PacMotor and FluxJet both add electric power to your fishing day, but they are not the same product. PacMotor is a dual-thruster trolling motor that straps onto a kayak you already own. FluxJet is an award-winning, purpose-built electric jet kayak that ships complete. The right choice depends entirely on whether you already love your current kayak.
The 30-Second Verdict
Choose FluxJet if you want a complete, purpose-built electric watercraft with a patented integrated jet drive. It features zero exposed propellers, faster cruising speed, true shallow-water capability, and the industry's top award. You are buying the boat rather than adding to one.
Consider PacMotor if you already own a kayak you like and your priority is low-cost trolling-speed assistance. It is a good choice if you are comfortable with a strap-on add-on, exposed dual propellers, a separately purchased battery, and DIY-style mounting.
Side-by-Side Specs
| FluxJet Kayak | PacMotor (Add-On) | |
|---|---|---|
| Product Type | Complete electric jet-powered fishing kayak | Strap-on dual-thruster trolling motor, kayak not included |
| What is Included | Full kayak, integrated drive, ready to launch | Motor unit plus wireless joystick; battery sold separately |
| Top Speed | 6+ mph | 4 mph max |
| Drive Type | Patented integrated electric jet drive with no exposed propeller | Dual exposed propellers that lift up to clear weeds |
| Power Source | 12V to 60V max voltage | 12V to 18V battery sold separately |
| Shallow-Water Capability | Motors through 4-inch water. Designed to handle weeds and rock contact. | Motor unit lifts up to clear weeds. Depth limited by exposed prop draft. |
| Industry Recognition | ICAST 2025 Best of Show plus Best Boat & Watercraft 2 Awards | U.S. Patent No. 11,858,599 B2 and CES 2024 exhibit |
| Price | $499 refundable deposit, ~$3,499 total | $799 motor unit plus $459 16V battery combo |
The Honest Framing: Different Products, Different Buyers
It would be unfair to say FluxJet beats PacMotor or vice versa. These are not really the same product class. PacMotor solves a real problem: you already own a kayak, you want to fish farther without paddling, and you want to spend under $1,000 to do it. The dual-thruster joystick design is genuinely clever and is patented. We respect their engineering.
FluxJet solves a different problem. You want a complete, integrated, purpose-built electric fishing kayak. This kayak does not ask you to mount anything to a hull that was not designed for it. The drive system is engineered into the hull from day one. The kayak is balanced around the propulsion weight. There is no compromise on draft, prop clearance, or weed handling because the entire vessel was designed around the drive. You are buying a finished product rather than assembling one.
Cruising Speed and Real-World Use
PacMotor publishes a 4 mph maximum speed. That is trolling speed. It is perfect for slow-rolling soft plastics or working a shoreline at the speed a fish actually feeds.
The FluxJet runs faster at 6+ mph. This is useful when you need to relocate between spots, push against current, or cover water during a quick weather window. Neither is universally right. It depends on whether your day is mostly slow trolling or mostly point-to-point. Most serious anglers we have talked to want both. FluxJet handles both because it can run slowly and quietly without losing the option to motor faster when needed.
The Exposed Propeller Question
PacMotor uses two exposed propellers with one on each side of the hull. The motor unit lifts up to clear weeds. This is a sensible engineering choice for an add-on system. However, lifting up to clear means manual intervention every time you hit weeds. The props are still vulnerable to rocks and submerged debris when down.
The FluxJet patented jet drive has no exposed propeller at all. Water moves through an internal impeller. This is the structural reason the FluxJet can run through 4-inch water, hit weed beds, and make boat-ramp contact without damage. For anglers who fish skinny water, weed lines, or the kind of structure that would shred a prop, this is the entire reason to spend more on the integrated solution.
The Cost Math Most Buyers Miss
PacMotor at $799 looks like a fraction of the full FluxJet price. However, the PacMotor cost stack assumes you already own a kayak. A fishing-grade kayak typically costs $2,000 to $4,500. So the real comparison for a new buyer is roughly this:
- PacMotor route: Existing or new fishing kayak ($2500) plus PacMotor ($799) and battery ($459) equals approximately $3,758.
- FluxJet route: Complete electric jet kayak plus integrated drive equals approximately $3,499.
If you already own the kayak, PacMotor is cheaper. If you are starting from zero, the math is much closer than the headline prices suggest. FluxJet adds a faster top speed, no exposed propellers, and ICAST award provenance for roughly the same total spend.
FAQ: FluxJet vs PacMotor
Can I add the FluxJet motor to my current kayak? +
No. The FluxJet drive system is engineered directly into our custom hull to perfectly balance weight and eliminate exposed props. If you want to motorize your existing kayak, strap-on trolling motors like the PacMotor are the correct path.
Is FluxJet a kayak or a motor? +
FluxJet is a complete electric jet-powered fishing kayak. The boat and the drive are one product. PacMotor is a separate dual-thruster trolling motor that you strap onto a kayak you already own.
Why is FluxJet more expensive than PacMotor? +
Because you are buying a complete kayak rather than an accessory. PacMotor is $799 for the motor unit alone, and the battery is sold separately for $459. FluxJet includes the entire vessel, the patented integrated jet drive, navigation lights, and the engineering of a hull built around the propulsion system. Comparing $799 to $3,499 is comparing a motor to a boat.
Can PacMotor reach FluxJet speeds? +
No. PacMotor publishes a 4 mph max top speed. PacMotor is a trolling-speed solution. FluxJet handles both trolling speed and faster cruising.
How does shallow-water performance compare? +
FluxJet's patented jet drive has no exposed propeller. It can run through 4-inch water and handle weed beds and rock contact without damage. PacMotor's dual exposed propellers can be lifted to clear weeds but are otherwise limited by the depth of the prop draft.
Which is easier day-to-day? +
FluxJet is one product, one battery, one charger. Drop and go. PacMotor requires you to mount the motor unit onto your kayak, manage a separate battery, and cable everything together each time. Both are workable, but FluxJet is simpler.
Ready to Reserve?
Reserve your build spot with a $499 refundable deposit, or join the interest list to ride one in person before you decide.
Reserve With $499 Deposit Join Demo Day Interest ListComparison data current as of May 2026 from publicly available sources at pacmotor.com and fluxjetkayaks.com. PacMotor is a registered trademark of PacMotor LLC. FluxJet has no affiliation with PacMotor. Specs are subject to change at the manufacturer's discretion.