Always looking towards the future, MarineServices.ie has been very keen to become the first major player in Ireland to offer electric propulsion systems to the leisure and commercial marine sectors in Ireland.

With some experience through the RS Sailing RS 21 Keelboat that is powered by a small E-Propulsion Spirit engine, MarineServices.ie was keen to develop the product offering further.

The E Propulsion Spirit 6

In tandem with this, EPropulsion, which started through a love of water sports and robotics by founder Danny Tao in China in 2012, has grown its range of products over the last number of years. The company has grown to become one of the market leaders in electric propulsion technology and now offers a very wide range of products that can be tailored to different watersports requirements.

The entry range is the Vaquita series for paddleboards, followed by the Spirit range, which can be seen in the RS 21 and is also available as an outboard for use on small tenders or as auxiliary power on a small keelboat such as a J80. The Navy range moves up to the 9.9-15hp outboard motor for larger tenders.

ePropulsion X40

Recently released are the X Series outboard motors that come in three sizes ranging from 12-40kw (16-53HP). This show-stopping outboard really is a game changer with electric steering and customisable drive modes that are really bringing the future here faster than you can imagine.

The i-Series inboard motors ranging from 10-40KW are effectively bolt-in replacements for shaft-driven yachts and other vessels. These super silent engines deliver range-topping torque with no noise, vibration or emissions.

Powering the x-series and i-series range is the 96v G-Series Lithium Iron Phosphate battery system. This battery system is extremely reliable, being impact-resistant and drop-proof while having three times higher energy density and 70% less weight than comparable lead-acid batteries. These batteries are guaranteed to 3,000 cycles at 80% and are controlled by individual battery management systems, ensuring the longest battery life on the market.

Lorcan Tighe and Kenneth Rumball of MarineServices recently undertook an intensive training, installation, and maintenance course in the UK to become the first certified eSSA - ePropulsion Smart System Architecture technicians in Ireland.

A state-of-the-art solution combining ePropulsion’s most advanced hardware and software technology.

eSSA takes the X-ECU in the I and X series motors as the core and integrates the electric drive system,

interactive displays, battery system and the internet cloud into one. It features a smart and modular design to deliver a safe and reliable performance and supports the integration of the ePropulsion Connectivity Service and update system.

Lorcan and Kenneth can now safely supply, install and maintain any of the ePropulsion products and are the only persons certified to do so in Ireland.

MarinesServices had a 3hp Spirit outboard electric engine on display after the Turkey Shoot Racing in the RIYC every Sunday.

This engine is available for demonstrations as well as the same pod that is installed in the RS21 keelboat that is also racing in Dublin Bay and has been throughout the season with full reliability from its ePropulsion engine.

In early 2024, Lorcan and Kenneth will begin the first iSeries installation on the Irish National Sailing & Powerboat Schools Elan 36 training yacht, converting it to electric power using the i20 engine from the propulsion range with 2 G-Series batteries.

Lorcan Tighe (pictured) and Kenny Rumball of Marine Services completed intensive training, installation, and a maintenance course in the UK to become the first certified eSSA - ePropulsion Smart System Architecture technicians in Ireland

Finally, in January 2024, expect to see the first X-Series outboard powering across Dublin Bay as the first of the electric outboards on a RIB is due to land in Ireland.

Mercury Marine has announced its Avator™ electric outboard concept, representing Mercury’s next step in marine innovation, advanced technology, and engineering. The electric outboard concept will be on display for the first time during the 2022 Miami International Boat Show in the USA and is progressing the company toward the formal release of electric outboard products later in 2022 and 2023.

“We are excited to formally announce this bold new phase of our vision for the future that only Mercury Marine can deliver,” said Chris Drees, Mercury Marine president. “Electrification is strategically important to us, and this concept provides a first look at how we intend to deliver on our commitment to being the industry leader in both internal combustion products and electric propulsion. We are taking efficiency to a new level, opening up new ways to enjoy the boating experience.”

Avator advances Mercury’s commitment to sustainability by offering the prospect of boating with zero direct emissions. Mercury is also using electrification to make boating more accessible with features such as swappable batteries and enhanced portability.

The new Zodiac all-electric rib will be in Ireland for the start of next year and in time for the 2022 Irish boating season. That's the news from the Cannes Boat Show where Irish Zodiac agents MGM Boats of Dun Laoghaire Harbour announced they would unveil the Zodiac eOPEN powered by Torqeedo outboard engines.

The eOpen is the first complete range of 100% electric boats after Zodiac's foray into the electric market with the eJET in 2017. 

The new models are being heralded as a real technological achievement and mark a new era for both Torqeedo and Zodiac.

The boats have 50 minutes of autonomy at a speed of about 12 knots for the 3.1 and 3.4 models. The ride, says MGM's Gerry Salmon, is lively and very pleasant at an average speed.

"This is an exciting day for us in MGM Boats, and a new age of boating experiences in Ireland lies ahead", Salmon told Afloat.

All-electric- The new needs of customers: No maintenance, no noise, no servicing, less pollution, simple and responsive driving, and an affordable price.

Electric mobility is gaining ground all around us, and as the market leader in RIBs, we couldn't afford to miss out! Torqeedo was the ideal partner to develop these new products," explained Fanny Revert-Ciavattini, product marketing manager of Zodiac.

eOpen - Zodiac and MGM boats have taken up the challenge of offering 100% electric boats at an affordable price for the Irish market. Agile and compact, these boats are easy to drive, easy to store, easy to tow. They have four to six seats, depending on the size.

The eOPEN range in a nutshell:

• Ideal for exploring sensitive or difficult-to-access areas
• Easy to use and highly manoeuvrable
• Autonomy of about one hour at maximum power
• No noise or fumes to disturb the peaceful enjoyment
• Very little maintenance or upkeep
• Long-term savings
• Unique, ecologically responsible experience
• 2 sizes available: 3.1 / 3.4 with appropriately sized, complete Torqeedo drive systems including motor, batteries and charger.

Several options are available on these models (depending on the size): EVA floor, bimini, rear ladder, storage net, lift kit, Fusion audio system.

Electic outboard engine company ePropulsion UK is experiencing significant growth in 2021 and have recently signed up 15 new dealers.

As the United Kingdom distributors for ePropulsion, the innovative, eco-friendly brand of electric marine motors, the company has a new focus on distributing primarily through retail outlets.

Headed up by MD Steve Bruce, the UK team are selecting new accounts to provide a good geographic spread for consumers. Ranging from Ardfern Yacht Centre in Argyll, Anglia Yacht Brokerage in Suffolk, Cornish Marine in Truro, eSolent on Hayling Island and Marine & General in the Channel Islands, the rapid growth of the network comes as no surprise.

The company was founded by four former engineering students from the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, each with a passion for watersports and protecting the planet.

After six years developing their pioneering direct drive system, ePropulsion electric motors can power everything from a SUP or kayak through to passenger vessels and 50’ + ocean cruising catamarans.

Steve comments, "Enquiries have been going through the roof since early in lockdown, so we made the decision to no longer handle direct orders and focus entirely on supporting our dealer network. Last year was a brilliant year, our best ever. However, this year we have already exceeded what we did in the whole of last year in the first few months."

ePropulsion MD Steve Bruce

The business is also in discussion with a number of boat manufacturers about the ePropulsion range of electric outboards and POD drives for inboard propulsion, for boats ranging from small tenders to 50'+ cruising yachts.

In order to support the dealer network from their Hamble base, ePropulsion UK will soon be moving to a larger local premises which includes offices, a workshop and training facilities.

They will be exhibiting at the Green Tech Boat Show, 19 – 20 June, at Queen Anne's Battery in Plymouth, hosted by MDL, as part of their drive for a cleaner future. With support from ePropulsion dealers on the stand for consumer enquiries, the team will be setting up meetings with builders and new trade customers.

The direct drive means that the electric motors are incredibly efficient compared to conventional marine combustion motors, operating with considerably higher torque whilst using less power. Without any need for gears, cooling systems and moving parts the motors are maintenance-free, highly efficient and economic to run. Built in hydro-generation provides alternative recharging options whilst under sail.

As well as being environmentally kinder to the oceans the highly efficient lithium ion batteries are recyclable too.