An electric boat and a new E1 series
In June 2021, we presented the E1 Series a class of electric foiling boats designed to compete in the first UIM E1 World Championship in 2023. A year later, the first prototype was tested on the water before being unveiled to the public at the Venice Boat Show.
The RaceBird is an electric foiling boat with clean lines and a futuristic design invented by Norwegian designer Sophi Horne and manufactured by engineers from SeaBird Technologies and Victory Marine. It will compete in a series of team races (similar to the America's Cup) starting in 2023. This championship founded by Alejandro Agag and Rodi Basso has the ambition to highlight new electric technologies that they see as the future of boating.
A test navigation to study the different flight conditions
Launched on the Po River near San Nazzaro in northern Italy, the RaceBird prototype underwent a series of tests in the hands of former world champion powerboat racer Luca Ferrari. These technical tests, which continued for several weeks, were aimed at checking the systems and the various electrical components, analyzing the performance and evaluating the characteristics of the foil in different flight conditions. The objective was to validate the overall reliability of the boat.
through a series of tests in a straight line, in turns, in slalom on a course of buoys and in qualifying conditions and race simulation, the RaceBird reached the speed of 50 knots. These tests also allowed the positioning of the onboard cameras that will broadcast the race from inside the boat to be tested.
An electric outboard motor
This hydrofoil boat is powered by a 35 kWh Kreisel battery and equipped with a 150 kW (equivalent to 200 hp) electric outboard motor produced by Mercury Racing. As a reminder, the engine manufacturer presented in February 2020 Avator its first electric outboard for pleasure craft.
Two refills are planned during each grand prix.
A first presentation to the public
The RaceBird is presented at the beginning of June 2022 at the Venice Boat Show. In fact, the first team announced (out of a total of 12) is Venice Racing Team, created by the entrepreneur Francesco Pannoli to compete in E1.
