Hallett 290: Goes Fast and Climbs Rocks, too!


Our trusty readers are ever-vigilant to record new aspects of the sport early in their development. Last week we received a set of pictures recently taken on Lake Mead that leads us to believe that there is a new breed of power boater hell-bent on combining mountain climbing with boating. The boat involved was a Hallett 290 and as these pictures will attest the boat is tough as they come. Granted that blasting along at 70 or 80 miles and hour can get tedious after awhile, so we can well understand a jaded speedster's desire to climb the side of a granite wall. Please don't try this with just any boat, or even your SUV for that matter!



Hallett 290
Some boaters are not satisfied with thrills and chills on the water, they also want to take their boat mountain climbing.
Hallett 290
No, folks, these pictures have not been Photoshopped. Hallett boats come with Ilmore engines and custom made outdrives able to swing big props and climb big square ones.
Hallett 290
This boater obviously figured that a five-bladed prop could just grind right through the granite. If only he had a bit more power he might have been able to make it.
Hallett 290
Thank goodness there are no signs of blood or a crushed dashboard. There are also no signs of brains.
Hallett 290
Note how the Hallett 290 was able to handle this granite mountain face with only minor damage to its bow.

Dear BoatTEST.Com Readers...

I know you think these are fake,... but I took these pictures this weekend. I discovered this boat on Lake Mead in a pass called “The Narrows”.

Do you think this guy had a bad day or what?

This is a 29 foot Hallett, they sell for $100,000 to $175,000. Notice that it has a 5 blade prop. Most boats have 3 or 4 blades. I think these will go upwards of 90 mph. He must have been airborne to climb those steep rocks.

We just found the boat there as you see it in the pictures. No one around.

John Schiefelbein

[Note to Readers: Anyone having any further information on this event and the condition of the passengers is invited to pass the word along. --Ed.]