Does an electric jet-ski have to weigh 300 kg and be laboriously transported on a trailer? No - there is a new approach.

After three years of waiting in vain for the availability of an electric jet-ski from brands such as Sea-Doo, Narke, Taiga Motors and many more, it was time to rethink.

Who says that an electric jet-ski has to weigh 300 kg and be so bulky that it can only be transported on a trailer? What if it could be transported in a car with the back seat folded down? Or if it could easily be lifted out of the water on a yacht by one person without any tools. It would also be easy to stow away. Would that be something?

It's time to rethink. Whether petrol or electric. Whether very sporty or for beginners. There are brand new solutions from the jetboard and eFoil scene.

Petrol-powered jet-skis

Jetsurf has two petrol models in its range for 2024: the Race DFI Ski and the Titanium DFI Ski. These stand-up jet-ski models are priced between EUR 14,000 and EUR 17,000. The weight is just 25 kg and the jet skis can reach speeds of up to 58 km/h. The Titanium model even reaches up to 62 km/h.

The maximum rider weight is 120 kg. The carbon fiber board is powered by a two-stroke engine and is very quiet thanks to DFI technology.

Thanks to the removable handlebar, the jet ski can also be used as a jetboard.

Electric jet-skis

With the electric jet ski, Jetsurf also offers a variant that is powered by lithium-ion batteries. You can enjoy almost silent fun on the water. The handlebars on this model are also removable.

The battery makes the board a little heavier at 38.3 kg, but it can still be carried by just one person. The maximum rider weight here is 100 kg.

The 3 kW battery delivers speeds of up to 55 km/h. The range is 30 to 45 minutes - depending on the rider's weight and riding style.

E Jet-ski to take off

Another alternative is the eFoil scooter, which also has a handlebar. Due to the large volume of over 200 liters, you can stand on them when stationary. This makes eFoiling very easy to learn, especially for beginners.

eFoils have experienced a real boom in recent years. It's not just about the sensation of flying, but also about the enormous range. In contrast to electrically powered jetboards (such as the electric jet ski above), which promise a range of 25 to 55 minutes, a range of 2 hours is quite realistic with an eFoil. For example, you can cover a distance of up to 40 km at 20 km/h.

Due to their power of less than 7.5 kW, eFoils do not require a sports boat license. Although speeds of up to 50 km/h are theoretically possible, the normal cruising speed when hovering on the water is 20-30 km/h.

A total of 8 different eFoil scooters were presented at boot 2024 in Düsseldorf. Almost a little too many in our eyes, but there is definitely a trend. I don't think all the prototypes will be successful. However, the two models from the market leaders Fliteboard and Aerofoils will prevail in our opinion.

Both the Flitescooter from Flite and the HyperFly with Audi Brand are aimed at a target group that is not "entirely comfortable" with eFoiling. The eFoil scooters can also be mastered by beginners within minutes and have many safety mechanisms.

Training is required for a "real" eFoil: We have recorded such a training course for our E-SURFER YouTube channel. An eFoil scooter can also be mastered without training.

In addition to the large volume, the mast is shortened by 60 cm to prevent high falls. The company Aerofoils has also installed an anti-breaching system, which prevents you from climbing too quickly.

There is also a kill switch (emergency stop switch) that switches off the motor in the event of a fall. The scooter also uses a jet drive and not a propeller, as is the case with some eFoils. And last but not least, the handlebars prevent you from falling into the wings. All in all, a safe thing that can be learned in minutes.

The handlebar can also be removed from the eFoil scooter and the board can then be used purely as an eFoil.

Conclusion

Since an electric jet-ski from a renowned manufacturer such as Sea-Doo is not expected in 2024 and the announced Sea-Doo Rise will probably be very heavy, it is time to rethink.

Scooters based on eFoils or jetboards are a very good alternative. They may not reach 100 km/h or more, but where else can you ride at such speeds? And is the stubborn speeding really more fun than cornering with a lightweight board or floating over the water? A matter of taste.

However, the new scooters score points when it comes to transportation and maintenance. Electric models in particular are virtually maintenance-free.