The Thrill of Arc Sport’s Electric Boat
I certainly didn’t expect a chilly dip in Lake Mead’s waters during CES 2025, but the Arc Sport electric boat made it worthwhile.
LA-based startup Arc, launched by ex-SpaceX engineers with Andreessen Horowitz’s backing, debuted the weighty yet stable Arc Sport. Unlike most electric vehicles where weight feels like a burden, Arc Sport gives the joy of robustness and stability.
Speedy Success of Arc as a Startup
Arc has seen rapid success. Their first product, the $300,000 Arc One boat launched in 2023, and by the end of that same year, they were already preparing to market the $258,000 Arc Sport. The startup raised $30 million in Series A funding and an additional $70 million later, showing swift development praised by CEO Mitch Lee.
Learning from Arc One
The first step was manufacturing the Arc One, “let’s go make this boat on a small scale and learn from it,” said Lee. And the experiences have certainly been informative, from launching in 95-degree water to weathering hurricanes.
Behind the Wheel of the Arc Sport
The Arc Sport is impressive, equipped with a Tesla-style touchscreen and robust software, a helm displaying speed and battery level, and a forward-facing camera. The smart, fluid software makes it user-friendly and intuitive.
Arc Sport VS Traditional Boats
Compared to traditional gasoline boats, Arc Sport is quieter, easier to navigate, and requires no winterization. Additionally, it also presents a strong software system, and a robust canopy lowers for protection against external elements. Premium pricing for watery fun could prove worthy for water sports enthusiasts.
Despite Lake Mead’s declining water levels affecting recreational boating, Lee stands optimistic, envisioning a future where boats switch to electric power. Even Andreessen Horowitz sees potential beyond recreational use, hinting at governmental and defense applications. While it’s early days yet, the door to these possibilities is definitely open.
Fonte original: Leia a matéria completa no TechCrunch
