Scubajet adds propulsion to kayaks, canoes, and even divers

By Kelly Hodgkins Published April 27, 2021

scubajet jet engine water sports header — Image used with permission by copyright holder

Scubajet hopes to do for water sports what Bosch and similar ebike motor manufacturers have done for the biking industry. The Austrian company aims to make water sports “more awesome” by adding an eco-friendly propulsion system to water sports, which are typically people-powered. According to the manufacturer, its high-torque motor will turn any water sports craft into “high-performance gear.”

As its name implies, Scubajet is a water jet propulsion system with an electric motor that is powered by an onboard battery capable of providing up to four hours of use with the standard 400Wh battery. The high-performance jet delivers up 44 pounds of thrust allowing the unit to move up to 9 mph through the water. The Scubajet is also lightweight and compact — measuring 1.65 inches in length and 3.1 inches in diameter, and weighing a mere 6.6 pounds, making it one of the smallest diver propulsion systems available today. Similar to an ebike motor, the high-performance, high-torque motor is emission free.

Recommended Videos

Scubajet is for more than just divers. It also is compatible with paddle boards, kayaks, and other small watercraft. It operates at three different speeds, allowing you to cruise along or troll slowly for fish. Other features include a wireless remote control ring for divers, a removable battery that is easy to swap out, an LED light for use in low-light conditions and a saltwater-resistant design that allows you to go from ocean to lake without missing a beat.

To maximize its usefulness, Scubajet has partnered with leading water sports manufacturers to create a mounting system that makes it easy to add propulsion to your favorite gear. The company provides more than 20 different mounts that allow you to attach the Scubajet to a kayak, dinghy, SUP board, and even to diving or snorkeling gear for the ultimate underwater adventure.

The mounts are designed to be easy to attach — no technical skills are required. In some cases, such as with a SUP board, no tools are needed as the Scubajet finbox adapter replaces the existing removable fin. You simply slide off the fin and slide on the Scubajet.

The Scubajet is expected to ship in August 2017 and is priced between 1,190 and 1,490 euros ($1,400-$1,700) depending on the configuration. Owners also can purchase additional battery packs such as the 320Wh or 200Wh travel battery packs, which provide an extra 2-3 hours of power.

Topics

Contributor

Kelly's been writing online for ten years, working at Gizmodo, TUAW, and BGR among others. Living near the White Mountains of…

Outdoors

Best pressure washer deals: Up to $110 off Greenworks and Kärcher

The Greenworks GPW3001 Pro electric pressure washer, placed outside.

If you've been on the internet and seen a bunch of pressure washer clips and are now considering grabbing one yourself, you'll be happy to know that there is a huge range of them to pick from. That includes some great budget-oriented versions to dip your toe in and are still good for cleaning stains and cleaning up stuff. That's why we've gone out and collected some of our favorite washer deals for you below, including some of the best pressure washers for cars, which you do have to be a bit careful with not to strip the paint or clearcoat.
Greenworks Pressure Washer Combo Kit -- $110 $220 50% off

While this Greenworks power washer doesn't have as high a PSI, around 1,900 PSI, it is a lot more portable and a great option if you want something that's smaller and easier to take around with you. It comes with a 35-foot power chord and a 20-foot hose, so you get quite a bit of distance. If you are somewhere rural and need to clean stuff that doesn't have a power cable nearby, this is perfect. Besides that, we also appreciate that this comes with an 11-inch surface cleaner, which isn't something common with a lot of other power washers, even more expensive ones. Just be aware that you do need a My Best Buy subscription to be able to get the discount.

Emerging Tech

Juiced Bikes sold at auction for $1.2 million, report says

The Juiced Bikes Scorpion X2 adds more power, upgraded tires, and an improved battery to the popular moped style e-bike.

Juiced Bikes, the San Diego-based maker of e-bikes, has been sold on an auction website for $1,225,000, according to a report from Electrek.Digital Trends recently reported how the company was showing signs of being on the brink of bankruptcy. The company and its executives had remained silent, while customer inquiries went unanswered and its website showed all products were out of stock. In addition, there were numerous reports of layoffs at the company.Yet, the most convincing sign was that the company’s assets appeared as listed for sale on an auction website used by companies that go out of business.Now, it appears that Juiced Bikes’ assets, including a dozen patents, multiple URLs, and the company’s inventory in both the U.S. and China, have been sold at auction, according to the report. It is likely that the buyer, who remains unknown, can capitalize on the brand and the overall value of the 15-year old company. Founded in 2009 by Tora Harris, a U.S. high-jump Olympian, Juiced Bikes was one of the early pioneers of the direct-to-consumer e-bike brands in the U.S. market.
The company had quickly built a reputation for the versatility of its e-bikes and the durability of their batteries. Over the years, the popularity of models such as the CrossCurrent, HyperScrambler, and RipCurrent only bolstered the brand’s status.Last year, Digital Trends named the Juiced Bikes Scorpion X2 as the best moped-style e-bike for 2023, citing its versatility, rich feature set, and performance.Juiced Bikes’ getting sold quickly might be a sign of what consulting firm Houlihan Lokey says is a recovery in the North American e-bike market.
The industry has had a roller-coaster ride during and after the COVID-19 pandemic: A huge spike in demand for e-bikes had combined with disrupted supply chains to create a supply/demand mismatch of “historic proportions," Houlihan Lokey said.

Branded Content

Adventure time: SUPCASE has the ultimate gear for outdoor enthusiasts

A variety of outdoor gear options for the ultimate wilderness enthusiast.

Scenic view from inside a tent while camping.

You might know SUPCASE for its excellent collection of durable and rugged phone cases. But as it's in the industry of making tough gear for the adventurous sorts, it should come as no surprise that the brand also has a valuable collection of outdoor gear. Just to provide some examples, a multi-functional pocket tool, a rugged and water-resistant equipment case, a durable yet spacious backpack, or even a sleek yet reliable bottle opener.

In fact, there are quite a few options, so many that it could be tough to nail down just one tool or outdoor item you'd need. Naturally, we put together this guide to explore some of the ultimate gear, but you can always peep at them yourself, as well.