It’s no secret that we’re approaching, or have maybe even passed the moment in history where most buyers are at least considering buying an electric vehicle. The awkward early adopter phase is long gone, doubters few and far between, and every car manufacturer has at least some EV options, while others focus exclusively on electric and are experiencing massive growth. Mass adoption is here, the prices are falling, and infrastructure and legislature are hurrying to catch up.
All of this has left many people wondering – if it works for cars, why not bring sailing boats into the fold? Sailing was never about motoring, never about engine speed – it is about that connection to nature, the serenity of the sea and the challenge. So why not get rid of the “dirty and loud” diesel engine, and simply exchange it for “clean and quiet” electric propulsion? Motor out of the marina or bay in silence, and then use the sun, wind and waves to continue your journey. That is why Elan Yachts and Oceanvolt, both in Finnish ownership, decided to partner up and create a full range of electric-powered yachts – from the luxurious GT6 to the practical Impression yachts and the sporty E-Line of performance cruisers. Oceanvolt became Elan Yachts’ exclusive electric power provider, after several highly successful pioneering projects.
Why is this so different from a car? A yacht is an independent element on the sea and, unlike a car, it will need to provide its owner with much more than just propulsion. It is imperative therefore to consider everything, from the way the yacht is built, to the equipment on board. Since you will spend most of your time sailing, you need a yacht that performs well and is easy to sail. A good, reliable sail plan and rig, like the one on Elan yachts, will give you enough options to substitute the practicality of a diesel engine. Elan’s VAIL technology keeps the weight down, its short-handed sailing approach and comfort-centric design will keep you comfortable even when sailing for longer periods, and the high-end electronics are designed to keep consumption low. That is crucial, because you will need to bear in mind cooking, refrigeration, water and cabin heating and entertainment, as well as the availability of ports/marinas with good electrical infrastructure. Of course, there are fossil fuel solutions for all these challenges, and Elan and Oceanvolt partnership also offers a hybrid option with a 48V DC generator, which is very practical for emergency situations.
Full electric yacht propulsion means a zero-operating-emissions yacht – no noise, no exhaust, no smell and no environmental restrictions. It enables sailing without the use of fossil fuels. It’s meant for people who want to utilise the instant power output benefits of electricity in emergency situations, no engine rev settling, no pre-start waiting and low maintenance costs. To use the wind and the sun to re-charge. All of these are actual benefits of electric propulsion, but what are the downsides? For committed sailors, there are not many. The operating range of high-end electric propulsion systems like the one from Oceanvolt is from 25 to 70 miles at 5 knots (and more, depending on the battery pack options and power generation), which is more than enough to get you in and out of marinas and bays and still have plenty left over to get you out of a bind. The rest, you sail. And if the yacht is fast, the winds are fair and you achieve 5 knots or more, Oceanvolt’s hydrogeneration kicks in and generates power for recharging the battery bank. The cost of that is a speed reduction of less than 0.5 knots. If you can go even faster, the power generation increases exponentially.
But by being an early adopter, you are supporting an industry in the development of more accessible and efficient solutions for a better tomorrow. This is why Elan decided to partner with Oceanvolt and to offer a full range of yachts for all types of sailing, be it enthusiast racer, gentleman sailor or cruiser circumnavigating the globe. There is a dedicated design for every style.
Elan Yachts
Elan embodies a true passion for sailing, technological innovations and distinctive design. Every yacht coming from Elan's 16.000 sq meter boatyard in Slovenia is the result of our 70-year long passion for innovation-oriented quality boatbuilding.
One of the oldest leisure shipyards, Elan offers new generation of sailing yachts with a perfect balance between performance, comfort, easy handling and safety without compromise.
Oceanvolt
Founded in 2004, Oceanvolt is a leading manufacturer of electric and hybrid propulsion systems for boats. Oceanvolt offers state-of-the-art electric motors that combine sustainability, safety and reliability.
Oceanvolt was founded by serial entrepreneur and sailor Janne Kjellman, who understood the necessity of the engine in modern sailing but wanted to create a quiet and environmentally friendly alternative to the diesel engine.
Oceanvolt’s electric propulsion systems are suitable for use in sailboats, motorboats, harbour ferries and other small and medium-sized commercial boats. With built-in software, Oceanvolt systems can be monitored and serviced in real-time via the Internet. Oceanvolt's SD saildrive system has been awarded the Pittman Innovation Award by SAIL magazine, among other things. In 2017, the patented ServoProp saildrive motor with a variable pitch propeller won the industry's most prestigious DAME award in the engine and propulsion category.
Along the way, Oceanvolt has built up a global network of boat designers, boat builders, shipbuilding engineers, boaters and other partners.
For more information:
David Anand Rajapakse, Head of Marketing, Elan d.o.o. - David.rajapakse@elan.si
Tommi Lassila, CEO, Oceanvolt Oy - tommi.lassila@oceanvolt.com
