ZeroJet inboard unit? Not much as it turned out. In other words, if you are used to driving a small helm-station RIB with a conventional outboard, it doesn’t take much to learn how to operate a similar ZeroJet equipped craft. Idling out to open water, one is amazed at the quietness of this vessel and, with time to look around the boat before opening her up once past the breakwater, several features impressed. Perhaps the most immediate is the FCT Console (a one-piece combination seating/steering console that secures to the aluminium deck), a Highfield concept with only a few changes made to suit the ZeroJet propulsion unit. This uniquely designed console allows for all controls and instrumentation to be housed in a module that seems to float independently from the rest of theboat. It is futuristic, unintrusive and ergonomically situated for intuitive use of the throttle and steering wheel, while also housing the simple to reach and use instrumentation, consisting of only two panels. One being the variable mode LCD electronic display. The Drive Mode shows the motor power in use, speed in knots (from a GPS) and the percentage charge of the battery. When the charger is plugged in, the Charging Mode is displayed, showing the estimated charging time. The other panel consisting of four simple buttons to control the bilge pump, navigation lights, deck lights and courtesy/mooring light. Seemingly Spartan but offering everything that is required. However, if you wanted to retrofit a GPS/Fishfinder unit for example, this could easily be integrated into the FCT unit, as there is ample space on the top of the console and volume aplenty inside the rounded oblong ‘box’.
E Jet 330 being driven onto trailer makes retrieval easy.
Clean and uncluttered internal layout.
ELECTRIC JET RIB FOR ZERO COMPROMISE BOATING The new EJET 330 electric jet combines Highfield’s performance and strength as the world’s leading manufacturer of aluminium RIBs, with ZeroJet’s e�cient and powerful electric system.
• No exposed propeller means safer use in the water. • The low-profile makes beaching easy and allows the boat to skim over shallow ecosystems. • The compact size makes it easier to stow and store in smaller spaces. • The ZeroJet 15 kW electric motor and jet pump is integrated into the hull, giving more space on the boat compared to outboard engines.
POWERBOATMAGAZINE.CO.NZ 137
