Ventnor-based Cheetah Marine International is joining forces with RS Electric Boats to develop a new generation of electric workboats.
The British powerhouses will be working together to accelerate the evolution of dependable electric boats for commercial and leisure use.
The exciting development starts with commercial applications. Initially, electric workboats will be developed and delivered under a combination of the RS Electric Boats and Cheetah brands, with electric catamaran adventure boats to follow.
The first of the electric workboats will be launched in Spring 2023, with the first adventure boat to be displayed at boot Düsseldorf.
The collaboration officially launches next month and both companies will be exhibiting side-by-side at SeaWork (21st-23rd June).
RS says that future boats produced under Cheetah will have the option to be made EV Ready, even if a few customers still specify fossil-fuel power. The ability to retro-fit electric propulsion will be available within the model range.
Jon Partridge, CEO for RS’ marine group of businesses, says:
“Cheetah Marine is very well respected. Sean Strevens, its founder, has been developing his designs for 30 years, creating catamarans to handle rough seas and beach safely in surf. He’s got customers ranging from expedition skippers to patrol personnel with hydrographic surveyors and more in the middle. His innovative design was originally for him to conquer surf when commercial fishing. It’s a proven concept and he’s sold over 600.”
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Sean Strevens, founder, Cheetah Marine, says:
“RS Sailing’s knowledge of lightweight materials, and RS Electric Boats’ experience of designing electric specific craft are invaluable. They’re both companies who innovate and deliver. Their experiences – working to solve the challenges that their customers and the environment face – mirror ours. Which is why we’re bringing the two together to mould commercial electric catamarans.”
I wonder if they’ve thought about charging facilities? Those for cars are a joke… And it’s not like you could plug one of those boats into your home supply….
I am sure they have. For a pleasure boat electric is ideal. So nice a quiet. I have a friend who has solar on the roof and charges his car for free. Saved thousands in fuel in the two years he’s had the car. And with prices as they are, saving even more. And for the island, even after 10 years with the battery down to 80% the range will still be far more that he’ll ever need. Servicing is so cheap.