pages

Electric boat speed record attempt

Two industry stakeholders aim to break the electric boat top speed world record.

Vision Marine Technologies will partner with Hellkats Powerboats to rig a Hellkats 32' Super-Sport Widebody Catamaran with a twin application of its E-Motion powertrain system.

“My team and I are extremely excited to partner with Hellkats. This is the perfect opportunity to showcase the capability, reliability and power of our E-Motion powertrain,” stated Alexandre Mongeon, co-founder and CEO of Vision Marine.

November launch

This limited edition Fulgora I is scheduled to be on the water in November 2021. The top speed of the vessel is expected to surpass 100mph (160 km/h).

Center Console Only (CCO) intends to document the process, ranging from manufacturing the boat, installing the technology, and fi lming the event.

After the event, the Fulgura I will be auctioned off , with all proceeds going to select charities t ied to furthering the awareness and clean-up of waterways globally.

“Vision Marine has always been dedicated to lessening reliance on fossil fuels. This is yet another way for us to help keep our waterways pollution free for future generations," added Alexandre.

WATERWORLD ENGINE RETROFIT

A retrofi t of a Waterworld electric engine is underway on a 38ft classic wooden gentleman's launch.

Henley Technical Services is undertaking the work on Tarbes II which has recently been refurbished at Michael Dennett Boatyard in Chertsey.

Henley's Steve Hoile, who is installing the new engine, has worked closely with the owner to ensure the right system is delivered. “The owner will be using the boat for day cruising on the Upper Thames and my key consideration is always to ensure there is no 'rangeanxiety' whilst owners are out and about enjoying their journey,” he said.

The Waterworld Electric Engine System from Energy Solutions combines Waterworld 48 volt DC electric motors with a Victron Energy battery bank and monitoring system. The engines are designed to be a direct replacement for a traditional diesel engine both in size and cost and are suitable for boats up to 15 metres and larger canal craft.

Range and power

“The 10kW WaterWorld motor combined with a substantial battery pack will deliver both range and plenty of extra power for manoeuvring and emergency stops," added Steve. "The owner will be able to cruise for eight to ten hours a day at just under the Upper Thames speed limit of 8kmh, with no concerns at all.”

Energy Solutions is the UK distributor of Waterworld motors which are available in 4k, 10kW and 15kW options, as well as the UK's leading distributor of Victron.

Photo: Energy Solutions

8 Waterworld's electric

engines are designed to replace diesel engines on narrowboats, inland waterway fleets and small coastal craft

HYBRID PROPULSION HAS POTENTIAL

With its electric drive systems now powering a range of vessels and special projects, Fischer Panda UK says its custom designed solutions prove the potential of hybrid propulsion for a range of applications, including ocean crossings.

The company's electric systems can be charged by wind and solar energy with diesel generators installed as back-up.

The installation of equipment such as the 48V Fischer Panda 20kW 600rpm Easybox shaft motors and 48V DC generators form hybrid propulsion systems which provide speeds up to 10 knots and demonstrate the possibilities of creating various solutions.

“From sailing yachts to narrow boats, to motorboats, hybridisation to power the boat is a viable solution that off ers a range of benefi ts,” said Robert Tuck, marine sales executive, Fischer Panda UK. “Hybrid power can reduce emissions as well as drive-up effi ciency, plus the systems have a compact footprint due to the use of integrated variable speed generators producing only the power required.”

He added: “There continues to be an increase in interest and enquiries about hybrid electric and we expect to be designing more systems for special projects as well as supplying full-package solutions to coastal commercial and leisure vessels, and even oceangoing boats and ARC participants.”

Fischer Panda UK's systems can combine two or more energy sources for producing power - traditional power generation, such as a diesel generator, alongside renewable power sources, including solar and/or wind.

8 Hybridisation offers a

range of benefits

The new Yamaha V6 outboard range and new DBW Side Flush Mount system will be available from 2022.

The range has had a series of upgrades with new features on the 250 - 300hp engines including digital electric steering, thrust enhancing reverse exhaust and Yamah's TotalTilt.

Digital electric steering and steer by wire are designed to deliver a smoother and more intuitive driving experience, with no hydraulic systems to bleed or steering cables to snag.

The thrust enhancing reverse exhaust keeps exhaust bubbles above the anti-ventilation plate and out of the propeller below 2500rpm, ensuring the prop only bites bubble free water.

Yamaha's TotalTilt function allows tilt up or down - until trim ram contact - from any position with a double-push of a button.

Tilt limiter

The system incorporates a buzzer sounding to alert others to keep clear of the

UPGRADES AND NEW FEATURES FOR V6 OUTBOARD

outboard and an integrated tilt limiter to prevent inadvertent damage.

Yamaha has also developed a new 225hp V6 engine that is compatible with optional digital electric steering and includes the TotalTilt function and thrust enhancing reverse exhaust.

The displacement cylinder block, like the bigger V6s, features a long intake manifold, in-bank exhaust, an electronic control module controlled fuel injection system and variable camshaft timing.

Yamaha is also introducing its new Drive by Wire (DBW) 6X9 side fl ush mount control, designed to bring the benefi ts of its Helm

8 Yamaha's latest V6

outboard engines will be available from 2022

Master EX to a broader array of boats.

The DBW side fl ush mount uses Yamaha's latest electronic control system and is suitable for single engine confi gurations from 150hp and above Yamaha outboards.

MFDS WILL SHOW DETAILED ENGINE INFORMATION

Mercury's SmartCraft Connect now enables boaters to use their Garmin and Raymarine multi-function displays (MFDs) to access information about the status and operation of their SmartCraft-compatible marine engines.

Previously Mercury's VesselView technology has made advanced engine monitoring and alerts available to boaters. Now, with SmartCraft Connect, there is greater access to VesselView functionality.

The system reports engine-performance data, including rpm, speed, fuel fl ow, temperature, trim and much more. SmartCraft Connect enables monitoring of up to four engines simultaneously.

“With the launch of SmartCraft Connect, we are responding to the needs of our boating community and expanding the Mercury experience to Garmin and Raymarine devices,” said Rob Hackbarth, SmartCraft product category director.

8 Mercury's new SmartCraft

Connect provides a more integrated and convenient on-the-water experience

partnering with Mercury to provide seamless access to Mercury's VesselView technology through Raymarine's line of Axiom MFDs,” said Gregoire Outters, general manager for the Raymarine brand at FLIR. “This deeper integration lets boaters easily monitor and control key engine functions directly from their Axiom displays and is now available free by downloading our latest LightHouse software.”

“We're pleased to work with Mercury to off er engine data features that our customers and OEMs have been asking for,” said Dan Bartel, Garmin vice president of worldwide sales. “VesselView compatibility gives boaters access t o vital Mercury engine information directly on their Garmin display for a more integrated and convenient on-thewater experience.”

MARKETING

KATE O’SULLIVAN is MD at ADPR

Over the past 18 months the workplace as we know it has changed drastically. The era of remote and hybrid working has arrived and attaining better employee engagement is critical for many businesses.

People are at the heart of most businesses. The way they are treated has a direct impact on their happiness and engagement. It’s a well-known fact that businesses with engaged employees tend to have a strong team culture, higher rates of productivity, better staff retention rates, lower absences from work and increased profitability.

Gaining employee trust, motivation and engagement doesn't happen overnight, and it needs to be led from the top down. Being an empathetic leader is a good place to start, but it isn't something that comes naturally to everyone.

That said, there is no doubt that leading with empathy will help build more successful companies, now and in the future.

Empathy is a skill that can and should be acquired and practiced in business. At its most basic level, empathy is about seeing the world through someone else's eyes. Learning to listen well is the best way to do this.

Whilst a leader is unlikely to understand a person's needs from just one conversation, leaders that make it a priority to really listen to the needs of staff and those who make time for good communication will reap the rewards.

8 The Aquafighter solution is available in a variety of sizes

Aquafi ghter attracts water

Eurotank Service Group's Aquafi ghter solution has been developed to keep a boat's diesel tank water free and help eliminate t he risk from harmful microbial growth.

The solution is used in a tank and will attracts free water and bound water.

“Aquafi ghter is a very simple, cost-eff ective way of eliminating water from your tank, removing the risk of diesel bug and the problems that brings with it,” explained Tommi Buckley, Eurotank Service Group.

“I can see Aquafi ghter being used across the industry - from the boat owner who does his maintenance regularly, is aware of the problems that can occur, and buys an Aquafi ghter for peace of mind, to the person who knows there is water in their tank and is looking for a quick, eff ective fi x.”

He added: “It can be suspended in a tank for a few days to dry all of the fuel, or it can be used to check tanks for free or bound water at regular intervals, or it can be left in for peace of mind.”

Aquafi ghter is available in various sizes - from the Slim Aquafi ghter for tanks with 4-10cm openings to the Industrial Aquafi ghter for tanks with 30cm-plus openings.

Used Aquafi ghters can be disposed of at a marina's waste disposable point.

A new OXE diesel outboard monitoring and remote tracking system has been launched for smart operations.

Marine distributor Proteum designed Service Monitor and Remote Tracking Engineering System (S.M.A.R.T Engineer) in partnership with AST Marine Sciences.

This cloud-based S.M.A.R.T Engineer can minimise downtime for Proteum's commercial customers, explained Nicky Yeoman, head of marketing and sales operations at Proteum, an SC Group company.

The system monitors engine RPM, engine hours, engine coolant temperature, engine oil pressure, fuel fl ow rate, fuel pressure, engine load, exhaust temperature, turbo boost pressure, battery voltage and total fuel used.

S.M.A.R.T Engineer can monitor up to four engines installed on one boat, with the facility to monitor an unlimited number of vessels in the fl eet via its customisable online portal.

Using green, amber and red tolerance for all parameters allows S.M.A.R.T Engineer to predict possible future failures, which would otherwise result in downtime and loss of earnings. Automated warnings will alerts operators and support engineers to the pending issue, enabling them to resolve the problem during a planned service visit.

All data collected by the S.M.A.R.T Engineer is archived in the online portal. From this portal detailed customisable reports can be exported, providing the operator with insight which could save costs and provide operational benefi ts. This information can also be used to automatically schedule a maintenance programme.

OUTBOARD MONITORING

8 Proteum will call the skipper

if a problem is identified by S.M.A.R.T Engineer

3D investment for Clements

Clements Engineering has invested in a 3D printer to support its pattern making, allowing the company to integrate additive manufacture to its work.

Printing the patterns using the new technology gives more freedom and fl exibility compared with other methods whilst also allowing the patterns to be used many times, explained Clements MD Paul Williams.

“This is an important step for us at Clements,” he said. “We have been busy here and this machine will help up provide more accuracy and a quicker turnaround.”

The largest propellers printed so far have been a pair of Kaplan 1335mm in diameter. The team has also had success printing P brackets.

EP70 cures under heat

Test and measurement company HBK has developed a new adhesive, EP70, for installing cylindrical strain gauges.

Used for connecting a wide variety of components such as motors, turbines, fans, generators, wheels and propellers, bolts are usually tubular, making it diffi cult to monitor their behaviour with a typically fl at-shaped strain gauge, explained HBK's Heather Wilkins.

“Cylindrically rolled strain gauges can be used instead, but their design is harder to mount onto test objects,” she said.

“To overcome this issue test and measurement specialist, HBK, created the EP70 adhesive which enables engineers to fi t cylindrical strain gauges safely and securely into screws and bolts.”

The glue cures under heat and is suitable for use in areas with a wide temperature range (from -40°C to 70°C) making it suitable for testing across many industries including marine.

LESLEY ROBINSON British Marine CEO

British Marine is not only committed to representing the industry at all levels, but to giving our members the tools to thrive. One of these is the launch of our On The Water campaign, geared towards growing our industry and maximising the benefi ts for new participants coming into boating and watersports through staycations.

Our campaign has been launched in tandem with exciting new research British Marine has undertaken with the Canal & River Trust which shows that regularly spending time out on the water can be even more benefi cial than accepted mindfulness activities such as yoga or pilates.

With such positive eff ects of spending time on the water, and more people looking for activities and days out locally, British Marine has launched the new website www.OnTheWater.co.uk, giving details of locations and businesses across the UK where people can get afl oat.

The marine industry is invited to embrace this new campaign and help spread the word about the new website. Digital assets and campaign videos are available to use on websites and social media to help amplify the campaign and reach those who may be considering something new this summer during their staycation. As more people participate in boating and watersports, the more the industry thrives.

MAN TO DISTRIBUTE MTU TURBOCHARGERS

Rolls-Royce and MAN Energy Solutions have entered a strategic partnership that will see MAN's PBST brand distribute mtu turbochargers, creating a new channel for sales for Rolls-Royce in addition to Woodward L'Orange.

PBST will include the latest generation of the mtu turbocharger family ZR1 to ZR5 in its product portfolio, distributing them under the series name HIRO. "With this cooperation, we are combining our competencies - on the one hand, PBST's global sales structure for turbochargers and, on the other hand, Rolls-Royce's latest higheffi ciency mtu turbocharger technology for high-speed diesel and gas engines," commented Andreas Schell, chief executive of RollsRoyce Power Systems.

The mtu turbochargers are a modular system suitable for engines in the 400 to 2,500 kilowatt power ranges in single- and two-

Micfi l Ultra Fine Filters is continuing to make inroads into the smaller boat market with Norfolk's Barnes Brinkcraft one of the latest UK boatbuilders choosing to install the company's products.

The fi rst boat to be fi tted with this type of fuel fi lter is an Alpha 35 Highliner, with future new build boats also expected to have the fuel fi lters installed.

“We're continuing to break into the leisure market,” explained Micfi l's UK distributor Charles Hansard.

“The technology is not complicated; it has proven eff ectiveness in achieving cleaner fuel with fewer contaminates which helps to achieve up to 5% fuel economy. This is done with 0.5-micron ultra-fi ne fi ltration. We are also able to eliminate bio contamination.”

He added: “With the stage versions. "Thanks to this product expansion, we are now able to off er our customers exactly the right turbocharger for their high, medium and low-speed applications under one roof via the PBST brand," said Dr Uwe Lauber, chief executive of MAN Energy Solutions.

Turbochargers compress the air so that more oxygen fl ows into the combustion chamber, allowing more fuel to burn and increasing an engine's power output. The turbocharger is driven by the exhaust gas meaning that turbocharged diesel and gas engines are very effi cient.

“[They are] an important building block for meeting increasingly stringent emission requirements in the future - without compromising engine performance or effi ciency," said Dr Otto Preiss, chief technology offi cer and chief operating offi cer of RollsRoyce Power Systems.

8 Turbochargers are an

efficient way of boosting an engine's performance

BIO CONTAMINATION IS ELIMINATED

fi lters installed, there's reduced engine wear and lower maintenance costs.”

The fi lter used on the Alpha 35 is the AL50, an ultra-fi ne ultrafi ne fuel fi lter designed for small engines and generators.

The fi lter has a maximum fl ow rate of 50 litres and hour for diesel, 70 litres an hour for petrol and 10 litres an hour for engine oil.

Micfi l's fi lters range from the AL50, suitable for engines up to 150hp to fi lters suitable for marine engines up to 5,000hp.

The fi lters can be fi tted on any engine type - inline for fuel and as bypass fi ltration for oil.

8 Micfil's AL50 is suitable for

engines up to 150hp