It’s an ‘electric’ line up at the Green Tech Boat Show
It’s an ‘electric’ line up of boats at The Green Tech Boat Show, which opens its doors for the first time next weekend (19-20 June), at Queen Anne’s Battery, Plymouth.
Catamaran builder Broadblue, which launched its first electric drive model in 2009, is displaying its new Broadblue 346 ECO, featuring the Fischer Panda drive system and the latest in battery and charging solutions from Victron.
Pixii Ltd, which says it aims to become the world’s first 100% carbon neutral marine company, is showcasing its 100% electric, zero emissions SP800. With a fully recyclable aluminium hull and state-of-the-art waterjet drives, it’s said, to offer near silent propulsion.
It’s our first release and the first of its kind. Although there are now a few electric boats on the market, none share our vision of using recyclable materials and having a focus on the whole lifecycle of the boat.
Next up is the Pulse 63 from RS Electric Boats, which the company says is the world’s first RIB with fully integrated electric drive. This eco-friendly, zero emissions 100% electric RIB is made using sustainable materials.
“So far, the feedback from anyone that’s got onboard the Pulse is they love it,” says Jon Partridge from RS Electric Boats. “It offers a dry and stable ride and is a completely different feeling to your traditional RIB. You transition between displacement and planing mode in a very different way, where it just glides between the two. The fact that you have zero noise has a big impact as well, it’s so quiet.”
Joining these sustainable boating brands is Plymouth Boat Trips’ recently launched e-Voyager, a green ferry designed and developed to create a cleaner and more sustainable future for the marine industry.
We are very excited to be exhibiting e-Voyager, the UK’s first, sea-going electric ferry at The Green Tech Boat Show. We will be showcasing the pioneering technology we have developed with the University of Plymouth, demonstrating how our approved systems can help the marine sector realise their zero carbon ambitions.
Highlighting how boat owners can switch to cleaner, greener options on a boat they already own, no matter what the age, are the 1984 Contessa 34, Nazca, and 1980s Oyster 35 Muhuhu, both converted from diesel power to electric by North Devon Marine.
“Nazca uses only the renewable resources available to her with an auxiliary electric motor, sailing diesel free to combat negative impact and test emerging technologies,” says George Symes-Davidson from North Devon Marine. “She is demonstrating a new era of marine power and is equipped for self-sufficiency offshore.
“Muhuhu was converted from diesel to electric propulsion over winter 2020, and is now an ideal platform for data collection, wildlife observation and exploration.”
Bounty’s End, a replica of the 23ft wooden boat used by Captain Bligh following the mutiny on the Bounty, swells this eclectic line up. Professional yachtsman, Conrad Humphreys, launched the Bounty Project in 2017 after recreating Bligh’s incredible 4000-mile voyage of survival with 18 of his crew members. The voyage was part of a five-part series produced for Channel 4.
In 2018, Bounty’s End was fitted with an 8kw Lynch regenerative electric motor that recharges under sail, making it the first commercially coded electric passenger boat in Plymouth, with no noise and no pollution.
The first boat show of its kind in the UK, The Green Tech Boat Show is designed for boat owners wishing to make the switch to greener options, and prospective owners who’d like to start their boating journey in the most environmentally friendly way possible.
With one week to go until the show, there’s still time for visitors to book their tickets. Tickets are free but must be booked in advance via mdlmarinas.co.uk/gtbs.
