A four-man team of college students attending Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Michigan built a personal watercraft that looks like something out of a “Mad Max” film. The students, Josh Vanderbyl, Nico Oursema, Ryan DeMeester, and Zak Deveries are in the mechanical concentration of the engineering program at the college.
They built what is dubbed the “Jet Blade”, an aluminum watercraft built for one. It rides on two skis on the bow and one ski on the stern. The students chose three blades in order to increase maneuverability and stability of the ski. As long as two blades are in constant contact with the water while turning, ease of turning for the rider is a breeze. The rear blade is attached to a horizontal jet pump, powered by a 650cc water-cooled engine. Front suspension implements Active Tilt Steering design.
The scary part about this machine is its aluminum hull and sharp edges, which may cause serious injury to a rider falling over. That person will more than likely sustain a major injury as a result of the builders’ failure to use a fiberglass hull.
The students claim Jet Blade is unique because of its fixed steering implemented by turning the front ski, although both skis must touch water at all times for maximum turning performance. Their Design Report states that Jet Blade is “for use on small inland lakes where waves should not exceed 1-2′ in amplitude. Like most watercraft, it is a seasonal vehicle. It is able to operate in water temperatures down to 32F; however this is well below comfortable riding temperatures. Conversely, the liquid cooled 650cc engine allows the Jet Blade to stay cool even on the hottest summer days, operating in water temperatures up to 90F.”
A prototype is complete and fully functional. Currently, the students are in the process of getting Jet Blade on the market by touting the machine’s uniqueness and targeting people with disposable income since Jet Blade is considered a luxury item.
[…] They built what is dubbed the “Jet Blade”, an aluminum watercraft built for one. It rides on two skis on the bow and one ski on the stern. The students chose three blades in order to increase maneuverability and stability of the ski. As long as two blades are in constant contact with the water while turning, ease of turning for the rider is a breeze. The rear blade is attached to a horizontal jet pump, powered by a 650cc water-cooled engine. Front suspension implements Active Tilt Steering design. [via Watercraft Journal] […]