An extended and improved RS electric boat
RS Sailing had announced at the end of 2019 the launch of a first electric boat. The light sailing specialist, better known for its dinghies and sports keelboats, had presented its first RIB at the Boot Dusseldorf 2020 trade show. The health crisis and the economic problems that followed slowed down the progress of the project. However, the new company, called RS Electric Boats, has continued to develop. "A number of tests have been carried out and the efficiency of the boat has been improved," says Nicolas Honor, RS Sailing's representative in France.
Among the major evolutions, the boat has been lengthened. The Pulse 58 has been renamed Pulse 63 and increased to a length of 6.30 meters. The hull shapes have been reworked. The 300 mm diameter permanent magnet thruster, without axis, from Rad Propulsions, has been kept. The power delivered continuously is 40 kW, for a top speed of 23 knots. The battery park gives the boat a range of 100 miles at 5 knots and a little more than twenty at 20 knots. Its displacement is 610 kg.
Demonstrations at 2021 events
For the marketing of its boat and its promotion to different targets, RS Electric Boats relies on its partnerships with major nautical events. "5 demonstration boats are planned to start. We have partnerships with events and teams. We should see the boat at Sail GP in Saint-Tropez, at the Azimut Trophy, at the finish of the Fastnet. We are also looking to be at the Grand Pavois in La Rochelle. We have many requests" reports Nicolas Honor.
The distribution network for the 4 models, respectively intended for yachtsmen, sailing schools and racers for coaching, professionals for workboat use or shipowners as a superyacht tender, is still being structured, compared to the existing one for RS Sailing yachts. "It could be either the same or different structures, depending on the country. It is not yet finalized" explains the French representative of RS Sailing, who remains today the reference in France for RS electric boats.
