
Height - Metersnot available
Height - Inches35
Height - Inchesnot available
Height [transom]35 in
Height [transom]34 in
Length - Feet18
Length - Feet17
Length overall - Detail18 ft
Length overall - Detail17 ft. 0 in
Length overall - Meters5.49
Length overall - Meters5.18
Length overall - Inches216
Length overall - Inches204
Body / Hull
Hull materialAluminum
Hull materialAluminum
Hull thicknessSides: 0.125 in. Bottom: 0.375 in. Transom: 0.25 in
Hull thicknessnot available
Hull typeModified Vee
Hull typeModified Vee
Engine and Drivetrain
Engine makeMercury
Engine makenot available
Engine model200 Optimax Sport Jet 60&#176 direct fuel injected V-6
Engine modelnot available
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 - Detail32 gal
Fuel tank capacity - Liters181.7
Fuel tank capacity - Liters121.13
Fuel tank capacity - Gal48
Fuel tank capacity - Gal32
Fuel typeGas
Fuel typeGas
Drive typeJet Drive
Drive typeInboard
Engine/s standardnot available
Engine/s standardMercury Optimax
Horsepowernot available
Horsepower2
Trailer Info
Trailer - DetailGateway 5,200 lb. capacity galvanized tandem axle bunk
Trailer - Detailnot available

ThunderJet Bull Dog 18 ft. 2013 vs ThunderJet Bulldog 2009 — Common Questions

Which is the larger boat — the ThunderJet Bull Dog 18 ft. 2013 or the ThunderJet Bulldog 2009?
The ThunderJet Bull Dog 18 ft. 2013 is the longer of the two at 18,0 feet overall. The ThunderJet Bulldog 2009 comes in at 17,0 feet, making it roughly 1,0 ft shorter — a meaningful difference in deck room and overall on-water presence.
Which is easier to trailer — the ThunderJet Bull Dog 18 ft. 2013 or the ThunderJet Bulldog 2009?
For trailering, the ThunderJet Bulldog 2009 has the edge at 25 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.
What is the maximum horsepower rating for these boats?
The ThunderJet Bulldog 2009 has a documented max rating of 2 hp. Engine specifications for the ThunderJet Bull Dog 18 ft. 2013 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. 2013 is Coast Guard rated for 5 passengers, while the ThunderJet Bulldog 2009 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 Bulldog 2009 measures 76" 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 Bull Dog 18 ft. 2013 or the ThunderJet Bulldog 2009?
The ThunderJet Bull Dog 18 ft. 2013 has the bigger tank at 48 gallons, versus 32 gallons on the ThunderJet Bulldog 2009. That 16-gallon difference translates to roughly 48–80 nautical miles of additional range at cruising speed, depending on motor, load, and conditions.
Are the ThunderJet Bull Dog 18 ft. 2013 and ThunderJet Bulldog 2009 from the same manufacturer?
Yes — both the ThunderJet Bull Dog 18 ft. 2013 and the ThunderJet Bulldog 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.