Diver’s Buying Guide: Underwater Scooter

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Scuba divers, spear fishers, and other professionals who work underwater have always relied on the power of their kick to get them from one point to another while swimming. With the advancement of technology in all areas of life also comes the advancement of technology in marine sports and scuba gear. Either you know from personal experience or you are a novice looking to get into an underwater hobby or profession, but swimming can cause severe fatigue—especially when there is no backup motor. Enter the underwater scooter.

This is a revolutionary propeller driven machine which swiftly guides swimmers against strong currents in long periods of swimming or diving. There are many brands of underwater scooters, as they have proven to be extremely useful for full-time scuba divers, tourism expeditions, marine biologists, and as an extra safety measure in aquatic search and rescue.

We will discuss in this article various sea scooters and what to look for in a quality model. Since these scooters are a tool that can save your life and the life of others, it is important to educate yourself about diver propulsion vehicles before you buy one for yourself, or even several for your business. Let’s begin by learning more about underwater scooters and how you can find the best model to fit your needs.

What Is an Underwater Scooter?

Whether you’re a professional diver or novice swimmer looking to chart new waters, an underwater scooter will help you get there safely and quickly with much less effort than just kicking with a pair of fins. Underwater scooters are designed as tow vehicles to help swimmers and divers reach their destination with less exertion.

These scooters come equipped with a motor and a propeller in the most basic of models. Underwater scooters have design consistencies throughout models, such as watertight housing for the mechanics and electrical components, comfortable handles, and variable speed settings. Underwater scooters are intended to be used for fun or practical applications, giving swimmers and divers more freedom, especially in deep waters or while reserving oxygen.

Design Elements

Depending on the brand and model of scooter you choose, there are unique and thoughtful design elements which cater to a wide variety of users. It is important to note that specific models are used for deep excursions and others are equipped with buoyancy to keep the swimmer afloat on the surface.

Battery and overall output power will greatly determine the application of each model since some models of underwater scooters are built to tow several swimmers at once or just a solo diver; the motor size, range, maximum depth, capacity, and ergonomics are all factors of price.

Underwater scooters are also known as diver propulsion vehicles (DPV) and it is necessary to consider the max speed and overall weight when looking to purchase one. Each scooter operates at different speed capacities, so it is good to note how fast you are looking to travel and what your average travel distance would be while using a DPV.

To go deep with one of these propeller scooters, think about the depth limit of the unit and choose one that will travel at faster speeds. Faster travel speeds means a larger and more powerful motor, so you can expect there to be a direct correlation between speed and weight in most models. The most high-end underwater scooters are going to be the models that deliver high speeds from a lightweight unit.

Types of Underwater Scooters

These scooters come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and rider capacities. You can also purchase scooters that come more like an “underwater jetpack” than a propeller that tows people. The design of the most popular sea scooters resembles a torpedo that comes with two handles for easy gripping. As you search, you may come across designs which have more than one propeller and give the swimmer or diver different ergonomics and support.

Heavier scooters will add to the composite weight of the gear you are carrying, which is a vital consideration for professional divers and those who spend hours in the water. The bottom line is that gear weight will affect your ability to travel lightly but also your buoyancy.

Benefits of Underwater Scooters

As a diver, swimmer, snorkeler or deep sea enthusiast, an underwater scooter will ease the intensity of your time in the water by giving you a break in the legs and lowering your oxygen consumption.

These scooters are innovative machines that will take you through underwater journeys with confidence, grace, and power. The battery-powered propeller is a genius invention that has so many useful applications for both beginners and experts alike. Constructed with pressure-resistant materials, DPVs can achieve impressive depths so you can enjoy the scenery and save on oxygen to help extend your time underwater.

Safety

The overall design of DPVs focuses on promoting safety so the user can feel confident in the water without fear of gear malfunction or a sharp propeller. The propeller is encased in sturdy material that is durable for travel and many sessions. The hand grips are well-placed and designed for ergonomics to increase the comfort while helping you glide through the water.

Another awesome safety feature of DPVs is that they will not propel away from you if you are to lose grip or let go—they use the body weight of the swimmer to create resistance to propel against. Sea scooters are excellent resources for crews who focus on ocean safety, lifeguards, search and rescue, and underwater training. A DPV will also perform in strong currents helping you stay on course.

More Time in the Water

Another awesome benefit of sea scooters is their ability to increase the amount of time you can spend in the water having fun or working. This is especially crucial for deep-sea divers, snorkel guides, and spear fishers who often times find themselves far away from shore or with limited oxygen supplies. As a swimmer using a DPV, you have more freedom and energy to spend enjoying your time in the water rather than worrying about fatigue. You can cover larger coral reefs and explore more exotic sea creatures with less effort.

Sports and Tourism

Some more benefits of sea scooters are their diverse application and wide-range of potential uses. These scooters are great for ocean swimming, triathlon training, long sessions of snorkeling, dolphin excursions, and even underwater photography. Whether you’re a professional sea photographer or looking to dive further into the potential of underwater photography, a sea scooter could prove to be a lifesaving tool in your arsenal. Sea sports are more fun when you can explore larger areas with safety and less energy.

The sea scooter will take you for a nice ride through the water helping to balance your buoyancy but also helping you dive deeper with less oxygen consumption. An underwater scooter can also help you navigate tight areas where kicking or swimming may be near impossible, such as caves or through coral reefs. You’ll be set for long days of diving with the help of an underwater scooter.

Tips for Buying an Underwater Scooter

Next let’s look at some suggestions we have for making your search for the right sea scooter easy and successful. Elements such as overall build, speed, and your intended use will help guide you in the right direction.

Scooter Construction

When searching for a sea scooter, the first factors should be premium quality and positive user reviews that mention reliability and durability. As you look through the specifications of each model, you should note the types of materials that the scooter is made from ensuring that the device will perform for your intended use. A high-quality sea scooter will not be made of corrosive metals or cheap plastics.

Battery

When searching for your perfect sea scooter, remember to consider how fast you would like to travel and how long you would like to use the device for per charge. The battery type and output will ultimately determine the quality of your experience.

You can find sea scooters with Lithium-ion batteries, which tend to perform well and for longer periods of time. Think about how long you would like to be able to be out at sea, a higher price will probably signify longer run times, which equals more enjoyment and practical application. Another important factor pertaining to the battery is whether you plan to fly and travel with the unit or not; only certain batteries will be allowed on airplanes.

Scuba Diving Depth

If you are planning to use the underwater scooter for scuba diving, check to make sure that the scooter will reach the limits you’re trying to achieve. Typically, the depth rating of the unit will indicate the quality of materials and overall reliability of the unit. If you are looking to use one of these scooters for scuba diving, you will need the most reliable and deep-reaching scooter available.

Conclusion

These powerful units make diving easy and help scuba divers preserve oxygen, helping them increase their sessions and time in the water. It is important to consider the overall build quality, propulsion speed, and intended use when shopping for an underwater scooter. Underwater scooters have a variety of useful applications, and with this guide we are confident you will find the correct model for your needs.