It wasn’t my initial plan to brave the frigid lake at CES 2025, but when I learned about Arc, a LA-based boat startup bringing its new electric sport boat to the event, I couldn’t resist.
The Arc Sport, even with its significant weight, was a delight to handle, comparable to a robust jet ski. This heavyweight feel imparted a comforting sense of stability, especially during a 30-minute ride on the rather rough lake.
Arc, founded by former SpaceX engineers and backed by Andreessen Horowitz and Lowercarbon Capital, emerged from stealth in 2021. By early 2023, the startup shipped its first $300,000 Arc One boats, raised an additional $70 million, and began creating the $258,000 Arc Sport. Arc Sport was delivered to its first customer by the last quarter of 2023, revealing a quick development pace.
Before throttling, the Arc Sport is already impressive. Its prototype at CES displayed phenomenal fit and finish. The Tesla-inspired touchscreen onboard showcased an intelligent, fluid software system. This electric sport boat assures a quieter ride than gas-powered rivals, an easier conversational ambiance, overriding only the sounds of wind and wake.
Arc Sport integrates quality-of-life enhancements such as over-the-air software updates, an element-resistant canopy, and the absence of winter requirements. These features make it appealing to water sport fans, despite the premium price.
Its 226 kWh battery pack aids in quick navigation despite its 23-foot frame. The thrilling turns were high-risk but exciting, especially when caught by a wave, drenching us with Lake Mead’s icy water.
As we docked, Lake Mead’s dwindling levels were glaringly obvious. Known as the “bathtub ring,” the receding water line impacts recreational boating – Arc’s potential customers. Current environmental challenges are alarming but haven’t deterred Arc’s ambitious goal to transition all watercrafts to electric, extending even to government and defense sectors.
Original source: Read the full article on TechCrunch
