A view of Pure Watercraft’s electric outboard motor mounted on a boat. (Pure Watercraft Photo)

Pure Watercraft came on the boating scene in Seattle several years ago with a plan to revolutionize the way boats are powered by offering an electric motor alternative. Now, just a month before deliveries start on its signature Pure Outboard, the company is announcing that it has developed a much more powerful battery pack.

The new 118-pound battery pack, with Panasonic lithium-ion cells and a capacity of 8.85 kWh, is said to match the energy density of the best electric cars, with longer life between charges and the ability to travel greater distances at higher speeds.

GeekWire profiled the company and founder/CEO Andy Rebele in 2016, when he was billing his innovation as “Tesla for boats.” In a news release Thursday, he said the outboard motor and battery pack system were built by his team from the ground up.

A Pure Watercraft outboard is lifted off a boat. (Pure Watercraft Photo)

“Throughout the process, each component has been designed to maximize efficiency,” Rebele said. “The result is a system that provides more than double the power per pound of other electric outboards and even beats comparable gas powered engines.”

Anyone who has been on the water in any type of craft is certainly familiar with the noise and pollution common with most gas-powered motors. Pure says that its outboard emits “no exhaust or noxious fumes, spills no oil or gas into the water, and is whisper quiet.”

The system is designed to replace a traditional outboard up to 40 horsepower, and range will depend on type of use. Pure says a typical 16-foot aluminum fishing boat equipped with two battery packs could go 4-5 MPH for about 30 hours, or 25 MPH for about an hour.

The motor charges via standard 120V or 240V outlet and charge time is as fast as 90 minutes from half to full charge using 240.

With its environmental attractiveness and quiet function, the company says the outboard has caught the attention of anglers as well as coaches for elite rowing teams.

“We’re eagerly awaiting the Pure Watercraft system because it will transform how we coach our team,” said Michael Callahan, head coach of men’s rowing at the University of Washington, in Thursday’s release.

Pure Watercraft began accepting pre-orders with a deposit of $500 two years ago, and those early backers will be taking delivery starting in January. They’re still accepting pre-order deposits on the system, which starts at $14,500 for a Pure Outboard motor and one battery pack.

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