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Seabob

The Seabob is an electrically-powered vehicle that can be used above or below the water's surface. It uses jet propulsion and can run for as long as an hour on a single charge. It could be a great addition to the toy list on a private or charter yacht.

For more information, click here.

The Seabob is a motorized jet propulsion vehicle that a user can ride above and below the water’s surface.

Brief Summary

Looking like something that we would expect to see in a Brookstone catalog or on touchofmodern.com, the Seabob is an electrically powered jet propelled unit that takes swimming and diving to another level. It’s made with components formed out of carbon, ceramic and precious metals to make Seabob resistant to saltwater.

Features Discussion

Resembling a miniature personal watercraft, the Seabob is hydrodynamically designed to glide through and over the water. It’s controlled by two Controlgrips with Piezo technology. Squeeze the trigger and the Seabob starts moving forward. Applying light pressure to the green sensor accelerates the vehicle in thrusts until the desired speed is reached. Push the red sensor to slow the Seabob. Releasing the trigger immediately stops the unit. Two additional buttons let the pilot program an individual data menu including diving depth, operation time and other parameters.

The color display in the center of the dash provides technical data from the engine’s electronics. This gives the driver information on the performance plus the power level. The accumulator charge state lets the user keep track of the residual capacity. The unit can also give up-to-date information regarding diving depth and water temperature.

The controls look intuitive with the green button on the right handle used to move forward and the red one on the left side to stop. The other buttons are used to program the data output.

The power behind the Seabob is a high-torque electric motor with a microprocessor-controlled 3-phase sinus power management system. The manufacturer says the overall design is compact and the power to drive the engine comes from Lithium-Ion accumulators.

That power is put to the water through the patented E-Jet Power System. The water is sucked in by an impeller and thrust out the jet channel under high pressure. This propels the Seabob forward.

Lithium-Ion accumulators power the electric power system and the impeller is custom-designed for the Seabob.

The Seabob can be used to extend the range of a dive trip and has an on board readout of depth and water temperature.

The Models

Seabob F5

Seabob is available in three models, starting with the F5. It’s the lightest at 63.93 lbs. (29 kg) and has dimensions of 3.78’ x 1.66’ x 1.22’ (1.152 m x 507 mm x 372 mm). Buoyancy is rated at 30.86 lbs. (14 kg). The unit has a “propulsive force of 480 newtons according to Seabob and the max rating is 3.35 hp (2.5 kw). Top speed over the water is 8.70 mph (14 km/h) and maximum velocity beneath the surface is 8.08 mph (13 km/h). Diving depth is 8.2’ (2.5 m) and the maximum of 131.23’ (40 m) can be set using electronic controls. This is the same for all three units. Finally, operating time for the F5 is 50 minutes and standard charging time is 8 hours with a quick-charge time of 1.5 hours.

The F5 would be considered the base model and has four power modes instead of the higher number on the more expensive models.

Seabob F5 S

Seabob F5 S has the same dimensions as the F5, but weighs more at 74.96 lbs (34 kg). Buoyancy is less at 22.05 lbs (10 kg) and the manufacturer rates the propulsive force at  680 newtons. The engine is rated at 5.36 hp (4.0 kw). While the F5 has four power levels, the F5 S has six. Top speed over the water for the F5 S is 12.43 mph (20 km/h) above the surface and 11.18 mph (18 km/h) beneath. Operating time for the F5 is 60 minutes and standard charging time is 7 hours with a quick-charge time of 1.5 hours.

The F5 S has a matte finish to accentuate its sportier intentions.

Seabob F5 SR

The most powerful of the fleet, the F5 SR generates 745 newtons and has seven power levels. Maximum horsepower produced is 6.03 (4.5 kw). It weighs the same as the F5 S and has the same buoyancy rating. Top speed over the water is 13.67 mph (22 km/h) and when she dives, she can reach 12.43 mph (20 km/h). Maximum operating time is 60 minutes and it takes 7 hours to fully recharge with a 1.5-hour quick charge rating. The FS R has two rear fins to enhance stability it comes standard with the Seabob camera system.

The F5 SR comes standard with the chrome upgrade package and custom colors are available at no extra charge.

The Options

The Seabob can be equipped with integrated cameras as an option. One HD camera is integrated into the Seabob’s bow, where there is a recording system and a second Action Selfie Cam is in the information display. It’s activated by pressing a button and it saves all the pilot’s recordings when Seabob is underway. All videos are saved in the on board system and can be transmitted to any smart phone or alternative storage media with WLAN technology.

The screen on the console can show what the bow camera sees or it can be used to take selfies.

On the appearance side, the Chrome Package dress the tail, display console and tail ring in chromium plating while the Black Package finishes the trio in a matte black. The latter is a no-cost upgrade.

The chrome package gives the Seabob a high-end, custom look.

Seabob comes in three serial colors, yellow, orange and red. They are protected against high wear with a proprietary finish.

Even the standard colors are finished with a treatment to endure in saltwater and bright sunlight.

Buyers can also choose among Lumex Bright Colors in high-gloss finish as well as bi-color graphics and a Big Label Design. Owners can also customize the colors with special hand-applied patterns.

Custom colors can be used to match the Seabob to a host yacht.

Pricing

Retail pricing from the Seabob website is as follows:

  • Seabob F5 $9,415
  • Seabob F5 S $12,950
  • Seabob F5 SR $17,480
  • Seabob Cam $1,050
  • Chrome package $440.

Observations

The Seabob could be a great addition to a yacht for personal or charter use. It doesn’t need special fuel, nor does it take up a lot of space. Using it is as simple as pulling a trigger so it could be used to take a lazy swim at low-speed or adrenaline junkies can give it a full squeeze, pull down their goggles and hang on.

For diving, the Seabob could help a user save energy and extend the length and duration of a trip below the surface. That could lead to some great encounters with sea life.

For more information, click here.