What Real Innovation Looks Like on the Water: ICAST Demo Day Recap

If you walked down the docks at ICAST demo day, you saw an absolute zoo of watercraft. A massive bass boat was firing up, inflatable setups were cruising around, kayaks with aftermarket trolling motors were puttering near the shore, and new pedal-electric hybrids were showing off their features.

We brought three FluxJet kayaks, put over 70 people into the seat, built an obstacle course right in the lake, and took home the 2025/2026 Yak Tribe People's Choice Award for Best Motorized Kayak. Over 33,000 anglers voted in these awards, coming right on the heels of our ICAST Best of Show win last year.

The hardware sitting right where it belongs. Voted #1 by over 33,000 anglers.

The Reality On The Water: Props vs. Jets

Demo day gives anglers a chance to test claims in real conditions. Out on the water, you could immediately see how different propulsion designs handle obstacles.

Many boats on the lake—including pedal kayaks, inflatable setups, and kayaks with bolt-on trolling motors—relied on exposed propellers or lower units hanging down into the water. When those boats ventured near the weed beds, the result was predictable: tangled props, fouled blades, and drivers forced to pull up their drives to clean off vegetation by hand.

The reality of exposed propellers: thick grass wrapped tight around the lower unit.

Because of this, most prop-driven crafts stayed in deep, clear water away from the vegetation. But shallow weeds and cover are where fish actually hide. That is why we designed the FluxJet differently.

Running The Obstacle Course: Wooden Planks & Cargo Nets

We did not stay in the clear water. To demonstrate what an integrated jet drive can actually handle, we set up an obstacle course in the lake featuring floating wooden planks and a submerged cargo net.

Gliding straight over a submerged cargo net without snagging or stalling.

The FluxJet ran right over the net and crossed the timber without hanging up or destroying a drive unit. Because the jet sits completely flush within the hull, there are zero exposed blades, pins, or bulky pedal linkages to catch debris or strike bottom.

Sharing the lake with a full-sized bass boat while reaching shallow cover it cannot access.

Understanding The Options: VoyaX, Bolt-Ons, and Pure Jet

Every angler has different needs, and the market reflects that. Platforms like the VoyaX Mossa 128 and 97 offer pedal-electric hybrid systems with built-in SpotHold for open-water positioning. Bolt-on trolling motors offer a budget-friendly entry point for existing hulls.

Side-by-side at demo day: The VoyaX Mossa pedal-hybrids alongside the pure-electric FluxJet.

Our focus with the FluxJet is pure simplicity and reliability. We stripped away unnecessary complexity to build a straight-forward machine:

• No Complex Controls: Drop in any standard 12V to 60V battery, turn the key, and go.
• Intuitive Foot Steering: Simple push-pull foot braces connect directly to the rear directional nozzle via heavy-duty lines, giving you smooth, hands-free steering control.
• Owner Serviceability: Designed with accessible housing so you can maintain your own boat without sending it back to a factory.
• 4-Inch Running Draft: Explore shallow riverbeds and weed beds where traditional prop drives cannot navigate.

A Small Team from Sacramento

Many brands displaying at trade shows have massive corporate backing or venture capital funding. We are a small, independent team building boats out of our facility in Sacramento, California.

Over 70 anglers got into the seat on demo day to experience integrated jet power.

Winning ICAST Best of Show in 2025 and following it up with the Yak Tribe People's Choice Award in 2026 confirms that anglers value straightforward, practical engineering. We build these kayaks for people who want to spend their time fishing rather than fixing complicated drives or clearing props.

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