WaVeS #10 – electric boat news and updates
Plugboats WAVES (Watts, Amps, Volts, Electrons) is an occasional collection of electric boat news and electric boating items that we have written about before and are updating, or items we are going to write about but are waiting for more information / developments – or items that are just tidbits you might find interesting.
So without further ado, here is WAVES #10, with electric boat and boating news about:
- Torqeedo offering €300 cash back on Travel electric outboards
- Forza X1 lands 100 orders from major US dealer
- OceansLab hydrogen-electric racing yacht partners with Oceanvolt and others
- Molabo high power 48V motor wins ‘New Propulsion Technology of The Year’
- Gussies winner MobyFly selected as World Economic Forum Technology Pioneer
- Silent-Yachts building second Silent-Resort in Fiji
Get 300€ cash back with Torqeedo’s “Time for a Change” campaign.
Torqeedo has launched a promotion to help support the transition to sustainable boating. The “Time for a Change” campaign is designed to encourage the phase-out of small fossil fuel-powered outboards with a 300€ cash back on Travel 1103 and Travel 603 electric outboards. Fabian Bez, CEO of Torqeedo, says “We want to enable even more boaters to experience the joy of clean, quiet, and emission-free boating. It’s just a better way to get out on the water.”
If you have been thinking about a small electric outboard, this may be just the ticket to get you ‘on board’ with electric. The promotion lasts until August 31, 2023, and the rules are pretty simple:
- Purchase a Travel 1103 or Travel 603 from your local dealer or Torqeedo’s online shop.
- Post your Torqeedo Travel moment on Instagram or Facebook and tag the company. Instagram: torqeedo_group. Facebook: Torqeedo.
- Take a screenshot of the post and upload it to the Torqeedo ‘Time For a Change’ URL (below) along with your serial number and purchase receipt.
- Receive your €300 cash back. The actual amount is based on exchange rate at time of payment, but is approximately $325 USD or $430 CDN.
The Time For a Change URL has all the necessary info:
Forza X1 lands 100 orders for Centre Console/Dual Console models.
Forza X1, which hosted a launch event for 200 in West Palm Beach, Florida on July 8 also announced that it received an initial purchase order from OneWater Marine indicating its intention to purchase 100 units of Forza’s F-22 Center Console and FX-1 Dual Console models. OneWater Marine operates a total of 100 retail locations in 20 US states and Forza estimates the order could equate to approximately $12M in revenue. An order of this size from a US dealer network of this size is great for the company and great for electric boating.
“We’re excited to build upon the strategic partnership that we formed with OneWater last August,” said Joseph Visconti, Forza X1 Inc.’s Executive Chairman and Chief of Product Development. “Our 22-foot electric boats will have the opportunity to reach customers in key geographic areas that are prime markets for marine electrification.”
The Florida launch event highlighted the F-22 Center Console, taking media and prospective buyers out for sea trials to show off the boat’s instant torque, top speed of 35 knots (40 mph / 64 kmh) and cruising speed of 17 kts (20 mph / 32 kmh). The F-22 has a 135 kW (≈180 hp) electric outboard motor built by Forza, with a 104 kWh battery.
Forza engineers were on hand during the event to answer questions about the research and testing behind the motor and the aluminum hull boat. Visconti and Jim Leffew, President and CEO of Forza X1 also provided details about the company’s manufacturing facility in Marion, North Carolina, currently scheduled for completion in Q3 2024.
Oceanlabs hydrogen electric race yacht partners with Oceanvolt, Maxeon, Genevos
OceansLab, who are building a hydrogen-electric IMOCA-class racing yacht for the 2024 Vendée Globe, have announced the first Official Cleantech Partners who will be adding their products, technologies and experience to the project: Oceanvolt electric propulsion systems, Maxeon Solar Technologies and Genevos, a sister company to OceeansLab, which will provide the hydrogen components – a 15 kW marine fuel cell and gas engineering services.
Oceanvolt CEO Tommi Lassila said ” “This collaboration will provide valuable insight and data that will assist in the further development of Oceanvolt’s unique electric propulsion systems compatibility with hydrogen fuel cell technology. The ultimate goal is to bring increasingly sustainable and reliable solutions to the market specifically designed for racing purposes. This is not just great news for Oceanvolt and OceansLab, but for the whole yachting community as well.”
Maxeon, manufacturers of SunPower branded solar panels, is providing their flagship Interdigitated Back Contact (IBC) cells for the boat. Over 1,000 solar cells will be installed onto the deck of the IMOCA, encapsulated into a protective film to ensure resistance against water and impact. Covering 16 m2 (≈175 sq ft) they are capable of creating a total power output of more than 3.6kW which will be used to charge the batteries.
Fuel cell system provider Genevos was the winner of the Hydrogen Breakthrough Technology of the Year Award at the Marine and Hybrid Expo in June, recognizing their ‘significant advancements made in accelerating the clean energy transition with hydrogen fuel cell technology.’
Phil Sharp CEO of Genevos and leader of the OceansLab program says these collaborations “allow us to showcase the performance and durability of this technology in the toughest environment on earth. With the IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) targets for shipping emissions required to be reduced to zero by 2050, and the requirement for most vessels built from 2030 to be zero emissions, this campaign will be an important demonstration of how we can meet this target.”
The OceansLab IMOCA will be launched later this year, ahead of the first transatlantic ocean race, the Transat Jacques Vabre starting in October.
Genevos Maxeon Oceanvolt OceansLab
Molabo wins E&HM Expo Award
Another recipient of an Electric & Hybrid Marine Award was German electric motor manufacturer MOLABO, which won for “New Propulsion Technology of the Year”
The award prizes MOLABO’s 48 volt plug & play system solution, which features the world’s most powerful 48 volt drive, the MOLAConnect box, varying battery capacities, and other essential components for boat propulsion. With their 48 V technology MOLABO eliminates high-voltage safety measures, for a safe and easy installation. The pre-cabled MOLAConnect box and preconfigured battery banks further reduce installation efforts by half, showcasing MOLABO’s commitment to user convenience.
Molabo system powers New Zealand ‘Earthling’ catamaran
“We are incredibly proud to receive the award in the “New Propulsion Technology of the Year” category of the Electric & Hybrid Marine Awards,” says Adrian Patzak, Managing Director of MOLABO. “Our 48 volt high power system sets a new standard in reliability, maintainability, and plug & play installation. This prestigious award is a wonderful confirmation that we are on the right track to enable sustainable mobility worldwide.”
World Economic Forum selects Gussies Winner MobyFly as a 2023 Technology Pioneer
MobyFly, the Swiss company specializing in designing and delivering fast, efficient, and zero-emission hydrofoil boats, has been announced as one of the World Economic Forum’s Technology Pioneers. They are now part of a community initiated in 2020 by the WEF that comprises early-to-growth-stage companies from across the globe that are at the forefront of
designing, developing, and deploying new technologies and innovations.
MobyFly won the 2022 Gussies Award in the category: Electric Boats for Paying Passengers: In Development. Their cutting-edge hydrofoil boats are powered by renewable energy sources and have the capability to transport anywhere from 12 to 350 passengers comfortably and safely.
Their three models – 10, 20 and 30 metres (≈ 33, 65, 100 feet) can surpass speeds of 37 knots (45 mph / 70 kmh), while requiring up to 70% less energy than conventional diesel ferries. The company says that ‘with the support of regular hardware and software updates, this exceptional energy efficiency ensures a cost-effective and sustainable transport system that only improves over time.’
See all the Winners of the 2022 Gussies Electric Boat Awards
As a Technology Pioneer, MobyFly will actively engage with the World Economic Forum for the next two years. This engagement includes participation in various Forum meetings and Centre work streams, allowing MobyFly to contribute to global discussions on technology and innovation.
“We are incredibly honoured and excited to be recognized as a 2023 Technology Pioneer by the World Economic Forum,” said Sue Putallaz, Co-Founder and CEO of MobyFly. “This prestigious recognition is evidence of the hard work and dedication of our talented team, who are committed to developing sustainable solutions that will reshape the future of transportation. We look forward to actively engaging with the Forum and collaborating with other global leaders to drive positive change.”
Silent-Yachts building Silent-Resort in Fiji
Silent-Resorts, a division of Austrian boatbuilder Silent-Yachts, has announced plans to build a solar-powered marina and resort in Fiji. The company first announced the Silent-Resorts concept in 2020. It is a vacation community where electric yachts are connected with onshore residences in a totally solar-powered getaway and guests have access to both superb land accommodations and a fleet of Silent-Yachts luxury catamarans.
The first of these resorts – Silent Resorts Bahamas – is currently under construction in the Exumas and will offer guests access to a fleet of Silent 62 or Silent 80 yachts, as well as X-Shore electric dayboats.
The plan for the Fiji resort includes 28 residences, each with 4-6 bedrooms. It is located on a private island in the Fijian archipelago of 330 islands, of which only about 110 are permanently inhabited.
Silent Yachts founder and CEO Michael Köhler said “Owners at Silent Resorts can explore the stunning natural surroundings on board the world’s first fully solar-powered yachts, which are seamlessly integrated with the resorts’ pre-engineered, modular, low-impact land-based infrastructure. In short, we are offering the ultimate Fijian escape to our owners, where the most difficult question they will ever have to answer is: ‘When do we want to go back to our private island paradise?’”
The Fiji resort will have 24 founding memberships available for purchase and can be purchased as either ‘co-ownership’ or ‘full ownership.’ Solar Residences start at $3,950,000 and Silent Yacht shares at $498,500. Minimum share is 1/8th, with options for a 1/6th or 1/4th.
Construction for Silent Resorts Fiji is expected to start before the end of 2023.
