The Reality of the Deposit Model and the Outdoor Gear Nerds Review
If you have been following the launch of the FluxJet electric kayak, you likely know two things. First, the kayak runs shallower and handles weeds better than almost anything else on the market. Second, there is a waiting list to actually get one. We do not hide from that reality. Building the world's first electric jet-powered fishing kayak required a massive engineering effort, and managing the resulting demand requires a structured production calendar rather than a warehouse full of ready-to-ship inventory.
At the end of last year, Jeff and Paul from the Outdoor Gear Nerds YouTube channel came out to Sacramento to test the FluxJet on the river. They put the kayak through the wringer. They also tackled the elephant in the room regarding our rollout strategy, our small team, and our deposit model. Their take was brutally honest, and we think every potential buyer needs to hear it.
The River Test: Where We Won and Where We Kept It Real
Jeff and Paul do not hold back in their reviews. When Paul took the FluxJet into the rapids sideways, the kayak held its own. They praised the zero-turn capability, the variable 12V to 60V battery compatibility, and the absolute shallow-water dominance of the enclosed jet drive. Because there is no exposed prop, they could plow through duckweed and clear the intake instantly using the mechanical reverse function.
But they also highlighted our limits. They rated the standing stability at a 7.5 out of 10. They pointed out that while the kayak is light for what it is at 122 lbs fully rigged, it still requires effort to roof-top solo. Most importantly, they called out the wait times. Because we are a small team, we are currently backordered while fulfilling pre-orders.
Why We Use the Deposit and Build Model
In the video, Jeff correctly pointed out that we are prioritizing quality for our early adopters rather than rushing thousands of units to big-box stores. To achieve that, we use a deposit and build model. This approach is standard for almost every category-creating hardware product.
Tesla took 18 months between the initial Model 3 reservation and the first customer delivery. Rivian R1T deposit holders waited two full years before driving their trucks. Building the first true version of a complex machine is significantly harder than building the hundredth version. The FluxJet is following this exact pattern to ensure we deliver a premium product.
How Your $499 Deposit Actually Works
We believe in absolute transparency about where your money goes. The deposit is $499, and it is fully refundable. It applies directly to your final balance, meaning you do not lose it and it is not an added fee on top of the $3,499 retail price. You do not pre-pay for a unit that has not been built yet. Instead, you hold a slot in production, and you pay the balance when it is heading to the assembly line. Shipping and tax are separate and are applied at the time of fulfillment.
Where Does The Money Go?
Your deposit acts as working capital. It goes toward three things: production tooling expansion, supply-chain commitments for the components needed for your specific delivery slot, and the operating capital that keeps our small team building kayaks. The protection for you is the contractual refund right that goes with your deposit.
Current Availability for 2026
We are currently shipping production units throughout 2026. Our schedule is built around delivery slot allocation rather than a single massive launch date. Each depositor knows exactly where they sit in the queue.
As of May 2026, the delivery slots from January through October are fully sold out. The next available window is November 2026, and limited slots remain for that month. If you place a new deposit today, you reserve a November 2026 unit. You are welcome to place a deposit now and request shipping at any point in the future - a number of our customers have requested delivery in March 2027.
What Happens If Production Runs Late?
Schedules slip in manufacturing. Tesla shipped late, Rivian shipped late, and SpaceX slipped multiple times on commercial missions. The pattern with category-creator products is that they ship, but they sometimes ship later than the original window.
If the schedule shifts, our commitment is that you will hear it directly from us first. Because your $499 is fully refundable, if a schedule slip is unacceptable to you, you can simply cancel your reservation and get your deposit back. If you choose to stay in the queue, your slot stays exactly where it is. We don't reshuffle depositors who have been waiting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get my deposit back? +
Yes. The $499 deposit is refundable until you accept your final shipping and pay the balance. Simply email us with your order number and we will process the refund.
When am I charged the final balance? +
You are charged when your shipping slot is up and your unit is in final assembly. You will receive a notification before any charge occurs. Shipping and tax are added at that time.
Can I transfer my reservation to someone else? +
No, sorry, it would put your order at risk of being hijacked and it makes balance payments and refunds more complicated. The best thing would be for you to organise the sale/transfer yourself and then just have us update the Shipping Address - that's easy!
Why don't you just use traditional pre-orders with full payment upfront? +
We did in the beginning, but due to the long wait for some pre-ordered FluxJets to be shipped, we felt that it was unfair to our customers to demand full payment. That's when we switched to a deposit model. When we reach the point that we are holding inventory, the deposit model won't be required anymore.
Questions about the order process? See our full FAQ or contact the team.