The Viral Boat Trick: Running on the Prop Explained
Small skiffs fly at 70 mph using only the propeller.
Every few months, a video spreads across social media showing a small fishing skiff flying across shallow water with its bow pointed at the sky and only the propeller touching the surface. Viewers often ask what this technique is called and how it works.
The maneuver is known as prop riding or surface driving. It is most common in lightweight flats boats and microskiffs equipped with outboard motors. When done correctly, the boat planes so high that the hull lifts almost completely out of the water, leaving just the lower half of the propeller in contact.
How It Is Achieved
Several modifications make this possible:
- A hydraulic or manual jack plate that raises the engine 8 to 12 inches above the standard mounting height.
- A surface-piercing propeller, usually a cleaver-style or high-rake three-blade design, built to operate with half its diameter exposed to air.
- A very light hull, often a tunnel or modified-V design weighing under 800 pounds with motor.
- Precise trim and weight distribution, with the operator and passengers sitting far aft.
The result is a dramatic reduction in drag. These boats routinely reach 60 to 75 mph in water less than a foot deep, speeds that seem impossible for their size and power. A typical setup might be a 16-foot skiff with a 60-horsepower outboard hitting 65 mph while running on the prop.
Origins and Use
Prop riding originated in the shallow flats of Florida, Texas, and Louisiana, where guides needed to cover large distances quickly between fishing spots. Today it has become both a practical technique for certain conditions and a popular demonstration of boat setup skill.
While the videos look extreme, experienced operators consider the technique safe and controllable when the equipment is matched properly to the hull. Beginners are advised to learn gradual trim adjustments before attempting full prop rides.
Article by VÉHICULE
