JR Yachts of the Netherlands presented its latest all-electric boat, the Lumen E10, at the Royal Yacht Club in Muiden this week. Designed to cover long distances as silently as possible, the 10m vessel is the result of five years of meticulous research, the yard says. It is said to be different from other electric boats, where the elimination of the combustion engine means that many other sources of noise can often be heard.
The Lumen E10 has an upper hull by Mulder Design and underwater hull designed by Jaap de Jonge of JR Yachts, providing a range of 100-160km at a cruising speed of 13km per hour. “It is even possible to water ski or wakeboard silently behind the Lumen at speeds of 30-35km/h,” says the company in a statement. “The spacious cockpit, sun bed and swimming platform offer a special experience for lovers of elegance and class. Thus, one experiences the true peace and quiet of sailing, with the convenience of a motorboat.”
The Lumen E10 has no parts that produce ancillary noise – such as an impeller pump or motor-gearing – and propellers are also designed to produce as little noise as possible. It also stands out in terms of ease of use, with a steering system that responds just as it does in a car. This makes the boat easy to steer and easy to moor even without any boating experience.
Waterline length and hull shape play a crucial role in the boat’s performance and behaviour in the water. “A streamlined hull shape with minimal drag is one of the best ways to improve energy efficiency,” explains Jaap de Jonge, director of JR Yachts and designer of the Lumen E10. “This allows you to sail farther on a single charge, which is especially instrumental in optimising range. With an efficient hull shape, you can spend more time on the water and less time at the charging station.”
Besides hull shape, other important aspects that affect the performance of an electric boat are the manufacturing process, the right motor, battery, material and weight. One of the materials used in the Lumen E10 is vinylester. In combination with the vacuum infused sandwich construction, the hull can be built 50% lighter than comparable hulls in aluminium or polyester, the company claims. Vinylester can also be combined with a hard gel coat. This makes the construction durable and resistant to wear, tear, osmosis and impact, minimising maintenance and operational costs.
“Thanks in part to its light weight, the Lumen E10 has a wide range of 100 to 160 kilometers on just one battery charge at a speed of 13 mph,” De Jonge adds. “This gives a lot of freedom: you can sail all day carefree knowing that there is enough power to enjoy the peace and beauty of the water with the certainty that you can cover sufficient distance.”
source:ibi
