Regularly, we discover a new actor who proposes a solution to offer access to the sea to the greatest number of practitioners. BlueWay comes on the market with what he calls a "scooter of the seas". Apart from the use of a handlebar, it is still quite far from the land scooter, even in its most advanced version.
This product is developed by the company Next Blue Tech which has already imagined a prototype of an electric water scooter with foils . For the moment in the prototype stage, this scooter project is on stand-by, the industrialist preferring to concentrate on his scooter.
Standing like a paddle
This gear uses the hull of a paddle on which the practitioner stands. A handlebar gives him balance and direction. This handlebar is connected to an electric motor submerged under the hull in the form of a pod. It is this same motor that pivots via the handlebars that provides the steering. To ensure the safety of swimmers and navigation in too little water, the propeller is shrouded in a tunnel.
Electric drive with a maximum speed of 7 km/h
The 350 W motor ensures a deliberately restricted speed of 7 km/h (about 3.5 knots). A battery provides 8 hours of autonomy to the machine. For more solidity, the hull is rotomoulded. It measures 2.50 x 1.05 wide. This large width ensures good stability. The machine weighs 34 kg plus 11.5 kg of battery. A trolley (windsurfing type) is provided to take it up to the beach.
Accessible to all
This vehicle, which is operated without a licence, is accessible to all without training. It will allow you to walk along the coast without effort. With a load capacity of 150 kg, you can even imagine sailing with your family (2 or 3 people with a child).
Made in France
Commercialization is launched at the end of 2019. The Aix-based company Next Blue Tech, which imagined and designed the product, also has a production tool on site in the south of Aix. For the moment, the target customers are tourism professionals, hotels or boat rental companies, who could offer this product to their customers.
The BlueWay is available at 5400 euros HT
