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When will we have an electric IRB or jetski?

Posted on February 13, 2022 by admin

The inflatable rescue boat (IRB) has been the workhorse of rescuing and string-line setting work for since the 70’s and not a lot has changed recently. The two-stroke engines commonly used by SLSCs on their IRBs are now banned from sale in Australia, due to their polluting performance. SLS has an exemption of some sort, which still allows clubs to have a motor compatible with life saving duties. 4 Stroke motors are typically too heavy to manually handle on and off the beach (the 2 strokes are heavy enough).

Avalon Beach SLSC was where the IRB was invented

Electrification of IRBs will make the motors simpler, and perhaps more resilient to the punishment they get from clubbies. The challenge will be around managing the battery pack. Typically fuel bladders are used in petrol powered IRBs which reduces the risk of injury that a normal dingy fuel tank would cause. The same issues apply to the battery packs – currently housed in a hard box. Some clever packaging will be required to make them surf-friendly, or perhaps better integration with the hull. The other issue is weight, a 3kw battery weighs around 20kg, a 5kW battery weighs 35kg. These batteries would take 1.5-2.5hrs to charge off a normal power point, so clubs would likely need to ‘have a spare’ on charge during IRB operations. Much like we have a spare tank of fuel in the shed. One manufacturer has told us that one battery would ‘last all day’ on water safety activities since such driving does not require continuous full thrust for hours (lots of stop/start).

Torqeedo Cruise 10

Current electric outboards on sale in Australia

  • E Class Outboards: This group in Kiama, NSW have surf life saving in their blood. Their lead engineer has previously designed surf boats. They have a variety of outboards available, all housed in familiar two-stroke shells but with electric motors. There is a 20kW motor which would be equivalent to 30hP 2-strokes. For the IRB tinkerers, they even have a DIY retrofit kit, which would suit most Yamaha, Mecury & Tohatsu IRB outboards. Let us know if you’ve had a crack at it!
  • Torqeedo: This company makes a suite of outboards, including the Torqeedo Cruise 10 which is equivalent to a 25HP 2-stroke. It weighs 61kg, comes in short shaft with tiller but the only problem is that it costs $20k! The fully waterproof IP67 rating will make rollovers less of a concern though.
  • Zerojet in New Zealand are making electric jet motors suitable for tenders with an equivalent 20HP system weighing 45kg. They are partnering with boat builders and have raised funds to commercialise and expand. Unclear if available in Australia in significant supply. One key benefit of this is being a jet system there is no prop. Would be interesting to see how it handles the surf on an IRB, presumably like a jet ski!
  • Mercury have announced that they are electrifying their line up. Currently they offer the Avator 7.5e which is only equivalent to a 3.5HP 4-stroke. Larger ones are in the works. Mercury has been a supplier of outboards to SLS in the past.

What about the prop guard? Well one company is building outboards with a ‘rim drive’, where the motor spins the blades around a fixed circular ‘rim’. This technology is already used in military and drone applications. Perhaps we won’t need much of a propguard if we have a rim-drive electric motor? A 15kw (25hP) model already exists…

Dutch firm launching new 15kW RIM drive electric outboard

As for the electric jetski? They are already available and EClass Outboards is retrofitting combustion jetskis.

Narke electric jet ski

So when will these electric beasts be on patrol? It all hinges on SLSA assessing the equipment and putting it on the SLSA approved gear and equipment list. If you’re keen to seen an electric IRB or jetski on patrol soon, give SLSA a prod: on facebook or email

Have you found another electric outboard or jetski which might be suitable for SLS use? Let us know on facebook. To keep up to date with all the new electric outboards coming online – plugboats is a good resource

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  • When will we have an electric IRB or jetski?
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  • Socials: Contact and collaborate with us

Sustain.Surf

1 week 1 day ago

E Class Outboards we like the look of your turbo jet electric outboard on the back of an old IRB. Let's get it made 'lifesaver

World first electric turbo jet outboard

6kW with greater speeds than 6kW regular electric. 12 knots with one up.

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Sustain.Surf

1 week 1 day ago

Great to see the The Climate Council ramping up pressure on Surf Life Saving Australia and Surf Life Saving WA to remove fossil fuel sponsorship

Call Time on Fossil Fuel Sponsorships | Climate Council

From flooded festivals, to concerts cancelled by bushfire threats and unsafe heat disrupting play at the tennis, footy and more, climate change is wreaking havoc on the activities and events we love. Meanwhile, polluting fossil fuel giants are using these events to buy community goodwill and distrac...

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Sustain.Surf

2 weeks 6 days ago

The Guardian has a great article on the issues with Fossil fuel sponsorship of #woodsidenippers. Let’s do the right thing by our kids and find

‘Walking billboard’ for Woodside: parents want end to fossil fuel company sponsorship of WA Nippers

New campaign supported by Greenpeace urges Surf Life Saving WA to scrap $5m naming rights deal

1
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Sustain.Surf

3 weeks 17 hours ago

2 years ago we started having the public discussion about Nippers being used as billboards for fossil fuel proliferation, after behind the scenes conversations were

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Sustain.Surf

3 weeks 17 hours ago

It’s going to be a hot summer on the beach. Check out some of the health risks for outside sports at sustain.surf/health-impacts-of-climate-change/

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Sustain.Surf

3 weeks 1 day ago

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Sustain.Surf

3 weeks 2 days ago

Ahead of the upcoming season it's time to see how your club is set up to deal with the risks and opportunities that climate change

Surf Club Sustainability & Adaptation Checklist - Sustain Surf

Why should clubs act? All surf clubs need to consider urgent action on climate change as it effects the health of members, changes surf conditions and puts club infrastructure at risk. Many club constitutions will demand this or will reflect SLSA’s constitutional objectives which include: Y) ensur...

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Sustain.Surf

1 month 2 weeks ago

How we deal with climate change will affect our beaches, infrastructure and communities.

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Sustain.Surf

1 month 3 weeks ago

Kick the habit. Fossil fuels need to be rapidly wound back for community safety & health. Using sport to promote companies who continue to expand

Pressure mounts on Dockers to give Woodside sponsorship the heave ho

High-profile West Australian organisations have left fossil fuel partnerships recently. Now fans are questioning whether Freo will kick its Woodside habit.

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Sustain.Surf

1 month 3 weeks ago

unsealed4x4.com.au/electric-converted-landcruiser-attempts-to-drive-under-darwin-harbour-7-kilometres-in-length-and-up-to-30-metres-deep/ If they can manage an EV underwater, 30m deep, then I reckon we shouldn't have too much trouble waterproofing an electric IRB ...

Electric converted LandCruiser attempts to drive under Darwin Harbour - 7 kilometres in length, and up to 30 metres deep!

Engineering an old Toyota LandCruiser to drive for seven kilometres under Darwin Harbour. At depths of up to 30 metres.

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