our LONG-TAIL BOATS

Our long-tail boats are a type of watercraft native to Southeast Asia, which uses a common automotive engine as a readily available and maintainable powerplant. These craft are designed to carry passengers on the river and include a lightweight long canoe hull, up to 30 meters, and a canopy. There is much variation among these boats, and in rural areas they may be improvised from bamboo and traditional materials—the sole defining characteristic is a secondhand car or truck engine.

These engines are mounted on an inboard turret-like pole which can rotate through 180 degrees, allowing steering by thrust vectoring.

The propeller is mounted directly on the driveshaft with no additional gearing or transmission. The engine also swivels up and down to provide a "neutral gear" where the propeller does not contact the water. The driveshaft must be extended by several meters of metal rod to properly position the propeller, giving the boat its name and distinct appearance.