The LIVVOLT Kart Boat Promises 25 MPH of Electric Fun on Water

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The LIVVOLT Kart Boat puts go-kart-style controls on a compact electric watercraft. Its low seat, steering wheel, and 12kW jet drive make it an unusual alternative to a conventional personal watercraft, while its claimed 25 mph top speed and 35-to-60-minute runtime still need independent testing.

Price: From $6,199
Where to Buy: Kickstarter

Currently offered through Kickstarter and directly by LIVVOLTPOWER, the Kart Boat is a single-seat craft with a removable 5.8kWh battery. Kickstarter launch pricing starts at $6,199, while LIVVOLT currently lists its first five direct-order units at $6,299. Availability and pricing can change, and buyers still need to consider the weight, the cost, and the practicalities of getting it to the water.

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A go-kart-style cockpit

Instead of the saddle and handlebars found on many personal watercraft, the Kart Boat places the rider low inside the hull. It uses a racing-style steering wheel and hydraulic steering, with D1, D2, and D3 drive modes alongside park and reverse.

LIVVOLT describes the experience as driving a go-kart on water. That comparison will need independent testing to judge, but the layout is physically different from straddling a conventional personal watercraft and steering with handlebars.

This is strictly a single-person setup. LIVVOLT specifies a maximum load of 220 pounds and says the Kart Boat is not designed to carry a passenger.

Electric jet propulsion

LIVVOLT specifies a 12kW electric jet drive and a claimed top speed of 40 km/h, or approximately 25 mph. The jet pump means there is no exposed external propeller behind the craft.

That does not make the system immune to trouble in shallow or debris-filled water. LIVVOLT warns that weeds, rope, floating debris, and shallow obstructions can affect the jet system and recommends avoiding those hazards. Its technical guidance is worth following rather than assuming a jet drive can go anywhere.

A removable 5.8kWh battery

The Kart Boat uses a removable 5.8kWh lithium battery that weighs approximately 62 pounds. LIVVOLT estimates 35 to 60 minutes of operation per charge and a recharge time of about four to five hours.

The wide runtime range is a useful reminder that these are estimates, not guaranteed ride times. Speed, rider weight, water conditions, temperature, and driving style may affect how long a charge lasts.

The battery is designed to let an owner swap a depleted pack rather than wait for it to recharge. An extra battery could extend a day on the water, but LIVVOLT currently lists each additional 5.8kWh pack at $2,099 for direct orders, subject to availability. Each spare also adds another 62 pounds to transport and store. This is not the equivalent of slipping an extra power-tool battery into a bag.

Compact, but not carry-anywhere

The Kart Boat measures approximately 7.2 feet long, 3.2 feet wide, and 2.5 feet tall. LIVVOLT lists the hull at about 123 pounds without its battery and approximately 185 pounds with the battery installed.

Four integrated handles can help with positioning the craft, but LIVVOLT recommends suitable transport equipment and more than one person when moving or launching it. Removing the battery makes the hull lighter; it does not make a 123-pound boat easy to carry alone.

Before backing one, it is worth working out where it would be stored, how it would reach the water, and whether there is a suitable place to launch it. Those questions matter more than its compact appearance in promotional images.

Kickstarter price and buying considerations

LIVVOLT currently advertises a $6,199 Kickstarter Super Early Bird pledge and a $6,299 introductory direct-order price for the first five units, compared with a stated $6,999 retail price. These limited launch prices and their availability can change.

LIVVOLT lists a package that includes the hull, 12kW jet drive, 5.8kWh propulsion battery, charging equipment, steering wheel, center console, Bluetooth speaker, magnetic safety keys, and tools. Some reward tiers include bonus accessories, while additional batteries are offered separately. Prospective backers should check the live campaign for the exact contents and availability of a tier before pledging.

A Kickstarter pledge is also different from buying an established product from retail inventory. Production schedules, certification, component availability, quality control, and shipping can change before backers receive finished hardware.

Owners will need to check the rules where they plan to ride. Electric propulsion does not automatically exempt a craft from boating regulations; registration, operator requirements, safety equipment, speed limits, and permitted waterways can vary by jurisdiction.

Who is it for?

The Kart Boat makes the most sense for someone with convenient access to suitable water, a realistic plan for transporting and storing a 185-pound craft, and a specific interest in a single-seat recreational machine.

Its appeal is clear: a low cockpit, steering wheel, removable battery, and electric jet package recreational boating in a smaller, more playful craft. The limitations are just as concrete. It carries one rider up to 220 pounds, LIVVOLT estimates 35 to 60 minutes of operation per battery, and even the advertised entry pledge exceeds $6,000.

Price: From $6,199
Where to Buy: Kickstarter

The biggest unknown is how the finished product performs away from company demonstrations. LIVVOLT has published detailed specifications, but its claims about speed, handling, durability, and everyday ownership still need independent verification. Buyers comfortable backing early-stage hardware may find the idea compelling; others may prefer to see production units on real lakes before deciding whether this go-kart for water delivers on its promise.

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