I could see some dedicated tarpon guides in the keys using it potentially. Leave the dock-head across the bay-rip through some winding cuts to a bight-then shut it off and pole. Then pole out into a channel or deep cut to fire it up. But I have a passion for snook and this setup is a no go for me. Have you seen my skeg☹
New Fly BoatWorks Inboard Jet
Anyone seen this in action yet? Something that’s has been discussed and applied to river running jon boats for years. But nobody has made such a serious attempt in a flats skiff till now. Definitely not a backcountry setup. But Morejohn made some good points about it being a serious tarpon skiff. I bet it handles like on rails. And from what little i have seen and heard it does. And hauls ass to boot with a Rotax 300hp rotary and a 6” draft. Holeshot 0-30 in two seconds and top speed of 60 mph per Fly.
The only real drawback would not being able to run skinny. And sucking sand/shells. Maybe pump longevity issues as well. But all speculation at this point.
What do you guys think? Anyone ready for a jet ski😂
All pics snagged from Morejohn’s IG post. But apparently they have built three complete skiffs already.
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The only real drawback would not being able to run skinny. And sucking sand/shells. Maybe pump longevity issues as well. But all speculation at this point.
What do you guys think? Anyone ready for a jet ski😂
All pics snagged from Morejohn’s IG post. But apparently they have built three complete skiffs already.
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I don’t think anyone runs in the reed grass. Other than reed grass, no grass up here. No issue.All grass.
Glad you agree there’s an issue.
Hitting the cuts at full speed to the tarpon hole😂
Mud doesn’t seem to be a problem for these guys
Mud doesn’t seem to be a problem for these guys
From ChatGPT lol. This should get this thread going.
Jet inboard engines and outboard motors are two popular options for powering boats, each with its own set of benefits. Here are some advantages of a jet inboard engine over an outboard motor:
Shallow-Water Capability: Jet inboard engines are particularly well-suited for boats that navigate in shallow waters. They draw water from below the vessel and expel it through a jet nozzle, allowing boats to operate in water as shallow as a few inches. Outboard motors, on the other hand, have a lower unit extending beneath the boat, which can be vulnerable to hitting submerged objects in shallow water.
Maneuverability: Jet inboard engines offer exceptional maneuverability. The water expelled through the jet nozzle can be directed in various directions, providing precise control over steering, stopping, and reversing. This makes them advantageous in situations where tight maneuvering is required, such as docking or navigating through congested areas.
Safety: Jet inboard engines have no exposed propellers, which can be a safety concern, especially when people are swimming or boarding the boat. Without propellers, the risk of injury from spinning blades is eliminated. This feature makes jet inboard engines a safer choice for recreational activities that involve water sports or swimming near the boat.
Performance and Speed: Jet inboard engines often offer excellent acceleration and top-end speed. The absence of a lower unit and propeller drag allows for efficient power transfer, resulting in impressive performance. They can provide rapid acceleration, allowing boats to get on plane quickly and reach higher speeds.
Stability: Jet inboard engines provide better stability and balance to the boat. The engine's weight is typically placed lower in the vessel, contributing to a lower center of gravity. This can improve overall stability, especially in rough water conditions, and make the boat more resistant to rolling or swaying.
Accessibility and Maintenance: Jet inboard engines are typically installed inside the boat's hull, making them less susceptible to damage from external factors like debris, rocks, or collisions. Additionally, since the engine is located inside the boat, maintenance and servicing can be more easily performed without the need to lift or remove the outboard motor.
It's important to note that there are also advantages to using an outboard motor, such as ease of installation, portability, and the ability to tilt the motor out of the water for maintenance or to navigate shallow areas. The choice between a jet inboard engine and an outboard motor ultimately depends on the specific needs, preferences, and usage requirements of the boat owner.
Jet inboard engines and outboard motors are two popular options for powering boats, each with its own set of benefits. Here are some advantages of a jet inboard engine over an outboard motor:
Shallow-Water Capability: Jet inboard engines are particularly well-suited for boats that navigate in shallow waters. They draw water from below the vessel and expel it through a jet nozzle, allowing boats to operate in water as shallow as a few inches. Outboard motors, on the other hand, have a lower unit extending beneath the boat, which can be vulnerable to hitting submerged objects in shallow water.
Maneuverability: Jet inboard engines offer exceptional maneuverability. The water expelled through the jet nozzle can be directed in various directions, providing precise control over steering, stopping, and reversing. This makes them advantageous in situations where tight maneuvering is required, such as docking or navigating through congested areas.
Safety: Jet inboard engines have no exposed propellers, which can be a safety concern, especially when people are swimming or boarding the boat. Without propellers, the risk of injury from spinning blades is eliminated. This feature makes jet inboard engines a safer choice for recreational activities that involve water sports or swimming near the boat.
Performance and Speed: Jet inboard engines often offer excellent acceleration and top-end speed. The absence of a lower unit and propeller drag allows for efficient power transfer, resulting in impressive performance. They can provide rapid acceleration, allowing boats to get on plane quickly and reach higher speeds.
Stability: Jet inboard engines provide better stability and balance to the boat. The engine's weight is typically placed lower in the vessel, contributing to a lower center of gravity. This can improve overall stability, especially in rough water conditions, and make the boat more resistant to rolling or swaying.
Accessibility and Maintenance: Jet inboard engines are typically installed inside the boat's hull, making them less susceptible to damage from external factors like debris, rocks, or collisions. Additionally, since the engine is located inside the boat, maintenance and servicing can be more easily performed without the need to lift or remove the outboard motor.
It's important to note that there are also advantages to using an outboard motor, such as ease of installation, portability, and the ability to tilt the motor out of the water for maintenance or to navigate shallow areas. The choice between a jet inboard engine and an outboard motor ultimately depends on the specific needs, preferences, and usage requirements of the boat owner.
I’ve seen some videos and the boat is a game changer. Mark is a tarpon nut and has been spending the majority of tarpon season fishing solo since selling beavertail. That’s a lot of quiet time on a skiff to think what changes you’d make if you built another. Given where I’ve seen jet skis go, I’m not too worried about this boat being limited with the jet. Hopefully we’ll find out soon!
I caught Mark tarpon fishing in Tampa a few days back. He was nice enough to let me pole over and take a look at the skiff when the tide went slack. It's an impressive looking boat. All carbon layout and the fit and finish looked really nice from the poling platform about 20 feet away. He said the whole boat weighed in around 1000 pounds. It has enough beam and deadrise to be a high performing tarpon boat.
I'm also curious - and skeptical - of the maintenance and upkeep an engine like that might bring. It seems like everything would be great until you needed to get in there and take care of an issue. I'm sure Mark has given that plenty of thought and probably has an answer. Having no real experience with those types of engines I'm sure there would be a learning curve even if most of the maintenance was easy.
I'm also curious - and skeptical - of the maintenance and upkeep an engine like that might bring. It seems like everything would be great until you needed to get in there and take care of an issue. I'm sure Mark has given that plenty of thought and probably has an answer. Having no real experience with those types of engines I'm sure there would be a learning curve even if most of the maintenance was easy.
Don’t think this is a two stroke from the looks of it
Especially the reed grass.I don’t think anyone runs in the reed grass. Other than reed grass, no grass up here. No issue.
Be interesting to see somebody watch it poling a flat, with no motor on the back, then fire up leaving a shoot a ro
Even more interesting after it sputters to a stop after running through a sargassum patch.Be interesting to see somebody watch it poling a flat, with no motor on the back, then fire up leaving a shoot a ro
The reed grass grows in water way to shallow for that boat. Moreover, as tough as it is, and as hard as it is anchored, no jet would suck it up.Especially the reed grass.
Oh, there will be suckage!The reed grass grows in water way to shallow for that boat. Moreover, as tough as it is, and as hard as it is anchored, no jet would suck it up.
I've been on the Shotover River in NZ on a jet boat and can say we got pretty damn skinny! And really close to canyon walls with precision.Not sure why the comments around "not running skinning"?
Sir Charles William Feilden Hamilton (a New Zealander btw) invented the Hamilton jet unit in the 50's with the sole objective of running shallow as rivers and streams were the main roads in New Zealand post WWII.
This is very much the norm in NZ. I've seen jets regularly run in inches of water. The need a pool to start in. I wouldn't think they would be very efficient. You can definitely hear them coming for miles. Basically a huge water pump. And yes, the suck up gravel, sand and seagrass and spit it everywhere.
Welcome to the club.
The weight issue is what concerns me - I don't see how you can get 300hp on a skiff and still have 6" draft. But Chris has a track record that can be trusted.
Sure looks clean at the stern. Should be fun to run.
Trim tabs and a stomp grate will nearly eliminate any grass worries provided the operator knows how to operate a boat. I’ve ran jets here for 30 years and can on most days run right through floating grass just by trimming the bow down a little. Sand and mud are no harder on an impeller/liner than they are on a prop and impellers can be shimmed to accommodate wear.
I think they’ll sell a few, Pro-Line did in the 90’s. But it’s a Niche in a Niche and not sure the tooling will pay for itself. Even with Pro-Line’s huge dealer network back then, not mant sold. The Pro-Line is sorta an apples/oranges scenario but even though I like this one… I don’t think it was a wise $ decision. Hopefully I am wrong and they sell a pile of them!
I think they’ll sell a few, Pro-Line did in the 90’s. But it’s a Niche in a Niche and not sure the tooling will pay for itself. Even with Pro-Line’s huge dealer network back then, not mant sold. The Pro-Line is sorta an apples/oranges scenario but even though I like this one… I don’t think it was a wise $ decision. Hopefully I am wrong and they sell a pile of them!
I wonder how hot that engine will get in the back hatch?
Good point but they are usually closed up inside a jet ski. So not a problem for the motor I wouldn’t think. Maybe for everything else in there. But you can heat up a can of chili and hot dogs on the engine block for lunch
When I was around Hatteras a few years ago they were running inboard jet boats on the flats. They used a powerhead off a 175 Mercury, pretty cool setup and it ran skinnnnnny.
Kind of look like a solution looking for a problem. Seems to me like a boat for the go fast boat crowd that wants to pretend they have a skiff
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