A new E1 series dedicated to electric foil boats
Sophi Horne is a young Norwegian designer. Head of SeaBird Technologies, she has developed in collaboration with Brunello Acampora of Victory Marine (yacht builder for Mochi Craft, Pershing, Riva, Azimut, Ferreti or Solaris Power) the new design of the electric superyacht of the new E1 series, the RaceBird. Victory Marine will be in charge of engineering and manufacturing the boats.
The E1 series will be the first regatta in the world dedicated to electric boats. Launched in 2020 by Alejandro Agag - a pioneer in sustainable motorsport, having already created three electric racing series: Formula E, Extreme E and now the E1 series - and Rodi Basso an electrical engineer with experience in Formula 1, working with Ferrari, Red Bull Racing and McLaren (as well as NASA).
"Alejandro Agag was one of SeaBird's first investors a year and a half ago. He's the man behind many car championships, including the E series. He was looking to create the same thing on the sea. He then discovered my design for an electric foil boat. He did a lot for the development of electric car racing. We will now try to develop the maritime environment in the same way. We will also need new structures in the marinas to charge the boats and help them to develop this electric side." says Sophi Horne, the designer of the RaceBird.
New design for 12 mixed teams
The UIM E1 World Electric Powerboat Series will feature up to 12 teams racing on technical inshore courses with speeds up to 60 knots. Drivers will compete on the RaceBird. This is a brand new concept inspired by nature and birds. This 7 m long and 2 m wide boat (without foils) is equipped with foils and an outboard motor, to offer incredible sensations of flight on the water.
"Originally we had proposed another design with an open cockpit. But we needed more safety. This new design - which will be built by Victory Marine, which is also involved in the development of the technology and the foils - has a closed cockpit and an outboard motor a little further back than the first design. The foils are also shorter and more centered so the boat can turn faster. We've put a lot of work into the foil design to produce a boat that is even more efficient than the first design." says Sophi Horne.
With the design now validated, the boat will enter the production phase. The next few months will be dedicated to the production of a complete fleet.
Each model will then be leased for one or more seasons by the teams (in the manner of an America's Cup or Sail GP project), with each team being headed by a shipowner who will pay an entry fee for access to the E1 Series.
Accelerate the electrification process of the boat
In addition to the creation of a new boat and a world championship, the project is to accelerate the electric revolution in the world of boating. Indeed, the marinas in which the competitions will take place will have to be equipped with charging stations. The E1 series is therefore committed, with its partners and the various cities, to installing this equipment which will remain long after the championship, as an incentive to switch to electric boats.
In the same vein, week-long technology festivals will be organized in the host cities to showcase the latest sustainable technologies from the championship partners, local governments, scientific and industrial projects and local start-ups.
Inshore routes
A total of 10 races should take place each year, with the partner cities still to be defined. The races will take place over two days, with timed courses, and the driver with the best time will be crowned winner. Energy management will also be essential as recharging will not be allowed during the races. Each team will be composed of a male and a female pilot, certainly from series such as jet-ski, raceboats or offshore racing. The first races should take place in 2023.
A shared rental model for the general public
In parallel to the Championship, the young designer has also designed a model for the general public, the SeaBird, whose design should be similar to its counterpart for the race. This boat - also equipped with foils - will be able to accommodate up to 6 people and will be accessible from a shared reservation platform during the events. About ten boats will be available to the public.
"It's a really ambitious project with an ultra advanced boat, whose design will be declined in two different concepts. The future is here and it's incredible. The thinking behind this project has been intense. It's a dream, especially for me, a newcomer to design. I was lucky to have Alejandro with me from the beginning. We have a strong team and we will continue to do everything to make sure that everything is in place quickly." concludes Sophie Horne.
