NAVICO OF NORWAY has announced a partnership with the E1 Series, the world’s first electric powerboating championship. It’s scheduled to start in early 2023 with up to 12 teams to race on a tight, technical course reaching speeds up to 50 knots (93km/h).
At the same time, E1 Series unveiled its first full-size model of the RaceBird electric powerboat at the Yacht Club de Monaco in Monte Carlo.
Simrad® electronics will be the official marine electronics partner of the E1 Series, while C-MAP becomes the official cartography partner. Both Navico brands will assist in the development of onboard systems and RaceBird’s cockpit in future E1 Series powerboat racing championships.
Knut Frostad, CEO of Navico says, “The electrification journey is quickly taking hold in the boating industry and we believe the E1 Series is a perfect platform to raise the bar around innovation and encourage action in marine conservation and sustainability.”
The E1 Series partnership is designed to create the world’s first Union Internationale Motonautique (UIM) sanctioned electric powerboat racing championship, with competition held close to shore in urban areas featuring the hydrofoil-borne RaceBird, now under development for the series.
RaceBird was designed by SeaBird Technologies and Victory Marine and features an electric outboard motor, enclosed safety canopy and hydrofoils. The boats will be powered by a 35kWh battery from Kreisel and a motor with 150 kW peak power output, with a projected top speed of 58mph (93 km/h). The boats will be built by Victory Marine.
What is E1 Series: RaceBird tech specs:
– Up to 12 teams – 50 knots top speed (93 km/h)
– 10 global race locations – 150 kW peak power output
– Knockout-style race format – 35kWh battery from Kreisel
– Short races close to shore – Hydrofoil technology
