Jetboard: Difference between revisions
Watersloth (talk | contribs) Rewrote the article to be about jetboards in general. For the specific product named "Jet Board", there exists a draft of another article with that spelling, which is awaiting review. |
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{{Short description|History and |
{{Short description|History and characteristics of Motorized Surfboards}} |
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[[Image:Jetboard.jpg|thumb|right|150px|Jetboard on display at the [[California Surf Museum]]]] |
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<!-- Deleted image removed: [[Image:Jet.board ad.jpg|thumb|left|150px| Promotional graphic for brochure of the Jet Board, from 1965]] --> |
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The '''Jetboard''' was an early powered [[longboard (surfing)|longboard]] [[surfboard]]. It is one of the earliest, if not the earliest motorized surfboard, produced from 1965 to 1968. The original designer was a former engineer from Boeing Aircraft. It was designed to use an aircraft trim tab roller control with your foot for acceleration. There was a simple ingenious safety OFF switch, using a magnet that connected two electrical terminals across a point, located close by the engine's surface watertight hatch. The rider would attach a strap to his ankle with a flexible wire line to the magnet. When he fell off, it would stop the engine. |
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{{for|the motorized surfboard with the brand name Jet Board|Jet Board}} |
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To start it, there was a flush submerged pull start handle in the top surface of the deck by the engine hatch. Air feed to the engine was controlled by a flapper valve vent forward on the nose of the board's top surface. It sucked air in, porting it to the stern (or rear) of the craft. It was constructed of a heavy marine grade aircraft aluminum alloy to withstand the saltwater conditions it would be used in. The hull was self-bailing via a venturi effect off the grated forward water feed port, on the bottom of the board, that exhausted through the jet drive nozzle to rear for propulsion. It required [[Planned maintenance|routine maintenance]] to keep a tiny vent hole clear of seaweed or debris or the engine compartment would flood easily. |
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[[File:Jetboard in Action - Radinn Carve.jpg|thumb|Jetboard in Action]] |
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This board wasn't designed to be like a modern jet ski or later jet boards that were completely self-powered by much larger engines. The main design principal behind it was to aide a surfer in getting out through the waves, instead of laboriously paddling. This powered board also aided in times of smaller ocean waves to push them along or in order to catch faster waves without paddling. Steering was accomplished by moving your weight around on the board and leaning similar to any standard surfboard. But this board was no lightweight and carrying it any distance (despite its flip out handle) at {{convert|11|ft|cm|order=flip|abbr=on|sigfig=3}} long and weighing {{convert|85|lbs|kg|order=flip|abbr=on|sigfig=2}}, could be a real chore. Even with two people going to a remote access beach to launch it could be more work than paddling a normal board once in the water. In heavy wave action, you would not want this beast coming down on your head, if you fell off. So it was seldom used in rough water conditions for this reason. |
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⚫ | A '''jetboard''' is a motorized surfboard, where the rider controls the speed using a handheld remote control (wireless ot tethered) and uses the bodyweight transfer to maneuver the board. The driveline typically consists of a water jet module (similar to what is found in a [[personal watercraft|PWC]]), and either a combustion engine or a battery powered electrical motor. |
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With its aluminum hull and unique flat lightweight custom Tecumseh {{convert|6.25|hp|kW|order=flip|abbr=on|sigfig=2}} engine and its custom Phelon ignition, this board was indeed fairly thin. It was, however, remarkably buoyant with only the engine compartment, air vent feed tube and jet tube to nozzle stern, not being filled with flotation foam. Being that this board was only around five inches thick, made it much more like its big log board, non-powered cousins. In the later model, this original engine was further modified for reliability. Originally designed from a custom single-cylinder chainsaw motor with custom water-cooled jacket design, fed by the venturi effect of the enclosed jet prop that also bailed engine compartment water out through the jet drive's stern nozzle. This also carried the exhaust gases out the rear nozzle with a preventive flap to keep water from getting into the engine, when it wasn't running.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.powerboarding.com/classicjetboards.htm|accessdate=July 19, 2006|title=Fueling the Powered Board Revolution}}</ref> |
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==Use== |
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The early mock up hulls were made of wood, but later production hulls were made by the aeronautical company [[Sargent Fletcher]] in [[El Monte, California]]. They very expensive to build, being made of thick gauge form fabricated, marine grade alloy or modified aircraft aluminum (like a plane wing or floats on float plane) and were mostly made of custom parts. They were priced expensive because of this costly fabrication process and only saw limited manufacture of just over six hundred. Sales were mostly to elite surfers and the wealthy. Selling for almost a thousand dollars, they were over half the price of a new Volkswagen Beetle in 1965. Their initial development and production was funded by [[Alfred S. Bloomingdale]] who was said to dislike paddling and was heir to the [[Bloomingdale's]] Department store fortune).<ref>{{cite web |title=Jet Board History |url=https://www.jetboardwatersport.nl/jetboard-kopen.html |accessdate=July 19, 2006}}</ref> |
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⚫ | Jetboards remove the difficulties of conventional surfboards as they can be ridden without wind or waves. There is also no need for paddling, as the boards can be ridden at the touch of a button. Compared to traditional surfing, jetboarding can be easily learned and allows the user to become proficient in a short time. This makes this water sport suitable for a large audience of different physical conditions, ages, experience levels and riding styles. In addition, jetboarding can take place on lakes, rivers, canals, seas and oceans alike, making it further accessible to larger groups of people. In addition to private ownership, rental operations are becoming available at places resorts and boating hotspots. In addition, jetboards are also becoming a popular choice as toys for yachts, sailing boats and catamarans. |
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'''Jetboards today''' |
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Alongside other electrically powered board embodiments, such as [[Efoil|efoils]], jetboards are gaining in popularity worldwide and are poised to become a permanent addition to traditional [[water sports]]. |
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⚫ | |||
==History== |
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⚫ | |||
Motorized surfboards have existed as hobbyist projects in various designs since at least the 1930’s, originally in the shape of regular wooden surfboards with small engines attached.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://motosurfing.com/eu/news/obzor/motosyerfing-istoriya/|accessdate=August 8, 2023|title=History of Motosurfing in the blog Motosurfing.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://jetsurfingnation.com/index.php/2017/08/30/history-motorized-surfboard-begin/|accessdate=August 8, 2023|title=The Amazing History Of Motorized Surfboard in 5 minutes: How did it all begin? - Jet Surfing Nation}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://motosurfnation.com/the-amazing-history-of-motorized-surfboard-in-5-minutes/|accessdate=August 8, 2023|title=THE AMAZING HISTORY OF MOTORIZED SURFBOARD IN 5 MINUTES FEATURED}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://blag.illicitsnowboarding.com/2013/08/a-brief-history-of-motorised-surfboards.html|title=A Brief History of Motorised Surfboards - illicit Blag|accessdate=August 8, 2023}}</ref> In the 1960’s, the first commercially marketed jetboards were launched. The [[Jet Board]], developed by Alfred Bloomingdale, is perhaps the most well-known. While it contains several features prominent in today’s keyboards (such as a magnet leash kill-switch<ref>{{cite web|url=https://motosurfing.com/eu/news/obzor/motosyerfing-istoriya/|accessdate=August 8, 2023|title=History of Motosurfing in the blog Motosurfing.com}}</ref>), it can be discussed whether the product was in fact a jetboard, seeing as its main purpose was to relieve a surfer of the paddling part of wave surfing. Another inventor, George Carter, introduced his product [[Surfjet]] in the same year. |
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Development of various motorized surfboards continued throughout the twentieth century <ref>{{cite web|url=https://jetsurfingnation.com/index.php/2017/08/30/history-motorized-surfboard-begin/|accessdate=August 8, 2023|title=The Amazing History Of Motorized Surfboard in 5 minutes: How did it all begin? - Jet Surfing Nation}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://blag.illicitsnowboarding.com/2013/08/a-brief-history-of-motorised-surfboards.html|title=A Brief History of Motorised Surfboards - illicit Blag|accessdate=August 8, 2023}}</ref>, but it wasn’t until electrification was introduced in the 2010’s, that jetboards started to become relatively widespread. By means of electrical DC motors and rechargeable lithium-ion batteries, companies like Radinn, Lampuga, Jetsurf and Onean have been developing jetboards that are much easier to maintain and use, compared to their combustion engine ancestors, in addition to becoming very powerful and fast<ref>{{cite web|url=https://jetsurfingnation.com/index.php/2017/08/30/history-motorized-surfboard-begin/|accessdate=August 8, 2023|title=The Amazing History Of Motorized Surfboard in 5 minutes: How did it all begin? - Jet Surfing Nation}}</ref> |
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==Competition== |
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Since 2012, jetboarding races has been organized by the MotoSurf World Cup<ref>{{cite web|url=https://motosurfworldcup.com/about|accessdate=August 8, 2023|title=About MotoSurf World Championship}}</ref>, based in Czechia. In the competitions, petrol powered and electric jetboards compete in separate classes. |
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==Current Jetboard Brands== |
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*Radinn<ref>https://www.radinn.com/</ref> |
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*Awake<ref>https://awakeboards.com/</ref> |
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*Jetsurf<ref>https://www.jetsurf.com/</ref> |
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*Onean<ref>https://www.onean.com/</ref> |
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*Mako<ref>https://makoboardsports.com/mako-slingshot-jetboard/</ref> |
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*Esurf<ref>https://www.esurf.com/</ref> |
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*Lampuga<ref>https://lampuga.com/</ref> |
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*Torque<ref>https://torquejetboards.com/</ref> |
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*Ewave<ref>https://www.ewavesurf.com/</ref> |
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*YuJet<ref>https://www.yujetusa.com/</ref> |
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*Waveshark<ref>https://www.waveshark.com/us/</ref> |
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==Historical Jetboard Brands== |
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*Surf-Jet |
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*[[Jet Board]] (draft) |
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*PowerSki |
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==See also== |
==See also== |
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*[[ |
*[[Personal watercraft]] |
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*[[Efoil]] |
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*[[Electric skateboard]] |
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== References == |
== References == |
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==External links== |
==External links== |
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*[http://www.scooterhelp.com/jetboard/jetboard.history.html Jetboard history] |
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*[http://www.dailystoke.com/surfing/surfboard-from-the-60s-comes-with-chainsaw/ Surfboard Chainsaw Engine] |
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*[http://bruceloos.com/Aircraft___Boats.html Bruce Loos Aircraft and Marine Collection] |
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*[https://www.redfinwatersports.com/about Jetboarding School] |
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[[Category:Surfing equipment]] |
[[Category:Surfing equipment]] |
Revision as of 13:57, 8 August 2023
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b6/Jetboard_in_Action_-_Radinn_Carve.jpg/220px-Jetboard_in_Action_-_Radinn_Carve.jpg)
A jetboard is a motorized surfboard, where the rider controls the speed using a handheld remote control (wireless ot tethered) and uses the bodyweight transfer to maneuver the board. The driveline typically consists of a water jet module (similar to what is found in a PWC), and either a combustion engine or a battery powered electrical motor.
Use
Jetboards remove the difficulties of conventional surfboards as they can be ridden without wind or waves. There is also no need for paddling, as the boards can be ridden at the touch of a button. Compared to traditional surfing, jetboarding can be easily learned and allows the user to become proficient in a short time. This makes this water sport suitable for a large audience of different physical conditions, ages, experience levels and riding styles. In addition, jetboarding can take place on lakes, rivers, canals, seas and oceans alike, making it further accessible to larger groups of people. In addition to private ownership, rental operations are becoming available at places resorts and boating hotspots. In addition, jetboards are also becoming a popular choice as toys for yachts, sailing boats and catamarans.
Alongside other electrically powered board embodiments, such as efoils, jetboards are gaining in popularity worldwide and are poised to become a permanent addition to traditional water sports.
History
Motorized surfboards have existed as hobbyist projects in various designs since at least the 1930’s, originally in the shape of regular wooden surfboards with small engines attached.[1][2][3][4] In the 1960’s, the first commercially marketed jetboards were launched. The Jet Board, developed by Alfred Bloomingdale, is perhaps the most well-known. While it contains several features prominent in today’s keyboards (such as a magnet leash kill-switch[5]), it can be discussed whether the product was in fact a jetboard, seeing as its main purpose was to relieve a surfer of the paddling part of wave surfing. Another inventor, George Carter, introduced his product Surfjet in the same year. Development of various motorized surfboards continued throughout the twentieth century [6][7], but it wasn’t until electrification was introduced in the 2010’s, that jetboards started to become relatively widespread. By means of electrical DC motors and rechargeable lithium-ion batteries, companies like Radinn, Lampuga, Jetsurf and Onean have been developing jetboards that are much easier to maintain and use, compared to their combustion engine ancestors, in addition to becoming very powerful and fast[8]
Competition
Since 2012, jetboarding races has been organized by the MotoSurf World Cup[9], based in Czechia. In the competitions, petrol powered and electric jetboards compete in separate classes.
Current Jetboard Brands
- Radinn[10]
- Awake[11]
- Jetsurf[12]
- Onean[13]
- Mako[14]
- Esurf[15]
- Lampuga[16]
- Torque[17]
- Ewave[18]
- YuJet[19]
- Waveshark[20]
Historical Jetboard Brands
- Surf-Jet
- Jet Board (draft)
- PowerSki
See also
References
- ^ "History of Motosurfing in the blog Motosurfing.com". Retrieved August 8, 2023.
- ^ "The Amazing History Of Motorized Surfboard in 5 minutes: How did it all begin? - Jet Surfing Nation". Retrieved August 8, 2023.
- ^ "THE AMAZING HISTORY OF MOTORIZED SURFBOARD IN 5 MINUTES FEATURED". Retrieved August 8, 2023.
- ^ "A Brief History of Motorised Surfboards - illicit Blag". Retrieved August 8, 2023.
- ^ "History of Motosurfing in the blog Motosurfing.com". Retrieved August 8, 2023.
- ^ "The Amazing History Of Motorized Surfboard in 5 minutes: How did it all begin? - Jet Surfing Nation". Retrieved August 8, 2023.
- ^ "A Brief History of Motorised Surfboards - illicit Blag". Retrieved August 8, 2023.
- ^ "The Amazing History Of Motorized Surfboard in 5 minutes: How did it all begin? - Jet Surfing Nation". Retrieved August 8, 2023.
- ^ "About MotoSurf World Championship". Retrieved August 8, 2023.
- ^ https://www.radinn.com/
- ^ https://awakeboards.com/
- ^ https://www.jetsurf.com/
- ^ https://www.onean.com/
- ^ https://makoboardsports.com/mako-slingshot-jetboard/
- ^ https://www.esurf.com/
- ^ https://lampuga.com/
- ^ https://torquejetboards.com/
- ^ https://www.ewavesurf.com/
- ^ https://www.yujetusa.com/
- ^ https://www.waveshark.com/us/