World’s first V8 powered watercraft revealed

The concept has been in development for five years and features a supercharged 6.2 liter V8 engine and a number of luxurious extras.

After five years in the making, American-based designer Kurt Strand has unveiled what he is calling the world’s first V8-powered watercraft, the hulking Strand Craft V8 Daytona GT.

The high-octane jet ski will be built from fiberglass or aluminum and spans 5.2m (17ft) long, weighing 1,250 pounds, far bigger than the average jet ski which usually measures around 3m (10ft).

Not only is it bigger, with a supercharged 6.2-liter aluminum V8 engine, it will also be substantially more powerful than similar watercraft.

Strand Craft V8 Daytona GT rendering on beach next to sea
The Strand Craft V8 Daytona GT is much larger than the average jet ski © Strand Craft

“Beautiful, powerful and luxurious. These three adjectives inspired my design for a new watercraft concept,” Kurt Stand says. “I wanted to create a model that marries power and speed to the grace and elegance of Strand Craft’s design heritage.”

Luxury comes in the form of a 15-inch touch screen that displays all the engine functions, a premium sound system and a cooler box under the seat to store refreshments. For even more luxury optional extras include a carbon fiber body, wood inlays, a custom trailer, or bespoke wrapping, or even an underwater camera or shock-absorbing seats.

Further details, including pricing and top speeds, are fairly scant at the moment but it is safe to say lovers of high fuelled fun will be keeping an eye on the progress of this concept.

Strand Craft V8 Daytona GT on water
The Strand Craft V8 Daytona GT features a 15-inch touch screen display © Strand Craft
Strand Craft lettering on side of jet ski
Rendering of Strand Craft V8 Daytona GT

Born in Norway, Kurt Strand heads up Strand Craft, a USA-based design and development company that specializes in custom-built luxury boats. It revealed an earlier version of its Daytona GT jet ski in 2018, called the ‘Wet Rod’.

If you are looking for a speedy smaller vessel to accompany your main yacht, or just to use for your own pleasure you can use YachtBuyer’s advanced search filters to view all tenders for sale.

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