--- title: Why We Chose a Jet Boat description: "Why Squamish Jetboat Journeys runs jet boats, not prop boats: safer around wildlife, shallow-water access, and tighter control on Howe Sound." image: https://squamishjetboatjourneys.ca/hubfs/4Z5A7868.jpg --- [![Squamish Jetboat Journeys](https://squamishjetboatjourneys.ca/hs-fs/hubfs/SJJ-%20Logo%20Side%20Text-2.png?width=325&height=100&name=SJJ-%20Logo%20Side%20Text-2.png "Squamish Jetboat Journeys")](https://www.squamishjetboatjourneys.ca/) [![](https://squamishjetboatjourneys.ca/hs-fs/hubfs/SJJ-%20Logo%20(1)-2.png?width=1350&height=1450&name=SJJ-%20Logo%20(1)-2.png)](https://squamishjetboatjourneys.ca) This is a search field with an auto-suggest feature attached. - There are no suggestions because the search field is empty. - [About](https://squamishjetboatjourneys.ca/about) - [Tours](https://squamishjetboatjourneys.ca/tours) - [Services](https://squamishjetboatjourneys.ca/services) - [Contact Us](https://squamishjetboatjourneys.ca/contact-us) - [Blog](https://squamishjetboatjourneys.ca/blog) - [FAQ](https://squamishjetboatjourneys.ca/faq) This is a search field with an auto-suggest feature attached. - There are no suggestions because the search field is empty. # Why We Chose a Jet Boat by [Julien Bourque](https://squamishjetboatjourneys.ca/blog/author/julien-bourque) Short answer: jet propulsion is safer around wildlife and swimmers, handles Howe Sound's shallow coves and changing tides better than a traditional prop boat, and gives our captains more control at both high speed and close quarters. Here's the fuller picture: ## No exposed propeller A jet boat pulls water in through an intake and forces it out through a steerable nozzle — there's no spinning propeller hanging below the hull. That matters a lot on water shared with seals, sea lions, and the occasional curious swimmer or paddler. It's one of the main reasons jet propulsion has become the standard for tour operators working in wildlife-active areas, and it's a deliberate choice on our end, not an afterthought. ## Shallow draft, more access Howe Sound isn't uniformly deep — it's a working fjord with shallow coves, sandbars, and tidal flats that shift with the tide. A jet boat's shallow draft means we can get into places a traditional prop-driven boat would have to avoid entirely, which opens up more of the coastline for a tour: quieter inlets, closer approaches to shoreline wildlife, spots most boats never reach. ## Maneuverability Steering on a jet boat comes from redirecting the water jet itself, which gives tighter, more responsive control — including the ability to turn sharply or come to a stop faster than a comparable prop boat. That translates directly into a better experience on tour: closer (but still respectful) wildlife viewing, tighter runs along the shoreline, and a captain who can react quickly if conditions or wildlife behavior change. ## What this means for you as a guest You don't need to know any of the mechanics above to enjoy the ride — but it's the reason the tour feels the way it does: fast and exciting in open water, but controlled and careful the moment we're near wildlife or the shoreline. It's also part of why we felt comfortable building a company around this particular stretch of coast. ## The boat itself Built for both performance and safety, our 21-foot jet boat is designed to handle the unique conditions of the Squamish River and Howe Sound. Its rugged welded aluminum hull offers exceptional durability, while the shallow-draft jet propulsion system allows us to navigate areas that traditional propeller boats simply can’t reach. With seating for up to 10 passengers, the vessel provides a stable, smooth, and exhilarating ride - perfect for exploring remote waterways with confidence.    *Curious what a tour with us actually looks like? Read [What to Expect](https://squamishjetboatjourneys.ca/blog/what-to-expect-on-a-squamish-jet-boat-tour-1), or [Contact Us](https://squamishjetboatjourneys.ca/contact-us) with questions.* - - - - #### About the author Julien Bourque Engineer, Pilot, Adventure Sports Athlete, Boat Captain, Arctic Expedition Logistics ### Related posts [Places in Howe Sound You Can Only Reach by Boat](https://squamishjetboatjourneys.ca/blog/places-in-howe-sound-you-can-only-reach-by-boat) [Planning a Private Charter: How It Works and What It Costs](https://squamishjetboatjourneys.ca/blog/planning-a-private-charter-how-it-works-and-what-it-costs) [Wildlife You Might See in Howe Sound](https://squamishjetboatjourneys.ca/blog/wildlife-you-might-see-in-howe-sound) [Why We Chose a Jet Boat](https://squamishjetboatjourneys.ca/blog/why-we-chose-a-jet-boat) [What to Expect on a Squamish Jet Boat Tour](https://squamishjetboatjourneys.ca/blog/what-to-expect-on-a-squamish-jet-boat-tour-1) [Follow us on Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61589740135583) [Follow us on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/squamishjetboatjourneys/) - [ABOUT](https://squamishjetboatjourneys.ca/about) - [TOURS](https://squamishjetboatjourneys.ca/tours) - [SERVICES](https://squamishjetboatjourneys.ca/services) - [CONTACT US](https://squamishjetboatjourneys.ca/contact-us) - [BLOG](https://squamishjetboatjourneys.ca/blog) - [FAQ](https://squamishjetboatjourneys.ca/faq) ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Julien Bourque", "url" : "https://squamishjetboatjourneys.ca/blog/author/julien-bourque" }, "dateModified" : "2026-08-22T15:19:08.339Z", "datePublished" : "2026-08-15T01:18:38.000Z", "headline" : "Why We Chose a Jet Boat", "image" : [ "https://squamishjetboatjourneys.ca/hubfs/4Z5A7868.jpg" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://squamishjetboatjourneys.ca/blog/why-we-chose-a-jet-boat", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://squamishjetboatjourneys.ca/hubfs/SJJ-%20Logo%20(1)-2.png" }, "name" : "Squamish Jetboat Journeys" } } ```