Pure Watercraft Unveils Battery Pack

Pure Watercraft, manufacturer of the Pure Outboard electric motor, says it has launched "the most energy dense battery pack available in marine propulsion".

The Seattle-based company says its new battery pack has a capacity of 8.85 kWh (47 percent more capacity than the previous model) and active thermal management, enabling faster planing, longer range, and extended operation at top speed.

The new battery pack, which matches that of the best electric cars, was designed in-house, using lithium-ion cells from Panasonic. This battery pack, combined with the lightweight and powerful Pure Outboard motor, provides more power per pound of other electric outboard systems, and it even beats comparable gas powered systems, Pure Watercraft said.

“Our team of skilled engineers has built an electric outboard motor and battery pack system from the ground up. Their focus has been to purposely create each component to maximize efficiency with the most power per pound in the industry,” said Andy Rebele, CEO and founder of Pure Watercraft.

The Pure Outboard is optimized to replace gas outboard motors between 9.9 and 40 horsepower. Range depends on the boat, but a typical 16’ aluminum fishing boat equipped with two battery packs could go 4-5 MPH for about 30 hours, or 25 MPH for about an hour. Charge time is as fast as one hour from half to full charge using a 240V outlet. Using a household 120V outlet, it takes approximately 4 hours.

The motor is started with the push of a button, and charging the battery is equally easy; simply plug in the charger to charge at standard 120V or 240V outlets available in most households, garages and marinas. The Pure Outboard eliminates the cost and headache of gas fueling and engine failures. According to the manufacturer, frequent boaters stand to save 80 percent on fuel costs and the elimination of regular maintenance.

Institutions such as Harvard, Stanford, Yale, and the University of Washington have purchased Pure Outboard systems for their competitive rowing teams. "We’re eagerly awaiting the Pure Watercraft system because it will transform how we coach our team and significantly reduce the headache of maintenance and costs that we incur using a gas outboard,” said Michael Callahan, Head Coach of the University of Washington men’s rowing team.

The Pure Outboard is available via a refundable pre-order deposit of $500. Pure Watercraft is currently shipping propulsion systems to its first customers this month, and pre-order delivery will begin in 2019. A complete system, comprised of an outboard and battery pack, starts at $14,500.  

Pure Outboard Motor

• •HP: 40 HP equivalent
• •Weight: 110 lbs
• •Water Resistance: IP67
• •Voltage (nominal): 350V
• •Prop RPM at peak power: 1500 RPM
• •Propeller: 16″ diameter 3-blade propeller
• •Motor: 20 kW continuous power PMAC motor, passively cooled underwater in line with propeller
• •Motor controller: closed loop liquid cooled
• •Gear set: two-stage, 7.67:1 reduction

Pure Outboard Battery Pack

• Voltage (nominal): 350V
• Capacity: 8.85 kWh (multiple packs can be combined for larger capacity)
• Cells: 18650 form factor
• Weight: 118 lbs
• Water Resistance: IP67
• Thermal management: Active