Electric boats are in their coming-of-age phase at the moment, with enough models already available on the market to compete with conventional diesel and gas-powered boats. Seen as the next step in sustainable transportation after electric vehicles, this type of watercraft is ready to transform the boating industry, similar to how Tesla transformed the automotive landscape.
And this reference to Tesla is no coincidence, as an ex-Tesla executive is planning on charting a new course for maritime recreation and how people experience the freedom of the open water. John Vo, the former global head of manufacturing for Musk's company, swapped electric cars for boats a couple of years ago when he founded Blue Innovations Group (BIG) in Pinellas Park, Florida.
The first product coming out of this new venture is a high-tech day boat called R30 that is powered by a Tesla-inspired dual-motor setup. The fully-electric luxury power boat spans 30 feet (9.14 meters) in length, has a 10-foot (3-meter) beam, and offers room for up to twelve passengers.
Though the company has been testing the new day cruiser around the St. Pete Pier for quite some time, only CGI renderings have been released so far, and people will get to see the actual boat for the first time in December at its public launch event.
The renderings show a boat with a partially enclosed cockpit and half-walkaround configuration. It features a rooftop solar panel plus two additional slide-out solar panels that triple the solar array's total surface area.
Talking about the new e-boat, John Vo reiterated his aim was to create a vessel that blends luxury, performance, and sustainability. "The R30 will provide the ultimate boating experience for customers with uncompromised safety, performance, style, and value while being environmentally friendly," he said.
Photo: Blue Innovations Group
What makes this new electric boat stand out is its propulsion system, which the company claims is "pollution-free” and silent. The R30 day cruiser comes equipped with two separate 298-kW electric motors that generate a total of 596kW or 800hp of power. With this dual-motor configuration, BIG targets a top speed of 39 knots (45 mph or 72 kph).
Feeding the two motors is a 221-kWh battery pack that promises to offer a runtime of up to eight hours on a single charge. It comes with support for DC fast-charging, meaning recharging to 80% capacity will be possible in 45 minutes.
Designed for longer trips, the R30 electric speedboat comes with an air-conditioned cabin, a classic convertible dinette with plenty of seating space that transforms into a comfortable bed at night, a kitchenette with a refrigerator, and a bathroom with sink and bidet. An interactive display, storage space, and a safe box are also part of the cabin.
The helm is also modern with a yoke steering and a dual-touchscreen infotainment system. As for exterior spaces, a sunbathing deck can be found at the bow, while the boat's aft boasts a trio of fold-down walls that turn the stern into a mini beach club.
At the moment, BIG engineers are working on increasing the e-boat's range and on software optimization. Vo's long-term plan includes a four-model lineup, with the R30 being the flagship model.
"As a matter of fact, we will have a four-model lineup," he said. "We’re going to start with the R30 – the cool cabin day cruiser. Then, we’re going to move to the R30G, which is a center console. Ultimately, we'll make a 25-foot version that is more affordable, like $150,000."
As mentioned, the official launch of the R30 power boat is scheduled for December 16 in St. Petersburg, Florida, but BIG is already accepting reservations. The e-boat will be priced at around $300,000, and deliveries are expected to start from Q3 2024.
After spending a few years as a copy editor, Ancuta decided to put down the eraser and pick up the writer's pencil. Her favorites subjects are unusual car designs, travel trailers and everything related to the great outdoors. Full profile
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