An Operator that is evaluating the addition of Electric Bumper Boats, or, changing from gas powered to electric, is best served by being advised and informed. Securing accurate information pertaining to design, specifications and cost is important and factual information is necessary for a meaningful decision process.

Foster knows Bumper Boats.... and wants you to be informed.

	Typical Questions Often Asked by Prospective Operators And Their Answers

Q.How much do Electric Bumper Boats cost? (This is usually the first question asked.)
A.It is best to outline all that is necessary, including items that are not included in a base cost. To answer this question fully we are listing, defining and pricing the requirements.

Foster's Electric Boat ........................................................................	J & J's Electric Boat ....................................................................................
Boat, Motor and Tube $2,395.00/ea.	Boat, Motor and Tube$2,999.00/ea.
(3) 12v, 130 A.H. Batteries $99.00/ea.	(4) 6v, 220 A.H. Batteries $65.00/ea.
(1) 36v, Automatic Charger $385.00/ea.	(1) 24v Battery Charger $225.00/ea
Optional Squirt Gun $135.00/ea.	Optional Squirt Gun $150.00/ea.
Total Price Per Boat/Ready for Operation $3,212.00	Total Price Per Boat/Ready for Operation $3,634.00
Note: Foster's Price is ready for shipping.	Note: According to J&J's Order Form, there is an additional 2% charge for Packaging and Handling. That would reflect an additional charge of over $72.00 per setup. If you buy ten packages it would cost an additional $720.00.

Q.Are Electric Bumper Boats as Fast as the Gas Powered Boats'
A.The simple answer is No. For that reason most electric boats are sold with squirt guns installed. The squirt gun adds a new dimension to the ride that more than compensates for the diminished speed.

Foster's Electric Bumper Boat is powered by a 36-volt electrical system.
J & J's Electric Bumper Boat is powered by a 24-volt electrical system.

Foster's system was designed at higher voltage for the following reasons:
(1)Higher voltage means more power and quicker torque response.
(2)All drive systems require a certain amount of input horsepower, which can be measured in watts. The higher the voltage, the less amperage draws on the batteries.

The following observations and data were compiled at an Orlando Park that had both Foster and J & J Electric Boats in operation. The comparison was between the Standard Foster Electric Boat w/standard three (3) blade plastic propeller and the Standard J & J Electric Boat with its two (2) blade metal propeller.


Foster's boat was quicker off the line and had a slightly faster overall speed. It was checked for current draw and registered at 14 to 15 amps.

J & J's boat was slower off the line and was found to be slightly slower in overall speed. It was checked for current draw and registered 27-28 amps.

It should also be noted that one of the J & J motors had included a three (3) blade plastic propeller similar to that being used by Foster. When that motor was tested it was comparable to the Foster boat in overall speed and reaction. The problem that was evident when checking the current draw on the J & J motor equipped with the three (3) -blade propellers was that the current draw was increased to 43-44 amps.

The higher current found on the J & J motor with the three (3) blade propeller would cut the operating time by 40 percent and the impact on the wiring certainly should be a concern; 44 amps is extremely more than the capacity rating of the #10 wire in the J & J boat.

Q.How long will the Electric Boat Run on a Fully Charged Battery'
A.The following answer is based on actual current readings that were sampled during actual ride operations at an Orlando Park operating both Foster and J & J boats.

Foster's boat requires (3) 12v, 130 A.H. batteries. Power consumption average, 15 amps. The label on the battery Foster uses actually states a rating of 7.1 hours of continuous run time at 15 amps.

J &J's boat requires (4) 6v, 220 A.H. batteries w/smaller (2) blade metal propeller. The average power consumption of 27 amps should provide 6.7 hours of continuous run time.

J & J's boat with the (3) blade plastic propeller installed for greater speed and power showed a power consumption of 43 amps, which should allow for 4.2 hours of continuous run time. The higher current draw reduces the battery reserve by approximately 40%.

Q.Do All Electric Bumper Boats Operate on the Same Voltage and Require the Same Power?
A.No! The facts support a substantial difference between the Foster and J & J boats. Both Foster and J & J boats have a ¾ hp motor being used for their "Input Horsepower".

·Foster's ¾ hp motor is operated at 36 volts.
·J & J's ¾ hp motor is operated at 24 volts.

The reason Foster has chosen the 36-volt circuit is to provide the following motor characteristics.

(1) Higher voltage provides "Greater and Quicker" start up torque, which is evident in the off the line speed and response time.
(2) The higher the voltage is the less current draw will be necessary to do the same work.

Special Note: Power consumption is measured in wattage. As an example, when you pay the electric bill for your home it is based on kilowatts used. One kilowatt equals 1000 watts. The less wattage used the less power consumed.


The following examples are based on simple formulas for a D.C. circuit.

Wattage = ( Volts x Amps )

Horsepower =

(

Volts x Amps x % efficiency 746

)

Note: The smaller the amount of horsepower required and wattage consumed the better. This is a case where less is better. Foster’s boat requires: 540 watts based on (36 volts x 15 amps)

.58 hp based on

(

36 volts x 15 amps x 80% efficiency 746

)

J & J’s boat requires: 648 watts based on (24 volts x 27 amps)

.7 hp based on

(

24 volts x 27 amps x 80% efficiency 746

)

J & J’s boat outfitted with the (3) blade propeller, in an attempt to match the performance of the Foster boat, consumed an extreme amount of power. The demand was severe for the rest of the circuit.

1023 watts based on (24 volts x 43 amps)

1.11 hp based on

(

24 volts x 43 amps x 80% efficiency 746

)

NOTE: Remember the data being shown is illustrating the power being consumed to basically do the same work. This is certainly a case of less is better. Foster requires less power consumption to do the work.

NOTE: All Foster Electric Boats have (3) blade propellers that provide maximum thrust, speed and response. When comparing both Foster and J & J's motors with three (3) blade props as tested in Orlando, the speeds and response would be about equal, but the Foster boat should outlast the J & J boat by almost three (3) hours of continuous run time. That's approximately 60% more operating time for the Foster boat.

Q. Where are the Batteries Located?
A.Both the Foster and the J & J Boats have the batteries located in the bottom part of the fiberglass hull, but that is where the similarities stop. The more important question that should be asked is how do I access the batteries?

Foster's boat provides access to the batteries and the compartment by merely lifting the fiberglass lid off the seat. Full access is achieved in a matter of seconds.

J & J's boat access to the batteries is no simple task and it is a time consuming, challenging job to perform when the boat is in the water. After disconnecting the electrical supply cables, the electric motor must be removed from the boat. Once the motor has been removed, the complete top part of the boat must be rotated upwards. The challenge is to keep the top open safely while working in the battery compartment. A wooden stick is provided for the purpose of propping up the top of the boat in an attempt to keep it from falling on the person working in the compartment. A lot of caution and agility is required to complete the challenging task, especially when the boat will most likely be in the water.


Q. How Are the Batteries Recharged?
A. Foster?s boat has a waterproof, marine type receptacle located on the back of the boat's seat. Simply insert the corresponding plug from the charger into the receptacle and rotate it slightly, locking it into the receptacle and creating a waterproof connection.

J & J's boat requires the removal of the access hatch on the back of the seat and reaching into the boat to fish out the charging cable. Caution must be used that the cord is pulled away from the water and kept out of the water while it is connected to the battery charger's cable.

Special Note: The charging and motor connections on the Foster boat are all marine type, waterproof connections. The charging and motor connections on the J & J boat are merely industrial type and do not provide for any waterproof protection.

Q. Are All Bumper Boat Floatation Tubes the Same?
A. Once again, the simple answer is No.

Foster has produced thousands and thousands of Bumper Boat Tubes since 1984. The Foster tube has always offered a 72" plus outside diameter and the greatest amount of floatation. The Foster tube is smooth and is made in a seamless process. Smooth is important for cleaning and maintaining appearance. Seamless is important because when a tube has seams (especially hundreds of inches) it becomes that much more vulnerable for leaks. The Foster tube is very thick (.188" nominal) and thickness is important to resist puncture.

J & J's Super Tube is comparable with the size of the Foster tube, but once again, that is where the similarity stops. The material thickness is very thin compared to the Foster tube. In addition to the vulnerability to piercing a thin tube has a higher potential to tear.

The Super Tube is fabricated with hundreds of inches of seams, which add to the potential of failure from fatigue or tear from the uneven surfaces.

The other consideration to take into account is the replacement cost of the tubes and there will come a time that tubes will need to be replaced.

Foster's Model T-405, 72" O.D. tube costs $215.00/each.

J & J's Lightweight, fabricated super tube, also 72" O.D., costs $475.00/ea.

Note: The J & J replacement tube costs more than twice as much, that's $260.00 more for each tube.

Q. Is There a Water Squirt Gun System Available on the Electric Boats?

A. Yes, both the Foster and J & J Electric Bumper Boats offer an optional squirt gun.

Foster's electric squirt gun is powered by a simplified 12v pump and the power consumption is a mere 2 amps. Water is filtered before it is used.
Foster's cost is $135.00/each.

J & J's electric squirt gun is also powered by a water pump and the water is pulled through a filter before it is expelled.
J & J's cost is $150.00/each.


Note: Both the Foster and the J & J squirt guns are designed to squirt upwards in an arc direction so as not to squirt an opponent directly in a close proximity. Both squirt guns are fashioned using safety as a major concern.

Q. What Concerns Should I Have About Water Getting Into the Battery Compartment?
A. Routine inspection is always advisable. Both Foster's and J & J's Electric Bumper Boats have automatic bilge pumps that take care of any water that enters the battery compartment.

Note: The reason it is advisable to make routine visual inspections is in case a pump were to fail or blow a fuse. Routine inspection can prevent "Big" problems before they become "Big".

Foster's boat was designed to allow access and visual inspection of the complete compartment in a matter of seconds.

J & J's boat design once again makes the complete access to the battery compartment a chore (as previously described).

We all know, the easier it is to accomplish a routine inspection, the better chance that it will be done routinely.


(Facts vs. Innuendos)
One of the most important features of a properly designed Electric Bumper Boat is the battery compartment. The compartment should have ease of access and be properly vented.
In January of 2002, Foster posted on our website a comparison format of "Questions and Answers" for review by potential customers that were contemplating purchasing Electric Bumper Boats. We selected a competitive company (J & J Amusements) to compare ourselves to because next to Foster, they have a substantial presence in the Bumper Boat Market.
Now, almost a year later we have become aware through some of our customers that they are confused due to some of the statements being made to them by representatives of J & J Amusements concerning the safeness of the battery compartment on the Foster Boat. We thought it best to "Repeat and Expand" on the Original "Question and Answer". It seems the question of access to the battery compartment has bothered them enough to respond in writing as well as verbally with innuendos to avoid the facts.

The Original Question as posted on our website was "Where are the batteries Located"!

The Original Answer as posted on our website.

Both the Foster and the J&J Boats have the batteries located in the bottom part of the fiberglass hull, but that is where the similarities stop. The more important question that should be asked is how do I access the batteries'

Foster's boat provides access to the batteries and the compartment by merely lifting the fiberglass lid off the seat. Full access is achieved in a matter of seconds.

J & J's access to the batteries is no simple task and it is a time consuming, challenging job to perform when the boat is in the water. After disconnecting the electrical supply cables, the electric motor must be removed from the boat. Once the motor has been removed, the complete top part of the boat must be rotated upwards. The challenge is to keep the top open safely while working in the battery compartment. A wooden stick is provided for the purpose of propping up the top of the boat in an attempt to keep it from falling on the person working in the compartment. A lot of caution and agility is required to complete the challenging task, especially when the boat will most likely be in the water.

Now, on to J & J's response, which has been puzzling and strange. Without any qualification as to their statement, they refer to an accident that occurred some years back, in which a non-vented battery compartment contributed to an explosion on a child's Bumper Boat Ride. The boat was of a poor design and CERTAINLY WAS NOT A FOSTER BOAT. Their statement is ambiguous and misleading and appears to be their attempt to have customers believe our boat is not safe because our battery compartment is not vented. FOSTER'S BOAT IS PROPERLY VENTED!
It seems that J&J Amusements does not know that our boat's battery compartment is properly vented or at least they do not acknowledge the fact. Both the Foster and J & J's Boats are properly vented. We do not want to believe it was J & J's intent to knowingly mislead customers, but one could easily come to that conclusion. All J & J or any potential customer need to do is to look at the back of the Foster Boat and they will see the large clam shell cover that is over the large permanent vent for the battery compartment.


The "Bottom Line" and "Fact", battery location for both Foster and J & J Amusements are basically in the same location, but the Foster Boat allows for access with ease, compared to the much more involved chore to gain access in the J & J Boat.
We definitely thought it "EXTREMELY IMPORTANT" to set the record straight on this issue. It has become obvious to us that desperate competitors will do desperate things, like not addressing the facts and pass off innuendos as factual statements.
Foster wants all past, present and future customers to know that we will always strive to supply and present facts for review on any of our products. It is our belief that customers are smart enough to see through half-truths and when given the real facts, they can decide for themselves which product is best for them.
Should you ever have any questions pertaining to any of the Foster products we will do our best to answer them for you, "Promptly and Thoroughly".


OH! By the way, there is another fact that should be addressed. The number of batteries, size of batteries and run time.
J & J's Boat uses (4) 6 volt, 225 amp/hr. batteries connected in series to obtain the required 24-volt system. By their own admission as posted on their website their boat consumes 29 amps.
Run time is calculated by dividing the 225 amp/hr. batteries by the 29 amps consumed and the theoretical run time is 7.76 hours.
Foster's Boat uses (3) 12 volt, 130 amp/hr batteries connected in series to obtain the required 36-volt system. Foster's motor consumes 15 amps.
130 amp/hr divided by 15 amps consumed offers a theoretical run time of 8.67 hours.

To borrow a phrase from J & J, No question here which is the better setup.

NOTE: It should be noted that no battery offer's 100% discharge of it's rating, and that is why theoretical figures are used for simple illustration purposes. What the illustration shows is that here is a case where the Foster boat with (3) batteries has the edge on the J & J boat even though they use (4) larger batteries.

Hopefully, this will also set the record straight on more misleading statements being put out by J & J Amusements.

If you have any questions please feel free to E-mail them to us at [email protected]