/ 
A 5.20 m electric boat capable of advertising 0.08 kWh per kilometer at 12 km/h is a real eye-opener. Autonomy, multihull architecture, motorization, regulatory compliance, hybrid sail mode, transport and launching, each point deserves to be examined to understand who the ECOPULSE is really aimed at.
Really low power consumption, for which uses?
The most striking data concerns the claimed consumption of 0.08 kWh per kilometer at 12 km/h with the 1200 W motor. At this speed, the power demand would be 760 W. On a per-kilometer basis, the energy cost comes to around 1 euro cent per kilometer, according to the figures provided.
For a yachtsman in sheltered coastal sailing, on an inland stretch of water or in a harbor, this level of consumption opens up interesting prospects. However, it's important to bear in mind that these values depend on the load on board, the sea state and the wind. At 14 km/h, for example, range drops sharply.
With a 60 Ah lithium battery, in the prao version, the claimed range is 23 hours at 5 km/h, or 115 km. At 11 km/h, it falls to 2.6 hours for 29 km. The hydrodynamic logic is classic: as speed increases, drag increases and fuel consumption soars.
For users planning long trips, the possibility of carrying two or three additional batteries, each occupying less than 4 liters of volume, multiplies the range. All that remains is to integrate the additional weight into the maximum load calculation.
Trimaran or prao, what architecture for stability and load?
ECOPULSE is available in two versions, trimaran and prao. Both share a length of 520 cm and a draught of 50 cm, compatible with shallow waters.
The trimaran is 185 cm wide, with 476 dm³ of buoyancy and a maximum recommended load of 220 kg. The prao, wider at 210 cm, offers 357 dm³ of buoyancy and 180 kg of recommended load. The choice between the two will depend on the number of passengers and weight distribution.
With 1200 W motor and 60 Ah battery, the total weight is 79 kg for a trimaran and 69 kg for a prao. Without motorization or battery, they drop to 63 kg and 53 kg respectively. These low weights facilitate handling on land.
Behavior in rough seas is presented as gentle, with the thin hull penetrating the chop rather than hitting the wave. In category D, the program is limited to protected waters, inland waterways and sheltered coastal areas. This is not an offshore machine.
Electric motorization, installation and manoeuvrability
Two motor and battery packages are available. The first, 1200 W in 24 V with 60 Ah battery, delivers a maximum speed of 14 km/h. The second, 2400 W in 48 V with 50 Ah battery, reaches 16 km/h.
The motor sits in a housing in front of the pilot. Assembly takes less than a minute. The battery connection is via an Anderson-type plug, a standard in the electrical industry, and a guarantee of simplicity and reliability.
The throttle integrates forward, stop and reverse, with progressive power management. The pivoting motor allows 180° rotation for reverse and 90° for sideways movement. For harbor maneuvers or pontoon approaches, this rotation facilitates low-speed evolutions.
The 60 Ah lithium battery can be recharged on a domestic mains supply in about 6 hours. The charge level is visible on a voltmeter mounted on the motor. For yachtsmen unfamiliar with electric power, this direct reading is an easy reference.
Hybrid mode for sail, disassembly and transport
ECOPULSE can be fitted with a 3.6 m² sail. This modest surface doesn't transform the boat into a sports dinghy, but it does lighten the load on the battery when sailing downwind or on the beam. In hybrid mode, the sail helps maintain speed by limiting the engine power required.
It's clearly of interest to those who enjoy quiet sailing on inland waters. But use under sail is still dependent on stability and weight distribution, especially at maximum load.
A sand-capable cart is used for launching. Its dismountable nature and low weight make it easy to transport on a light trailer or adapted roof rack.
Last but not least, ECOPULSE is certified compliant with European Directive 2013/53/EU of November 20, 2013 on recreational craft, in category D. This compliance provides a framework for its navigation program and reassures us about the applicable safety requirements.
Sailing at low prices
Without motor, the ECOPULSE PRAO is priced at ?3,000 inc. tax, and the TRIO at ?3,600 inc. tax. The 1200 W motor (with 60 AH battery) costs ?1080 inc. VAT, while the extra power (2400 W and 50 Ah battery) costs ?1440 inc. For a total of around ?5,000.
All in all, the ECOPULSE is aimed at boaters looking for a lightweight, economical electric boat suitable for sheltered areas. All that remains to be done is to define your actual sailing program, because as is often the case in pleasure boating, everything depends on the water and the way you like to explore it.
