UK-based engineering specialist in the electric drivetrains industries, Equipmake, has recently revealed that it is responsible for the design, development, and manufacturing of a bespoke fully electric drivetrain for the “world-first electric flying boat”.
Well, about the flying boat… it really is a hydrofoil but I guess it is the same since it does travel above water at a much higher height than a hovercraft. Anyways, the vessel is penned by yacht designer and builder, Spirit Yachts, in collaboration with advanced marine engineering company, BAR Technologies.
The SpiritBARTech35EF Electric Flying Boat, as it is called, stake claim as the first of its kind to have a fast-cruising range of 100 nautical miles (about 185 km or 115 miles).
The boat is powered by a bespoke fully electric drivetrain, featuring a specially adapted version of its lightweight, power-dense, high-performance HPM-400 motor that produces a peak power of 80kW. The electric motor features an integrated gearbox and is paired with Equipmake’s HPI-450 IGBT inverter and a 120 kWh custom battery pack.
Together with BAR Technologies designed three active retractable foils that minimize drag, the 35-foot long SpiritBARTech35EF has a top speed of 28 knots (52 km/h or 32 mph). It can achieve the total range at a speed of 22 knots (41 km/h or 25 mph).
To put in context the achievement of the SpiritBARTech35EF, an average electric yacht of say 40 feet has a range of 25 to 70 miles at 5 knots, or maybe more, depending on the battery pack setup. So, yeah, SpiritBARTech35EF does indeed blow the competition out of the water.
Onboard the watercraft, it has the flexibility to quickly convert its 6 seats in open cockpit configuration to a 2-seater spider configuration for users who crave thrill and speed. It is unclear if the SpiritBARTech35EF will be put into production.
Images: Spirit Yachts/BAR Technologies/Equipmake.
