Electric boats take 2 out of 6 at Best of Boat Awards
The Best of Boat Awards honoured Candela Speedboat and Silent Yachts 55 in the ‘Best for Future’ and ‘Best For Travel’ categories as electric boats took home 2 out of 6 awards presented at the Berlin Boat and Fun Show this weekend.
In presenting the award to the hydrofoiling Candela, Best of Boat Jury Chairman Stefan Gerhard said “We all know that the world does not remain as it is. And we know that we can do something to make the world worth living in. It starts this year with one boat. Candela Seven combines well-known technology – foiling – with cutting edge software and an electric propulsion system in a fast and beautiful motorboat.”
The solar powered Silent Yacht is no stranger to awards, having already 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. It is a superbly outfitted catamaran that was the world’s first oceangoing yacht capable of running totally on solar power. (Psst – and you can experience it through a time share)
Candela to make 40 hydrofoiling speed boats this year
We wrote back in May that the Candela was moving into production after a number of years developing and testing the ultrasonic sensors and software for its hydrofoiling technology. The team includes engineers and hydrodynamic experts working under the direction of founder Gustav Hasselskog. (The ecstatic fellow on the left in the photo above.)
That production schedule is rapidly ramping up to put together 40 boats a year at the factory in Lidingö, Stockholm. The boat will be on show for potential customers and journalists at events in Italy and Switzerland. November 28-30 media representatives can take the Candela Seven out for a ‘test fly’ in Zürich and Geneva.
Silent Yachts adding a spacious third deck option
Silent Yachts, based in Austria, has a range of solar yachts developed by founders Michael and Heike Köhler who sailed all over the world testing all-solar possibilities and then bringing the catamarans to reality. Best of Boat Awards ‘Best For Travel’ was accepted by Franz Böse (on the right in the photo at top of this article).
In addition to the Silent Yachts 55, there are 44, 60 and 80 foot models, and the company recently announced an option for a third deck on the Silent 80. The tri-deck version boasts an air-conditioned salon on the flybridge that is completely enclosed in glass for panoramic views day and night. Again, everything solar powered.
Congratulations to everyone who has worked so hard to not only bring their visions of these electric powered boats to fruition, but also for making these craft worthy of being celebrated not just as ‘electric boats’, but simply as boats.
