ePropulsion Vaquita SUP, kayak, canoe, boat POD motor 0.3 kW with 0.3 kWh battery

Comfortable speed

The Vaquita, equipped with a 300 Watt motor, brings a SUP to 9 kilometers per hour . If you use your Vaquita at half its top speed, you have 5 hours range .

Enjoy more time on the water

The Vaquita lets you go further, explore more and help you move forward when you need it. The engine makes paddling effortless and gives you the opportunity to spend more time on the water.

Suitable for almost all types SUPs, kayaks, canoes as well as most other small boats . Easy to carry and mount on a US fin box.

Do you want to sail hybrid? Then you can also use this pod motor perfectly! For example via the attachment on the swimming platform or on the rudder blade.

• The battery is waterproof and unsinkable.
• technical drawing
• manual
• installation instructions for mounting to rudder blade

• Wireless control
• The Vaquita has 8 speeds, an LED indicator and an emergency stop function. The operation is very simple.
• Built-in sensors immediately stop the Vaquita engine if you fall overboard.
• Easy to attach with the included US / inflatable Fin Box Adapter or the included universal adapter. The motor can also be mounted to a rudder.
  The bottom of the battery has two buckles that give you an additional option for securing the battery.

Performance & Range

• Slow speed: 4 kilometers per hour, 34 kilometers, 8 hours sailing time
• Average speed: 6 kilometers per hour, 30 kilometers, 5 hours sailing time
• Full speed: 10 kilometers per hour , 12 kilometers, 1:10 hours sailing time

The above data was tested with a JP Outback 12'6" sup board. Actual speed, range and runtime may vary due to different external conditions.

• Experience / review: We were very pleased with the purchase, it does what it should do. Namely, let our inflatable Kayak glide through the water with 2 adults and 1 dog. The speed and distance are very good and can therefore be described as very positive, all in all we are very satisfied with this purchase.. Family van Dijk June 2020

SPECIFICATIONS

Engine

• Article number VA-0000-00
• EAN number 6971312630428
• Power 300 Watt
• Weight: only 4 Kilograms
• Dimensions 162 x 167 x 182 mm
• Operation Wireless Remote Control (included) with 8 speeds
• Screw diameter 150mm
• IP67 completely dustproof and waterproof up to 1 meter depth
• Suitable for salt water
• VAQUITA is the ideal lightweight motor for your SUP or Kayak. With the 300W motor you reach a top speed of around 9 km/h (5 knots). The engine is suitable for bringing vessels up to 270 kilograms to cruising speed and vessels up to 90 kilograms to hull speed. For heavier vessels we recommend ePropulsion Pod Drive 1.0 Evo electric Pod engine 1 kW.
• Comparable to a 0.5 hp (propulsion power) to 0.8 hp (thrust) internal combustion engine.
• The battery is sufficient to sail at full speed for about 70 minutes.
• If you sail a little more calmly at half speed (4.5 kilometers per hour), you can even spend 5 hours on the road and cover about 20 km.
• The 324Wh lithium-ion battery weighs only 2.5 kilograms and has an energy density of 120 Wh/kg.
• The battery is so small that it fits even in a small backpack without much effort.
• In total, the VAQUITA engine with battery weighs only 4 kg, the engine weighs 1.5 kg and the battery weighs 2.5 kg.
• This makes the drive easy to transport and store.

Carrying bag (optional)

• The Vaquita can be safely packed and stored with this custom-made bag. Transport and store Vaquita with less effort.
  Made of oxford fabric, waterproof and dustproof, also washable.
  Article number VA-BG00-00

Battery (included)

• Stay informed about the battery status with the 4 LED indicator lights.

• Dimensions 216 x 178 x 100 mm

• Charging voltage 25.2 V (battery charger included: Article number VA-C000-00, Input power: 180 Watt, Input voltage (AC): 100 V ~ 240 Volt, Max input current: 3 Ampere, Output voltage (DC): 25.2 Volt / 7 Ampere, Dimensions: 8.5 × 7 × 4 inch / 216 × 178 × 100 mm).
  
  
• Supply voltage 22.2 Volt
• Charging time 3 hours
• Capacity 324 Wh (0.3 kWh)
• Weight: 2.5 kilograms
• Technology: Lithium-ion. Advantages:
  • No maintenance required
  • Very low self-discharge
  • No memory effect, can be loaded at any time
  • High charging currents (0.5-1A) possible, allowing for faster charging
  • Constant discharge voltage, which ensures that the device provides a stable current throughout the entire discharge period
• Battery life : 500 cycles at 80 % DOD . The battery can remain at 80% capacity after more than 500 cycles at 80% DoD (discharge percentage).
• Sailing time at full power: 1 hour and 15 minutes.
• Suitable for salt water
• Waterproof class: IP 67: 1 meter under water for 30 minutes without sustaining damage.
• Only functions in water.
• Article number VA-B000-00
• EAN: 6971312630923

Remote control

• The wireless remote control can be worn comfortably on the wrist or attached to the paddle.
• 8 positions
• The control provides infinitely variable speed control in forward gear.
• All you have to do is push the button on the remote control forward.
• When you press the on/off button the motor stops immediately.

The ePropulsion motor ensures that you can achieve a greater range with your SUP, kayak or canoe, prevent fatigue and reach further distances faster.

• Advantages of electric boating: A premium boating experience . Electric boating is clean, quiet and requires less maintenance. Compared to other electric boating options, ePropulsion stands out as a technological pioneer with guaranteed quality. ePropulsion promises to amaze you and can deliver the boating experience you want.
  • Why electric boating?
    
    • Environmentally friendly : Zero greenhouse gas emissions and the engines will not leak oil or fuel.
    • Carefree transport: No stains or odors in your car when transporting fuel or engine.
    • No harmful exhaust fumes : A boat trip with family and friends without the dirty exhaust fumes. Choosing an electric motor means that no harmful substances are inhaled by you and your passengers.
    • Save on maintenance costs: A combustion engine requires an annual minor service (110 euros) and sometimes a major service (200 euros).
    • Why ePropulsion?
      • It best product for the best price : With ePropulsion you get more horsepower and battery capacity at a lower cost. ePropulsion products are more technologically advanced, more reliable and of higher quality.
      • Pioneer in technology: ePropulsion is the first company to offer advanced technologies such as FOC (field-oriented control), a maintenance-free closed-loop fluid circulation that you won't find on any other outboard.
      • High demands on customer satisfaction: This is noticeable in the quality of the products, the finish and the after-sales service (good technical support in the Netherlands and Belgium).
      • Quality Control: ePropulsion maintains strict quality controls and innovates faster than others.
      • Focus on electric boating: The focus has always been on improving the electric boating experience. To achieve this, the past six years have been spent on research and development. Ease of use and experiences are central.
      • Attention to detail: Every detail matters and affects the performance of your outboard. That's why ePropulsion stays detailed from production to design. It's the smaller details that create the best user experience.

The electric motor "Vaquita" from "ePropulsion" tested in the competence center for people with disabilities of the German Rowing Association

A leading innovation that needs to be adapted for rowing

In the summer of 2019, the Competence Center for Rowing with Disabilities conducted an extensive practical test in the field of electric mobility in rowing. This makes the competence center a pioneer in the field of inclusion in rowing once again. Until now, people with disabilities who wanted to participate in rowing had to overcome a number of difficult obstacles. Since 2019, the German Rowing Federation has been supporting the Competence Centers and has made rowing somewhat more accessible. Using the latest technical means in the field of e-mobility, the manufacturer "ePropulsion" has developed a drive concept that people with any disability can use. It is possible to move in a rowing boat without using muscle power. The background to this is that rowing involves some dangers, especially for people with a sudden loss of strength and movement, as well as for people for whom it is strictly forbidden to exceed a certain value (e.g. diabetes). Until now, these athletes could only row to the shore or jetty themselves in safe proximity, you can use the electric motor if necessary to get electric assistance.

Our test team consists of employees of the competence center, the DRV and participants in the Trainer C training on the subject of "Rowing with a disability" who entered the test with special expectations.

For the testers, it was especially important to have a lightweight, easy-to-attach device and easy-to-understand operation, so that intuitive operation is possible for everyone. In addition, the device must not generate any additional water resistance when switched off and provide sufficient support while driving, which corresponds to a rowing boat at normal speed. Our testers also set high demands on the company's power pack in terms of durability and resistance. A waterproof cover that can withstand a beating in addition to short charging times and a battery that lasts at least four hours, says Susann Elker from the competence center. Because the device is to be used in everyday rowing, Elker continues.

That's how we tested it

In addition to the manufacturer's stated 2.5 kilograms included in the delivery is a 300W lithium-ion battery with an energy density of 120 WH / kg with a weight of 1.5-2.5 kilos

Drive unit consisting of a drive propeller and mountings. A remote control and a charger are also included. The also included Adapters for stand-up paddle boards (SUP) cannot be used. According to the manufacturer's battery lasts about 9 kilometers at full load (8.5 km / h), at half load (5 km / h) According to the manufacturer, a range of up to 9 hours and 45 kilometers should be possible. Since the "Vaquita" was originally developed for SUP, there are no exact dates for the Use on a rowing boat. First of all, our testers attached the battery and the propeller on land, in and on the boat. A PR1 One was used, which was connected to the characteristic swimmers, a wide hull and a permanently installed backrest in the boat is mainly used for wheelchair users. The attachment of the battery unit is easy by means of tension straps and the mounting eyes on the battery housing realize. Our test team was able to find a suitable position in the boat within a few minutes. The 1.5 m long cable connecting the battery and the drive unit allows the battery to be mounted in a location that is favorable for the center of gravity of the boat. The mounting of the propeller proved to be more difficult due to the lack of an adapter for rowing boats; a corresponding fitting as an adapter can help with this. This type of mounting would make the alignment of the drive much easier and shorten the mounting time. After mounting in the boat, the driving characteristics were tested on the water. The focus was mainly on driving forwards and backwards, the optimal positioning of the propeller (bow / stern) and the operation of the remote control. In addition, the driving characteristics were tested while driving switched off.

Test result

In the test, the “Vaquita” convinced our testers enormously. The ease of use and the increased safety that its use brings with it were particularly favorable for our testers a crucial point for the power pack of "ePropulsion".

However, our testers had to compromise on price and attachment to the rowing boat. Make wishful thinking.

The following table (Table 1) shows the test criteria in pros and cons and with a score of 1 (not good) to 5 (very good) points.

Criticism of use in rowing boats

Since the drive concept was not specifically developed for rowing boats, there are some problems when using the device. This device was mainly developed for applications on sports-specific boats. The drive unit proved difficult to attach because there was no locking mechanism placed under the hull of the boat. The drive unit kept slipping during the test. When attaching the battery unit, it turned out that it is especially important to place a scratch protection under the battery or on areas of the rowing boat with a sensitive surface. Our testers were consistently positively surprised by the operation of the remote control. The Bluetooth connection works perfectly and the layout is easy to understand. It can be difficult to free up a hand when rowing to have to use it for the remote control. Rowing with one hand can cause the boat to tip over or pose other challenges. O ur testers also missed a second remote control, which, for example, someone outside the boat can control to take over control of the boat in training support or in an emergency. This remote control must then have a larger range in order to be able to take over the control of the engine without any problems even from distant banks or jetties. When the engine is on and the rowing boat is moving, the course must be corrected under full load using considerable effort. The running properties of the rowing boat and the rigid attachment of the drive unit under the rowing boat ensure linear stability. Due to open current, small parts in the water such as water plants or wood can get into the propeller and bring the engine to a standstill. In addition, our testers missed a second thrust in the direction of the drive unit, which can be particularly useful for complicated mooring or turning manoeuvres. A major point of criticism is the purchase price of € 795, - stated by the manufacturer for the electric motor with all the additional components, which our testers found high.

Positive qualities

In our test, our testers also noted many positive points. For our testers, it was very easy to operate the engine with the remote control. It is equipped with a simple controller with which the propulsion power can be effortlessly regulated and the remote control is self-explanatory in use. The mounting options for the battery were also rated positively. At the bottom of the almost square plastic cube, there are enough mounting options already fitted in the factory that are suitable for reinforcing the boat. The connection that is established via Bluetooth between the remote control and the battery also worked without problems in our test and had a range of approx. 20m. After that, the connection was broken to prevent further travel. This application was developed for a SUP, so that the board does not continue if the rider has fallen. Our testers were impressed by the propulsion power both at full and half speed. The speed is approximately the same as that of a rowing boat at normal speed. The insertion and stopping of the thrust levels starts gently and gives the operator enough time to get used to the support. When switched off, the drive unit located under the hull will only cause a slight increase in water resistance. This is hardly noticeable when sailing slowly, when sailing faster it will vibrate a bit more and become more noticeable as a delay factor.

Conclusion

The “Vaquita” from “ePropulsion” is a promising new development in the field of electric mobility for rowing. However, this engine still has some obvious teething problems because the "Vaquita" is not a product that has been specially developed for rowing. It is a product with great potential on the market that still has to catch up. The drive unit currently still requires some manual dexterity and effort. In addition, a firm grip under the boat is not always guaranteed. The operation of the remote control during rowing is only possible if one hand is released. Our testers also complained about the lack of protection against scratches on the battery bottom and a longer range of the remote control. But you have the opportunity to enjoy a unique experience of sport, nature and self-determination without having to be afraid of going back. With the “Vaquita” it is possible for people with disabilities to make longer trips and still return safely with the help of the electric motor. When switched off, the propeller also turns without affecting the boat too much and offers an intuitively controllable extra power, which is also suitable for long journeys. The "little" "Vaquita" is certainly a sensible and valuable purchase for all rowing clubs, which are involved in rowing with a handicap.