jet ski coupled to boat hull to make jet ski boat with two people sat in bow

Jet skis are about to get a new use – as boats. A prototype has been launched and tested in Spain that claims to transform a jet ski into a five-metre boat with room for six additional passengers. It’s called ONE 16 and will be available for sea trials in Puerto de la Duquesa, Malaga this summer.

overhead diagram of how jet ski fits into hull to power boat

The company behind the project, One Water Toys, reckons that the boat is easy to connect – it takes a minute – and is compatible with major brands like Seadoo and Yamaha. Boat buckles secure the jet ski to the hull which has been optimised for cruising speeds of around 18-20 knots, with a top speed of 30 knots when using a 170-hp jet ski.

It’s being marketed as a fun way of extending a jet ski use and as a tender for yachts, comes in a variety of colours and starts from €40,000.

“The ONE 16 was born from analysing the needs of many jet ski users,” says Amor Jimenez Chito, CEO. “While they enjoy the thrill of riding a jet ski, a significant share of them also seek a more relaxed experience with friends and family. As a result, many owners sell their jet skis after a couple of years as they look for an alternative way to enjoy the water. The ONE 16 was conceived to meet these needs, offering a solution that allows users to enjoy both the excitement of a jet ski and the comfort of a boat.”

The concept has been designed by Chito, who also heads up Loveworks Design, a yacht design studio, and engineered by Visma Naval Architects, based in Cádiz. The prototype was built at KDKomposites in Málaga (which builds high-performance Optimists).

“In recent years, the market has seen a rise in adventure boats: young owners seek experiences, and in the superyacht sector, this has been highlighted by the rising popularity of explorers. Recognising this quest for experience, the ONE 16 aims to enrich the experience for jet ski owners – and jet ski lovers – by allowing people to come onboard,” says Chito.

side view of boat hull being powered by jet ski

Challenges of converting a jet ski to a boat

Manuel Viseras, CEO of Visma Naval Architects, says one of the challenges faced was the interface between the personal watercraft (PWC) and the hull, ensuring continuity with the design of the hull, maintaining the waterlines and avoiding unnecessary resistance. “It was crucial to keep the flow within the boundary layer, maintaining laminar flow, and preventing turbulence around the interface between the jet ski and the hull,” says Viseras. “We’re delighted to be involved in this innovative project. In our studio, we’re constantly engaged in R&D projects, evaluating new materials, and new processes, such as 3D printing.”

Meanwhile, Oscar Bustos, CEO of KDKomposites – responsible for building the prototype – says his biggest challenge was to manufacture a boat with the exact draught, to ensure an easy connection with the jet ski, and obviously to ensure the required buoyancy and optimal stability. “We are proud to say that we were able to build the boat according to the optimal weight distribution and structure given to us by the naval architects.”

Chito is already looking at the future development of the brand. “We are waiting for electric jet skis to become widespread in the Mediterranean and are closely monitoring the evolution of EV charging infrastructure in marinas. Currently, we are manufacturing the second unit of the ONE 16 using vacuum infusion methods, which will help us lower the weight of the hull, thus further improving performance. Once ready, this second unit will be designated for charter use.”

people sat in white bow of boat converted from jet ski

How the jet ski converted boat works

The bow area of ONE 16 houses a table that, when lowered, converts into a sunbathing area. When the jet ski is removed, the slide that houses the front of the PWC transforms into a pool. The anchor is located in the bow hatch, designed to enable easy embarking and disembarking (the hatch has been reinforced for this purpose). While moving, guests sit around the table or use the seat that conceals the refrigerator, facing forward.

In January 2023, MIN reported that the UK was introducing new legislation to crack down on the dangerous misuse of watercraft such as jet skis to make sure users, operators and owners of powered watercraft protect not just themselves but other water users from harm. Continue reading news about PWCs.

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