Boney Water Boats
Shallow water. Practical experience.
Outboard jet boats,
from the river up.
Field-tested maintenance, upgrades, and hard-earned lessons for getting farther in skinny water.
Browse the guidesBuilt from experience
Boney Water Boats is an independent collection of notes for people who run outboard jets where rocks, gravel, and low water are part of the trip.
Why the name
This is boney water.
Rock, current, and skinny water stretch nearly bank to bank—the kind of river that rewards a careful line and the right boat.
From the archive
Guides for the river and the shop
01Maintenance
How to Grease an Outboard Jet
Learn how to grease an outboard jet safely with a low-pressure gun, approved grease, and the correct purge method—plus signs of failing seals.
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02Maintenance
How to Flush an Outboard Jet
Flushing an Outboard Jet isn’t obvious unless you’ve seen the process in action. You aren’t going to find a spot to clamp on a set of muffs. Here is your guide.
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03Gear guide
Outboard Jet Intake Alternatives (A Guide to Durable Replacements)
Navigate boney waters confidently with this guide on alternative intakes for your Outboard Jet.
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04Upgrade
Replace Your Outboard Jet Boat’s Battery with Lithium (LiFePO4)
Replacing lead-acid batteries with lithium can reduce weight, add useful capacity, and noticeably improve an outboard jet boat’s performance.
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05Workshop
How to Straighten Intake Bars on an Outboard Jet
Learn the importance of Outboard Jet maintenance and how to straighten the intake grates after visiting that boney water.
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06Field notes
Does a Whale Tail Help on an Outboard Jet
A whale tail can add stern lift, reduce porpoising, shorten the time to plane, and help an outboard jet boat stay on plane at lower speeds.
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07Boat Setup
Jet Tunnels for Aluminum Outboard Jet Boats
A properly designed jet tunnel raises and protects the intake, helps an outboard jet boat power up in less water, and comes with setup tradeoffs that have to be right.
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