Torqeedo Charges Ahead
Among the 40-plus-foot center consoles with multiple outboards at the Miami International Boat Show was something completely different: two electric sportboats powered by Torqeedo motors.
“As the marine industry looks ahead to the challenges of tomorrow, Torqeedo and our partners around the world are creating a new way to move on the water, from dinghies and daysailers to motorboats, water taxis and ferries,” Torqeedo president Steve Trkla said in a statement.
Torqeedo displayed a Canadian Electric Boat Co. Phoenix 290 dayboat with twin Deep Blue 50 Rs — equivalent to 80 hp each — and two 40-kW-h Deep Blue high-capacity lithium batteries. A joystick control system independently controls the throttle and steering for each motor.
Torqeedo said Deep Blue outboards will get even quieter and that the “Deep Blue system will enjoy seamless integration of joysticks, third-party throttles and wireless controls,” as a goal for this year.
The inboard Zin Boats Z2R was adjacent to the Phoenix. Powered with the Deep Blue 50i system, the 20-foot carbon fiber runabout has a 100-mile range at cruise speed and is capable of a 35-mph top end. The average cost to recharge the Z2R’s battery is less than $6, Zin Boats said in a statement. “The Z2R’s carbon-fibre construction and innovative hull shape take full advantage of electric propulsion’s advantages, proving what can be accomplished with a purpose-built electric boat,” said Trkla.
Torqeedo also plans for 2020 an ultralight motor for kayaks and a 20-hp equivalent outboard with tiller steering.
