Story by DinaRella / Photos courtesy of E-1 Series
What looks like a cross between a Galactic Empire X-wing starfighter and some James Bond-ish soaring fish fabrication that floats, flies and foils, but doesn’t flip? The answer: The 23-foot long nosed, closed canopy carbon-fiber centerpiece at the core of the UIM E-1 electric powerboat racing series, known as the RaceBird!
Putting the sci-fi vibe visuals aside, the technical aspect of the foiling system decreases water resistance as the less-than-2,000-pounder rises up onto the aluminum foils protruding above the water’s surface allowing for minimal drag and maximum energy efficiency. Once the bird gets into its groove ascending to a top flight of 58 miles per hour, only the foil tips and propeller are submerged; trim and steering technology work simultaneously to keep it elevated.
The design was penned by Norwegian industrial creative Sophi Horne of SeaBird Technologies along with Italian naval architect Bruno Acampora and Victory Marine. Knowing Mercury Racing’s forward-thinking spirit when it comes to perfecting and promoting products in the racing arena… the engine builder’s involvement developing the electric powertrain and joining the E1 Championship as its official Propulsion and Propeller Partner came as no shocker.
Powered by a 520-pound Kreisel 35 kWh lithum-ion battery and a Mercury Racing E1-X outboard with a power output of 150kW (equivalent to 200 horsepower), the product promotion states, “The electric outboard is built on the midsection and gear case of the 2.1-liter outboard. The internal combustion powerhead was removed and the electric motor and an inverter take its place.” Next, director of Mercury Racing, Jeff Broman, addresses that battery question on everyone’s mind, adding “A full charge will last between 15 and 30 minutes, and its range is dependent on how hard the boat is run.”
Under the command of Class One world champion Luca Ferrari, in April of 2022 the prototype, rigged with sensors and cameras for collecting performance data, was launched for initial sea trials. The one-design foiling boat was put through the paces performing all maneuvers mimicking a real race. That June following some final tweaking, the RaceBird was presented at the Venice Boat Show; this month, eight units were splashed for the series debut in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Part Two covers the E-1 Venue and the Victor from the series debut!
https://www.riverdavesplace.com/for...mphs-as-e-1-racebirds-take-first-flight.1164/
The Vessel
Part One
What looks like a cross between a Galactic Empire X-wing starfighter and some James Bond-ish soaring fish fabrication that floats, flies and foils, but doesn’t flip? The answer: The 23-foot long nosed, closed canopy carbon-fiber centerpiece at the core of the UIM E-1 electric powerboat racing series, known as the RaceBird!
Putting the sci-fi vibe visuals aside, the technical aspect of the foiling system decreases water resistance as the less-than-2,000-pounder rises up onto the aluminum foils protruding above the water’s surface allowing for minimal drag and maximum energy efficiency. Once the bird gets into its groove ascending to a top flight of 58 miles per hour, only the foil tips and propeller are submerged; trim and steering technology work simultaneously to keep it elevated.
The design was penned by Norwegian industrial creative Sophi Horne of SeaBird Technologies along with Italian naval architect Bruno Acampora and Victory Marine. Knowing Mercury Racing’s forward-thinking spirit when it comes to perfecting and promoting products in the racing arena… the engine builder’s involvement developing the electric powertrain and joining the E1 Championship as its official Propulsion and Propeller Partner came as no shocker.
Powered by a 520-pound Kreisel 35 kWh lithum-ion battery and a Mercury Racing E1-X outboard with a power output of 150kW (equivalent to 200 horsepower), the product promotion states, “The electric outboard is built on the midsection and gear case of the 2.1-liter outboard. The internal combustion powerhead was removed and the electric motor and an inverter take its place.” Next, director of Mercury Racing, Jeff Broman, addresses that battery question on everyone’s mind, adding “A full charge will last between 15 and 30 minutes, and its range is dependent on how hard the boat is run.”
Under the command of Class One world champion Luca Ferrari, in April of 2022 the prototype, rigged with sensors and cameras for collecting performance data, was launched for initial sea trials. The one-design foiling boat was put through the paces performing all maneuvers mimicking a real race. That June following some final tweaking, the RaceBird was presented at the Venice Boat Show; this month, eight units were splashed for the series debut in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Part Two covers the E-1 Venue and the Victor from the series debut!
https://www.riverdavesplace.com/for...mphs-as-e-1-racebirds-take-first-flight.1164/
