Following their attention grabbing prototype, the Icon, German start-up, Tyde has released imagery of an e-foiling sports cruiser German start-up, Tyde, has released renderings of its first proper leisure boat, an e-foiling sportscruiser called simply The Open. Billed as the world’s largest foiling electric motor yacht, this walkaround model measures 48ft 3in (14.7m) and tops out at 30 knots. Aimed at private owners interested in the very latest sustainable boating technology, the Open’s zero-emissions drivetrain comprises a 400kWh bank of BMW i3 batteries and twin 100kW Torqeedo Deep Blue el ..read more

German start-up Tyde has just released teaser renderings of its next BMW design collaboration, an e-foiling weekender called simply The Open... Billed as the world’s largest foiling motor yacht, this open-walkaround model measures 14.7m (48ft 3in) overall, has a maximum beam of 4.5m (14ft 9in) and has a potential top speed of 30 knots. Said to be aimed at private owners interested in the very latest in sustainable boating technology, the Open is based on Tyde’s first extraordinary prototype, the 13m (43ft) LOA Tyde Icon, a foiling glass lounge that first came to public attention during the Ca ..read more

Rand Boats is billing its latest model, the Rand Solara 33, as a lounge-terrace on the water. We take a closer look... The hard top has solar panels to help charge the batteries Looking a bit like a modern Scandinavian take on a US-style pontoon boat, the Rand Solara 33 offers a huge amount of usable deck space in relation to its length with multiple entry points to the water and a shallow draft for sneaking into shallow bays. But unlike most pontoon boats, this one is powered by electric motors and sits on slender GRP hulls for more sea-kindly, fuel efficient running. It’s RCD rated category ..read more

A joint project between BMW and Tyde has created an extraordinary new foiling electric craft called The Icon, but how does it work and what is it like to drive? Hugo Andreae reports... Is it a boat, is it a plane, is it the future or is it a fascinating but pointless publicity stunt? These are just some of the questions being asked about the most extraordinary new craft of the year. Built by German start-up Tyde and penned by Designworks, BMW’s futuristic skunkworks department, its stated mission is to “disrupt the luxury leisure world” and be “a radical change for good”. To ram home the poin ..read more

An all-electric sportsboat that flies on foils has been unveiled by Italian start-up Futur-E. On display at the recent Cannes Yachting Festival, the 17ft-long prototype features supercar-like styling with Lamborghini-style scissor doors on either side and a sliding roof... Is it a car? Is it a plane? Is it a boat? No, it’s a foiling, electric sportsboat with supercar-influenced styling The cabin is focussed around a single central bucket seat with an F1-style wheel and futuristic helm console. There is room for a couple of extra passengers on a rear bench seat. Sea trials have already been suc ..read more

British start-up RAD Propulsion has launched a new RAD40 electric outboard bursting with clever ideas. Hugo Andreae takes a closer look… LEFT: A flat torque line gives strong acceleration. RIGHT: Thrust can be directed through 180 degrees for precise low-speed manoeuvring while the front-mounted hinge ensures there is no need for an engine well on the boat, even when tilted fully up The idea of an electric outboard may be nothing new but the RAD40 drive from British start-up RAD Propulsion appears to be far more than just a conventional outboard leg with an electric motor bolted on top. Every ..read more

If you like the idea of free, renewable energy but don’t like sails, Sunreef would love to have a word. The Polish shipyard’s newest power cat is this Sunreef 80 Power Eco, available in both hybrid and pure electric versions, that positively bristles with solar panels... These produce a claimed maximum of 36kWp in bright sunshine, although with many of the solar panels mounted along the sides, that figure will only be achievable if the sun can be persuaded to shine on both sides at the same time. So it might occasionally be necessary to top up the batteries using the generators. The batteries ..read more

Dutch sailing organisation, Watersportverbond, has launched its first hydrogen-powered coach boat, the H2C... Due to make its debut as a support vessel at the 2023 World Sailing Championships in the Hague, the H2C Boat has been developed in collaboration with Dutch start-up, H2 Marine Solutions. Equipped with a Torqeedo Deep Blue 50R outboard motor and a 40kWh Deep Blue battery, it uses a 51 kWh hydrogen fuel cell as a range extender, ensuring a minimum of five hours operating time. Measuring six metres in length, the H2C Boat is also capable of reaching a top speed of 24 knots, providing wha ..read more

Due to make its debut as a support vessel at the 2023 World Sailing Championships in the Hague, the H2C Boat has been developed in collaboration with Dutch start-up, H2 Marine Solutions. Equipped with a Torqeedo Deep Blue 50R outboard motor and a 40 kWh Deep Blue battery, it uses a 51 kWh hydrogen fuel cell as a range extender, ensuring a minimum of five hours operating time. A 51 kWh hydrogen fuel cell extends the operating time to at least five hours Measuring six metres in length, the H2C Boat is also capable of reaching a top speed of 24 knots, providing what the manufacturers claim is ..read more

Frauscher is partnering with supercar icon Porsche to develop its largest electric model to date, the Frauscher x Porsche 850 Fantom Air... A development of the existing Frauscher 858 Fantom Air, the new Frauscher x Porsche 850 Fantom Air will have a marinized version of the state-of-the-art automotive drive technology planned for the not-yet-launched all-electric Macan. We are told its installation will include a high-voltage lithium-ion battery bank with a total capacity of around 100kWh. For comparison the conventionally propelled Fantom Air 858 is recommended for between 320-430hp. At thi ..read more