Printed 2/16/04

PRELIMINARY JET SIZE SELECTION

Jet Selection : Consider Vessel Displacement As Well As The Engine Power.

Power To Weight

How do you select a marine waterjet? Consider power to weight. The jet’s ability to absorb the engine’s
power throughout the power range is more important than the size of the engine alone. Although size
matters, frequently, the full rated power of the engine is inappropriately used as the primary selection
criteria for a marine jet drive. Done correctly, both vessel displacement and engine power should be
considered equally.

Vessel Speed

What is the correct Jet? The correct jet is the unit that best matches the vessel’s intended use. For
example, a vessel designed to run primarily at cruising speeds would require optimizing the jet for mid-
range performance. This means using a jet drive with the ability to absorb the engine’s maximum rated
power during acceleration as well as at cruise rpm and full throttle operation.

Optimizing the jet to absorb the engine’s maximum power within the vessel’s designed operating range is
more important than sizing a jet to match just the engine’s maximum power alone.

Desired operating speed becomes a critical component in the evaluation. All marine jet drives rely on the
ram effect of the forward movement of the boat through the water. This movement ‘charges’ the jet intake
by bringing non-aerated water to the impeller. The more water at the impeller, the better the ability of the
jet to absorb most or all of the available engine power.

An Example

A n example of a jet not matching the vessel’s intended use : Hypothetically let’s say we have selected a
jet to absorb all of the engine’s power at wide-open throttle.

Full Throttle:

In this example, at 35 knots, the jet will absorb 530 bhp without cavitation. This is due to the design of the
jet and the ram effect of the water charging the jet intake at high speed.

Cruise Settings:

Since the jet in our example was optimized for wide open throttle settings, at cruising speed, say 25 knots,
the jet might only be able to absorb 310 bhp, without cavitation. In response, to the lower power
absorption capability of the jet, the helmsman advances the throttle to achieve desired cruising speed
causing the rpm’s and fuel consumption numbers to jump. This type of inappropriate sizing of the jet is
often misinterpreted by the helmsman as a lack of power, or efficiency, in jet propulsion systems.

Getting on Plane:

This effect becomes even more pronounced at the low end, around 15 knots, a typical hump speed . In
this case the jet might absorb as little as 200 bhp . This is precisely the range where high power absorption
and thus, more thrust, is clearly an advantage as the jet is working to get the boat on plane.

Power Absorption Curves

Many jet drive manufacturers provide power absorption curves for their jet models. These curves show
non-cavitating power absorption versus boat speed. The following illustration is an example of such
curves for four different jet sizes ( A through D). ALL MARINE WATERJETS EXHIBIT THIS
CHARACTERISTIC.

Page 1 of 3
 Printed 2/16/04
PRELIMINARY JET SIZE SELECTION

CALCULATING VESSEL SPEED

For a Planing Monohul:

Step 1.

The first step in determining the preliminary jet selection is to approximate the boat speed based on the
loaded, or operating, displacement and the maximum available power. For planing monohulls with
moderate deadrise (12°-18°), the maximum vessel speed can approximated using the equation:

180
V = _____
D
P
When 180 = An empirical factor
V = Approximate vessel speed in knots
D = Loaded or operating displacement in pounds (lb.).
P = Total power (if more than one engine) at jet drive(s) in brake horsepower (bhp).

For catamarans with symmetric hulls and moderate deadrise, a factor of 190, instead of 180, could be
considered. For deep vee monohulls or for hulls with a mild warp, reduce the approximate maximum

Page 2 of 3
 Printed 2/16/04
PRELIMINARY JET SIZE SELECTION

speed by 2-3 knots. This equation for approximate speeds may not apply to significantly warped hulls and
some semi-planing hulls.

Examples:

A hypothetical planing monohull has an estimated maximum loaded displacement of 42,000 lb. With
twin 420 bhp engines (total power of 815 bhp at the jets after allowing for 3% transmission losses) the
vessel would have an approximate maximum speed of 25 knots. From the foregoing curves, “Jet C”
would be required to handle 407 bhp per jet at 25 knots, even though “Jet B” is capable of absorbing
this power (at higher boat speeds).

If the loaded displacement of this hypothetical vessel could be reduced to 29,350 lb., the estimated
maximum boat speed without cavitation would be approximately 30 knots. Therefore, at this lower
displacement and the same power, “Jet B” could be used.

Please note that at both displacements, the selected jets would be unable to absorb full power during
acceleration. Therefore, it is also necessary to select a jet drive that will absorb as much power as
possible while accelerating in order to get through this cavitation zone as quickly as possible. If the jet
drive is too small for the loaded displacement, the inability to absorb the available power may cause
sluggish acceleration or even prevent the boat getting on plane. If the boat cannot get on plane, the
estimated maximum speed is irrelevant.

The next step is to apply the same methods using the power absorption curves
available from the jet manufacturers being considered for your boat.

NOTE: Prior to finalizing the jet selection, the predicted boat speed should be confirmed using thrust
versus resistance calculations, and other methods employed by professional naval architects and marine
engineers, for your specific hull type, displacement, and power. You may also contact Ultra Dynamics with
full vessel details for an analysis of vessel performance and jet selection.

Similar to boats and engines, standard production jet drives have various attributes which make certain
models more suitable for specific applications. Some jet drives are designed to deliver more thrust per
horsepower and have higher power absorption in mid range speeds (cruise speeds of 15-35 knots)
whereas other jet models can absorb more power at higher speeds in boats with high power to weight
ratios. High power absorption at mid range speeds are advantageous for heavier vessels and those
carrying varying loads such as crew boats, water taxis, passenger ferries, etc.

Higher power absorption also benefit pleasure boats by providing better acceleration and higher boat
speeds at cruise throttle settings.

Prepared as an aid to marine jet drive selection by:

Ultra Dynamics Marine, LLC.
Columbus, Ohio 43230
Telephone: 614-759-9000
Fax: 614-759-9046
E-mail: sales@ultradynamics.com
Web: www.ultradynamics.com

Page 3 of 3