Jetstar

Current boat name

Jetstar

Boat class

7443

Function

Sports and Leisure

Type

Length (m / ft)

3.96 / 13ft

Beam (m / ft)

1.7 / 5ft 7in

Propulsion

Engine

Designer

Milne P

Date of build

1966

Present use

Display

JETSTAR was the prototype of a waterjet powered runabout designed by P Milne for Donald Campbell and is believed to have been built by Chippendale of Fareham in 1966. JETSTAR was used by Donald Campbell on Lake Coniston during the preparations for his final fatal world water speed record attempt.in January 1967. After Campbell's death a range of fiberglass sports boats based on JETSTAR were produced by Bluebird Marine from 1969 to 1984. The Jetstar 390 and 400 were 13ft boats directly based on the wooden prototype. The JetStar 520 was a more powerful 17 ft version also designed by P Milne. These boats were expensive and were aimed at the luxury market, in all It is believed that about 120 were built. Waterjet powered boats have significant advantages in that they are very manoeuverable, can turn in their own length at full speed, and have no rudder or propeller to snag on underwatrer obstacles. These craft are ideally suited to working in shallow fast flowing rivers and rapids and are widely used in New Zealand for tourist trips. Waterjet powered craft are, howeve, more expensive than their conventionally powered rivals and did not sell well in the UK. A JetStar 390 and an example of the Dowty Turbocraft produced in the early 1960's. Are on display at the Motor Boat Museum Basildon. February 2009 (Archive)