It's called a surface piercing drive or propeller. As Scotty says, pretty
popular in Asia. I've only seen one in the states, a few years ago.

--Mike

"Frogwatch" wrote in message
...
Went canoeing at Wacissa River again today. Over the past few yrs, I
have noticed some odd motors obviously intended for very shallow weed
infested waters. These motors resemble a lawnmotor engine with a very
long shaft, maybe 6' on which there is a prop at the very end. They
go very well in the mats of vegetation covering the water whereas a
conventional outboard immediately bogs down and gets stuff in the
water intake.
I am wondering if these odd outboards will mean fewer airboats because
both are intended to be used in nearly zero water.