This Premium Underwater Scooter Can Hit Speeds of Up to 13 MPH
SeaNXT wants to raise the bars for underwater scooters.
The French company has just launched the Elite, a pricey new model that is basically the supercar of underwater scooters. The powerful aquatic vehicle provides a welcome alternative for water sports lovers who aren’t interested in owning a Seabob like everyone else.
Yes, it’ll spend much of its time underwater, but that didn’t stop SeaNXT from making sure that the Elite is a seriously stylish water toy. The vehicle has a sleek, aerodynamic design that not only looks good, but allows it to cut through the water with ease. It, like so many of today’s supercars, also sports an exposed carbon-fiber finish, available in five shades (black, blue, green, red, and yellow). The front of the vehicle is also equipped with an LED light strip to make sure you’re seen underwater.
Just as notable as the Elite’s pleasing look, is its size. SeaNXT’s watercraft is big. It measures 38.6 inches long, 19.7 inches wide, and 11 inches tall. It may not be as big as a JetSki, but its larger than several other underwater scooters, like the Sublue Vapor Pump-Jet and Yamaha Seascooter. It’s also heavy, too. The company says its vehicle tips the scales at just over 50 pounds. Don’t worry, the Elite is still positively buoyant, which means it’ll float to the surface if you lose hold of it down below.
And you’ll want to spent plenty of time below the surface with the Elite. The watercraft is powered by a pair of 2-kW electric motors that combine to produce 157 ft lbs of thrust. Thanks to that the scooter can hit speeds of up to 13 mph underwater, making it quicker than Seabob’s fastest model, the F9, which tops out at 12.4 mph. The motors are connected to a 48-volt lithium-ion battery which can go between 40 and 80 minutes between charges. The Elite is also equipped with an onboard GPS system to guide in navigation and can also dive to a depth of 40 meters, or 131 feet.
The SeaNXT Elite is available in five exposed carbon-fiber colors
SeaNXT/Facebook
Intrigued? Well, be prepared to spend. The Elite carries a supercar-like starting price of €10,825, or $12,653. That makes it about $3,000 more than the Seabob F9. SeaNXT does at least throw in an aluminum transport case to help make up for the premium.
