SeaBob: A Yellow Dolphin-like Device

I'm sure at least once in your life you've wondered what it feels like to ride Flipper, the crazy dolphin. This new recreational vehicle is probably exactly what you need if you're bored of the Jet-Ski your grandma' recently gave you (in your dreams).

The thing allows you to ride on the surface on the water, leap through the waves (like dolphins, yeah, isn't that cute?) as well as turn downward and head for the ocean floor, pick some oisters for dinner and head back to the shore.

SeaBob looks like a cross between a jet-ski and a bodyboard. Just put on your underwater swimming goggles or mask, grab the handles, tuck yourself in behind this artificial dolphin and push "ze" button. The accelerator button that is. Here's the gist of it. An electric impeller jet motor pulls you at speeds of up to 15-20 Km/h, depending on the model you're riding on.

Designed in Stuttgart (Germany), the SeaBob is powered by a patented electric motor, drawing on rechargeable Li-Ion accumulators and driving an impeller jet propulsion system. The standard model puts out 2.4 Kw (3,3 HP) and the Jet and Cayago models use the larger 3.6 Kw (5 HP). A full battery charge takes 6-12 hours when plugged into a wall socket. For the right price, you can get extra battery packs.

An LCD cockpit display shows you the engine power, the number of overtaken dolphins (that's clearly a lie), the remaining operating time, battery status, water temperature and a depth indicator.

There are a few problems though. You could always get hurt if you surface in the path of a jet-ski or - God forbid! - a big catamaran. Secondly, this little monster is pretty hard to handle. So, better talk to the dolphins in order to get the necessary tips and tricks for wave leaping.

The standard SeaBob RaveJet sells for, well, 7.675 Euros. Here's a nice video demonstration that will probably convince you to move to Bora-Bora.

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