New Electric Boat: A Speedboat or A Sunbathing Gadget?
Ahoy, my shipmates! And... zoom, my car enthusiasts. Just when I thought I’d seen everything from decades of analyzing every type of vehicle from roaring Mustangs to the fiercest of fighter jets, along comes this new electric marvel - a speedboat that charges under the sun. Hailing from Florida, the Sunshine State, we have Blue Innovations Group (BIG) giving us the BIG R30, a fresh off the dock electric boat with features that'll make you scratch your chin and say, "Huh, fancy that!"
This aquatic beauty boasts a spacious 30-foot (around 9.4 meters for my metrically inclined pals) frame, offering cruising space for twelve passengers. I mean, with a boat this size, I'd expect nothing less than throwing some wild boat parties or at least, maybe, a gentle family day out - with the fish as spectators. It’s built right in the home state of Florida, in St. Petersburg. The CEO, John Vo, spoke with a twinkle in his eye, saying the R30 offers “uncompromised safety, performance, style, and value while being environmentally friendly.” I like the sound of that, especially the "environmentally friendly" part. I mean, we all love Mother Earth, right? Might as well sail on her waters without sullying them.
With a chunky 221 kWh battery pack, it pumps a whopping combined power of 800 horses (or 600 kW for the tech-savvy). That's like having a herd of horses underwater. This beast on water is projected to touch speeds of 45 mph (that's 39 knots or 72.4 km/h for the maritime and metric folks). And if you're planning on a long day at sea, she promises an 8-hour runtime. Although, let’s be real: we’ve seen smaller boats claiming similar, only to leave you stranded on an impromptu island adventure.
The design, though? Truly fascinating. The R30 features an open terrace stern and a semi-walkaround bow. I always appreciate a good bow, and this one certainly raises the bar. But the standout feature for me? The foldout solar canopy. Yes, folks - on sunny days, you can sail and charge at the same time. If the sun's rays aren't just for tanning anymore, count me in.
Underneath, the deck houses a marine bathroom, kitchenette, and - wait for it - air conditioning. Oh, the luxury! And all of this for an estimated price tag of $300,000. Which, given the price of electric boats these days, isn't too shocking.
But here’s the catch: to reserve this water chariot, a mere $1,000 deposit for a “BLUE Reservation” will get you in line. But if you’re feeling extra swanky, $5,000 will guarantee you a "BIG Reservation" - and a ticket to the first 100 boats off the production line.
Over the past few years, the electric boat scene has been dominated by Scandinavian makers like Candela and X Shore. But the BIG R30? It's a proper Yankee Doodle Dandy of electric boats. As for me? I'm sticking to my beloved cars and motorcycles. But if you’ve got the dough and the love for the open seas, the BIG R30 might just be the boat of your dreams - or at least the most electrifying one.
