Tom Kirkman wrote:
Getting more speed isn't a problem - that's easy to do. Right now we can push a PA at 12MPH, but to do it requires either far less battery life or a much larger battery. Realizing, of course, that if you can move twice as fast you only need 1/2 the battery life, but it's also important to provide a good balance of properties such as speed, distance, battery life, weight and overall performance suited to the particular boat.
Neither of us cared for the package that pushed the PA at just over 12MPH. Nor did we care for the way the boat handled at that speed. We settled on something that will push it between 5 and 6MPH, give several hours of battery life at full throttle, continue to turn well (and safely) and weigh less than 35lbs complete with battery.
I'm still trying to figure out what type of system this could be, weighing only 35 lbs...and being able to power you at 5-6MPH for several hours? Hummmm, sounds like a fish tale to me
Heck, maybe it'll be in production by the time I get a PA. That should be a year from now...maybe more
And then, Hobie will probably have something better than the PA, with built in thrusters on the side sponsons, and a through hull bow thruster....I mean, it is a carrier after all.