German/US startup Voltaire Electric Yachts has launched its 33 Sky model, a sub-10m vessel with a displacement of 4.7 tons, as pure electric and hybrid power continues to prove a growth area in the yacht industry.
Propulsion for the new craft will consist of two Torqeedo Deep Blue engines rated at 50kW each, with one in each of its catamaran hulls. The company noted this will afford a very tight circle.
The motors will be fed by a pair of 42.2kWh batteries sourced from BMW, originally intended for use in the i3 road car. These battery packs are increasingly popular with small electric boat builders, and Voltaire said they will come with a nine-year warranty. According to the company, the boat can be recharged fully overnight in any regular marina, while an optional fast charger will provide 80% charge in around 30 minutes.
In further push toward sustainable construction, Voltaire will eschew regular GRP for the hull construction and instead use flax-based natural composites.
Germany-based Alva Yachts has also announced that it has begun construction of its recently revealed Ocean Eco 90 (below), a larger vessel measuring 27.5m and displacing 90,000kg. The catamaran will be available with two different propulsion options: the first consists of a pair of 500kW gearless electric drive units, with two 100kVA generators, though a hydrogen fuel cell with storage tanks also offered as an option; the second is a diesel-electric using twin 250kW electric drives and 456kW diesel engines. In this latter configuration, both power sources use a common driveshaft with a clutch connection facilitating swaps between diesel or electric power. Both versions will also be equipped with a 40kWp solar roof.
