Outdoor Gear Nerds Review the FluxJet: The Brutally Honest Breakdown
When we invited Jeff and Paul from the Outdoor Gear Nerds YouTube channel out to Sacramento to test the FluxJet, we had one rule. We told them to be absolutely ruthless. We wanted them to push the kayak hard, find its limits, and tell the public exactly what they thought. They did exactly that.
The Setup and The Test
The guys took the FluxJet out on the river, running it through rapids, rock gardens, and flat water stretches. They tested the speed, the zero-turn agility, the stability, and the battery efficiency. After a full day on the water, they dropped their comprehensive review.
Here is a breakdown of what they loved and where they said we still have room to improve.
Where The FluxJet Shined
1. Unmatched Shallow Water Performance
The guys verified what we have been saying since day one. Because the FluxJet has an internal jet drive instead of an exposed propeller, it can run shallower than any other motorized kayak on the market. They drove it straight through rocky sections without damaging the motor. When they intentionally sucked up duckweed and debris, a quick bump into reverse flushed the intake completely clean.
2. The Ultimate Electrical System
Jeff called the FluxJet electrical setup the best in the industry. We are the first company to offer a built-in voltage regulator that accepts any battery from 12V to 60V. You do not need an electrical engineering degree to rig this boat. The guys ran a 36V battery for six and a half hours on the river. When they returned to the launch, the battery still had 86% life remaining.
3. Fully Rigged and Ready
They loved that the kayak comes pre-wired straight from our Sacramento shop. The foot steering is plumbed, the blue LED deck lights are installed, and the bow navigation lights are ready to go. We even include a high-vis 360-degree light on a carbon pole that plugs directly into the power plate. You just drop your battery in the included box and hit the water.
4. Serious Agility
Because the jet intake is positioned slightly forward of the stern, the kayak can execute a true zero-turn. The guys noted how easily it spins on a dime, even at higher speeds, without feeling tippy.
Where We Kept It Honest (The Cons)
We do not believe in hiding from criticism. Jeff and Paul pointed out a few areas where the FluxJet is not perfect, and we think every potential buyer needs to hear them.
- Standing Stability is Just Okay: They gave the standing stability a 7.5 out of 10. Whilst Jeff did say that it good for an 11ft long 35" wide kayak, we will make sure that any larger models in future seasons are even better.
- Base-Level Foot Steering: The included foot steering gets the job done, but it is basic. Jeff noted that serious tournament anglers will probably want to upgrade to a premium aftermarket steering kit.
- Throttle Placement: The throttle is mounted flush near your hip to keep it out of the way of your paddle stroke. Jeff mentioned it felt a bit low and took some getting used to.
- Weight For Roof-Topping: The empty hull is 88 lbs, but fully rigged with the seat and motor, it sits at 122 lbs. If you plan to lift this onto a roof rack by yourself, it is going to take some effort. A good kayak cart is highly recommended.
- The Waitlist: We are a small, independent team building these in-house. We are currently fulfilling our initial pre-orders. If you want a kayak right now, you cannot have one. You have to reserve a future build slot, which means waiting.
The FInal Verdict
At the end of the video, Jeff and Paul concluded that the FluxJet offers massive value at $3,499. They highlighted how cool it is to see a small, independent brand step into the kayak industry and push the boundaries of what a motorized kayak can do.
We highly recommend watching their full 20-minute breakdown to see the kayak in action for yourself.