Though this boat’s no longer in production, it made quite a statement in the jetboat market when it was. The F16 had three side-by-side bolster-type seats across the main bench area, with the helm seat to starboard. Forward of the helm, a curving lounge with grabrail can seat a fourth adult. The fiberglass engine hatch (not padded) raises easily thanks to gas-assist struts to reveal the powerful 175-hp Mercury Sportjet XR2 inside. It was a simple matter to send the F16 into a 180-degree turn simply by cranking the wheel hard over and yanking back on the single-lever engine control from forward to reverse. (Remember, there’s no “transmission” to ruin on a jet boat since the engine is always in forward gear. The reverse position simply lowers a bucket over the jet nozzle to redirect the water flow forward.) This maneuver takes a bit of practice but it’s a guaranteed thriller.The F16’s top-end speed of 50 mph at 5400rpm is plenty to get you where you’re going in flat water, and with her 25-gallon fuel tank the F16 had a range of 100 miles at 31.6 mph.

• Top speed for the Sea Ray F16 Jetboat is 50.0 mph (80.5 kph), burning 17.4 gallons per hour (gph) or 65.86 liters per hour (lph).


• Best cruise for the Sea Ray F16 Jetboat is 31.6 mph (50.9 kph), and the boat gets 4.45 miles per gallon (mpg) or 1.89 kilometers per liter (kpl), giving the boat a cruising range of 100 miles (160.93 kilometers).


• Tested power is 1 x 175-hp Mercury Marine Sport Jet sterndrive.