Image: All electric wakeboarding. Image from Arc.
Wake sport boats are increasingly popular. They are designed to create a “surfable” wake when up on plane. There is a lot more “action” for a boarder or skier to work with to more easily get airborne for stunts. Fans of wakeboarding or acrobatic waterskiing have long been willing to endure some characteristic inconveniences associated with traditional wake sport boats.
Wake sport boats typically require very large engines, usually fueled by gasoline. Fuel consumption at speed is often more than 1 gallon per minute. With prices at the fuel dock such as they are, that cost can run up to the hundreds of dollars per hour very quickly. Running an engine at close-to-full throttle also creates a very noisy environment for observers and other passengers riding in the tow boat.
Other less-than-desirable aspects of most traditional wake sport boats include the creation of an exhaust cloud everywhere the boat goes—a toxic cloud the person on the tow rope is constantly inhaling. Even if used only sporadically during the warm weather months, boats with internal combustion engines will need winterizing, along with tune-ups and oil changes and an entire regimen of costly mechanical services each year.
The innovative team at Arc Boats tossed aside the old conventions and re-invented wake sport boating as an electric activity. Suddenly, there are no more visits to the fuel dock. No more absurdly loud, “can’t talk over the engine noise” ride-alongs. No more boarding or skiing in a cloud of exhaust gas.
Arc Boats proclaim that they “question everything” and innovate with a requirement to improve the wake sport boating experience.
With an overall length of 23’, the Arc Sport fully electric wake boat is designed to handle nimbly. Ballasted weight, assisted by the large battery system, is 9,215 pounds total. An Arc Sport wake boat rides at an optimum angle under way to create a memorable wake riding experience. Made in the U.S., Arc Sport boats will seat as many as 15 people, and there is built-in storage for 10 wakeboards.
Electric propulsion has both advantages and disadvantages. Electric motors have monster torque ratings and accelerate very quickly. They operate at a small fraction of the cost associated with an internal combustion engine. They are quieter and do not pollute the air. At the same time, “range” of electric propulsion is limited to the capacity of the battery, so long-range cruising under battery power alone remains impractical.
A 100% electric wake boat, being used for its intended purpose, is not hampered by a lack of long-range cruising capability. Arc Sport claims the boat has sufficient battery capacity to provide four to six hours of wake sport fun before requiring a recharge. Plugged into a standard EV charger overnight, the Arc Sport boat should be ready again the next day.
Specifications and dimensions
- LOA: 23’
- Beam: 102”
- Draft: 36”
- Dry weight: 7540 lbs.
- Ballasted weight: 9215 lbs.
- Torque: 1,932 lb.-ft.
- Horsepower: 500 hp
- Top speed: 40 mph
Some specs and features are exclusive to boats with optional nav and wake packages.
