Molabo has introduced the ARIES Jet Drive, a compact, low-maintenance electric propulsion system developed in partnership with Kaiser Bootsmanufaktur. The system combines Molabo’s safe-to-touch 48-volt ARIES electric motor with the Kaiser LRHV jet drive, delivering 50 kW of continuous power at just 48 volts, a power level typically associated with high-voltage systems.
Most fully electric jet drives operating at low voltage are limited to below 30 kW. By delivering 50 kW while remaining entirely within a safe-to-touch 48 V architecture, the ARIES Jet Drive removes one of the biggest trade-offs in electric propulsion: choosing between simplicity and performance.
Designed for tenders, RIBs, light motorboats, and professional craft, the system offers quiet, efficient electric jet propulsion without the installation complexity, certification requirements, or operational risks of high-voltage systems.
At the heart of the system is the Kaiser LRHV jet drive, engineered according to the mix-flow principle. Unlike conventional axial-flow jet drives, its specially shaped impeller delivers a high water volume at very low rpm. The optimized pairing with the ARIES drive results in very quiet and vibration-free operation, minimal turbulence and cavitation, and precise low-speed maneuverability.
“Electric motors have very different characteristics than combustion engines, especially at low RPM,” said Jurgen Kaiser at Kaiser Bootsmanufaktur. “The LRHV jet was designed to deliver smooth, efficient thrust at low rotational speeds, which makes it particularly well suited to high-torque electric drives like Molabo’s 48-volt ARIES system.”
The jet unit weighs just 8 kg, while the complete motor-jet assembly remains compact and space-efficient. With only one rotating part and no additional cooling pump required, the system offers safety, extremely low maintenance requirements, and long-term reliability. The modular system architecture allows for flexible battery configurations, supporting a wide range of vessel sizes and duty cycles.
The combination of high power, low voltage, and minimal mechanical complexity makes the ARIES Jet Drive suitable for a broad range of applications, including:
electric tenders and yacht support craft
performance RIBs and light runabouts
shallow-water boats and safety-zone operations
noise or emission-sensitive waterways
workboats and service vessels
harbor and marina operations
patrol, safety, and inspection craft
passenger or utility boats requiring high reliability and low downtime
For commercial operators in particular, the absence of high-voltage components simplifies training, service, and compliance, while reducing total cost of ownership.
“The ARIES Jet Drive shows that electric propulsion can be powerful, safe, and practical at the same time,” said Adrian Patzak, COO of Molabo. “By combining our 48-volt drive with Kaiser’s efficient jet technology, we’re enabling electric jet propulsion for both recreational and commercial vessels without crossing into high-voltage territory.”