SoCal Jet Boats
Tech Talk => Projects => Topic started by: kona jet 1978 on March 31, 2023, 05:52:17 PM
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My 1978 Kona 18 project jet boat.
I never owned a jet boat before and had driven many friends over the years and with Covid 19 I watched many Finnigan YouTubes with mention of so cal jetboats it brought back my lake and boating memories of kid. After YouTube Nearly 2 plus years ago I thought I wanted a vintage jet boat and thought it would be easy to find. Well after nearly a year of searching for an original 70?s jet boat with engine cover and sparkles for river trips with wife and dog or even use at lake arrowhead if found one.
I Found two options in California and only one seller returned calls fairly quickly. I think it was the second owner of the Kona 18 jet and not used since moved from the state of Washington 12 years ago and the owner assured me it will start. After some research and found Canadian yachting article for the Kana 18 Jet and noticed everything is original on boat and trailer I purchased from the Hemet area.
It took some convincing of wife for another project and the agreement is I had to get help and I only do some minor work. I did the demolition of stuff, researched what it needed and found a local boat shop in Fontana willing to take project and shop must save the gel coat, saving the color was important.
The boat is not done yet but hope to make it to a so cal jetboat river meet in 2023. The restoration goal is in process and to restore near original with some modern updates like cup holders, aqua step on swim original step, charging ports, remake ice chest between rear seats and maximize space for storage areas. Boat appears to have all the options from speedometer, swivel front seats, and tandem axle trailer.
To date, 2 stingers replaced, new entire subfloor, rebuilt 454 with very minor adds, (mild cam and roller rocker and marine Mallory ignition system) rebuilt original 12JE jet, buffed and soon polish of gel coat, all new gages, new wiring, carpet and interior soon when ready, and trailer getting painted. The Know 18 started life at Makai industries in Santa Ana, with a panther engine and will be restored not to far away and back on water soon.
So far, the wife is liking the project, I am not in too much trouble yet, she loves the color and she has named it RootBeer Float so the engine will be a cream color block as well as the engine bay which is the float part. Hope you like.