A bit of history request...

[gatahiti]

I have a tahiti tornado (i think thats the model, saw one in a photo labeled it and the windshield is pretty unmistakable). Its still a project, I am slowly working on my engine.

My question stems from this:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/JET-B...QQcmdZViewItem

I ran across this while browsing ebay. It is a Thompson sidewinder 18 footer. It also appears to be the exact same hull. The lines are identical, and it has that same windshield setup. So what came first? The sidewinder or the tahiti tornado? The obvious difference is mine is left hand drive this one is right. The dash area may be slightly different as well. Has anyone had any experience with either of these hulls? I dont expect a rocketship because its a rather largish boat as far as jet boats go. But are they pretty solid stable handling hulls? Thanks!

[jrork]

Try to get ahold of Olrigger on one of the two boards listed below.

http://www.banderlog.com
http://www.performanceboats.com

He grew up at the Tahiti shop and probably worked on each one of those when they were being molded. He's a wealth of knowledge and has some fantastic stories..........john

[WICKEDRISTER]

You will find that there were several clones of that hull "cool boats" I think you will see the Sidewinder name on most of them. This one belongs to my buddy Josh. Lake James NC.2007
http://

[2sangers]

That boat that Josh has is a blast. I saw it run at James and was impressed. ( hand held GPS ).

[gatahiti]

I think my hull is older. If I recall correctly it is titled as a 73. The sides above the rub rail and windshield are the same, except mine does not have the 'gills' on each side. The transom is very definately different as mine is alot simpler and is flat with the side roll wrapping around the back. My dash is also simpler, flat with five gauges nothng fancy.

To the mostly uneducated eye the hull design looks quite good. I love the lines. I hope mine is a pretty decent performer with a mild 455 (.40-.60 over comp cams xtreme marine cam, cleaned up G heads aluminum logs)

[Z FANTASYJETMAN]

I think my hull is older. If I recall correctly it is titled as a 73. The sides above the rub rail and windshield are the same, except mine does not have the 'gills' on each side. The transom is very definately different as mine is alot simpler and is flat with the side roll wrapping around the back. My dash is also simpler, flat with five gauges nothng fancy.

To the mostly uneducated eye the hull design looks quite good. I love the lines. I hope mine is a pretty decent performer with a mild 455 (.40-.60 over comp cams xtreme marine cam, cleaned up G heads aluminum logs)

i will try to post some pix of my old tahiti which i still have ,sure it is JUST like yours!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! mine,s a 1973 says 20cl in the h.i.n. #i,ll try to post tonight ,later

[Z FANTASYJETMAN]

[IMG]http://forums.screamandfly.com/forums/ does yours look like this???????????????????

[Carlson150XS]

Sidewinder was first and very successful with the look. All others followed. The other boat mfg. copied them so closely that Sidewinder took them all to court.
I don't remember the outcome. As I recall Sidewinder sold to Thompson.

[Z FANTASYJETMAN]

[Z FANTASYJETMAN]

[Z FANTASYJETMAN]

[Z FANTASYJETMAN]

HOW DO U LIKE HOW THAT TAILS HANGING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Z FANTASYJETMAN]

[Z FANTASYJETMAN]

Sidewinder was first and very successful with the look. All others followed. The other boat mfg. copied them so closely that Sidewinder took them all to court.
I don't remember the outcome. As I recall Sidewinder sold to Thompson.

i heard tahiti was before sidewinder ,so much 'SPLASHING ' was going on back then!!!!!!!!!!!!!dick schuleler was in bis.in 1965 ,too bad hot boat is down OLD RIGGER will know ,he worked there!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! GATAHITI HOPE THESE PIX ARE LIKE YOUR BOAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[gatahiti]

Yup that's its twin! I wondered how one looked with the windshield in it! I have the polished upper and lower frames.

I will try to post pictures soon. I am in the process of new stringers and such. I bought mine as a stripped hull with a recently rebuilt pump, and the stuff to put an olds in it. (harman marine manifolds,snails,three point, front cover, H bar). I am gonna pull the pump down for a reseal and to figure out what kind of impeller I have before I really lock in the engine.

How does it ride? Any quirky handling traits? It looks like a blast :-D