Powerstops and wild spins provide quick fun on the water, writes Jim Eagles.
They don't actually recommend it, but I reckon you could safely wear a pin-striped suit for a trip on the Waitemata Harbour in the new Auckland Adventure Jet, despite the fact that you'll be zooming along at up to 50 knots, doing spectacular spins and powerstops and sending water spraying in all directions.
Afterwards, you might have to clean your glasses and wash your face and ears to remove the encrusted salt, but your clothes should be dry. Well, that was my experience when I found myself heading out for a jet boat ride in the heart of the city in the middle of the work day and unavoidably wearing my normal office clothes.
Thinking about previous jetboat experiences, when the object of the exercise seemed to be getting soaked as well as scared, I was apprehensive. I don't mind getting wet when I'm on holiday but I wasn't keen on having to wring out my trousers and socks before heading back to my desk.
"No worries," said Dean, the skipper. "We give everyone a poncho. We'll give you another one to wrap round your legs. And you can sit up front with me where it's a bit drier."
So off we headed from Pier 3D, alongside the Ferry Building, with Dean and the Adventure Jet PR lady - each of us wrapped in black polythene - in the wussy seats up front and a staunch family of Australians off the Pacific Jewel in the wet seats behind.
It was a bit choppy once we got out of the shelter of the wharves so we zipped, swerved and bounced up the harbour, under the bridge and into the more sheltered waters off the old Chelsea sugar works.
"Okay," said Dean. "We'll do the first 360 spin. Nice and gentle. One, two, three ..."
It probably would have been a fairly gentle spin, except that a wave hit us from nowhere and my shout of "wahoo" was choked off with a mouthful of salt water. The PR lady nearly ended up in my lap and the little Aussie girl behind us gave a shriek of mingled terror and delight. What fun.
After that we did our first powerstop: Dean used the reverse thrust of the two 300hp turbo-charged jet engines to bring us from 36 knots - "as fast as it's sensible to go in these conditions" - to a standstill in less than a boat-length.
This sent a huge wave surging over the stern, which somehow missed us, and drew a shriek of delight from the Aussie girl, who's mother explained proudly: "She really loves speed."
For the next half-hour we zig-zagged around the harbour in search of calm water, with the occasional spin and lots of powerstops, admiring the spectacular views of city and sea.
By the time we returned to base, we were pink with sea air and excitement and my hat was dripping with salt water. I was sure I'd have to go home to dry out but when I unwrapped the plastic ponchos my clothes were dry.
Pity. Maybe if I had been wet-through the Adventure Jet would have dropped me off in Devonport so I could go home and change. I wouldn't have minded another ride.
CHECKLIST
Further information: Ring 0800 255 538 or see aucklandadventurejet.co.nz.
