Monaco Energy Boat Challenge – 6-10 July 2021

 

Formerly called Offshore Class, the renamed Open Sea class is mainly for vessels already on the market or about to enter it. They face several challenges to test their boats’ autonomy  including a 16 nautical mile (29.6km) race from Monaco to Ventimiglia in Italy, an endurance course and a manoeuvrability challenge.

In competition is the team from Lanéva Boats with their Vesper 001 project. This prototype is an eco-responsible design 100% electric boat using high-end renewable materials. Inspired by boats from the fifties, the Vesper 001 can reach speeds up to 30 knots thanks to two 60kW electric engines.

The French-Monegasque company is set to launch the boat, which can take up to eight people and still maintain speeds up to 30 knots. Getting it on the market is deserved recognition of the work put in by the four co-founders two years after the launch of their first prototype at the MEBC attended by HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco.

Also in this class, Hynova Yacht will unveil HYNOVA 40, a tender with an electric engine powered by a hydrogen fuel cell. Designed and built in La Ciotat, it has benefited from the expertise of CLYD naval architects and Energy Observer Developments and its REXH2 solution. HYNOVA 40 have already been to Monaco on 22nd September 2020 for the Monaco Capital of Yachting Experience event when they revealed some of the technical features.

Swedish Candela and their C-7 are set to enter the various challenges in this category with their fully electric outboard engine combining an advanced flight control system with totally submerged hydrofoils.

Dutch TU Delft are competing in both the Solar and Open Sea classes thanks to the work put in by 21 students from eight different faculties. This year they will be presenting a hydrogen boat.

Based in Monaco, Vita Yachts has confirmed their attendance in the Open Sea class with their 10m electric powerboat, Vita X, featuring Vita Power’s powertrain system. The X combines 235kWh of compact liquid-cooled lithium battery storage with a 400bhp continuous / 580bhp peak electric twin waterjet drive.

For electric and hydrogen powered boats already on the market or in development, the Open Sea class offers them a sea trial like no other and gives professionals attending an opportunity to keep their fingers on the pulse of progress.