Who would have thought that electric paddleboards will become a thing?
In the world of fast technological advancements, we are seeing more and more automated solutions being mixed in somewhat non-electrical fields. First, the cars, which are obviously needed to lower the overall carbon footprint, then there are motorcycles, scooters, skateboards, and so on. When it comes to electric stand-up paddleboards, a relatively new recreation that was popularized in the US in 2005, we are lucky to be at this groundbreaking era in the history of paddleboarding.
Have a look at our research where we’ve compiled the latest news about electric SUPs, soon more commonly known as e-SUPs.
Terminology
Electric Stand-up Paddle Board = e-SUP = e Paddle Board
KEY FEATURES
- Jet-propelled / Fin propeller
- Self-inflating.
- Emission-free.
- Up to 5km/h max speed.
- Forward and reverse gear.
What’s the average SPEED of electric paddle boards?
The jet-propelled stand-up paddle board averages 3-5mph cruising speed on flat waters. The speed is determined by the dimensions of the board, total weight, swells, and winds.
What’s the average RANGE of electric paddleboards?
The range of electric paddle boards is often stated in time rather than distance, and the average range falls between 1-2 hours.
Inflatable or Hard SUP?
Universal electric paddle board motors (fin-propelled) can be fitted to most SUP fin boxes: US fin box, slide-in fin box, or a kayak rudder. This means the choice is all yours. What might come as a surprise for most is that the majority of electric paddle boards are inflatable. Choosing a SUP between inflatable vs rigid comes down to performance vs portability.
Are Electric SUPs legal?
Although SUPs are categorized as a vessel or a small watercraft, anything over 1 horsepower =0.750W needs licensing and registration which means the majority of SUPs out there are indeed legal. It is only illegal to ride in “no paddle” or “no surf” areas with a paddleboard.
Read more from the extended FAQ section from down below!
What are the PROs of self-propelled paddle board?
Break through strong currents and headwinds.
It’s a new thing – soon to be booming and more affordable.
Unique product – you are most likely going to be the only owner in your area to own a eSUP.
Silent – meaning that you can still enjoy the relaxing surroundings.
Convenient – Well, it’s electric.
Conserve energy.
Arrive faster.
Travel upstream.
It’s legal!
Fun – It creates a new sub-category of SUPs.
Learn something new – Just for the sake of it.
A great alternative to a dinghy.
What are the biggest concerns of e-SUPs?
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Electrical current
As you might have already guessed – the first major concern is obviously that it’s electric. Mixing electrical current with water is often fatal but as there are a few good brands with positive feedback – we must trust the responsibility they’ve taken. All decent motorized paddleboards use waterproof, marine-grade wiring.
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Losing out on fitness.
Losing out on fitness can be noticeable right away, but at least you’ll get a much more enjoyable ride that makes you happy as well.
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Heavy.
An average paddleboard weighs around 25lbs which is quite light compared to its volumetric size, but once you add an engine – it comes noticeably heavier to carry under your shoulder.
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Don’t forget your paddle.
Getting too used to the assistance might put you in trouble when the battery dies out. Although modern boards have the 50% reminder, you still
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Shallow waters.
Compared to a regular paddleboard, where the worst-case scenario of hitting the bottom is breaking a fin or damaging the board, propellers are much more expensive to repair.
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Seaweed.
An inevitable part of paddleboarding is riding over some seaweed that might get tangled in the fin. E-SUP brands have thought about that, therefore they’re equipped with a replaceable weedless propeller. Jet-propelled motors are basically flat on the bottom which means the risk of getting caught in seaweed is minimzed.
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Reliance.
Although the pros outweigh the cons, it is easy to forget the ‘hardest part’ of paddleboarding and rely totally on the engine. There’s nothing wrong with that, but make sure to paddle every now and then to stay fit.
Types of Electric Paddleboards Motors
SUP board electric motor types: Fin-propeller & Jet
- Fin propeller – Widely used solution – a fin with a propeller that attaches to the fin box. Connect the motor to the battery and off you go. The good: More affordable, can fit most boards, both inflatable and solid. The bad: Weight distribution is not as great.
- Jet – Jet electric paddleboards are a much more advanced solution compared to the previous. The good: Great weight distribution, high-quality and powerful motors. The bad: Only available on hard SUPs made by the same brand.
Examples of E-SUP Motor & Battery Combinations
Current Drives – Electrafin
MSRP: $n/a
- Range – 2 to 3 hours / 7 – 14miles
- Motor weight: 6.5lbs
- Max power: 400W
- Battery weight: 7.5lbs
- Battery capacity: 420Wh
- Charger: 150W intelligent
Wavejet – Big Ez
MSRP: $4,199 (for the board only ($1,199)
Will be updated soon, stay tuned!
Electric Paddleboard FAQ
What kind of paddlers benefit from the jet paddle board?
Anglers, tourers, and flatwater paddlers are the main targeted group who are in the need of some extra assistance.
Why’s that, you might ask? Well, anglers & tourers often go out on some choppier waters where that extra push can be extremely helpful. Flatwater paddleboarders on the other hand are most likely just going to use it for the sake of it. What’s there not to like about going forwards with innovations, and definitely being one of the only ones around with that kind of a board.
- Anglers.
- Tourers.
- Triathlete coaches.
- Swimming coaches.
- SUP instructors.
How do electric paddleboards work?
- A wireless remote controller lets you set the speed.
- Use a paddle as a fin for turning.
Will the motorized paddleboard be accepted by SUP communities?
Flatwater paddleboarding is meant to be quiet and calming. While it is considered a “silent sport” where there are no engines in the mix, the paddle board with motor will most likely be left out of that category.
Paddleboarding is much like surfing (well at least the boards look alike), where there’s only a limited amount of electrical devices in the mix.
What are the alternatives to electric paddle boards?
Pau Hana Bimini, for example, is a 15′ multi-person SUP that’s got outboard engine mounts on the back. Besides the electric stand-up board range, there are stand-up electric surfboards with a handlebar, designed to be ridden on choppy waters.
Can you install an electric fin to all paddleboards?
Yes, there are a few companies that offer a universal-fit fin-propelled motor.
Why even use an E SUP?
Electrical assistance is a convenient alternative to standard paddling and we are most likely going to see many similar prototypes in the next few years. What’s there not to like about being on the water and zipping around silently with electric assistance. There are already electric surfboards, electric foilboards etc, so why
What brands produce paddle boards with motors?
- Bixpy
- BlueDive
- ePropulsion
- Sipaboards
- Torque
- Onean
- Supjet
- Wavejet
- Current Drives
How do you maintain a jet paddle board?
The only technical thing to look after on an electric stand-up paddle board is to simply rinse it with fresh water. There’s no maintenance needed as modern batteries have quite a large charge cycle, and there’s nothing to be done on the motor itself. Make sure to keep the battery charged when not in use for longer periods of time, and follow the specific charging methods (connect the plug to the battery first, and then on the wall)
Can you use an e paddle board in saltwater?
Yes, eSUPs are designed to be used in both fresh- and salt waters: However, you’d need to rinse off the salt with fresh water after each use to maintain its total lifespan and make your best to avoid salt from drying up on the board.
What happens when you submerge an electric paddle board battery?
Both the motor and battery of the eSUP are generally rated as marine-grade, therefore any splashes or surface-level submerging won’t damage the electrical system.
What’s the average price of a electric stand-up paddleboard?
Expect to pay around $1,200 to $4,000. Cheaper boards are often made of fin-mount propeller motors, while more expensive boards have jet-propelled motors.
Conclusions – To Whom
Should you buy one right now?
We show you two thumbs up as it is better to be aware of the diversity of SUPs and to stand in the front line when E-SUPs are about to boom. The boom in this case means they’ll become popular overnight. I bet there’s also going to be a supply-demand delay once ‘the word‘ reaches out.
If you’ve already set your mind to taking up paddleboarding as your next hobby, have a look and see what’s out there at the moment. If you already have a SUP or you’re not in a rush, we recommend waiting for a while (6-24months) when there will be more brands and models available at affordable rates.
Standup paddleboarding has seen steady growth in the past decade, and we are going to see more and more people turning their hobbies away from urban areas. We are not sure if people just recently discovered the countless benefits of paddleboarding, but if there’s one thing for sure – it’s that there’s nothing like surfing or paddleboarding out there. It’s a fact.
Why you shouldn’t get one?
Although we are big advocates of staying fit to maintain both physical and mental wellness, we also get that non-electric SUPs are not for everyone. Unless you are an angler who’s looking for an electric trolling motor for paddle board, chances are that you are most likely not going to need one right off the bat. The paddleboard motor with battery makes the board heavy, and slightly inconvenient to paddle when not in use.
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I created Nulltuul to share my experience, research and analysis with other surf enthusiasts out there. If I'm not surfing on my travels - I like to photograph waves, surfers, and the surf lifestyle in general.