Chinese electric outboard manufacturer ExploMar is joining forces with Kimple Boats on a high performance electric bass boat, the E498, that will use the ExploMar WAVE 70+ electric outboard (70 horsepower / 50 kiloWatts) with a 60 kWh battery pack.

Listen to this article as a podcast

Founded in 2021, ExploMar first came to attention in the electric boat world at the 2022 METSTRADE show when it displayed its highest powered outboard, the WAVE 300+ (300 hp / 220 kW). The company now has three models, with the the WAVE 150+ (110 kW) sitting between the 300+ and the WAVE 70+.

Last year two of the 300+ units were paired with an 11 metre (36 ft) RIB (rigid inflatable boat) that proceeded to hit speeds of of 38 knots (44 mph / 70 kmh) with 6 people aboard. That is now available as the WAVE 600 Twin.

Read about the Italian RIB with twin ExploMar 300+ 

They also partnered with Tideman Boats of The Netherlands on a 9m / 30 ft workboat. Owner Bruno Tideman said “Their 125 kiloWatthour battery pack gives 20 hours at displacement speed and if we go on the plane we can use the boat for at least an hour. For this kind of workboat application that’s pretty good, running one hour at full throttle.”

Schematic of ExploMar WAVE 70+ system used in electric bass boat

ExploMar’s newest partner is Kimple, the Taiwanese maker of aluminum bass, jon and general fishing boats. Kimples are available in over 50 countries and are widely recognized for the quality of build and the combination of strength, durability and light weight that aluminum provides. The E498 is the first electric option in their lineup of over 50 models.

Electric bass boat draws attention from pro anglers

Kimple introduced the 4.98 meter / 16 foot 4 inch boat at the 2025 Shanghai International Boat Show in March, where the well known brand immediately drew attention from fishing pros and recreational anglers alike for the electric outboard / bass boat combination.

The company says the 60 kWh battery pack is roughly equivalent to a 40L / 10 gal tank of gas, giving a range of 100 km / 60 miles at cruising speed. Bass boats also need to get to the fishing spots quickly, and the E498 has a tested top speed of 70 kmh (45 mph). Testing under real world mixed-speed conditions give a runtime of 5 to 8 hours and it can be charged in an hour using the fast charge option.

Kimple’s extensive sales network will make electric bass boating available in Europe, North and South America, Africa and Oceania. A full list of countries is at the bottom of this page. Manufacturers Suggested Retail Price is €49,900.

Electric bass boat from Kimple and ExploMar on display at the Shanghai Boat Sow

Expanding their vision for the future of of high performance electric fishing requires enthusiastic cooperation throughout the industry, so the companies have co-founded the High-Performance Electric Bass Chamber in China. The initiative will bring together partners across the entire supply chain to develop and scale electric fishing scenarios. It will also spearhead ongoing innovation, scenario development, and global outreach.

“As more fishing waters around the world prioritize sustainability, electrification has become an industry-wide consensus” said ExploMar Founder & CEO Alex Dong. “We aim to empower more anglers with the thrilling performance of high-powered electric bass boats.”

Kimple CEO Fan Tingxiang added that his company “will continue working with ExploMar to explore and apply a wider range of electric outboard systems across different fishing boat models—creating benchmark products for diverse waters and fishing needs, and leading the industry into a greener tomorrow.”
Kimple E498 with ExploMar WAVE 70+ Length LOA 4.98 m / 16′ 4″  Beam 1.85m /  6 ft Motor 50 kW / 70 hp Battery 60 kWh Top Speed 70 kmh / 45 mph Cruising Range 100 km  / 60 mi Charge Time 1 hr with fast charge option MSRP €49.990

Explomar  Kimple

Countries where E498 will be available:
Northern Europe: Sweden, Norway, Finland, Denmark, Iceland
Central Europe: Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Poland, Hungary
Southern Europe: Spain, Italy, Portugal, Greece, Malta
Eastern Europe: Slovenia, Czechia, Lithuania, Latvia, Romania, Bulgaria, Estonia
Western Europe: France, Monaco, Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg
Asia, Middle East: Turkiye, Kuwait, Malaysia, Thailand, Japan, Taiwan, South Korea, Philipines, Singapore, Vietnam, 
Africa: Kenya, South Africa,Congo, Zimbabwe
Americas: Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Colombia, Argentina
Oceania: Australia, New Zealand

The post Electric bass boat from Kimple and ExploMar has 45mph (70 kph) top speed appeared first on Plugboats.