Plugboats

Plugboats
  • 0.0 (0)
  • Sports
  • Updated Weekly

Everything electric boats and boating

  1. 4d ago

    E1 electric speedboat racing championships come to Africa in Luanda, Angola

    The E1 Electric Speedboat Racing Championships came to Africa for the 5th race of their third season with a high profile weekend session in Luanda, Angola. Known for its deep maritime heritage, natural resources and prime coastal position, Luanda stands as one of Africa’s key maritime gateways. Listen to this article as a podcast The arrival of E1 not only demonstrates Angola’s rising profile on the world sporting stage, but also allows it to show off its ongoing investment in sustainable development. As part of E1’s sustainability efforts, E1 is partnering with the Otchiva Project, an Angolan non governmental organization dedicated to restoring the country’s mangrove ecosystems. Ahead of the race weekend, some of E1’s pilots joined a reforestation project at the Ilha de Mussulo, supporting local efforts to protect the coastline which acts as a natural buffer to prevent coastal erosion to protect communities and wildlife populations. E1 2026 Race 1: Jedda    E1 2026 Race 2: Lake Como  E1 2026 Race 3: Dubrovnik  E1 2026 Race 4: Monaco     On Saturday, however all eyes turned to the Luanda Yacht Club, where the 7 metre hydrofoiling RaceBird speedboats with their 150kW (200 hp) electric outboards were ready to turn some heads. The E1 Championships are unique in sports with female and male pilots from the teams going head to head in cross-sex match-ups. Racing on the water in iconic cities around the world including Jeddah, Monaco, Lake Como and Miami, teams are owned by some of the biggest names on the planet: LeBron James, Will Smith, Marc Anthony and Steve Aoki from the world of entertainment, Rafael Nadal, Tom Brady, Virat Kohli, Thibaut Courtois, Kyle Kuzma and Didier Drogba from the world of sport. Click for a full overview of the Series at the bottom of this page. Coming into the race weekend, the two top teams, Team Brady and Westbrook Racing (owned by Will Smith) were locked in a tight battle for the season championship title with only 9 points separating them: 119 – 110. Sitting behind in a battle of their own were three teams: AlUla Racing (championed by LeBron James) with 75 points, Team Aoki with 71 and Team Drogba Global Africa at 64 points. Team Drogba was coming off its first victory ever, July 18 at Monaco. Tom Brady, Will Smith teams battle for top spot  In Saturday’s qualifying races, four-time Jamaican Motor Sports Athlete of the Year and Team Aoki pilot Sara Misir was at the wheel of the team’s RaceBird for the decisive qualifying run, edging ahead of Drogba. That gave Aoki not only the starting pole position for Saturday but also three Championship points to narrow the gap with Drogba to just one point. Westbrook also moved within eight of Team Brady. That was as close as Westbrook was going to get to Brady on this weekend, though. During Sunday’s Group Stage they had a technical problem in their first race and despite borrowing a boat from Team AlUla, they got pipped by just under a half a second by Catie Munnings of Sierra Racing Club. By the end of the day they were ninth out ten teams and lost touch on the Championship lead. Leaders fall from grace Some of the other season leaders had similar bad luck in missing the Finals and being delegated to the Place Race. There, AlUla – third in the season standings – could only manage seventh on this day. Team Drogba came in eighth and Team Miami finished last, behind Westbrook. The teams that qualified for the finals and the big points for the day were Brady, Monaco, Team Rafa (owned by Rafael Nadal), Sierra and Team Blue Rising (owned by Indian cricketing legend Virat Kohli). In Final 1, Mashael Alobaidan took the lead off the start but was handed a long lap penalty for changing her lane on the run to the first turn. That promoted Sara Misir for Aoki Racing into the lead but the Brady boat was flying. The Championship leaders took their long lap early which gave them clean water, allowing Sam Coleman to come through to take the victory and give Brady pilot Emma Kimiläinen pole position for Final 2. Winner by 1.4 seconds At the start of Final 2, Aoki and Team Blue Rising tripped over each other, with Dani Clos (Aoki) and John Peeters (Blue Rising) missing one of the course marks and receiving long lap penalties they could not overcome. It seemed as though Kimiläinen was controlling the race for Brady but in the closing stages it became clear that Team Monaco were closing in. Heading into the final corner Team Brady had to still complete their long lap, allowing Oban Duncan in the Team Monaco E1 RaceBird to put the pressure on at the line. Kimiläinen held on to take victory by just 1.4 seconds and, despite finishing on the podium in every race so far this season, it was the first time that Brady took victory this season. Oban Duncan’s performance saw her awarded PIF Pilot of the Day. Team Brady leave Angola with a 40 point advantage over Westbrook heading into the season finale double-header set for Miami as they look to win the UIM E1 World Championship presented by PIF for the third year in a row. Jamie Copas, Chief Executive Officer, E1, said: “Bringing the Championship to Luanda and Southern Africa for the first time marks an important milestone for E1. The welcome we have received, the atmosphere around the event and the racing we have seen on the water demonstrate why Angola is such an exciting addition to our global calendar. “The Championship fight now heads to Miami for the finale and our first-ever Championship double-header”. E1 Series website   E1 YouTube Channel 2026 E1 Championship Standings After Race 5: Luanda PLC TEAM OWNER FEMALE MALE PTS 1 Team Brady Tom Brady Emma Kimiläinen Sam Coleman 157 2 Westbrook Racing Will Smith Sara Price Lucas Ordóñez 117 3 Aoki Racing Team Steve Aoki Sara Misir Dani Clos 86 4 Team AlUla Championed by LeBron James Nerea Martí Rusty Wyatt 84 5 Team Blue Rising Virat Kohli Mashael AlObaidan John Peeters 79 6 Team Monaco   Oban Duncan Maxime Nocher 74 7 Team Drogba Global Africa Didier Drogba Tara Pacheco Micah Wilkinson 68 8 Sierra Racing Club Thibaut Courtois and Kyle Kuzma Catie Munnings Erik Stark 65 9 Team Rafa Rafael Nadal Cris Lazarraga Tom Chiappe 62 10 Sports.com Predict Team Powered by Magnus   *Rianna O’Meara-Hunt Timmy Hansen 53   Overview of the E1 Series, Team Owners, Pilots and the Racebird boat (Click to + expand or – close E1 Series Background) Launched in Jeddah in January 2024, the E1 Series features ten teams racing the one design ‘RaceBird’ all-electric hydrofoiling speedboats at events held in top international ports and waterways. Each team is owned by a noted figure in the worlds of sport, entertainment and business and is led by a female and male pilot who compete in mixed genre races throughout the season. There are no ‘men’s races’ and ‘women’s races’, they are all on equal footing. The goal of the series, aside from deciding ‘The Champions of the Water’, is to publicize and promote cutting-edge clean technologies while helping to protect and restore our planet’s coastal waters and ecosystems. The series was founded by Alejandro Agag and Rodi Basso and is loosely patterned after the on-land Formula 1 and Formula E car events, where the emphasis is on the driver’s capabilities rather than throwing money at technology. In fact, Agag is a founder of the Formula E electric car racing series and Basso worked with Ferrari, Red Bull Racing and McLaren Applied Technologies. The Racebird itself is designed by Sophie Horne of Seabird Technologies. The Sophie Horne. The 7 meter (23 ft) boat has hydrofoiling wings that lift the hull out of the water enabling speeds of up to 90 kmph (50 knots / 55 mph) using a 150 kW (200 brake horsepower) electric outboard system by Mercury Racing and Kreisel batteries. The ten teams and are their owners are: Team Brady: former NFL quarterback Tom Brady Team Rafa: tennis legend Rafael Nadal 
Team Miami: multi-Grammy winner Marc Anthony Team Aoki: DJ / Producer Steve Aoki Team AlUlA: championed by basketball’s Lebron James Team Drogba: Ivory Coast footballer Didier Drogba 
Team Blue Rising: Indian cricketer Virat Kohli Team Sierra: Sierra Enterprises with ambassadors Thibaut Courtois (Real Madrid soccer) and Kyle Kuzma (NBA basketball) Team Monaco: Monaco The pilots of the boats come from a wide variety of disciplines. Many, like Sam Coleman and Emma Kimmaläinen of Team Brady, came from powerboating and motorsport racing, but Maxime Nocher of Team Monaco was a kite surfing champion; Team Drogma’s Tara Pacheco was in sailboat racing; Cris Lazarraga of Team Rafa was a jetski racer and Lucas Ordóñez of Westbrook first entered real life professional racing by winning a spot in a PlayStation 3 Gran Turismo competition. (»» go back to top to close) Electric Speedboat Series Rules and Strategies (Click to + expand or – close the rules) E1 SERIES: RULES Championship: Ten teams race over 9 weekends, with points awarded for finishing place, along with some bonus points for specific achievements. The Champions of the Water are the team that accumulates most points by the end of the season. Events: Each event is held over two days, usually a Friday and Saturday. Qualifying time trials and races are held on Day One. Day Two has Group Races which decide two of the finalists, the Race Off to determine the other four finalists, the Place Race, and two Finals races – so both the female and male co-pilots of each team help determine the outcome. The Finals and Place Race dictate the Championship Points awarded for each weekend. Points Awarded: Points are awarded for each placing every weekend with the Champion having the most points at the end of the season. 1st: 38  |  2nd: 30 |  3rd: 23 |  4th: 19 |  5th: 15 |  6th: 13 |  7th: 9 |  8th:  8 |  9th: 5 |  10th: 3. Points are also

    E1 electric speedboat racing championships come to Africa in Luanda, Angola

  2. 5d ago

    New ePropulsion ‘eCore’ simplifies boat energy management

    If you’ve ever peeked inside the workings of an ‘overnight’ boat – one that has basic appliances like refrigerators and stoves, integrated navigation systems  – you know how complicated the electric circuits can appear. Listen to this article as a podcast For boat owners considering electric propulsion as they look at rising fuel prices and global environmental disruptions, those wirings and connections can look even more complex when motors and batteries are added to the mix. Recognizing this, ePropulsion, one of the world’s largest builders of electric boat motors and systems, has designed ‘eCore’: an intelligent, integrated approach to managing propulsion and onboard power that simplifies everything for the user. eCore reduces the need for multiple standalone components and extensive internal wiring by centralizing energy management in one place, delivering what the company is calling ‘Smart Energy Management for Modern Mariners’. Brains of the vessel’s power network eCore is the ‘brains’ of the vessel’s power network, bringing energy generation, energy storage and energy consumption together and managing the multiple inputs and outputs, including shore power, diesel generation, solar and hydrogeneration, electric propulsion and AC (Alternating Current) and DC (Direct Current) loads. To extend the body metaphor a bit, if eCore is the brains of the boat, the heart is its two complementary components – the eCore 96VDC (the main energy management unit) and the optional eCore AC module. They work together to provide flexible management of both DC and AC power. The issue is that many or most of the essential items on a boat operate on DC – things like navigation lights, instruments, bilge pumps – while other things – like wall outlets, microwave ovens, air conditioning – run on AC. That’s also true of the inputs. Solar panels are DC (as is the battery), while shore power is AC. And the circuits always have to remain separate. The reason for the two eCore components and modules is flexibility and scalability. Boatbuilders and owners can begin with the DC system for essential requirements and then expand the installation with the eCore AC option when additional onboard power management is required. eCore brings everything together with one common monitoring, management and display system. Click »» here for complete specifications of the eCore modules on the ePropulsion website The eCore intelligent load management technology reads what is happening all over the boat and then makes more effective use of available energy. Power-saving and load-shedding capabilities can help manage demand, while consumption monitoring and historical data provide greater insight into onboard energy use. The system also supports customized HMI design (that’s the acronym for Human-Machine Interface, a fancy name for things like screens, monitors and dials) that can be integrated with third-party multifunction displays from Raymarine, Garmin and Simrad/B&G. For boat owners, the result is simpler, more intuitive control of onboard energy, allowing them to spend less time thinking about available power and more time enjoying life onboard. For boatbuilders, eCore provides a scalable platform for integrating electric propulsion and energy management from a single technology provider. Simpler, more intuitive control of onboard energy Danny Tao, CEO of ePropulsion, said: “The electrification of boating is about much more than replacing a combustion engine with an electric motor. As boats become increasingly sophisticated, we need to think about how energy is generated, stored, distributed and used across the entire vessel. “eCore has been developed to make that process simpler. By bringing propulsion and onboard energy management together into one intelligent ecosystem, we can give boatbuilders an integrated solution they can rely on.    The introduction of eCore marks an important expansion of ePropulsion’s technology portfolio, building on the company’s expertise in electric propulsion to provide boatbuilders with a more comprehensive solution for the next generation of electrified vessels. ePropulsion website See ePropulsion motors for sale in the Plugboats Marketplace The post New ePropulsion ‘eCore’ simplifies boat energy management appeared first on Plugboats.

    New ePropulsion ‘eCore’ simplifies boat energy management

  3. Sep 8

    Cannes Yachting Festival 2026 Guide to Electric Boat Exhibitors

    One of the most anticipated boat shows of the year – the Cannes Yachting Festival – begins Tuesday September 8 and runs until Sunday September 13. Cannes is recognized as Europe’s largest in-water boat show, with more than 700 vessels at the docks and 680 exhibitors dispersed throughout the Vieux Port (Old Port) and Port Canto, on the other side of the city’s famous Croisette area. The Festival is also a showcase for world premieres, with more than 150 new boats being unveiled this year. Listen to this article as a podcast Port Vieux is dedicated to powerboats 12 to 45 metres long (40 – 150 ft), equipment manufacturers and service companies, while Port Canto hosts sailing boats and powerboats under 12 metres along with (personal watercraft) and water toys. In this Plugboats Guide to Cannes Electric Boat and Boating Exhibitors there is a collapsible Directory of all of the electric exhibitors at the show – 77 in all – with links to their websites. Below that we have highlighted some of the electric and/or hybrid motor manufacturers, power boats, sailboats, PWCs and water toys that will be at Cannes. (To be clear, some of the boats we have highlighted may have the fossil fuel version at the show but an electric/hybrid option is available.) Those 77 electric/hybrid exhibitors represent more than 10% of all exhibitors at the Festival. In another indication of the growing importance of the segment, Cannes is presenting its Innovation Route for the third year. The Route encompasses 43 companies, products or services that demonstrate the “most innovative and committed solutions contributing to the sustainable transformation of the nautical industry.” Directory of Electric Boat Exhibitors at Cannes Yachting Festival 2026 Click to Open   +   or  –  Close a Directory of all electric exhibitors. Selected motor and accessories highlights of the show are below Click any tile for company information and links. AB Inflatables .abinflatables.com AEQUAR aequar.com Aerofoils aerofoils.de The World’s Safest Electric Hydrofoil. Aircraft Inspired. Advanced aerodynamics. Developed with more than 20 years experience in aircraft design. Agilis Jet Tenders agilis-jettenders.com info@agilis-jettenders.comINTERNET +49 246134033315work Amare amare-group.com Aquila aquilaboats.com contact@aquilaboats.comINTERNET Aquila Sail Catamarans Great sailing adventures begin with great boats. Aquila’s new sailing catamaran fleet—the 44, 50, and 63 Sail—delivers thoughtful design that maximizes space, functionality, cruising comfort, and quality. Every detail matters when you’re living aboard, from our innovative fixed bow for entertaining and relaxing and the Aquila 50 is available with yur choice of choice of diesel or whisper-quiet Hybrid Ocean Drive to match your cruising style. Powered by dual Torqeedo Deep Blue 50i motors paired with an 80kW propulsion battery, the Hybrid Ocean Drive delivers whisper-quiet, zero-emission auxiliary power without compromise. The 50 Sail proves that sailors can embrace environmental responsibility with thoughtful design that maximizes space, functionality, cruising comfort, and quality. Whether pursuing private ownership or charter opportunities, Aquila Sail catamarans offer the quality and cruising excellence Aquila is renowned for with innovations that elevate your sailing experience. Where will the wind take you? AS Labruna aslabruna.it aslabruna @ aslabruna.it +39 080 77 71 35 awake awakeboards.com info@awakeboards.comINTERNET +46 (0) 877 77 270work Developed with key principles in mind; power, speed, and precision. Awake’s electric surfboards are built for superior acceleration, sharp corners and fast straights, giving the user an unparalleled riding experience. Axopar axopar.com Axopar has joined forces with Evoy motors to produce Evoy electric version of their Axopar 25. Jan-Erik Viitala, Founding Partner of Axopar, says “Our partnership with Evoy is a perfect example of two great companies, on a joint mission, to expand the boating community and offer new ways of mobility for the future.” Azimut Bennetti azimutyachts.com Bavaria Yachts bavariayachts.com Beneteau beneteau.com Beneteau has been a pioneer for recreational boating from the outset. With its world-leading ranges and iconic products, nearly 45 models offer diverse, high-performance capabilities. With one single idea in mind: innovating in terms of both boats and processes to enable as many people as possible to realize their dreams, making the avant-garde accessible. At Cannes Yachting Festival of 2021 Beneteau announced its first entries into electric boating, with Jérôme de Metz, Groupe Beneteau Chairman and CEO, saying “There are new expectations and user habits, new ways of travelling and latest technologies: a new world of pleasure boating and marine leisure is coming into view on the horizon, and all of us throughout Groupe Beneteau are positioning ourselves to be the leading players in this new world.” Beyond The Sea beyond-the-sea.com BlueNav sales@bluenav.frINTERNET   bluenav.fr sales @ bluenav.fr +33 (0)5 56 83 70 25 Cannes Yachting Festival cannesyachtingfestival.com September 8 – 13, 2026 Cannes, France Read the Plugboats Guide to Electric Boat Exhibitors at Cannes 2025 Read all Cannes articles in Plugboats Since 1977, the Yachting Festival takes place every September in elegant, luxurious surroundings in the sparkling bay of Cannes. As the first show in the boating season, the Yachting Festival is Europe’s leading in-water boating event. The major players in pleasure yachting come here to launch the show season by showcasing their new premiere. With the world undergoing a green transition, the Yachting Festival has created an “Innovation Route” and Innovator Route Awards to highlight the eco-high performance solutions proposed by the exhibitors.   Contest Yachts contestyachts.com info@contestyachts.comINTERNET +31 227 543 644work Renowned Dutch semi-custom yacht builder Contest Yachts has announced the exciting introduction of long-range all-electric propulsion. This is initially for the two new models of 2022, the Contest 50CS and Contest 49CS, with the intention in time that the option will extend into further range models. De Antonio Yachts deantonioyachts.com info@deantonioyachts.comINTERNET +34 93 467 60 36work The most advanced technologies are used for the design, engineering, and construction in De Antonio Yachts, as well as an international team of specialists in each area. That is why the latest solutions, the highly demanded features, and the trendiest design has caused a notorious impact in the boat industry and brought De Antonio Yachts as one of the leaders in the day boat market. The E23 is the brand’s first 100% electric boat, the beginning of a new era. An innovative model, which concept is based on maximum efficiency. Its compact proportions with a catamaran architecture integrates a foil between its hulls, giving it unique emission-free sailing performance in its segment while offering a practical and comfortable space on deck, with a careful design all throughout details and finishes. A model that combines cutting-edge technology and design Location: Barcelona, Spain Delphia delphiayachts.com Mindful cruising We build boats that are specifically designed for the lakes and rivers of the world. We love slow and quiet cruises where we can fully connect with our friends, family, and nature. We are mindful cruisers. Our home is on the lakes and river. Our boats are specially designed for all the sailors who enjoy fresh water cruising, all over the world. We believe the best cruises are clean and quiet. That’s why Delphia is committed to create boats that are fully electric, by 2024. We love to escape from it all. For us, boats are meant to be a second home, where comfort, space and light create a soothing and relaxing atmosphere, for all your weekend getaway and holidays. »» Contact Delphia Dufour Yachts dufour-yachts.com The Dufour range of sailing boats comprises 9 iconic models designed to suit every sailing programme. Three are available with electric propulsion – Dufour 41, 470, 530., with four available . For over 60 years, Dufour yachts has a boat manufacturer have demonstrated their adaptability and versatility through beautiful innovations.

    Cannes Yachting Festival 2026 Guide to Electric Boat Exhibitors

  4. Aug 31

    Plugboats Guide to Electric Boat Exhibitors: Hiswa te Water 2026

    Hiswa te Water in the Netherlands is becoming one of the premier shows for electric boats and boating, with almost 50 boat builders, dealers, manufacturers, distributors and retailers of motors, batteries and accessories. The show is being held September 2-6 at the Batavia in Port Lelystad, about 40 km (25 mi) from central Amsterdam. Listen to this article as a podcast HISWA is an industry trade group for the Netherlands water sports business. HISWA te Water is their  in-water consumer trade show for the water sporting public. It is the largest in-water boat show in Northern Europe and this year has upped its focus on electric boats and propulsion. There a number of new initiatives along with a significantly expanded Green Route of exhibitors working on sustainable boating and Green Tour which offers daily guided tours of these exhibitors. Electric boating a major component The electric presence starts right at the entrance of the exhibition, at the stand Duurzaam Varen – the national Sustainable Water Recreation Program – in the first hall. Experts will be there to answer your questions about electric and hybrid systems and also provide take home materials.  The Sustainable Boating Coalition (SBC), made up of companies directly involved in e-boating, will present the the EV Motor Show exhibit in the hall, with an overview of 16 different brands of electric and hybrid motors. This is also the starting point of the Green Tour, daily guided tours in small groups designed to give visitors a one hour compact and complete overview of the state of affairs in sustainable boating. The Tour visits a selection of 10 exhibitors active in the field of sustainable boating where each will give a few minute presentation on their vision and offerings Electric Boating Pavilion, Green Route and Green Tour Outside the hall is the floating Electric Boating Pavilion where SBC members will provide demonstrations of electric drives, batteries, solar panels, and boat monitoring while also guiding you to the electric sloops, sailboats, and motorboats in-water at the show. At the Fun Park demos are the main attraction and this year will feature electric jet surf boards from Motorsurf and the Esurf, Audi Efoil, and Seabob from World Nautic Center. Winding throughout the on-land and in-water areas is the flagship Green Route. Conceived of and organized by Dutch electric boat pioneer Marcel Schaap, it was started in 2025 to make it easy for visitors to build their own tour and identify exhibitors who are actively working in zero emission propulsion or other aspects of green boating such as materials. The participating 80 exhibitors are clearly identifiable on the show’s floor plan, in the entrance hall, in the magazine, and on the Hiswa te Water website. New this year is an interactive plan, allowing visitors to map out their own route. In the Plugboats Guide to Hiswa Te Water below we provide some highlights of electric boat exhibitors along with a directory with linksto their websites and other information for those not able to go to the show. Directory of Electric Boat Exhibitors at Hiswa te Water 2026 Click to Open   +   or  –  Close a Directory of all electric exhibitors. Selected motor and accessories highlights of the show are below Click any tile for company information and links. ACES aces-energy.nl +31 74 7857701work LiFePO4 Battery Solutions ACES Energy is a Dutch company specializing in energy storage solutions. Founded in 2015, the company’s name, ACES, stands for Affordable Compact Energy Solutions. With a combined experience of over 60 years in the power and energy industry, the team at ACES Energy began developing energy storage solutions in the first three years of operation. By the beginning of 2017, the company had successfully sold its first Lithium batteries. The primary goal of ACES Energy was to create Lithium battery solutions that could easily replace lead acid batteries, offering customers lower ownership costs and improved performance. The batteries and battery management systems are primarily developed in the Netherlands, with the company also designing fully automated testing systems to maintain the high quality of its BMS. Advantages over lead-acid batteries Lower cost of ownership than AGM lead-acid Extremely low weight up to 6 times lower Cycle life of 4-15 times higher Built-in electronic Battery Management System The battery can replace a lead-acid battery without complicated interfaces and software settings Very low self-discharge that is 10 – 20 times lower Can be charged very fast in 1-2 hours Waterproof IP65 Products HF Batteries (LFP) HFA Batteries (LFP) Portable Batteries Custom Designed Batteries Sealed Battery Chargers Battery Chargers Accessories   Netherlands » Contact page AEQUAR aequar.com Allpa allpa.com info@allpa.nlINTERNET +31(0)24-37 77 773work AluShip aluship.nl AVR Watersport avrwatersport.nl Boarnstream Yachting boarnstream.com info@boarnstream.comINTERNET +31 566 600 828work BOB Sloepen bobsloepen.nl Boot Akkrum bootakkrum.nl Bootombouwen bootombouwen.nl Bootschappen Watersport bootschappen.nl Brandaris Yachts brandarisyachts.nl Canna Boats cannaboats.com info@cannaboats.comINTERNET +48 58 333 43 81work STEEPED IN TRADITION – BOATING FUTURE VISIONARIES. Led by our founder Janusz Kutkowski, we’ve created our boats with expertise and attention to detail. Drawing on a rich Polish tradition of boat and yacht building, our boats blend cutting-edge technology with functionality. Inspired by a 1950s feel, it embodies elegance and a positive outlook on the future. Coalitie Duurzaam Varen duurzaam-varen.org info@duurzaam-varen.orgINTERNET +31621803526work SUSTAINABLE BOATING FOR EVERYONE The goal of the coalition is to promote the transition to sustainable boating and, in doing so, to work together to reduce emissions from recreational, passenger, and commercial shipping and to improve air and water quality. We are working on a sustainable future for recreational boating to preserve our waterways and the ecosystems that live within them. At the same time, we want to keep water recreation accessible to everyone. To achieve this goal, the coalition is working on various solutions such as smart charging infrastructure, a safety certification, shared boats, and swappable batteries. By working together, the coalition can make a positive difference and help create a sustainable future for everyone. The Netherlands de stille boot destilleboot.nl info@destilleboot.nlINTERNET 0515 44 44 28work Our goal is to make electric boating really break through on Dutch waters and beyond. Because it is a wonderful, relaxing sailing experience. Silent, reliable and clean. Good for ourselves and nature. But also for our climate. This is a global challenge, to which we are happy to contribute. Delphia delphiayachts.com Mindful cruising We build boats that are specifically designed for the lakes and rivers of the world. We love slow and quiet cruises where we can fully connect with our friends, family, and nature. We are mindful cruisers. Our home is on the lakes and river. Our boats are specially designed for all the sailors who enjoy fresh water cruising, all over the world. We believe the best cruises are clean and quiet. That’s why Delphia is committed to create boats that are fully electric, by 2024. We love to escape from it all. For us, boats are meant to be a second home, where comfort, space and light create a soothing and relaxing atmosphere, for all your weekend getaway and holidays. »» Contact Delphia Drinkwaard drinkwaard.com info@drinkwaard.comINTERNET +31 184 412332work With a team of 20 specialists and extensive facilities, we are at your service. At Drinkwaard Marine you choose a solid partner in pleasure craft. Dufour Yachts dufour-yachts.com The Dufour range of sailing boats comprises 9 iconic models designed to suit every sailing programme. Three are available with electric propulsion – Dufour 41, 470, 530., with four available . For over 60 years, Dufour yachts has a boat manufacturer have demonstrated their adaptability and versatility through beautiful innovations. Esea eseaboats.com info@eseaboats.comINTERNET +31 6 52520985work ESEA is a new generation electric boat brand dedicated to Easy · Smart · Silent experiences.Merging timeless Northern European design with superyacht-grade engineering, ESEA delivers quiet power, intuitive technology, and effortless enjoy

    Plugboats Guide to Electric Boat Exhibitors: Hiswa te Water 2026

  5. Aug 27

    Flux electric outboards get European certification and new US senior sales team

    Europe is the world’s most advanced market for recreational marine electrification, while the US market is ripe for change as gasoline prices soar and more solar and wind generation capacity comes online daily. Listen to this article as a podcast With EU approval of the FM115 electric outboard from Flux Marine of Rhode Island and a new electric propulsion veteran joining Flux as Senior Field Sales Manager in the US, the company is now well positioned to be a player on both sides of the Atlantic pond. EU certification because of extensive real usage data The FM115  European debut comes aboard the iRIB-7 hull from Austrian boatyard i-RIB. The motor is coupled with Flux’s submersion-proof IP67-rated 28 kWh modular battery packs and is available on the i-RIB with 2 or 3 packs to create 56 kWh or 84 kWh of electricity storage. iRIB founders Thomas and Michael Salzl were impressed by the technology, power, and price of the FM115, but were a bit overwhelmed by what was needed to get the US motor into the German market. So Flux took matters into their own hands. “Boatbuilders don’t want to become electric propulsion specialists” said Ben Sorkin, co-founder and CEO of Flux. “They want to give their customers an electric option without rebuilding their business around it. We did the engineering and the compliance for the EU paperwork, which was relatively simple because the 115 isn’t a prototype, it’s a proven system” Flux says the FM115  is the leading high-horsepower all-electric outboard in North America by units delivered and has more than 50,000 kilometres logged by real customers in salt and fresh water over the past four years. It has undergone real-world validation spanning thousands of hours of beta motor testing in 2023 and 2024 as well as two full commercial seasons since. Drop-in replacement for 115 HP gas outboard The motor was designed as a  drop-in replacement for a 115 hp (86 kW) gasoline outboard. Flux engineers started with a blank sheet of paper and a single question: What would an electric marine propulsion system look like if you didn’t have any constraints? The resulting motor mounts on a standard transom, uses existing steering and rigging hardware, and integrates with familiar Garmin chartplotter screens through a native Flux interface. No oil to change, no impellers to replace, no carburetors to clog, no winterization rituals…you can read about its many features and benefits in this Plugboats article (link below) about a Flux-equipped Scout 215 XSF Read: A great combo – Flux Marine electric OB and the Scout 215 XSF  Europe is far ahead of the US in the number of electric powered boats available, partly because of a different style of boating and partly because of regulations, some of which were introduced as far back as the 1980s. On many lakes and canals, including Lake Neusiedl, which is home to iRIB, emission-spewing fossil fuel motors are banned or restricted to certain hours or areas. US ready to grow with senior electric propulsion specialist In the United States the e-boat market is growing, but awareness and getting hands-on experience is a bit of a challenge. That’s where the new Flux hire comes in. Chris Ponnwitz has joined the company as Senior Field Sales Manager, with responsibility for revenue growth across boat builder partnerships, dealer network expansion, and direct and commercial sales channels. Chris was formerly with Mack Boring, the century-old marine propulsion distributor. He started in gas and diesel motor sales, but has spent the last few years as Chief Commercial Officer of Mack Sustainable Energy, the company’s electric propulsion division. “I’ve been following Flux Marine closely for the past few years and watching their electric outboards develop from a concept into a proven commercial option” said Ponnwitz. “This technology gives us a real edge and we’re on the verge of rapid growth. I look forward to working with the passionate Flux team and giving more customers the opportunity to switch to electric propulsion.” “Building out our sales organization is one of our highest priorities and Chris’s proven track record in marine electric propulsion makes him the perfect fit for Flux Marine” said Daylin Frantin, Flux co-founder and CFO/COO. “Chris has spent a decade leading commercial strategy in this industry, and he’s the right person to introduce our products to customers, dealers, and marine industry partners,”  The senior sales leadership Chris has shown will play an integral role in new business development, representing Flux Marine at industry events and boat shows. This will enable Flux Marine to expand growth of its network of boat builder partners, dealers, and commercial customers across North America and now, Europe. Flux Marine   i-RIB See boats for sale with Flux Marine motors in the Plugboats Marketplace The post Flux electric outboards get European certification and new US senior sales team appeared first on Plugboats.

    Flux electric outboards get European certification and new US senior sales team

  6. Aug 23

    First time E1 electric speedboat winner changes season standings at Monaco

    The E1 Electric Speedboat Championship Series returned to Monaco July 17-18 for the fourth event of the 10 city circuit. This 2026 race marks the Championship’s third visit to the Principality, and came just one week after the 13th annual Monaco Energy Boat Challenge (MEBC). Both events are focused on electric boats, and both are hosted at the Yacht CLub de Monaco (YMC). Listen to this article as a podcast The MEBC brings together over 400 students from 30 colleges and universities around the world to design and build fossil-fuel free boats that compete against each other in three categories. It is also a showcase for commercial electric boat manufacturers. Technology and sustainability Together the E1 and MEBC help reinforce Monaco’s reputation as a leader in promoting new propulsion and other technologies that aim to reduce the impact of human activity on the world’s oceans and other waterways. E1 2026 Race 1: Jedda    E1 2026 Race 2: Lake Como  E1 2026 Race 3: Dubrovnik   E1 2026 Race 5: Luanda The E1 Series mission is to “leverage the unique sporting platform and global reach of our competitions to showcase cutting-edge technologies that promote the protection of marine ecosystems and the uptake of e-mobility solutions worldwide.” Speaking at the start of the weekend, his Serene Highness Prince Albert II of Monaco said “We know how hard it is to start a new series like this – almost a new sport – and the spirit in which it’s been done is truly remarkable. I want to wish everyone well as they continue to push the limits as a showcase for sustainability, It’s a great message for the future.” The two events also share an historic offshore racing course overlooked by the iconic Monte Carlo Casino. These waters are where the world’s first sanctioned powerboat racing competition was held in 1904 and are now the location for both the the E1 Series and the YCM (Yacht Club de Monaco) Speed Record competition of the Energy Boat Challenge. Just the week before the E1 Series, the Frauscher X Porsche Specter 797 set a new record for the MEBC with a speed of 51.05 knots: 94.54 kph / 58.75 mph. That is more than impressive for a production planing boat. It’s the same top speed as the much hydrofoling and – much lighter – Racebirds of the E1. (There is a full Overview of the Racebird boats, the E1 Rules and the race strategies at the bottom of this article)  Read: Frauscher X Porsche sets second speed record at Monaco Energy Boat Challenge The E1 races are held over two days and the first day’s Qualifying events had loads of action, a few surprises and a little sentimentality. Although this is the third time Monaco has hosted the E1, it is the first time it has had a home team participating in the Championships – a stellar opportunity for its two pilots to show their best stuff. The male half of the piloting duo for Team Monaco is Maxime Nocher, previously one of the most accomplished figures in kitesurfing, with 11 world championships to his name. The other pilot is Oban Duncan – only 20 years old – who began her competitive boat racing career at the age of eight and started with E1 when she was just 18. That was after setting a British powerboat speed record and being crowned British Powerboat Champion 10 times. Monaco team wins Qualifying They did the Principality proud in Friday’s Qualifying sessions as they claimed the home pole ahead of the Saturday race showdowns. This was especially well done because the waves of the Mediterranean coming into shore and bouncing back to sea created some of the roughest conditions of this year’s E1 season. Those conditions were not equally kind to Actor Will Smith’s Team Westbrook. They were sitting on top of the standings coming in to Monaco on the strength of back-to-back victories in Lake Como and Dubrovnik. Unfortunately the weekend’s high chop led to a propeller overspeeding on pilot Sara Price, leaving her underpowered for the remainder of her session and placing Westbrook in fifth. On Finals Day the next morning it was Monaco’s turn to get snake bitten. They made a wrong turn on the course in their Group Race, which consigned them to join Westbrook in the Place Race along with Team Rafa – owned by tennis legend Rafael Nadal – and Team AlUla, championed by basketball star LeBron James. In the Finals, Team Drogba, owned by former Chelsea footballer Didier Drogba, dominated both races and put together their first E1 victory ever. Team Drogba grabs first ever victory In Final 1, with Spanish pilot Tara Pacheco at the wheel, they finished just ahead of Emma Kimiläinen of Team Brady, owned by the former NFL great. The battle resumed in Final 2 with Kiwi Micah Wilkinson holding off Kimiläinen’s partner Sam Coleman. Wilkinson was rewarded with PIF Pilot of the Day for his performance in the race. Team Miami came through to finish third, securing their first podium spot in 13 races. Will Smith’s Westbrook team salvaged things a bit by getting a victory in the Place Race, which translates into seventh overall for the weekend. That knocked them down from first in the season standings to second, allowing Brady to get to the top and lead by nine points. Team AlUla came into Monaco 3rd overall and leaves in the same place, but now has others nipping at their stern. Aoki, owned by DJ Steve Aoki, is only 4 points behind, and Team Blue Rising, owned by Indian cricketer Virat Kohli is just 9 points behind that. Team Drogba’s victory had them jump from 10th overall to 5th overall and they are now just five points behind Blue Rising. The season is not even half over, there are still six races to go, and lots of points to be dished out. The winner of the Finals receives 38 points, the second place finisher 30 points and third place 20. So you can see how things can change quickly. The next exciting race is September 12 and 13 in Luanda, Angola. E1 Series website   E1 YouTube Channel 2026 E1 Championship Standings After Race 3: Dubrovnik PLC TEAM OWNER FEMALE MALE PTS 1 Team Brady Tom Brady Emma Kimiläinen Sam Coleman 119 2 Westbrook Racing Will Smith Sara Price Lucas Ordóñez 110 3 Team AlUla Championed by LeBron James Nerea Martí Rusty Wyatt 75 4 Aoki Racing Team Steve Aoki Sara Misir Dani Clos 71 5 Team Blue Rising Virat Kohli Mashael AlObaidan John Peeters 64 6 Team Drogba Global Africa Didier Drogba Tara Pacheco* Micah Wilkinson 59 7 Sports.com Predict Team Powered by Magnus Marc Anthony Rianna O’Meara-Hunt Timmy Hansen 50 8 Sierra Racing Club Thibaut Courtois and Kyle Kuzma Catie Munnings Erik Stark 46 9 Team Monaco   Oban Duncan Maxime Nocher 44 10 Team Rafa Rafael Nadal Cris Lazarraga Tom Chiappe 38 Overview of the E1 Series, Team Owners, Pilots and the Racebird boat (Click to + expand or – close E1 Series Background) Launched in Jeddah in January 2024, the E1 Series features ten teams racing the one design ‘RaceBird’ all-electric hydrofoiling speedboats at events held in top international ports and waterways. Each team is owned by a noted figure in the worlds of sport, entertainment and business and is led by a female and male pilot who compete in mixed genre races throughout the season. There are no ‘men’s races’ and ‘women’s races’, they are all on equal footing. The goal of the series, aside from deciding ‘The Champions of the Water’, is to publicize and promote cutting-edge clean technologies while helping to protect and restore our planet’s coastal waters and ecosystems. The series was founded by Alejandro Agag and Rodi Basso and is loosely patterned after the on-land Formula 1 and Formula E car events, where the emphasis is on the driver’s capabilities rather than throwing money at technology. In fact, Agag is a founder of the Formula E electric car racing series and Basso worked with Ferrari, Red Bull Racing and McLaren Applied Technologies. The Racebird itself is designed by Sophie Horne of Seabird Technologies. The Sophie Horne. The 7 meter (23 ft) boat has hydrofoiling wings that lift the hull out of the water enabling speeds of up to 90 kmph (50 knots / 55 mph) using a 150 kW (200 brake horsepower) electric outboard system by Mercury Racing and Kreisel batteries. The ten teams and are their owners are: Team Brady: former NFL quarterback Tom Brady Team Rafa: tennis legend Rafael Nadal 
Team Miami: multi-Grammy winner Marc Anthony Team Aoki: DJ / Producer Steve Aoki Team AlUlA: championed by basketball’s Lebron James Team Drogba: Ivory Coast footballer Didier Drogba 
Team Blue Rising: Indian cricketer Virat Kohli Team Sierra: Sierra Enterprises with ambassadors Thibaut Courtois (Real Madrid soccer) and Kyle Kuzma (NBA basketball) Team Monaco: Monaco The pilots of the boats come from a wide variety of disciplines. Many, like Sam Coleman and Emma Kimmaläinen of Team Brady, came from powerboating and motorsport racing, but Maxime Nocher of Team Monaco was a kite surfing champion; Team Drogma’s Tara Pacheco was in sailboat racing; Cris Lazarraga of Team Rafa was a jetski racer and Lucas Ordóñez of Westbrook first entered real life professional racing by winning a spot in a PlayStation 3 Gran Turismo competition. (»» go back to top to close) Electric Speedboat Series Rules and Strategies (Click to + expand or – close the rules) E1 SERIES: RULES Championship: Ten teams race over 9 weekends, with points awarded for finishing place, along with some bonus points for specific achievements. The Champions of the Water are the team that accumulates most points by the end of the season. Events: Each event is held over two days, usually a Friday and Saturday. Qualifying time trials and races are held on Day One. Day Two has Group Races which decide two of the finalists, the Race Off to determine the other four finalists, the Place Race, and two Finals races – so both the female and male co-pil

    First time E1 electric speedboat winner changes season standings at Monaco

  7. Aug 17

    Explomar electric outboards win again at Monaco Open Sea endurance race

    The Open Sea Class of the Monaco Energy Boat Challenge is where the e-boat industry comes to show their latest products in a competitive setting. Unlike other boat shows – even in-water shows – where the emphasis is on displaying the boats to the buying public, at Monaco the emphasis is on friendly competitions between companies intent on showing how the latest technologies and designs compare with each other. Two of the highlights of the Challenge are the YCM (Yacht Club de Monaco) Speed Record and the 16 Nautical Mile Speed Race. The YCM event is a one kilometre straightaway competition that takes place along the Monaco coastline just east of the Yacht Club, while the 16 NM Speed Race has the boats testing both speed and autonomy in the open sea, going from the Club to Ventimiglia, Italy and back. Listen to this article as a podcast This year the winning companies in each race were the same as last year – but they both did it using a different boat than their 2025 entries. Frauscher × Porsche took the YCM with a boat lighter and shorter than last year’s Fantom 850 Air, while Explomar high performance outboards in partnership with X-Tenders and XNRG won the Open Sea Race with a boat 250 kilograms heavier and .6 meters longer than last year’s winner. Challenging wind and wave conditions In the Monaco-Ventimiglia competition, the XNRG 8.3-meter carbon-fiber RIB – Rigid Inflatable Bat – powered by the ExploMar WAVE 300+ crossed the finish line in 35 minutes and 24 seconds, defending its title and finishing nearly nine minutes ahead of the Frauscher × Porsche Specter 797. The day before, that Specter 797 was the winner of the straightaway race, setting a new record time and speed of  38.2 seconds and 51.05 knots (84.95 kph / 52.16 mph) with the EXNRG-Explomar  boat placing second. Read: Frauscher × Porsche sets another speed record at 2026 Energy Boat Challenge While the YCM Speed Record is the more glamorous of the two events, the offshore 16 NM event is probably a better test of how the boats fare in conditions more like real life, although they were certainly put to the test on this day! Competitors faced Force 4 winds (13.9–20.7 knots) and 1–2 meter waves, creating severe pitching and heaving motions and rapid propeller ventilation and re-immersion. Those conditions are challenging for any boat and motor, and a good workout for electric propulsion in particular because there are dramatic load fluctuations and extreme demands on the system’s dynamic response, mechanical robustness, and the battery’s thermal management capability. One of the reasons Explomar and Team XNRG were able to repeat their victory from last year is the data collected during last year’s championship. It also helped that the same captain, Gerben Boomsma of XNRG, was at the helm. Four boats in race with Explomar electric outboards “It was a little bumpy for sure,” said Boomsma, “a lot rougher than last year, when it was very calm but the heat was what you had to deal with. This year it was already a bit rougher in the days before the race – even during the straightaway speed race – so we were able to look at what is the smartest way to run the boat, propeller-wise and with what RPMs to make sure that we were able to get the most efficiency and balance of speed and range.” ExploMar engineers collaborated closely with Boomsba’s team to optimize the WAVE 300+ system specifically for the Force 4 sea conditions. The torque control strategy was recalibrated to suppress torque oscillations during repeated propeller ventilation and re-entry. On the battery side, thermal management algorithms were refined to maintain cooling performance as the load fluctuated. There was also a fair bit of old-fashioned seamanship involved. “We held back a bit at the beginning, when everyone took off, “said Boomsba, “to look at what was happening and how the boats were behaving in the waves because it was quite serious. In front of the the stone walls on the shore where all the waves are coming back, there are random peaks and crosswake are all around you, the pilots call it ‘the washing machine’ when the conditions are like this.” “It was a serious journey” “We were together with Frauscher-Porsche and Vita at the first buoy and we were the first ones turning at the Ventimiglia buoy, but then we decided to take a bit of a different route, so we were taking it almost like half wind, so it was a bit more comfortable. We had to travel a bit more distance, but that gave us a steadier speed, so that was basically where we pulled ahead.” “But we were really happy arriving back  in Monaco because it was it was a serious journey I can tell you.” The technical analysis shows the boat maintained an average speed of 27 knots over the full 16-nautical-mile event, crossed the finish line with 40% battery capacity remaining, and recorded a maximum battery temperature below 45°C, demonstrating significant thermal management margin under sustained high-load operation. The winning boat was one of four entries using Explomar systems, each boat paired with and designed to showcase the versatility of the company’s different motors. Average speed 27 knots, 16 NM, 40% of battery untouched Like the 300+ on the XNRG 8.3, all of the Explomar systems were matched with Rigid Inflatable hulls, of varying sizes and shapes. Tokarex of Poland, distributors and dealers of Explomar and the Kolibri and Gala boat lines, showcased the first all-electric model they are offering for sale, a Gala Atlantis A500 Cruising RIB with the WAVE 70+. German full service yard, marina and broker Yacht Technik married Explomar’s WAVE 150 with a 6.5 metre (21 ft) RIB from Italian manufacturer ZAR Formenti. The fourth boat partnering with Explomar was the impressive Arcistratega presented by AS Labruna, a 10 metre (33 foot) RIB developed on a Python 33 platform with dual WAVE 300+ outboards. In addition to Explomar’s high-capacity batteries she is equipped with solar panels and a methanol-powered fuel cell used to generate electricity at night and during periods when solar production is insufficient. In collaboration with its official propeller partner SOLAS, ExploMar optimized each propulsion package through dedicated propeller matching and system calibration, ensuring maximum performance across every vessel platform. The 11-meter Arcistratega hit a speed of 29.58 knots despite a fully loaded displacement of 5.5 tonnes. The ZAR RIB powered by the WAVE 150+ achieved an average speed of 26.06 knots, while the 5-meter Gala RIB and WAVE 70+ reached 20 knots. “Winning this championship for the second consecutive year is both an honour and a responsibility for our entire team,” said Alex Dong, Founder and CEO of ExploMar. “Every victory is built upon countless engineering iterations, extensive sea trials, and the dedication of our partners. Looking ahead, ExploMar will continue pushing the boundaries of electric propulsion performance along with a broader electric marine ecosystem to deliver higher-performance, reliable, and smarter electrification solutions for waterways worldwide.” Explomar  xtenders  XNRG  Tokarex  Yacht & Technik  AS Labruna  Monaco Energy Boat Challenge See Explomar Motors for Sale in the Plugboats Marketplace The post Explomar electric outboards win again at Monaco Open Sea endurance race appeared first on Plugboats.

    Explomar electric outboards win again at Monaco Open Sea endurance race

  8. Aug 6

    Frauscher X Porsche sets +50 knot electric boat speed record in Monaco

    The Monaco Energy Boat Challenge (MEBC) gathers the best and brightest of university students from around the world, bringing them together with some of the stars of the electric boat industry to advance the future of zero emission propulsion through races and competitions. This year’s event (the 13th annual) took place July 8 – 11 at the Yacht Club de Monaco (YCM). Listen to this article as a podcast There are four Classes of boats in the MEBC. Students compete in the Energy and AI Classes; the SeaLab Class is open to both student and commercial ventures; and production electric boats are in the Open Sea Class. Frauscher X Porsche also set electric boat speed record last year All of the Classes have internal competitions for things like manoeuvrability and endurance, and the SeaLab and Open Sea boats face off against each other in the YCM Speed Record. The boats take off from a starting line just outside the breakwaters of the Club and race along the Monaco shore to a marker 500 metres away. The course echoes that of the world’s first international powerboat race in 1904. There are two timed legs – one out to the marker and one back – with the fastest average time deciding the winner. The record was set last year by the Frauscher-Porsche 850 Fantom with a speed just shy of 50 knots at 49.84 kt (92.3 kph / 57.35 mph). This year Frauscher Porsche entered their new creation, the 797 Spectre. It  came to the starting line with the crowd buzzing with anticipation that this might be the year the 50 knot barrier was cracked. Indeed it was, with Frauscher pilot Bastien Bonnet coming in with a final average time of 38.2 seconds and speed of 51.05 knots: 94.54 kph / 58.75 mph. Pilot Bastien Bonnet and Frauscher Managing Director Stefan Frauscher. All Photos ©Monaco Energy Boat Challenge “Breaking the record we set only last year is an exceptional achievement by the entire team” said Frauscher. “The 797 Spectre impressively demonstrates the potential created by the consistent joint development of the boat, hull and electric powertrain.” The joint development he refers to is the partnership of Frauscher and Porsche, two historic names in their respective industries. Porsche was founded in 1931 by Ferdinand Porsche and Frauscher Boats in 1927 by Engelbert Frauscher. Today, Porsche is one of the most successful luxury sports car manufacturers in the world and Frauscher is Europe’s largest electric boat builder. Both companies are family-driven, have very similar values, and focus on innovation, design and quality. Europe’s leading electric boat builder  Frauscher Bootswerft started out building sailboats, then gas/petrol powerboats and in 1955 introduced their first electric boats. Since that time they have worked with many marine propulsion companies, including Torqeedo, Molabo and Evoy. The Porsche electric partnership is the first with an automotive drive train. It came about in 2022 when Frauscher executives were meeting with Porsche (the companies had worked together on a fossil fuel boat, the Demon, in 2016) and the car company revealed their plans for a new all-electric SUV – the Macan – and wondered if there might be something in using its power train in a Frauscher hull. The boatyard leapt at the chance, developed a prototype, showed it to the board of Porsche, and the two companies unveiled the Frauscher X Porsche 850 Fantom Air in 2024. In 2025 they launched the boat in a closed fore deck model that won numerous awards, including the Gussies International Electric Boat Awards, and set the 2025 Monaco speed record. They unveiled the new record 797 Spectre in January 2026 at Boot Düsseldorf. Spectre 797 designed from clean sheet to be electric Other than the Spectre being shorter and lighter than the Fantom, the essential difference is that the Fantom was an existing hull that had the Porsche electric drivetrain installed while the Spectre was designed from the beginning around the electric motor and battery. Frauscher had the two ideal candidates for creating the boat – nautical engineer/yacht designer Harry Miesbauer and designer Stefan Iverwin. Miesbauer is renowned for his sailboat designs and has worked on many notable yachts, including the Amer Sport One of the Nautor Challenge and the Volvo Ocean Race. Harry’s father used to sail with Engelbert Frauscher and Harry likes to tell the story of getting a call in 2012 from Michael Frauscher, the company’s Head of Design asking if he would like to work on designing a new boat. “I said, ‘Ahhh, nice, you’re going to go back to sailing boats’. No, Michael said, I want you to design a motorboat’. Miesbauer asked him if he was crazy, saying ‘I haven’t done a motorboat since my time in university!” He took on the project, though, and that turned out to be the original 850 Fantom, a very successful multi award-winning combustion boat. The same boat that would have the Porsche Macan engine installed a decade later. Spectre Designer Stefan Iverwin found his life coming somewhat full circle when asked to work on the project. “I started my career at the Porsche Design Studio” he told me, “working for many years in vehicle design, product design, industrial design, and even architectural projects.” He has been with Frauscher for the past 10 years and was the obvious choice for the Spectre’s overall visual design and the styling of the boat’s exterior and interior elements that deliberately blend automotive and nautical influences. Miesbauer said that from a nautical engineering perspective, knowing from the beginning that the boat would be electrically powered made a huge difference. “The main thing with hull design is to know the weight of all of the parts, and then address the most important aspect – the centre of gravity. That is what makes the boat ride properly and with the optimum efficiency.” Design language of a Porsche with Frauscher DNA “With the Fantom electric we had to redo certain structural aspects and some stringers to distribute weight in the same way as with the combustion engine, but with the Spectre we had a blank sheet. We could address everything and have it as we wanted from the first sketches.” From Iverwin’s design point of view, the freedom to create the whole boat specifically for electric propulsion was an exciting opportunity. “We were able to tailor things to the battery, which has a very specific large format that effects so many things. So when you look at the design, you see that it has a slightly different feel from other Frauscher models. It has some design elements, some design features on the sides with the air intakes and outtakes, where we wanted to show off this new kind of boat, visually hint that it has a different power source.” The functionality of the air vents is to enable battery cooling, but this helped contribute to developing an overall design aesthetic. “We wanted to celebrate them as design features,” said Iverwin, “so if you look at the side intakes, they are the source for a straight line that goes all around the rear end and adds a lot of dynamism to the whole design theme.” “If you look at the surface treatment overall, it makes the boat look bolder and stronger and from the rear end, you can see that it looks quite wide, a very fast, sportive boat. It resembles the design language that you find on a sports car like the Porsche. So it echoes that, but is also part of the Frauscher DNA, this sportive approach and kind of automotive feel that you find in many of their models.” Power and performance In speaking with Miesbauer and Iverwin, I asked them what reaction they hoped people would have when they experienced the Spectre 797 for the first time. “That it is surprisingly powerful” was the naval architect’s first thought. “They would say ‘I didn’t know you could have the same performance, maybe even better, with an electric boat, that you have with a combustion boat.'” “For me,” said Stefan, “the best thing that can happen is if someone sees the boat and just has a gut reaction of ‘I love this boat, I want this boat’ They also find reasons why it makes sense to decide for the boat, but I want that emotion, that feeling, saying ‘I love how it looks, I love how it feels when I drive it, I love how it performs.” Power. Performance. With a +50 knot result at the 2026 YCM Speed Record competition at the Monaco Energy Boat Challenge, it seems fair to say that those goals have been achieved. Frauscher Boats   Monaco Energy Boat Challenge See Fraucher Boats for Sale in the Plugboats Marketplace The post Frauscher X Porsche sets +50 knot electric boat speed record in Monaco appeared first on Plugboats.

    Frauscher X Porsche sets +50 knot electric boat speed record in Monaco
See All (20)

About

Everything electric boats and boating

Information

  • Creator
    Plugboats
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2026
  • Episodes
    20
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Show Website
    Plugboats