BlueBoat

The BlueBoat was born from a desire to make uncrewed surface vessels just as easy to get started with as ROVs and drones. Even with many options on the market, we saw a lot of room for improvement. We started from a clean sheet and designed the vehicle that we wanted to have ourselves, then worked tirelessly to perfect it and make it as affordable as possible. The result is the BlueBoat.

The BlueBoat is the planet’s most affordable surface vessel for hydrographic surveys, robotic systems development, and scientific missions. Its weedless hull and propeller design, rugged construction, and compact transport size make it reliable and convenient to use, while its flexible electronics architecture, ample payload mounting areas, and open-source BlueOS software system make it an ideal platform for integration of sonars and other sensors.

The BlueBoat exists for you to build on top of and is easily and endlessly expandable.

A Hydrographer's Pickup Truck

The BlueBoat is designed to carry any payload that you want to integrate and to do so better than any other vehicle its size. We fit all of the control electronics, batteries, and wiring into the hulls so that the space between the hulls is completely dedicated to payload integration. The hulls are designed with flat inner walls, creating a low-wake sensor area ideal for survey sonars.

The BlueBoat can carry up to 15 kg (33 lb) of batteries and payload. The cross members, brackets, and the bottom of the hull have mounting points so that you can mount anything, whether it’s a hydrographic survey echosounder, an enclosure full of prototype electronics, or both!

Electronics areas in both hulls leave plenty of dry space for internal hardware integration with access to dedicated payload power, interhull communications, and holes for electrical penetrators or connectors.

Combined with the open-source BlueOS software system, it’s not just integration friendly, it’s going to be your new bff 💕

Weedless... Like, Actually

From the beginning, our vision for the BlueBoat has been one of reliability and trustworthiness. We knew from our own experiences with the SolarSurfer that getting stuck on weeds or debris quickly turns your uncrewed vehicle into an inconvenient and expensive rescue situation. So we developed a unique design that eliminates that problem.

The BlueBoat’s unique deep hull shape pushes weeds and debris down and out of the way. Anything that isn’t pushed down is brushed away by highly swept weedless propellers driven by two M200 Motors. That means that whether you’re doing a bathymetric survey in a weed-filled lake or studying a plastic-polluted waterway, you can count on the BlueBoat to get it done.

Autonomy Is Not an Option, It Comes Standard

Every BlueBoat includes a Navigator Flight Controller, GPS, and ArduRover control firmware with advanced autonomous navigation capabilities. Out of the box it can perform precision GPS waypoint navigation, position hold at a location, follow-me maneuvers, geo-fencing, automatic return-to-home if radio signal is lost, and more. Drag and drop mission planning makes it easy to design a complex mission in minutes.

If you prefer to operate the vehicle manually or take pride in smoothly docking it at the end of a mission, you can use a joystick controller to show off your skills.

Ship to Shore aka BlueBoat to BaseStation

The BlueBoat has a long-range wifi radio that connects to the BaseStation box from up to 250 m away for telemetry and control using the standard antennas. The BaseStation acts as a wifi access point that you can connect to to interact with the boat. It has an internal battery as well as a USB-C port for charging and a hardwired network connection. If you need more range, it’s compatible with directional antennas that provide a more focused signal towards the BlueBoat.

If you’re operating multiple boats, they can all be connected through a single BaseStation box. In addition to the wifi radios, the BlueBoat will eventually be compatible with other types of communication for longer range, such as 4G LTE and Iridium satellite communications.

Sea and Be Seen

In a sea of yellow USVs we started wondering… is yellow really the most visible color on the water?!

Through our research, we found that fluorescent green actually offers the highest visibility, with orange not far behind. So, if you’re looking to be seen out at sea, give a green (or orange, or pink) BlueBoat a try!

Not concerned about visibility? Choose whichever color floats your boat—we’ve got options!

Missions for Days

Literally! The BlueBoat has best-in-class endurance capabilities with over 60 hours of continuous operating time when carrying the maximum supported number of batteries. Even with a single battery, it runs for upwards of 9 hours and can travel over 30 km.

Just Trunks, No Trailers

With a folding hull and frame design, the BlueBoat fits in the trunk of just about any car. Quick release handles allow you to switch between the folded and deployed configurations in seconds.

Float Your Boat Without Sinking Your Wallet

The BlueBoat has an affordable price tag compared to other uncrewed surface vessels on the market, but it’s built to rigorous quality standards and designed with years of experience building subsea hardware.

We put attention into every detail, from the labeling on the internal wiring connections to the satisfying *click!* of the latches as you close it up. It can be hard to tell by looking at pictures on the internet, but we can assure you that when you get the BlueBoat in your hands, it just feels right.

Ready to BlueBoat?

The BlueBoat comes almost fully assembled and only takes a few minutes to get into the water. In addition to the boat, you’ll need a few things to get started:

• Laptop – We recommend a medium to high-end model with Windows 10, Mac, or Linux operating systems. There are also some compatible tablets including the Windows Surface tablets. iOS and Android are not officially supported at this time.
• Battery – We recommend our 14.8v, 18Ah lithium-ion battery for the best battery life. There are other compatible batteries that can be used as well. We’d recommend getting a few for extended operation.
• Battery Charger – We have a recommended charger as well, but any lithium-ion battery charger that can handle your battery will work!
• Gamepad Controller (optional) – If you want to control the boat manually, we recommend a gamepad controller like the Xbox Wireless Controller.

What’s Included

The BlueBoat comes as a partially assembled kit with all electronics tested. Assembly can be completed in about 1–2 hours with hand tools. The following lists the included subassemblies and other components of the BlueBoat kit.

Hulls

• 2 x BlueBoat hull assembly (starboard and port)
• 2 x M200 Motor (BlueBoat variant) with mount

Frame

• 2 x Frame bracket and frame crossmember assembly

Fixed Frame Hardware

• 4 x M6x55 socket head cap screw
• 4 x M6 nylon insert lock nut
• 8 x M6 washer

Frame Mounting Hardware

• 4 x M6x14 flanged button head screws
• 8 x M6x20 flanged button head screws

Hatch Lid Assemblies

• 1 x Starboard hatch lid assembly with installed electronics
• 1 x Port hatch lid assembly with installed electronics

Antenna and Guard

• 1 x Antenna assembly
• 1 x Hatch Lid Antenna Guard
• 2 x M6x14 flanged button head screws

Propeller Set

• 2 x Weedless propeller (LH and RH)
• 4 x M3x8 Socket head cap screw

Crosstube

• 1 x Crosstube assembly
• 1 x Cross cable

Crosstube Hardware

• 2 x Crosstube C-nut
• 2 x -129 O-ring
• 1 x Hook and loop strap with buckle
• 1 x Molykote 111 silicone grease 6g

Flagpole

• 1 x BlueBoat Flagepole with flag
• 1 x Flagpole mount
• 1 x M5x5 cup-point set screw

Battery Cables

• 2 x 4S splitter cable
• 1 x Charge cable

Tools

• 2 x BB120 Wrench
• 1 x 2.5 mm hex driver
• 1 x 4 mm hex key
• 1 x 5 mm hex key

Fuse Spares

• 1 x 150A MIDI fuse
• 2 x 50A MIDI fuse
• 5 x 2A MINI blade fuse
• 5 x 5A MINI blade fuse
• 5 x 10A MINI blade fuse

Spare Hardware

• 2 x M6x20 flanged button head screws
• 2 x M6x14 flanged button head screws
• 2 x M4x10 flanged button head screws
• 2 x M3x8 socket head cap screw
• 2 x M5x5 cup-point set screw
• 1 x Frame clamp thumb nut

Other Components

• 1 x USB Ethernet adapter
• 12 x Frame bushing spares
• 1 x Microfiber towel
• 1 x Sticker set
• 8 x Velcro strip
• 2 x 70% Alcohol wipe
• 4 x Cable ties

What’s Not Included

There are some items necessary for operation that are not included with the kit.

• The BaseStation is not included in the BlueBoat kit but is required for operation. Make sure to add it to your cart if you don’t already have one!
• A laptop or a Windows 10 tablet that meets the recommended system requirements (see system requirements in the Technical Details). The topside control software, QGroundControl, works on Windows 10 and 11, macOS, and Linux.
• A gamepad controller (optional). We recommend the Xbox One Wireless Controller sold in our store or the Logitech F310 Gamepad (for a more affordable option).
• A 4S battery for the BlueBoat. Here are our recommendations:
• Blue Robotics Lithium-ion Battery (14.8V, 18Ah)
• Blue Robotics Lithium Polymer Battery (14.8V, 10Ah)
• Or follow these guidelines for sourcing alternative battery options.
• A battery charger, such as our Lithium Battery Charger.

• BlueBoat Assembly Guide
• BlueBoat Software Setup
• BlueBoat Operator’s Guide
• BlueBoat General Integration Guide
• Blue Robotics Lithium-ion Battery Guide
• BaseStation Directional Antenna Kit Guide
• Connecting Your Device with Navigator and BlueOS
• Ethernet Switch Installation Guide for the BlueBoat
• Using a BlueBoat with a Lowrance Sonar for Hydrographic Survey
• Ping Integration Kit for BlueBoat Installation Guide
• Collecting and Creating Bathymetric Maps with the BlueBoat and Ping
• Installing the BlueBoat Cellular Modem
• Installing the BlueBoat Antenna and Accessory Mast
• Integrating the Surveyor Multibeam Echosounder on the BlueBoat
• Integrating the Omniscan 450 SS on the BlueBoat
• Installing the DWE exploreHD on the BlueBoat
• BlueBoat 6S Battery Splitter Cable Installation