Patented Low Water pickup System
Patented Low Water pickup System
Run Shallower, faster and cleaner
Today’s high-performance shallow-water propellers can run extremely high in the water column — so high, in fact, that the entire outboard gearcase is above the surface with only the skeg submerged. With a well-designed tunnel hull, that means you can run on plane with no part of your lower unit and prop — even the tip of the skeg — extending below the bottom of the hull. Your hull will contact bottom before your motor does. We call that running “airboat skinny.”
The limiting factor is water pressure. Factory water intakes are well above the water when running high on the jackplate. Other low water pickup solutions like nosecone pickups tend to clog quickly in typically shallow water conditions, where mud and vegetation are a fact of life. Nosecones ingest a lot of debris, and it wears water pumps faster and allows debris into cooling water jackets which causes hot spots and eventually powerhead failure. And without a constant supply of clean cooling water, impellers melt and engines overheat.
Zephyr Cove Customs’ patented outboard motor cooling water induction system is the first transom-mounted solution specifically designed for challenging shallow water conditions. If there’s water under the boat, you’ve got water pressure.
Closed system — The ZCC system is fully closed and airtight, allowing the vacuum created by your outboard’s water pump to pull water into the intake even when the boat isn’t moving.
Two-stage Filtration — The ZCC system uses replaceable intake screens plus an inline tee filter to prevent restrictions and protect your water pump and cooling system.
Lowest Profile Intake — While other transom-mounted pickups extend below the hull, where they can drag bottom and ingest contaminants, the ZCC intake housing mounts flush with the bottom.
Field Serviceable — With a clear polycarbonate filter bowl that is easily accessible, you can confirm at a glance that water is flowing and, if needed, readily remove and clean the filter on the water.
The Ultimate Remote Water Pickup System
Pump & Powerhead Protection — Because the ZCC system supplies cleaner, less aerated water then even your stock intake system, you can expect your water pump to last significantly longer. Cooling jacket restrictions from sand and shell bits are also reduced, and props last longer when they are run higher.
Made to Last in the USA — Our intake housing is precision machined in the USA from 6063 billet aluminum, and all hoses, fittings and other components are sourced in the USA.
Custom Installed — Every ZCC pickup system is custom fit and installed on-site by owner and designer Mac Jank to ensure optimal intake housing mounting and plumbing configuration.
Specs & Details
The patented ZCC cooling water induction system is built around a machined aluminum intake housing that mounts to the bottom of the transom. The intake housing’s rectangular footprint is 5” wide and 3” tall. In some cases, custom modifications can be made to fit the intake housing in smaller or irregularly shaped openings for the most efficient water induction.
From the intake, a custom-fabricated system of hoses and fittings carries cooling water up to a tee filter in a clear bowl mounted to the top outboard mounting bolt and visible from the helm, then back down to the lower unit, where it enters the water cavity through an auxiliary port that is drilled and tapped by the installer.
At present, every system is custom designed and installed by owner and inventor Mac Jank. Installation involves not only mounting the intake housing but also strategically routing hoses and configuring fittings to accommodate the full range of jackplate heights, trim settings, steering angles, and other accessories. Finally, a port is drilled carefully into the lower unit and tapped for the inlet fitting.
click images for captions
Low Water Pickup FAQs
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No, all systems are professionally installed. There are too many variables in installations — engine height, shaft length, trim tab and drain plug position, jackplate setback, cavitation plates, steering systems, etc. etc. — to create a practical and affordable kit. Installations involve custom design of plumbing, drilling and tapping the outboard lower unit, and selecting the optimal location for the intake housing.
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If you’re in the area, you can bring your skiff to our shop in Victoria, Texas. Otherwise, we offer mobile installation nearly anywhere. Typically, we wait until we have several installs along a given route before making a trip, but faster service is available if you’re willing to cover reasonable travel expenses. We’re working to train expert installers in other regions to offer faster service.
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Absolutely. With a ZCC system, a jackplate, and a quality shallow-water prop, a non-tunnel skiff can run as shallow as a normal tunnel setup, and a tunnel skiff can run “airboat skinny.” A significant portion of our installs are on flat-bottom and 2˚non-tunnel skiffs. In most cases, they can run with 2” of skeg or less below the hull.
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Yes, with a few exceptions. We’ve installed pickup systems on Yamaha, Tohatsu, Mercury, Suzuki, and Honda outboards ranging from 25 hp to 250 hp. That being said, we’ve run into a few skiff-and-engine setups that just aren’t compatible. Research and development on higher horsepower outboards is in progress. Give us a call to discuss your particular application.
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Technically no, but you’ll definitely want one to take full advantage of your ZCC pickup system. With water pressure squared away, the primary limiting factor in engine elevation is your prop. Today’s specialized shallow water propellers — designed by Texas innovators like HPP (Holeshot Performance Props), Baumann Propeller, Jack Foreman at Crossroads Propeller, Todd Rowell at TR Machining, and PowerTech — can run much higher in the water than virtually anything else on the market.
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There’s nothing about the ZCC system that makes a water pressure gauge any more important than it already is. That being said, if you regularly run in shallow water with your engine jacked up, you should absolutely have a water pressure gauge regardless of your pickup system.
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Usually not. In some cases, you’ll want to raise your engine higher than your current setup allows. A riser plate mounted between your motor and jackplate can raise your motor as much as a foot higher than possible when bolting directly to your jackplate. And that can sometimes require poling platform modifications for clearance.
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You can still use the regular flush port if available, but the ZCC pickup system provides other options. For example, you can disconnect the hose from the intake housing, connect a garden hose using the included wrench and adapter, and flush your outboard with it running. You can also disconnect the hose from the intake port and submerge it in a bucket of water with a garden hose to supply water. This has the added benefit of showing how well your water pump is working.
Installation Gallery
The photos below show installations on various skiff-and-engine combos. Please call about your specific application. Click an image to launch slideshow and see details.
Other ZCC Services
In addition to our patented pickup system, Zephyr Cove Customs offers a variety of other services, including:
Holeshot Performance Propellers sales and fitting
Custom-fabricated jackplate risers for additional engine elevation
Custom water pump impellers for some Yamaha outboards
Custom cooling system modifications for Suzuki outboards DF60A and larger
General rigging and setup for shallow water skiffs including selection and installation of jackplates, cavitation plates, trim tabs, electronics and electrical, plumbing, etc. If it doesn’t involve fiberglass or gelcoat, we can do it.
Personalized on-water operation and navigation instruction, especially extreme shallow water operating techniques
Charter fishing
Get on the List
Ready to plan your install? Got technical questions? Give me a call, send an email, or use this inquiry form to get in touch.
Mac Jank
(361) 582-6116