June sees the launch of a new partnership between UK boatbuilders RS Electric Boats and Cheetah Marine, who will collaborate on the development of two new series of electric craft, comprising workboats and adventure catamarans.
In a statement issued in late May, the British companies announced their intention to identify synergies between Cheetah Marine’s catamaran designs and RS’ fully integrated systems. According to RS: “Future boats produced under Cheetah will have the option to be made EV-ready, even if a few customers still specify fossil-fuel power. The ability to retrofit electric propulsion will be available within the model range.”
The first electric workboat is earmarked for launch in spring 2023. Both workboat and adventure catamaran ranges will offer lengths of between 6-12m and beams of between 2.5-4.3m. “The first adventure cat will be a 7.2m unit,” a spokesperson for RS tells Ship & Boat International. Both ranges will also offer speeds up to 25knots, though the main focus will be on retaining an operational speed of between 12-18knots, “for maximum efficiency”, the spokesperson adds.
Last year saw RS unveil its Pulse 63 RIB, a 6.3m, all-electric model built from sustainable materials, and capable of attaining a top speed of 23knots. The Pulse 63 features a specially designed hull shape for reduced drag and quick acceleration, and is powered by a 46kW Hyperdrive lithium-ion battery pack, offering users a range of 25nm at 20knots.
