ONBOARD Magazine autumn 2023

The smarter
choice
Solar powered electrical tenders such as
Elvene Boats are gaining in popularity as more
people want to keep the waters clean and
reduce their carbon footprint in style
Electrical boating is booming and
the power is not an issue, but the energy
with this newfound interest for
storage is a challenge. The energy density
electrical propulsion we are seeing
in batteries is still not on the same level
several interesting and different
as petrol or diesel and this brings us to
approaches to maximise the benefits of the
one of the main challenges when designing
electrical drivetrain. Some are focusing on
a well-functioning electrical boat, energy
keeping it simple, re-powering traditional
consumption.
boats with electrical drivetrains. Others
are re-inventing and refining existing
As you are limited by how much energy
technologies, that have proven to be a
you can store in a boat, you must use the
good match for electrical boats, like the
stored energy with care, to make it last
hydrofoil. Then we have the third option left,
as long as possible, without sacrificing
where a group of boatbuilders are redefining
performance or range. This equation has
what motorboating can be like, without
less to do with the drivetrain itself, and
range anxiety, running costs or emissions,
more to do with the hull that the drivetrain
we are talking about solar powered boats.
is installed in. We go back to the basics of
boat design, where the focus should be on
The electrical motor is nothing new, it is a
making a hull that is as hydrodynamically
well proven technology that has been around
efficient as possible, to minimise the energy
for a long time, longer than the combustion
needed to move it. This is the reason why
engine in fact, but this is the first time in
hydrofoils have made a comeback, and are
history we are finally seeing a large-scale
so visible in the electrical boat market, they
The benefits from solar powered boats are so many,
that for some it might sound too good to be true.
Because when you look at it, well designed solar powered
boats have; infinite range, zero emission and zero running cost.
transition from the complicated, loud and
minimise the boats drag at high speeds and
extremely inefficient combustion engines
give the boat performance comparable to
to the more efficient electrical motors.
traditional boats, powered by combustion
This transition brings with it a new way of
engines. They are still struggling with that
thinking and new design limitations, that
Achilles heel of electrical boating though,
must be considered when designing, and
the charging infrastructure.
in the end, when buying, an electrical boat.
On traditional combustion engine powered
As mentioned earlier in the text, there is
boats, both power and energy are close
one way to get around all the limitations
to unlimited. You increase the power by
imposed by electrical boating, and instead
installing a larger motor and increase
improve the range and usability of your
the energy storage by installing a larger
e-boat, compared to traditional boats. The
fuel tank. For electrically powered boats,
answer is solar powered boats.
The benefits from solar powered boats are
so many, that for some it might sound too
good to be true, and consider it something
of a fairytale, because when you look at it,
well designed solar powered boats have;
infinite range, zero emission and zero
running cost.
We have seen larger solar powered yachts
and smaller, slower vessels, usually
catamarans, being powered by the sun,
but now we also see the rise of single
hull boats, running at planing speeds being
powered 100% by solar power. Sound too
good to be true? Well, it is that good, but
it is also true.
ELVENE’s latest launch, Amber, is redefining
the playing field. A 6,2-metre single-hull
center console, with a cuddy cabin and a
top cruising speed of a respectable 15
knots that is 100% solar powered. That
means no more fuel, no more oil, no more
noise or smoke, no more looking for charging
40 | AUTUMN 2023 | ONBOARD