Zero Expectations
Up until recently nearly all water jet engines have been powered by fossil (petrol or diesel) fuels. However, proving that electrically powered jet boats are no longer a thing of the future, ZeroJet, partnering with Offshore Cruising Tenders (OCT), demonstrates that these electric propulsion units and vessels are here and now.
ZeroJet’s story began in 2014 when co-founders Bex Rempel and Neil Mans moved to Perth and opened the world’s first Jetsurf Experience Centre. Through buying, selling and renting out these Czech-made boards, they simultaneously realised a) how big the market was, and b) the negative impact these petrol powered, two-stroke motorised surfboards were having on the environment.
So Bex and Neil decided to serve up something a bit greener; something to counteract the petrol powered Jetboards’ carbon footprint. In 2015 they moved back to New Zealand and founded Voltaic Jetboards. After assembling a team of four engineers the crew started work on a more environmentally-friendly alternative, and they spent the next two years developing high-performance electric Jetboards.
By 2018 the team had carried out significant R&D on a bespoke jet pump design paired with electric motor and custom hull design using their hydrodynamic expertise and produced a finalised design and a high-performing prototype: the world’s fastest electric Jetboard, hitting speeds of 70km/hr!
2020 was a year of exponential growth and after rebranding to ZeroJet and raising seed capital from investors, the world’s lightest electric jet tender was built utilising their in-house developed, highly efficient Jetpod system specifically designed for 3m to 4m boats; culminating in an ongoing partnership with OCT Tenders. Sales to a very interested marine industry inevitably followed.
Researched, designed and developed in New Zealand, the jet systems are specifically designed and tuned for an electric motor equating to unbeatable performance. Compact and lightweight, it’s perfect for tenders as small as 3m where traditional heavy combustion outboard or inboard engines won’t cut it.
ZeroJet teamed up with OCT to produce the world’s lightest electric jet tender. Having successfully integrated their system into the OCT range and being able to offer superior manoeuvrability and capable of reaching speeds of up to 20 knots, the ZeroJet/OCT package is a more fun, more convenient, and a greener solution than the traditional internal combustion engine. Although pitched as a yacht/launch tender, it makes for a great little eco-friendly runabout as well. The ZeroJet 48 Volt (safe low voltage system) is equivalent to a 20 Hp fossil fuel motor and weighs only 40 kg. To gauge the impact of traditional petrol-powered outboard motors on the marine environment, taking one 20hp four-stroke outboard off the water is the equivalent of taking 150 cars off the road!
ZEROJET SYSTEM
But how does the ZeroJet System actually work in lay terms. Well, quite simply as it turns out. Two battery boxes sitting under the gunwales of the OCT house either 5 or 10kWh batteries, these SuperB Nomada 12V 105Ah batteries provide enough power to the highly efficient quiet jet for up to 50 min – 1hr 20 min of run time at full throttle or up to 16 nautical miles . Operating the system is as simple as pressing the on switch then turning the throttle for propulsion. Operating in reverse is as simple as pulling the reverse lever located on the port side of the pod, allowing for extremely good manoeuvrability.
So, that’s the background. What about the actual sea trials? In a word, impressive!
As the OCT hull is a relatively “flat bottom” design, I expected a fair bit of slap on the water under speed. As it turned out, with the highly manoeuvrable jet engine quickly getting the craft up on the plane, the boat handled the conditions admirably. I powered the tender through some pretty hairy turns expecting us to fish tail out of control. Not so! The boat spun on its stern like a ballerina with nary a hint of uncontrollability. In addition it was a remarkably dry boat with just the two of us on board and considering the dead rise of the hull is only about half a metre.
Should you decide you want to haul the boat ashore for a few hours or load it onto a trailer to take home for whatever reason, the craft is fitted with two, easy to engage, drop down wheels on the stern of the boat, making it a piece of cake to haul the boat up a ramp or beach with the two straps fitted to the bow.
The fully retracted and secured wheels in place straddle the jet unit and ride plate which also functions as a cooling plate for the eco-friendly electric motor coolant.
The trolley wheels can be quickly and easily “locked down” to enable the tender to be hauled up a boat ramp or beach.
Combining cutting edge green technology with the proven durability and lightweight nature of the OCT’s results in a fantastic fun little boat. Starting price for the ZeroJet OCT package is $34,000 + GST
FOR A FULL REVIEW CHECK OUT THE MARCH-APR ISSUE OF PACIFIC POWERBOAT MAGAZINE (ONLINE FEB 21)
