Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
ThunderJet Bull Dog 20 ft. 2012 vs ThunderJet Denali 2011 — Which Modified Vee Fits Your Needs?
When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the ThunderJet Bull Dog 20 ft. 2012 and the ThunderJet Denali 2011 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 Bull Dog 20 ft. 2012 carries a rated maximum of 320 hp. Engine data for the ThunderJet Denali 2011 wasn't available in our records — check the manufacturer's spec sheet before sizing a motor.Both carry nearly identical fuel loads — 48 gal and 48 gal — so range won't be a tiebreaker here.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The ThunderJet Bull Dog 20 ft. 2012 is rated for 6 passengers, while the ThunderJet Denali 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 Bull Dog 20 ft. 2012 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the ThunderJet Bull Dog 20 ft. 2012 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 Denali 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 20 ft
ModelDenali
Model Year2012
Model Year2011
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam - Meters2.44
Beam - Meters2.29
Beam - Inches96
Beam - Inches9
Deadrise8°
Deadrise6°
Weight - Detail3,300 lbs
Weight - Detailnot available
Weight - kg1496.85
Weight - kgnot available
Weight - lbs.33
Weight - lbs.not available
Width [transom] - DetailBottom: 72 in
Width [transom] - Detailnot available
Height - DetailSides: 35 in
Height - DetailSides: 25 in
Height - Meters0.89
Height - Meters0.64
Height - Inches35
Height - Inches25
Height [transom]35 in
Height [transom]25 in
Length - Feet2
Length - Feet18
Length overall - Detail20 ft
Length overall - Detail18 ft
Length overall - Meters6.1
Length overall - Meters5.49
Length overall - Inches24
Length overall - Inches216
Body / Hull
Hull materialAluminum
Hull materialAluminum
Hull thicknessSides: 0.125 in. Bottom: 0.375 in. Transom: 0.250 in
Hull thicknessSides: 0.125 in. Bottom: 0.190 in. Transom: 0.190 in
Hull typeModified Vee
Hull typeModified Vee
Engine and Drivetrain
Engine/s standard350 cid multi port fuel injected GM Vortec, closed cooling system
Engine/s standard200 hp Mercury Optimax Sport Jet
ExhaustCatalyzed exhaust with KLS mufflers and intake water strainer (sand trap)
Exhaustnot available
ImpellerTurbo
Impellernot available
Jet pumpHamilton Jet 212 axial flow with JT nozzle, split duct reverse and close coupling
Jet pumpnot available
Fuel tank capacity - Detail48 gal
Fuel tank capacity - Detail48 gal
Fuel tank capacity - Liters181.7
Fuel tank capacity - Liters181.7
Fuel tank capacity - Gal48
Fuel tank capacity - Gal48
Drive typeJet Drive
Drive typeJet Drive
Engine max320 hp
Engine maxnot available
Trailer Info
Trailer - DetailGateway 5,200 lbs. capacity galvanized tandem axle bunk
Trailer - Detailnot available