Three electric boat nominations in Best of Boat Awards
Three electric boat nominations in the Best of Boats Awards are an indication that e-boats are starting to get broader recognition simply as boats, not just because they are electric. The awards will be presented at the Boat and Fun Show in Berlin on November 21.
The boats have each been nominated in different categories:
- Marian M800: Best for Families
- Silent Yachts Silent 55: Best for Travel
- Greenline NEO: Best for Fun:
The Best of Boats Awards were started in 2014 and are unique in that all of the judges are boat journalists. The founder and chairman is Stefan Gerhard, formerly Editor-in-Chief at Germany’s Bootshandel Magazine (now merged with SKIPPER). He is also founder of the MedienCup Berlin, a boat race/regatta for journalists.
This year’s jury is made up of 18 writers from Austria, Croatia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Netherlands, Poland, Russia,, Slovenia, Spain, Ukraine, the UK and USA.
Marian M800
The M800 is the new Marian-brand flagship. It was developed by a team of electric motor technical specialists working in concert with boat designers to create “a revolutionary electro-yacht with brand new handling and performance characteristics.”
Every M800 is made by hand and can be customized in terms of colours, luxury materials, fittings and power. It can be ordered with a 10kW underfloor drive or 20 to 150 kW shaft drive. The storage is AGM batteries for the 10kW and lithium ion for the +20kW models. »» See the M800 on Marian website
Silent Yachts 55
The solar powered catamarans of Silent Yachts are generating a lot of interest around the world, and this nomination is another indication of the acceptance and embrace of their concept. Earlier this year they won the Certificate of High Commendation in the Innovation Category at the OCEAN Awards as well as the UIM’s Environmental Award Special Mention for Environmental Benefit.
At the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show last week the Solar 55 was on display and held a well attended press conference, showing off advances like an upgrade to larger battery packs – three of them at 400 volts each.
The engines for the 55 are from Canadian company Dana TM4 and are rated at 250 kW peak and 150 kW continuous power. Top speed is 17 knots and at lower speeds the Silent 55 has a 100 mile-per-day all-electric cruising range. All powered by the sun’s rays.
Silent Yachts is gaining fans every day, including former Formula One driver James Malackowski. He told Trade Only magazine he likes the adaptability – a 25-year lifespan on the solar panels, and being able to replace batteries as new technologies emerge.
“Why would you ever own a gasoline car when you’ve experienced a Tesla?” Malackowski said. “This is the same experience on a boat, and it’s the only full-sustainable solar technology on the boating market.” »» See the Silent 55 on the Silent Yachts website
Greenline NEO
The Greenline NEO is not technically a 100% electric boat but we are including it here because Greenline is a leader in hybrid systems that combine electric and diesel engines and in the case of the NEO, which is powered by outboard engines, it can be ordered with twin 80 HP Torqeedo Deep Blue electric outboards.
They are backed up with twin 30.5 kWh (totalling 61 kWh) lithium-ion batteries. At full throttle the NEO eDrive will reach a top speed of 16 kts with a range of 20 NM. At 6 kts the range is 40 NM. The NEO comes in open style and in hard top and coupe versions, both of which have solar panels on the roof. »» See the NEO on the Greenline Yachts website
Congratulations to all electric boat nominees!
This is another sign that electric boats are working their way into the mainstream of boating and Plugboats congratulates all of the nominees. Good luck!
