Land of Giants Jet Boat Build

Having owned many boats—from poling skiffs to offshore boats and jet boats—I’ve learned that no boat is perfect. Every build is a balance of speed, performance, and maneuverability. When designing the ideal jet boat for the Land of the Giants section of the Missouri River, I settled on the 1860 Crestliner with a Mercury 90/60 jet foot.

I chose the tiller model primarily to keep the boat open and the deck uncluttered. My previous jet boat had a center console, which had both advantages and drawbacks. While the console provided some comfort on cold morning runs across Holter Lake, it took up valuable space once we reached the fishery.

The main purpose of this build is guiding clients in the Land of the Giants. I wanted a boat that prioritizes comfort, stability, and safety. The open layout of the tiller model allows for easy movement, better visibility, and a more spacious feel for both myself and my clients. In this fishery, every detail matters—from boat design to positioning—and this setup ensures I can provide the best experience possible on the water.

Crestliner 1860 Jet Boat

I chose the 1860 deluxe mainly for its stability and safety. While this is a bigger boat, it is still light enough to effectively row this stretch of river. To access the Land of Giants, we have to cross upper Holter Lake, which is known to get pretty sporty. The Crestliner 1860 Deluxe has a pretty substantial beam and a 60″ bottom. The 60″ bottom is about the perfect blend of draft and stability, especially with flotation pods off the stern. One of the biggest things I was looking for in a jet boat was lower freeboard and a low transom for ease of rowing on those windy Missouri River days. While no jet boat rows like a drift boat, having a lower freeboard really does help in the wind. Paired with the Mercury 90/65, this boat really scoots when loaded with two anglers and gear.

Jet Boat Build From Adipose Boatworks

For this boat build I called on Adipose Boat works in Helena Montana to do the fab work. Adipose has done a fantastic job on my last two boats and I trust the work they do. The fit and finish and quality of their work speaks for itself. Adipose not only builds some of the finest drift boats they also specializes in Jet Boat Builds | Modifications.

Oar locks and Oars

As a fishing guide, my days at the Land of the Giants are spent rowing and navigating across Holter Lake, so I wanted a setup that prioritized comfort and efficiency. For my rower’s seat, I chose a Yeti 65-quart cooler with a thick cushion. Not only does the Yeti provide a stable and comfortable seat, but it also doubles as storage for lunches and drinks—an essential feature for long days on the water.

The team at Adipose worked with me to build custom oarlocks to my exact specifications, ensuring the perfect height for rowing from the Yeti. This small but crucial customization makes a significant difference in comfort and control throughout the day.

For oars, I’m currently using the Sawyer Smoker Bandit oars. These ultra-light, 10-foot oars deliver the power and responsiveness needed to maneuver a heavier jet boat with precision. The extra length provides excellent leverage, making long rows across Holter Lake much more efficient.

Every element of my jet boat setup was chosen with both guiding and personal comfort in mind. Whether it’s the rower’s seat, custom oarlocks, or high-performance oars, each component plays a role in making my days on the water as smooth and effective as possible.

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Fly Rod Tray and Rod Storage

I love rod trays! The standard rod tubes that come with many boats never seem to work well for fly rods, often damaging the stripping guides. The tray, lined with AquaTraction foam, keeps rods and reels safe from getting banged around when running open water.

I had Adipose build the rod trays to run the full length of the boat to accommodate even the longest fly and spey rods. Running the tray fore to aft allows both anglers easy access to their fly rods. The tray neatly stores five rods—more than enough for a day at the Land of Giants.

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Jet Boat Anchor System

I’ve had negative experiences with battery-operated anchor systems, so I decided on a side-pull anchor system for this jet boat build. The side-pull anchor comes up easily with the doubler system, creating some mechanical advantage. The side-pull is great on days when I’m anchoring a lot to work tangles or land a fish.

Casting braces and Seating

Some anglers prefer to sit, while others prefer to stand when fly fishing. From a guiding perspective, I prefer my anglers to sit, especially when dry fly fishing, but mainly it’s for safety. On windy days, it helps to keep a lower profile. If an angler prefers to stand when nymphing or streamer fishing, the casting braces are very comfortable. The casting braces can really help alleviate some of the fatigue often associated with a full-day guided trip. The guys at Adipose added a bracket so that I can easily remove the leg braces from my jet boat and move them to my drift boat. Overall, I’m really pleased with this build and look forward to a busy guiding season in it. If you have any questions about fly fishing the Land of Giants or this jet boat build, feel free to give us a call or drop me a line.