Detailed Evaluation & Buyer Recommendation
ThunderJet Havasu 2008 vs ThunderJet Rio Classic 2013 — Which Modified Vee Fits Your Needs?
When two boats share the same hull type — in this case both the ThunderJet Havasu 2008 and the ThunderJet Rio Classic 2013 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 425 hp, the ThunderJet Havasu 2008 has a 105-hp advantage over the ThunderJet Rio Classic 2013's 320-hp ceiling — enough to notice on acceleration and at cruising speed, particularly with a full passenger load. Both carry nearly identical fuel loads — 5 gal and 8 gal — so range won't be a tiebreaker here.
For family outings this is probably the sharpest distinction between the two. The ThunderJet Havasu 2008 is rated for 8 passengers, while the ThunderJet Rio Classic 2013 caps at 6. If you're regularly pulling extended family or a group of friends onto the water, the extra seats on the ThunderJet Havasu 2008 could be the deciding factor.
Bottom line: Choose the ThunderJet Havasu 2008 if your priority is putting more people on the water — it handles 8 passengers and at 2,0 ft it has the deck room to back that rating up comfortably. The ThunderJet Rio Classic 2013 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
ModelHavasu
ModelRio Classic
Model Year2008
Model Year2013
Measurements / Dimensions
Beam - Meters2.29
Beam - Meters2.59
Beam - Inches9
Beam - Inches102
Deadrise14℃
Deadrise14°
Width [transom] - Detail31 in
Width [transom] - DetailBottom: 78 in
Height - DetailSides: 31 in
Height - DetailSides: 35 in
Height - Meters0.79
Height - Meters0.89
Height - Inches31
Height - Inches35
Length - Feet2
Length - Feet22
Length overall - Detail20 ft. 0 in
Length overall - Detail22 ft
Length overall - Meters6.1
Length overall - Meters6.71
Length overall - Inches24
Length overall - Inches264
Weight - Detailnot available
Weight - Detail4,200 lbs
Weight - kgnot available
Weight - kg1905.09
Weight - lbs.not available
Weight - lbs.42
Height [transom]not available
Height [transom]35 in
Body / Hull
Hull materialAluminum
Hull materialAluminum
Hull thickness0.190 in
Hull thicknessSides: 0.125 in. Bottom: 0.25 in. Transom: 0.19 in
Hull typeModified Vee
Hull typeModified Vee
Engine and Drivetrain
Engine/s standard350 Carbureted; 250 hp
Engine/s standardnot available
Jet pumpAmerican Turbine SD 309
Jet pumpHamilton Jet 212 axial flow with JT nozzle, split duct reverse and close coupling
Fuel tank capacity - Detail50 gal
Fuel tank capacity - Detail80 gal
Fuel tank capacity - Liters189.27
Fuel tank capacity - Liters302.83
Fuel tank capacity - Gal5
Fuel tank capacity - Gal8
Drive typeJet Drive
Drive typeJet Drive
Engine max425 hp
Engine maxnot available
Engine makenot available
Engine makeGM
Engine modelnot available
Engine model350 cid multi-port fuel injected Vortec
Exhaustnot available
ExhaustCatalyzed exhaust with KLS mufflers and intake water strainer (sand trap)
Impellernot available
ImpellerTurbo
Horsepowernot available
Horsepower320 hp
Operational Info
Maximum capacity1,800 lbs
Maximum capacitynot available
Maximum people8 / 1,750 lbs
Maximum peoplenot available
Trailer Info
Trailer - Detailnot available
Trailer - DetailGateway 8,300 lb. capacity galvanized tandem axle bunk