Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
ThunderJet Bull Dog 20 ft. 2012 vs ThunderJet Maxim - 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 20 ft. 2012 and the ThunderJet Maxim - 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?
The power gap is worth calling out. Rated to 525 hp, the ThunderJet Maxim - 23 ft. 2008 has a 205-hp advantage over the ThunderJet Bull Dog 20 ft. 2012's 320-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the ThunderJet Bull Dog 20 ft. 2012 carries 48 gallons versus 11 gallons in the ThunderJet Maxim - 23 ft. 2008. On a lake day that's negligible, but for coastal cruising or long reservoir runs the extra range matters.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The ThunderJet Maxim - 23 ft. 2008 is rated for 10 passengers, while the ThunderJet Bull Dog 20 ft. 2012 caps at 6. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the ThunderJet Maxim - 23 ft. 2008 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the ThunderJet Maxim - 23 ft. 2008 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 10 passengers and at 23,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The ThunderJet Bull Dog 20 ft. 2012 is the smarter pick if you want a lighter, easier-to-trailer boat rated for 6 that costs less to run day-to-day.
General Boat Info
MakeThunderJet
MakeThunderJet
ModelBull Dog 20 ft
ModelMaxim - 23 ft
Model Year2012
Model Year2008
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam - Meters2.44
Beam - Meters2.74
Beam - Inches96
Beam - Inches108
Deadrise8°
Deadrisenot available
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] - Detail35 in
Height - DetailSides: 35 in
Height - DetailSides: 35 in
Height - Meters0.89
Height - Meters0.89
Height - Inches35
Height - Inches35
Height [transom]35 in
Height [transom]not available
Length - Feet2
Length - Feet23
Length overall - Detail20 ft
Length overall - Detail23 ft. 0 in
Length overall - Meters6.1
Length overall - Meters7.01
Length overall - Inches24
Length overall - Inches276
Body / Hull
Hull materialAluminum
Hull materialAluminum
Hull thicknessSides: 0.125 in. Bottom: 0.375 in. Transom: 0.250 in
Hull thickness0.250 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 standard496 port fuel injected; 375 hp
ExhaustCatalyzed exhaust with KLS mufflers and intake water strainer (sand trap)
Exhaustnot available
ImpellerTurbo
ImpellerTurbo
Jet pumpHamilton Jet 212 axial flow with JT nozzle, split duct reverse and close coupling
Jet pumpHamilton 212
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
Drive typeJet Drive
Drive typeJet Drive
Engine max320 hp
Engine max525 hp
Trailer Info
Trailer - DetailGateway 5,200 lbs. capacity galvanized tandem axle bunk
Trailer - Detailnot available
Operational Info
Maximum capacitynot available
Maximum capacity3,970 lbs
Maximum peoplenot available
Maximum people10 / 2,500 lbs