Here’s a new idea from a new company. Nova Luxe Yachts, a New York company, converts production power catamarans from 35 to 50 feet to all-electric power. It is now fitting out its first conversion, an Aquilla 44, in a yard in St. Petersburg, Florida, and it will be launched on June 1.
The new Aquilla, usually powered by twin diesels, will be a totally solar/electric boat. It will have Torqueedo Deep Blue drives, BMW i3 batteries and an array of 16 solar panels on the cabintop. Nova Luxe says the new green Aquilla will be an environmentally friendly cruiser with a range of 1,250 nm at 6.5 knots using only power generated by the solar panels.
“The automotive industry has advanced DC technology to where battery-powered marine propulsion doesn’t mean sacrifice, but is in many ways superior to diesel,” says Marc Hawxhurst, Nova Luxe Yachts president. “Torqueedo’s high-performance, high-voltage BMW i3 lithium-ion battery is completely waterproof, packs an astounding 40 kWh of power and comes with a nine-year warranty. It’s the perfect choice for our luxury yachts.”
The Aquilla owner chose the three-stateroom boat because of its stability, size, weight, and the fact that it could be owner-operated. It includes a 25kW genset to supplement power from the solar panels, particularly for long cruises in cloudy conditions. Nova Luxe says it would make a perfect Great Loop cruiser.
Even the Aquilla’s tender is green. It’s a ZAR Mini aluminum RIB, with a Torqueedo Cruise 10.0 drive and is charged by a power supply station integrated into the Aquilla. It has a top speed of 20 mph with two adults.
Nova Luxe Yachts, based in Point Lookout, New York, offers similar pre-fitted electric power on other builds, including Aspen Power Catamarans, Bavaria, Fountaine Pajot, Havana, Leopard and Maine Cat. Read more:
