Vision Marine's Electric Trek: Pontoon Style
Vision Marine is going for the world record in terms of distance covered on an electric boat trip. It will be an estimated 17-day journey (1050 miles) on a pontoon boat with a three person crew.
Ever cruise down the ICW in a pontoon? For more than a day, though? What about 17 days? That’s what the team at Vision Marine is doing to promote their new electric motor - they are going for the world record in terms of distance covered on an electric boat trip. It will be an estimated 17-day journey (1050 miles) for the trio onboard, led by veteran sailor Francois Légaré (captain) and Sylvie Latendresse (logistics and navigation), along with Vincent Prévost, the Vision Marine brand and communication director. The 3 person crew already has had their share of adventures and yesterday we got the chance to catch up with Vincent on how the trip is going.
Their custom outfitted 23-foot Zenith pontoon, from Wired Pontoons, is equipped with a bimini containing solar panel cells generating over 3000W of power. Vincent told us yesterday that when it’s full sun out, smooth sailing at 5 knots, the solar panels are able to replenish the battery at the same rate of use. Meaning, their setup could potentially allow them to run indefinitely during optimal conditions. Twin electric outboards provide the boat's propulsion.
The company's proprietary eMotion 180 has been creating quite a buzz lately. The 180 horsepower motor has been a leader in the electric outboard industry - boasting impressive power, range, and overall performance. The next-generation touchscreen delivers a comprehensive integrated propulsion and battery management system. Additionally, the integrated propulsion and battery management system are universally compatible with shore outlets, allowing demanding recreational boaters to charge their watercraft on both 120v and 240v power sources available at all marina locations.
Vision Marine has been actively involved in various cutting edge projects, from setting electric speed records with the eMotion 180 to delivering the first 100% recyclable boat to the market. Recently, they partnered with Four Winns boats to launch the acclaimed H2e Bowrider. In a recent press release, the team stated, "Our voyage is more than a remarkable feat; it is a statement that electric boats can accomplish extraordinary distances, leaving a minimal environmental footprint and preserving the natural wonders that define our world. With sheer grit and cutting-edge electric propulsion technology, we will break barriers, ignite imaginations, and inspire a global call to embrace eco-friendly practices."
The journey began on Sunday, July 23rd, departing from the Dismal Swamp in Norfolk, VA, and ending in Miami. The crew has stated that they are going to try and maintain a cruising speed of approximately 10 mph, taking weather and water conditions into consideration during the voyage. Vincent said, however, that the first couple of days were more treacherous than expected and they’ve been averaging about 5-6 mph thus far.
They’ve had a couple of large bodies of water to deal with in the first part of the journey, along with some windy weather conditions for the relatively small pontoon. The crew plans on doing a mix of camping aboard the pontoon (!!) and staying at marinas along the trip down, depending on how far they make it each day. As those of you know who’ve made the trek, it’s often difficult to predict how many miles you might cover in a day. When I asked Vincent if they’d consider going outside in the ocean if they fall behind, he answered with a firm “no way.” Too much valuable gear on this boat! Let’s see if they change their minds once they hit some glassy waters here in Florida. The Boat Trader team hopes to meet up with them somewhere near Fort Pierce, so stay tuned as we follow their adventure.
