This Longtail Boat with a Jet Ski Engine Looks Exremely Fun and Dangerous

When it comes to going fast on the water, there are many ways to get your craft up to speed. Inboard engines, outboard engines, turbines, and jets are just a few of the options for propelling (pun intended) your boat across the water at neck breaking speeds. None of those, however, have you holding the engine basically in your own hands for steering and throttle control.

In Vietnam, that’s how they do it. These tiny boats, known as longtail boats, are little more than surfboards with hopped-up jet ski two-stroke engines bolted to the back. The driver – or would he be considered a rider? – holds a rod with a throttle lever attached and manually moves the engine to maneuver the boat through the water. He can also control the depth of the prop in the water by raising and lowering the engine.

After carefully aiming the longtail down the river, the driver drops the prop in the water and cranks the throttle and the modified engines scream beautifully to life, sending the craft rocketing down the river at ridiculous speeds! These guys don’t appear to be fazed by the speeds, though, as they go about the business of kicking up rooster tails and filling the air with the sweet song of their engines as if it’s just another day on the water. We can’t deny, this looks a little dangerous and a LOT of fun!