RS Electric Boats, a subsidiary of RS Sailing, has released its latest electric RIB (rigid inflatable boat), the Pulse 63. It employs an electric drive provided by RAD Propulsion, which uses a hubless rim drive for the propellers and is integrated into the hull of the vessel.
The 40kW motor is powered by a 46kWh lithium-ion battery supplied by Hyperdrive, which operates at 400V. This combination gives a top speed of 23kts and a range of 20 nautical miles at full speed, and 100 nautical miles at a 5kt cruise.
Longer by 50cm than the 58 (RS’s first electric RIB), the 63 is available in a variety of versions, including coach and workboat variants. According to the company, the use of rim drive motors reduces vibration, with comfort further aided by the hull design. The electric drive system is managed by RAD’s RADBus system, which also integrates a wireless emergency stop facility.
With workboat applications in mind, the battery system is capable of being charged and discharged up to 2,000 times, without any drop off in performance, and also has the ability to be fast charged in under an hour.
Beyond the emissions-free nature of the propulsion system, RS has developed a laminate hull that can be fully recycled at the end of its lifetime. The hull core is made from recycled PET from plastic bottles, with flax-based composite reinforcement at key points.