What could be better than an inflatable stand up paddleboard you ask? Why, a self-inflating stand up paddlebaord complete with electric motor of course. The SipaBoard is taking SUP to the next level and helping propel you further on your water based adventures this summer.
At the heart of every SipaBoard is a jet propulsion engine–the SipaDrive. Hidden inside a plastic housing built directly into the board, the battery powered engine not only inflates the board, but helps propel you forward along the water.
The motor is emission-free and barely audible. It has 5 settings, providing up to 3.5 knots of assistance for 1 hour for an average-sized male paddler, or 3 hours at cruising speed of 2 knots.
As the engine is built into the board, it virtually eliminates drag when the motor is off and you want to paddle yourself, prevents fish, rocks, or twigs–and most importantly your fingers–from getting caught in the propeller, and makes your SipaBoard safer and easier to handle on dry land.
The motor is wirelessly controlled by a panel built into the handle of the paddle–2 buttons control all the functions, for increasing and decreasing speed, as well as for fast shut-off. The motor also automatically shuts off if the paddle falls in the water, or if the paddle and motor are separated by more than a few meters.
While inflatable SUPs are great for transport and storage, inflating them is a bit of a physical chore. Here, the SipaDrive does the hard work for you, pumping up your board in just a matter of minutes. When deflated, the SipaBoard fits into a backpack or the trunk of your car.
Similar to the current e-bike debate, if an SUP board has an electric motor, should it be classified differently? Many bodies of water are protected against fuel-powered vessels, but SipaBoard claims you can take the e-SUP anywhere you can take a kayak.
In an already fully funded Kickstarter campaign, you can get your own self-inflating, self-propelled SipaBoard for a $1290 early-bird special.
