Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
ThunderJet Denali 2012 vs ThunderJet TJ Offshore 30 ft. 2013: Same Brand, Different Boat
The ThunderJet Denali 2012 is a modified-V design and the ThunderJet TJ Offshore 30 ft. 2013 is a deep-V design, so you're likely deciding between two noticeably different on-water experiences. Hull type shapes everything from ride quality and fuel burn to dock handling and resale trajectory.
Size is the most obvious dividing line here. The ThunderJet TJ Offshore 30 ft. 2013 measures 30,0 feet overall (2013), giving it roughly 12,0 additional feet of deck space compared to the ThunderJet Denali 2012 at 18,0 feet (2012). Weight tells a clearer story for trailering families: the ThunderJet TJ Offshore 30 ft. 2013 tips the scales at 7 200 lbs - 5 300 lbs less than the ThunderJet Denali 2012 at 1 900 lbs. That difference is meaningful if you're working within a half-ton or three-quarter-ton truck's tow rating, especially once you factor in a motor, gear, and fuel.
The ThunderJet TJ Offshore 30 ft. 2013 tops out at 500 hp. Engine specs for the ThunderJet Denali 2012 aren't listed - confirm with a dealer before selecting an outboard.Fuel capacity breaks the other way: the ThunderJet TJ Offshore 30 ft. 2013 carries 160 gallons versus 48 gallons in the ThunderJet Denali 2012. 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 TJ Offshore 30 ft. 2013 is rated for 9 passengers, while the ThunderJet Denali 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 TJ Offshore 30 ft. 2013 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the ThunderJet TJ Offshore 30 ft. 2013 if your priority is putting more people on the water - it handles 9 passengers and at 30,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The ThunderJet Denali 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
ModelDenali
ModelTJ Offshore 30 ft.
Model Year2012
Model Year2013
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam - Meters2.29
Beam - Meters3.05
Beam - Inches90
Beam - Inches120
Deadrise6°
DeadriseStern: 18° Bow: 55°
Weight - Detail1,900 lbs.
Weight - Detail7,200 lbs.
Weight - kg861.82
Weight - kg3265.86
Weight - lbs.1900
Weight - lbs.7200
Width [transom] - DetailBottom: 78 in.
Width [transom] - DetailBottom: 8 ft. 6 in.
Height - DetailSides: 28 in.
Height - DetailSides: 42 in.
Height - Meters0.71
Height - Meters1.07
Height - Inches28
Height - Inches42
Height [transom]28 in.
Height [transom]42 in.
Length - Feet18
Length - Feet30
Length overall - Detail18 ft.
Length overall - Detail30 ft.
Length overall - Meters5.49
Length overall - Meters9.14
Length overall - Inches216
Length overall - Inches360
Body / Hull
Hull materialAluminum
Hull materialAluminum
Hull thicknessSides: 0.125 in. Bottom: 0.190 in. Transom: 0.190 in.
Hull thicknessSides: 0.16 in. Bottom: 0.25 in. Transom: 0.25 in.
Hull typeModified Vee
Hull typeDeep Vee
Engine and Drivetrain
Engine/s standard200 Mercury Optimax Sport Jet 60° direct fuel injected V-6
Engine/s standardnot 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 - Detail160 gal.
Fuel tank capacity - Liters181.7
Fuel tank capacity - Liters605.67
Fuel tank capacity - Gal48
Fuel tank capacity - Gal160
Drive typeJet Drive
Drive typeOutboard
Engine maxnot available
Engine max500 hp
Trailer Info
Trailer - DetailGateway 3,980 lbs. capacity galvanized single axle bunk
Trailer - Detailnot available
Operational Info
Headroomnot available
HeadroomCabin: 6 ft. 3 in.