Otter Bike AG, the Swiss startup on the mission to bring the benefits of electric-assisted cycling to the water with the Otter Explorer, is expanding into the U.S. Starting this month, Florida-based Nautical Ventures will serve as Otter’s exclusive reseller in Florida, stocking units, showcasing demo models, and featuring the Otter bike prominently at the AquaZone, the interactive water sports area at major U.S. boat shows including Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and Palm Beach. This milestone marks Otter’s first U.S. presence and an important step in its global growth strategy.

“We’ve proven the concept with customers, collected valuable feedback, and seen that the product delivers both on performance and on experience,” said Gian Zimmermann, founder of Meilen, Switzerland-based Otter. “After successfully piloting Otter in Switzerland and then launching more broadly in Europe this spring, expanding to the U.S. was the natural next step.”

According to the company, Florida emerged as the ideal entry point, with its year-round boating culture, extensive inland waterways, and strong appetite for new water sports innovations. Widely recognized as one of the most forward-thinking dealerships in the U.S., Nautical Ventures brings both expertise and reach.

“Partnering with Nautical Ventures gives us an immediate foothold in the U.S. with a trusted and professional team that knows how to introduce innovative products to the market,” added Zimmermann. “We also share a vision of making water recreation more sustainable and more accessible.”

For Nautical Ventures, the Explorer adds an exciting new dimension to its portfolio of innovative watercraft. By showcasing it in the AquaZone at the country’s largest boat shows, thousands of boaters and water sports enthusiasts will be able to experience the water bike firsthand.

The innovative watercraft combines the health and sustainability benefits of cycling with the comfort and freedom of boating. Riders can explore waterways in an active “but not exhausting” way, making it ideal for wellness-focused and environmentally conscious consumers.

“Think of it as a personal mini-yacht that’s easy to handle and emissions-free,” said Zimmermann. “It’s a new category of water recreation, and we believe it will resonate strongly in the U.S., especially in Florida, where lifestyle, wellness, and water are so deeply intertwined.”

After decades of little change in the design of recreational pedal boats, Otter said it set out to create something different: a quiet, smooth, and user-friendly water vehicle that brings people together on the water. Drawing inspiration from the popularity of e-bikes, the Explorer uses pedal power supported by an electric drivetrain, enabling users to cruise comfortably at speeds of 8-10 km/h (5-6 mph) with 400-W electric assistance and a 12-km/h (7.5-mph) maximum speed with 1000-W electric assistance (depending on country regulations).

“Simply copying the concept of an e-bike onto water doesn’t work,” said Zimmermann. “On water, people want to relax and enjoy the moment together. That’s why we focused on building something powerful, but also social and comfortable.”

When fully assembled, the Explorer is 565 cm (222 in) long, 224 cm (88 in) wide, and 130 cm (52 in) tall with a 43-cm (17-in) draft. It scales in at 120 kg (264 lb), composed of a 57-kg (126-lb) frame, 9-kg (20-lb) battery, two 20.5-kg (45-lb) hulls, and about 12 kg (26 lb) for the rest.

It features side-by-side seating, breathable mesh seats, and a rear hammock area designed for sunbathing or relaxing after a swim. With enough space for up to three adults or a small family, the new type of watercraft is suited to a range of users, from resorts and rental operators to private individuals seeking a new kind of leisure craft.

It is built around a Swiss-engineered, fully electric drive system with no mechanical chain, consisting of two motors that can fold up for shallow water and on land, with each rider having their own pedal generator to create power. Riders can customize their experience using adjustable gears, multiple assistance levels, and a steer-by-wire control system for precise handling.

The long-range mode allows for trips of up to 20 km (12.4 mi) from a charge of the nominal 48-V battery system with 33.6-A·h and 1613-W·h capacities. The company says this “exploration range” compares with 2-6 km (1.2-3.7 mi) for a kayak, 1-3 km (0.6-1.9 mi) for a stand-up paddle board, and less than 1 km (0.6 mi) for a pedalo.

Despite offering the stability of a full-size catamaran, the Explorer can be disassembled into a compact form smaller than a jet ski, making it easier to store and transport.

With its first production run nearly sold out, Otter is preparing its next series, incorporating improvements and insights from its early customers. The product team is also developing new designs to expand the lineup “in the near future.”