Sunkist Jet boat

[Kannon garner]

Hey I recently joined and was looking to see if anyone could give me some information on a boat I have bought and in the process of restoring. I am a marine mechanic and in all my years I’ve never seen anything like I’ve bought. All I know is that it’s a 20ft Sunkist jet boat and it’s wide I have yet to see pictures on google or any other websites that was close to it it has a 454 big block Chevy that I’ve taken out and built. And I’m in the process of building a new fiberglass floor instead of wood. If anyone could help me out on some information feel free to email me at Kannongarner@gmail.com

 

[Dave burke]

Interesting boat. I didn’t realize Sunkist made boats like this. Are you sure it’s a Sunkist? It looks a whole lot like a 1981 Sidewinder I used to have made by California Glass. Mine was an outboard but I believe they made jets as well. There’s quite a few pictures on the web and it looks like there’s a Facebook page for the jet version. Mine went 60+ mph with a 140 evinrude so a 454 jet must be crazy.

 

[Thermobrett]

I tend to agree with @Dave burke. A quick googling of sidewinder jet boat and they look just like yours. I was focusing on some particulars like the windscreen and how it fades into the deck top cap line. I’m no detective, but I think this is case closed.
Now for the built 454 BB, that’s going to be some butt puckering speed.

 

[fatboyroy]

I found sunkist similar to yours with 454 big block but its 18 footer, looks like he restored it, maybe reach out to him and ask for what info you need?

18' Sunkisst 454 BBC Jet Boat -- MINT CONDITION 1980 for sale for $13,925 - Boats-from-USA.com

 

[Dave burke]

Love the exhaust pipes. But the boat looks quite different than his. Still think it’s a sidewinder. I think they were made from the early 70s to sometime in the 80s or 90s

 

[Thermobrett]

In the town next to where I used to live in Ohio.
Lines look very similar to @Kannon garner photos.
Anderson sidewinder project boat
Anderson sidewinder project boat - boats - by owner - marine sale

 

[84rzv500r]

Coosa board and West Systems Structural epoxy and regular epoxy

 

[Cobra Jet Steering LLC]

check with these people all sorts of jet boats on there Jetboat Nation | Facebook

 

[Kannon garner]

Interesting boat. I didn’t realize Sunkist made boats like this. Are you sure it’s a Sunkist? It looks a whole lot like a 1981 Sidewinder I used to have made by California Glass. Mine was an outboard but I believe they made jets as well. There’s quite a few pictures on the web and it looks like there’s a Facebook page for the jet version. Mine went 60+ mph with a 140 evinrude so a 454 jet must be crazy.

i expectit to be but yes I do know it is a Sunkist. I have the title and also you can see all the old decals on the port and starboard sides

 

[Kannon garner]

Also the 454 big block that was in the boat was mainly stock I did put a stroker crank, summit racing cam, .40 over pistons, high performance heads from summit racing, and a 650 Holley carburetor I plan on adding a high rise and installing dual 650s or 750s. The boat came with a Berkeley racing jet drive

 

[Sawyer1980]

Yes these boats were built.my step-dad and 5 others built the first 5 or 6 .it's sunkisst with 3 s in it as I have spelled it. I'm not trying to be rude either. I was raised around 4 of them and as of 5 years ago I bought 1 of those from the original owner and boats is still in martin, Tennessee not far from where it was built until they moved the molds to Memphis and started producing them.i don't know if they were still called sunkisst or not.im 2nd owner of an original 1984 18 foot sunkisst tiger jet boat .I've had it on the water every summer since I bought it but this year I'm redoing the runners and interior due to wear and tear over the years and possibly going from a 355 stroked to a stroked 400 small block or 454.i grew up with this boat and ill pass it down through my family when I go