Installing a bobs low water pickup is probably one of the smartest moves you can make if you're trying to squeeze every bit of performance out of your outboard without melting your engine down. If you've spent any time in the high-performance boating world, or if you're just a flats fisherman trying to get across a shallow bay, you've likely heard the name Bob's Machine Shop. They've been the gold standard for this kind of hardware for decades, and for good reason—it actually works.
The whole concept behind a low water pickup is pretty straightforward, but it solves a massive problem that stock outboard engines have. When you start raising your motor to get more speed or to run in thinner water, those factory water intake holes on the side of your lower unit eventually come out of the water. Once that happens, your water pressure drops, your temp alarm starts screaming, and you're looking at a very expensive repair bill. That's where the Bob's modification comes in.
Why Boat Owners Swap to a Low Water Pickup
The main reason anyone looks into a bobs low water pickup is because they want to use a jack plate to its full potential. When you can lift that motor up high, you reduce the amount of lower unit dragging through the water. Less drag equals more speed. However, most stock lower units are designed with the intakes on the side of the gearcase. If you lift the motor high enough to get that extra 3 or 5 mph, those side holes are sucking air instead of cooling water.
With the Bob's setup, the water is pulled in from the very bottom of the nosecone. This means as long as the very bottom of your motor is submerged, your engine is getting a steady stream of cool water. It gives you the confidence to "jack it up" and let the boat fly. Whether you're a bass fisherman trying to beat everyone to the honey hole or a performance guy looking to break 80 mph, having that consistent water pressure is non-negotiable.
The Skinny Water Advantage
It's not all about top-end speed, though. If you spend your weekends stalking redfish or trout in the backcountry, you know that inches matter. Running in shallow water is a game of chicken between your skeg and the bottom. A bobs low water pickup allows you to raise your motor significantly higher than stock while still maintaining cooling.
I've talked to guys who can run through six inches of water because they have their jack plate maxed out. Without the nosecone pickup, they'd be overheating in seconds. It basically transforms how you use your boat. You stop worrying about the water pressure gauge every two seconds and start focusing on where the fish are. It's a massive quality-of-life upgrade for anyone who lives and breathes in the flats.
How the Installation Actually Works
This isn't exactly a "bolt-on" part that you slap on in ten minutes with a crescent wrench. Getting a bobs low water pickup usually involves sending your lower unit off to Bob's Machine Shop, or buying a kit if you're particularly handy with a welder and epoxy.
The process involves adding a sleek, aerodynamic nosecone to the front of your existing gearcase. This nosecone is ported with intake holes at the very tip and bottom. They then run plumbing from those holes back into the engine's cooling system. Usually, they'll also "blank off" or fill in the original side intake holes so the pump is only pulling from the new, lower location.
The craftsmanship is usually top-notch. When you get a lower unit back from them, it looks like a single, seamless piece of high-performance machinery. It's smoothed out, painted, and ready to cut through the water with way less resistance than a clunky stock unit.
Performance Gains and Handling Changes
Once you've got a bobs low water pickup installed, you're going to notice a few things right away. First, your water pressure gauge is going to stay pegged even when you're trimmed out and jacked up. That's the most satisfying part—knowing your engine is happy.
But it also changes how the boat handles. Because the nosecone adds a bit of length to the gearcase, it acts like a little bit of extra rudder. It can help with "blowout," which is a common issue on high-speed boats where air bubbles wrap around the gearcase and cause the prop to lose grip. The pointed shape of the Bob's nosecone helps keep the water flowing cleanly to the propeller.
You might find that you can run a different prop after the modification, too. Since you can run the engine higher, you might be able to swing a larger pitch prop and gain even more top-end speed. It's a bit of a rabbit hole, but for most of us, that's the fun part of owning a boat.
Is There a Downside?
It's not all sunshine and rainbows, though. You have to be a bit more careful with a bobs low water pickup in certain environments. Since the intake is at the very bottom and front of the motor, it's much more likely to suck up sand, mud, or floating debris. If you're idling through a mucky area, you have to keep an eye on things.
If you suck up a bunch of sand, it goes straight into your water pump and eventually your powerhead. It's a good idea to install a water strainer or at least be very diligent about flushing your motor after every trip. Also, because the nosecone is often attached with high-strength epoxy and body filler before being painted, it can be prone to chipping if you hit a submerged log or a rock. It's a high-performance part, and like most high-performance things, it requires a little extra love and attention.
Maintenance and Upkeep
To keep your bobs low water pickup working right, you should get into the habit of checking the intake holes every time you pull the boat out of the water. It's easy for a small piece of wood or a bit of plastic bag to get stuck in there.
I'd also recommend checking your water pump impeller more frequently. Because these pickups can sometimes be more efficient at grabbing whatever is in the water, your impeller might see a bit more wear and tear if you're frequently in dirty water. It's a small price to pay for the performance, but it's something to keep in mind so you don't get stranded.
Wrapping It Up
At the end of the day, a bobs low water pickup is one of those modifications that separates the casual boaters from the people who really want to maximize their time on the water. It's a functional, well-engineered solution to a problem that has plagued outboard owners for years.
Whether you're chasing a personal best speed on a Saturday morning or trying to sneak into a hidden creek where the big reds are hiding, this setup gives you the freedom to move your motor where it needs to be. It's an investment in your boat's performance and, more importantly, in your engine's longevity. If you're tired of watching your water pressure drop every time you try to have a little fun, it's definitely time to look into getting one. It's one of those rare upgrades where you actually get exactly what you paid for—and usually a little bit more.