First of all, electric thrusters are not designed to replace the speed advantage of gasoline engines. Instead, they offer a quieter, easier-to-use, and lower-maintenance alternative for water propulsion. For use cases such as lakes, rivers, harbors, leisure boating, fishing, and sailboat docking or maneuvering, electric propulsion delivers a more relaxed and enjoyable on-water experience.
Thrust Traps and the Range Myth
When talking about electric thruster, thrust is often considered a key technical specification. However, electric motors and gasoline engines work on fundamentally different principles, so their thrust figures cannot be directly compared.
Gasoline systems rely on high RPM and emphasize speed output, while electric thruster systems use low RPM and high-torque designs, focusing on continuous thrust and efficiency. At present, electric thrusters are not designed for high-speed cruising, but for stable and efficient forward movement. They are typically used to propel inflatables, kayaks, and paddleboards at around 7–8 km/h.
Some electric thruster brand on the market use exaggerated or “virtual” specifications, deriving so-called thrust figures through mathematical tricks that do not reflect real-world performance. IFUNGOO takes the opposite approach, deliberately avoiding inflated numbers to ensure that all specifications are realistic and reliable—an important factor for both performance and user safety.
Many users also focus too much on “full-speed runtime” when choosing an electric motor. In real-world use, this figure does not accurately represent the actual experience. In practice, users often determine the boat’s maximum speed first, then reduce the gear while maintaining the same cruising speed. Thanks to the high torque of electric thruster, stable speed can still be maintained at mid-to-low power levels.
At power levels below 60%, electric thruster can significantly extend runtime. Compared with full-speed operation, cruising mode can often increase endurance to one hour or more. IFUNGOO electric thrusters feature four gear levels, and we generally recommend operating at level 3 to achieve the best overall balance of performance and efficiency.
Battery Lifespan: More Than Enough for Long-Term Use and Safety
The cycle life of lithium batteries is often overestimated as a limiting factor. In reality, mainstream lithium batteries are typically rated for 2,000–3,000 charge cycles, which would require many years of frequent, deep charge and discharge to reach their limits—more than sufficient for normal user needs.
IFUNGOO’s newly launched B75 battery, with a capacity of 1920 Wh, offers high performance and large capacity, fully meeting user demands while providing long service life and eliminating range anxiety.
In actual use, batteries are more likely to be replaced due to external damage, connector issues, or individual cell faults rather than reaching their cycle-life limit. Proper care and maintenance are therefore essential.
Battery safety on the water is another major concern and a critical factor when choosing an electric propulsion system. Waterproofing and safety protection are both indispensable. IFUNGOO’s B1 battery features Fall-I protection, floating function, and an IP68 waterproof rating, providing comprehensive safety for users.
Modular Design and Low Maintenance Costs
Electric thrusters have a simple structure. Compared with gasoline outboards, they do not require engine oil, gear oil, or complex regular maintenance procedures. Daily maintenance mainly involves keeping the propeller clean, preventing fishing lines or debris from entangling, checking electrical connections, and rinsing with fresh water after use in saltwater environments.
With proper use and maintenance, electric propulsion systems can operate reliably for long periods, with maintenance costs significantly lower than those of traditional gasoline outboards. IFUNGOO electric propulsion systems adopt a modular, lightweight, and detachable design, making parts replacement straightforward and greatly reducing maintenance time, effort, and cost.
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