Amazing little Electric Boat - Coming Soon
by Scuttlebutt Europe/Sail-World Cruising on 8 Dec 2008
Electric boat design by Aequus and Finot-Conq SW
The world's marine scientists, inventors and naval architects are struggling with alternative power sources for boats. Electric outboards are a coming thing, hydrogen power is being experimented with, with one hydrogen powered sailing boat already using fuel cell technology, and E10 diesel is part of today's landscape.
Now Scuttlebutt Europe reports: Aequus and Finot-Conq are due to come out with a solar-powered electric pleasure boat which is to be launched in early 2009, leaving time for much testing before the end of year Nautical Salon in Paris.
An alternative solution to the constraints of sailing boats (operation, wind conditions, crew knowledge...) and of motor boating (noise, pollution, fuel consumption...), the boat is equipped with an electric propulsion/drive and with photo-voltaic solar panels.
Developed specifically, the electrical chain propulsion offers the same type of performance a sailing boat of the same size would and offers 8 hours of autonomy, without solar recharging, making it perfect for day trips, picnics in l'Ile d'Aix, in the Glenans or the Iles de Lerins..., without noise, enjoying the peace and quiet, and all the while protecting the environment.
No permit (depending on countries' regulations) is required to drive the boat. A specially adapted trailer makes it easy to enter and exit the water.
7 meters long and 2.26 meters wide, the boat is equipped with a cabin with a double berth, a bathroom, an exterior kitchen and a very large cockpit for up to 7 people.
The development of the specific propulsion chain is undertaken by Aequus, a structure created for this purpose by Bruno Hervouet, who has already successfully launched the Open 5.70 and 5.00 designed by the same architects.
The prototype will be built early on in 2009. The remaining season will be spent adjusting the boat and the production process.
Marketing will begin at the opening of the Nautical Salon in Paris, in December 2009.
For more information from Scuttlebutt, see their website
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