A collaboration between UK-based yacht builder Spirit Yachts and new-to-marine engineering company BAR Technologies has resulted in what’s claimed to be a world-first electric flying boat to have a fast-cruising range of 100 nmi.

In a recent post, Bar Technologies’ CTO Simon Schofield was shown “working hard” in a video on the company’s LinkedIn page to get the final feel right for the limited-edition Spirit BARTech 35EF, which has been delivered to its first customer. Using its America’s Cup simulation and design expertise, the 35-ft electric flying boat features a trio of active and retractable foils to help minimize drag.

The company built on experience developing its patented FOSS (Foil Optimization and Stability System), which combines the latest in active hydrofoil technology with advanced hull hydrodynamic optimization. It can achieve significant hydrodynamic efficiency gains while actively improving handling and sea keeping as demonstrated in a recent Princess Yachts project.

For the new boat, Equipmake designed, developed, and manufactured the electric drivetrain, which features an adapted version of its lightweight, power-dense, high-performance HPM-400 motor producing a peak power of 80 kW with an integrated gearbox. It also features Equipmake’s HPI-450 IGBT (insulated-gate bipolar transistor) inverter and a 120-kW·h battery pack. The result is a boat top speed of 28 kt (32 mph).

Where previously, the average electric yacht of around 40 ft has possessed a range of 25 to 70 nmi at 5 kt—or more depending on battery pack options, the new boat “blows this out of the water” with its 100-nmi range at a cruising speed of 22 kt once it is flying, according to BAR Technologies.

This comes at a time when the demand for leisure vessels that are both thrilling and yet have a more responsible footprint is rising in step with the developments in battery technology and electric drivetrain practicality. The power consumption of new vessels is reducing significantly as the industry benefits from pioneering advances in foiling technology.

Established in 1993, Spirit Yachts was co-founded by Sean McMillan and Mick Newman to offer yacht owners a sustainably sourced alternative to fiberglass production boats. From its beginnings in Suffolk, the company now operates from a large waterside facility in Ipswich with a team of designers, naval architects, boat builders, cabinet makers, electricians, and engineers. Passionate about sustainability, it has won international awards for its commitment to lowering the carbon footprint of the company and its yachts during construction, operation, and at the end of life.

The new boat is constructed from a mix of titanium and cold-molded wood with a carbon-fiber-reinforced shell, a structure that weighs just a tonne. Its sleek appearance is in keeping with the company’s traditional aesthetics and craftsmanship. Once aboard, users of the electric flyer can convert its six seats in an open cockpit configuration to a two-seater spider configuration.

“Our collaboration with BAR Technologies is the epitome of the modern classic ethos on which Spirit Yachts was founded,” said Karen Underwood, Managing Director at Spirit Yachts. “Beautiful, clean, classic lines and sustainable timber construction married with forward-thinking technology from BAR with no compromise on comfort and efficiency.”

The partnership enabled BAR Technologies to present its maritime innovation capabilities to the yachting world.

“We firmly believe that the future of this sector will be defined by developments in the sustainability and efficiency of vessels,” said John Cooper, CEO, of BAR Technologies. “In particular, we recognize that there are new hull forms that can be designed to achieve this, and we want to be at the forefront of this development. The electric flyer will be the first of a series of boats we design to break new ground as we move into a greener generation of leisure yachts.”

The project also marks the first time Equipmake’s electrification products and expertise have been applied to the rapidly growing electric marine market, estimated to be worth $16.6 billion by 2030, according to consultancy Skyquest. Led by CEO Ian Foley, a former F1 engineer, the company is focused on delivering a suite of electrification solutions from cutting-edge electric motors to complete EV powertrains for a range of customers in the automotive, mining, off-highway, aerospace—and now marine—sectors.

“On behalf of everyone at Equipmake, I’m proud we have played a key role with Spirit Yachts and BAR Technologies on this incredible electric flying boat, which truly sets new standards for long-range electric vessels,” said Foley. “Our in-house developed electrification technology has many varied high-performance applications, from aerospace to automotive, and the Spirit BARTech 35EF is the perfect showcase for how it can be applied to the rapidly growing electric marine market.”

Following the project, Equipmake and BAR Technologies are exploring further opportunities to collaborate and increase the potential market for Equipmake’s products in BAR Technologies’ systems.