We dig boats. Especially Jet boats. They are after all the hot rods of the water. But when doing a search for Jet Boats on EBay, I found this! It’s a 1987 Talon Picklefork that was built from the beginning to be powered by a jet turbine engine. The Arfons would be so proud!
And this thing has some interesting history as it was built to show how you could make a jet turbine a drivable low speed AND high speed boat powerplant. There is a ton of trickery going on here, with the jet turbine driving a hydrualic motor to actually turn the outdrive. This way the jet turbine runs at optimal speed all the time. Read the description below and you will get it.
I have to say, I have actually seen a couple jet turbine powered boats on the water and all of them had the issue of having no reverse, horrible part throttle manners, and a real lack of drivability. Sure they hauled ass when going, but starting them and dealing with all the little stuff was a pain. This seems to be the solution that makes this a real deal fun machine on the water.
We know it will need some tweaking, don’t get us wrong, but we’d really love to see this project back out on the water. Who’s in?
Here is all the info from the seller. CLICK HERE TO VISIT THE EBAY AD
History:
This hull was custom made at the Talon factory in 1987. It was purpose built for the turbine motor.
The hull sat inside my shop for several years before the turbine was installed.
This was an experimental project. The goal was to make a turbine driven boat driveable at all speeds. (especially low speeds)
Boat has been used for about 20 hours since new.
Boat and the turbine engine have been in storage and not been run since 1999 and may need work to get running.
Condition:
Looks new.
Because this boat has been stored in a climate controlled building and never left outside the paint and aluminum parts are in excellent condition there is no rust or corrosion anywhere on the boat.
This was an experimental project boat. It will need more work to reach its full speed potential
Buyer will need knowledge of aircraft turbines and hydraulics to safely complete and operate this boat
There are no seats.
N1 tachometer does not work
It will need new batteries
Features:
The turbine is an Allison 250 C18 from a bell helicopter with 317 shaft hp. It has a turbine driven N2 output shaft that powers a custom modified SCS gearbox.
The gearbox powers a Sundstrand Hydrostatic variable displacement pump, which supplies hydraulic fluid to a hydraulic motor which powers the outdrive. This hydrostatic transmission system allows the boat to be driven like a normal boat with forward, neutral and reverse operation at slow speeds for easy maneuverability.
Starts like a jet engine and runs like a powerboat.
It has an electronic PI Controller for automatically controlling the N2 turbine rpm
There is NO braking or stopping of the N2 turbine to slow or stop the boat, the N2 rpm remains at its normal constant operating speed.
Has a Mercury Bravo Outdrive with IMCO external hydraulic power steering
Trim work and motor mounts are gold anodized aluminum
Has 2 aluminum powder coated fuel tanks
There are 3 stainless steel davit eyelets
The hull and deck are constructed of 1708 biaxial fiberglass cloth, Ashland AME 4000 resin and divinycell foam core.
The transom was modified in the Talon mold to accept an outdrive instead of the original outboard motor.
The bulkheads and stringers are customized in different locations.
The deck has a custom air intake vent molded in NOT added on later.
The windshield is made of fiberglass.
Hull bottom is brown gelcoat. The deck is painted with PPG Deltron Gold Firemist. Inside the hull is red gelcoat.
The engine hatches are foam core molded fiberglass with aluminum anodized louver vent tops supported with hydraulic shock actuators
The boat sits on a 2 axle Quickload aluminum trailer.
The trailer was used for launching in salt water and some of the steel parts on the trailer are rusty.
Trailer was made with no brakes.
This boat is sold:
USED, AS IS, WHERE IS.
LOCAL PICKUP ONLY
PLEASE ASK QUESTIONS BEFORE BIDDING
