Photo: James Rojas (WBZ)
SHREWSBURY, Mass. (WBZ NewsRadio) — Lake Quinsigamond was the testing ground for a new environmentally friendly jet ski Tuesday.
Worcester-based motor vehicle company eSki Watercraft launched and demonstrated its 230 hp electric jet ski prototype on the lake's waters, reaching speeds of up to 65 mph.
"It’s a fully electric jet ski, and we’re hoping to try to raise some money right now and finish some more prototypes," eSki CEO Jack Duffy-Protentis told WBZ NewsRadio.
As a child, Duffy-Protentis was diagnosed with Stargardt's disease, a rare genetic eye disease that affects the retinas, but he did not let his reduced vision hurt his interest in mechanical engineering.
"I can’t drive a car, so I sort of found refuse in these recreational vehicles," Duffy-Protentis said. "I decided to electrify those recreational vehicles that are getting me into nature and giving me this appreciation of nature, but also are damaging nature."
"I always say I can do anything anybody else can, I just have to find my own path," the Worcester Polytechnic Institute graduate continued. "And I think that sort of mindset has translated into this, and looking at this problem of pollution, and I’m going to do my own thing, my way, of doing electric jet skis to help reduce emissions and maybe just make my own path."
eSki are shooting to start production on 250 electric jet ski units late next year.
WBZ's James Rojas (@JamesRojasNews) reports.
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