Niagara-on-the-Lake visitors often juggle tight itineraries packed with wine tastings and sightseeing. Whirlpool Jet Boat Tours is making it easier to add hitting the rapids to the plan without needing a change of clothes before heading to the next winery — now with twice the dry seats to go around.
The company has launched a second climate-controlled Freedom Jet vessel, five years after introducing the first, giving more guests a choice: Stay dry inside a glass-enclosed dome or get drenched up front in the open-air seats.
“We call it the Freedom Jet, because you’re free to get wet or you’re free to stay dry,” said company president John Kinney.
Kinney declined to share the exact price tag but said the new vessel was a multi-million-dollar investment.
Giving guests unobstructed panoramic views of the Niagara Gorge, the new boat has 50 interior seats and 12 exterior, fully exposed Power Row seats at the front.
The idea began in 2000, when the company introduced the Jet Dome — a sleek, fully enclosed boat.
“We decided that it was time to up that,” Kinney said, adding that the old model offered limited sightlines.
So, the company upgraded the concept five years ago, with the first Freedom Jet, featuring tiered theatre-style seating and the option to ride wet or dry.
“We said: Here is the upgrade. Here’s the evolution of this program,” Kinney said.
Modelled after the SM18 (Saute Moutons 18) Freedom Jet, this second dry-and-wet vessel marks the 10th addition to the company’s overall fleet. The other eight vessels are called Wet Jets.
The second boat responds to growing demand from visitors, Kinney said, who seek the thrill of the Niagara River’s class-five rapids without throwing off their carefully-timed day in wine country.
That’s why, Kinney said, the company tries to make vessels as accessible as possible to the breadth of visitors, “which has changed quite a bit in the 33 years” it has operated.
He said the town now attracts a more diverse and younger crowd, many drawn by the wine industry, weddings, festivals, corporate events and other local offerings.
“It fit into what people were doing in all of Niagara-on-the-Lake,” he said.
Kinney said climate-controlled seating comes with a longer jet boat season, with tours running as late as Dec. 3 last year.
“Our intentions are to do more of that,” he said, adding the goal is to operate as a three-season business.
For thrill-seekers, the new vessel delivers, with 12 front-row seats in the splash zone. For those staying dry: “It’s quite the show, watching the waves and the guests in those wet seats interact,” Kinney said.
Booking details, costs and available dates can be found at whirlpooljet.com.
