Long-tail boat

The long-tail boat (Thai: เรือหางยาว, RTGS: ruea hang yao,[1] pronounced [rɯ̄ːa̯ hǎːŋ jāːw]) is a type of watercraft native to Southeast Asia that uses a common automotive engine as a readily available and maintainable powerplant.

There is much variation among these boats, some have evolved from traditional craft types, while others have a more improvised look—the sole defining characteristic is a second-hand car or truck engine.

[2] The long-tail boat, also known as "Ruea Hang Yao" in Thai, is a type of watercraft that originated in Thailand in the early 20th century.

[3][4] The engine is invariably mounted on an inboard turret-like pole which can rotate through 180 degrees, allowing steering by thrust vectoring.

The driveshaft must be extended by several metres of metal rod to properly position the propeller, giving the boat its name and distinct appearance.

This flexibility simplifies construction and maintenance while sacrificing the efficiency and comfort that might be expected of a typical mass-produced product.