Fly Fishing Jet Boat Build

After owning many boats — from poling skiffs to offshore rigs — I’ve learned that no boat is perfect. Every build is a compromise between speed, stability, and maneuverability. But after guiding the Land of Giants section in a few different boats, I had a clear picture of exactly what I wanted. This is my fly fishing jet boat build, start to finish.

Build at a Glance

Hull: Crestliner 1860 Deluxe
Motor: Mercury 90/65 Jet
Fabrication: Adipose Boatworks, Helena MT
Rower’s Seat: Yeti 65qt cooler with thick cushion
Oars: Sawyer Smoker Bandit, 10ft
Flooring: AquaTraction Teak
Rod Tray: Full-length, 5-rod capacity, fore to aft
Anchor: Side-pull with doubler system
Speed (loaded): 27–29 mph depending on load and current

Why This Fly Fishing Jet Boat Build?

The Land of Giants section sits above Holter Lake — a remote, trophy fishery you simply can’t reach in a drift boat. To get there, you have to cross upper Holter Lake, which is known to get rough and unpredictable. You need a boat that can handle open water, navigate shallow structure, and still function well as a fly fishing platform once you arrive. Getting this jet boat build right makes all the difference for both safety and client experience.

The Hull: Crestliner 1860 Deluxe

I chose the Crestliner 1860 Deluxe primarily for its stability and safety. It’s a bigger boat, but still light enough to row effectively on the river. The 1860 has a substantial beam and a 60-inch bottom — the right blend of draft and stability, especially with flotation pods off the stern.

One of my main priorities was low freeboard and a low transom. While no jet boat rows like a drift boat, lower freeboard makes a real difference on windy days. Paired with the Mercury 90/65, this boat moves efficiently when loaded with two anglers and a full day of,drinks , food and gear — hitting 26 to 28 mph depending on load and current.

I chose the tiller model specifically to keep the deck open and uncluttered. My previous jet boat had a forward center console, which had its advantages — some comfort on cold morning lake crossings — but it consumed valuable space once we reached the fishery. The open tiller layout gives clients more room, better visibility, and easier movement throughout the day.

Fabrication: Adipose Boatworks, Helena MT

For all the custom fab work on this build I turned to Adipose Boatworks in Helena, Montana. I’ve worked with Adipose on my last two boats and I trust their work completely. The fit, finish, and quality speak for themselves. Adipose is best known for building some of the finest drift boats in the business, but they also specialize in jet boat builds and custom modifications — and it shows.

Every modification on this boat was built to my specs with help from the crew at Adipose. If you’re considering a jet boat build or modification, I’d send you their way without hesitation.

Oarlocks, Seat, and Oars

A big part of my day at the Land of Giants is rowing — positioning the boat, working depth and structure, and navigating across Holter Lake. I wanted a setup built around that reality.

For my rower’s seat I chose a Yeti 65-quart cooler with a thick cushion. It’s stable, comfortable, and doubles as storage for lunches and drinks on full day trips. The team at Adipose built custom oarlocks to my exact height specifications to work perfectly with the Yeti seat. That small customization makes a significant difference in comfort and control over the course of a full day on the water.

For oars I’m running the Sawyer Smoker Bandit in 10-foot length. These are ultra-light and deliver the power and responsiveness you need to maneuver a heavier jet boat with precision.

Rod Tray and Rod Storage

I love a proper rod tray. The standard rod tubes that come with most boats never work well for fly rods — they damage stripping guides and make switching rigs a hassle. The tray on this boat is lined with AquaTraction foam to keep rods and reels protected when running open water.

I had Adipose build the trays to run the full length of the boat, fore to aft, so both anglers have easy access to their rods. The tray holds five rods comfortably — more than enough for a full day at the Land of Giants, where you might be switching between nymphing, streamers, and dry flies depending on what the river gives you. The tray also accommodates spey rods for clients joining us for a Trout Spey day on the upper river.

Anchor System

I’ve had frustrating experiences with battery-operated anchor systems, too many failure points for everyday guiding. For this build I went with a side-pull anchor system instead. It comes up cleanly and easily with the doubler system, which creates enough mechanical advantage to make single-handed anchoring simple. On days when I’m anchoring frequently to work tangles or land fish, this setup is a significant improvement over anything motorized.

Casting Braces and Seating

From a guiding standpoint I prefer my clients to sit, especially when dry fly fishing — it keeps a lower profile on the water and is safer on windy days. That said, some anglers prefer to stand when nymphing or streamer fishing, and the casting braces make that comfortable for a full day. They do a great job of reducing the leg fatigue that builds up over a long guided trip.

Adipose added a removable bracket so I can pull the casting braces off the jet boat and transfer them directly to my drift boat. That kind of cross-platform thinking is exactly why I keep going back to them for custom work.

Living Water Guides & the Land of Giants

This fly fishing jet boat build was designed around one purpose: guiding clients on one of the most unique stretches of the Missouri River. Every component was chosen with that mission in mind. If you’ve never fished the Land of Giants section, it’s unlike anything else on the river. Big water, big structure, and fish that don’t see nearly the pressure of the more accessible stretches downstream.

If you have questions about the build, the fishery, or what a day on the Land of Giants looks like, feel free to reach out — I’m happy to talk through any of it.

Frequently Asked Questions

What goes into a fly fishing jet boat build like this?

The key decisions are hull selection, motor pairing, and custom fabrication. I chose the Crestliner 1860 Deluxe for its stability and beam, paired with a Mercury 90/65 Jet. From there, Adipose Boatworks in Helena built out everything custom — oarlocks, rod trays, casting braces, and the anchor system — all to my exact specs for guiding the Land of Giants. Loaded with two anglers and gear, we’re seeing 27 to 29 mph depending on load and current.

Why use a tiller model instead of a center console for fly fishing?

A center console offers some comfort on cold open-water runs, but it takes up valuable deck space once you reach the fishery. The tiller model keeps the boat open, gives clients more room to move, and makes the whole platform feel cleaner and more functional for a day of guiding.

Can you row a jet boat on the Missouri River?

Yes — with the right setup. Low freeboard and a low transom make a real difference on windy days. A jet boat will never row like a drift boat, but with 10-foot Sawyer Smoker Bandits, this boat rows well enough to position effectively in the fishery.

What oars work best for a jet boat?

I’m running Sawyer Smoker Bandit oars at 10 feet. The extra length gives you leverage to move a heavier boat without wearing yourself out, and the balanced lightweight construction means you’re not fighting the oar itself all day.

What is AquaTraction flooring?

AquaTraction is a non-slip, marine-grade foam flooring material. On this boat I’m running the 5mm. It’s soft on the feet and helps keep the deck cool on hot summer days. It also gives clients sure footing in wet conditions, and lines the rod tray to keep rods and reels from getting banged around on lake crossings.

Who did the custom fabrication on this boat?

All the custom fab work was done by Adipose Boatworks in Helena, Montana. They built the oarlocks, rod trays, casting brace system, and anchor setup. If you’re looking for quality jet boat modifications in Montana, I’d recommend them without hesitation.