Vessev VS-9: The Electric Boat That Finally Gets It Right
Anything that has four wheels, floats, or flies is open to innovation, and electric technology has attempted to dominate all three. Electric boats have long been the troublemaker, even though electric cars are now commonplace and electric aircraft are making cautious forays.
Because water is roughly 800 times denser than air, it takes a lot of energy to move a boat through it. The majority of electric boats wind up being either excruciatingly slow, short-range, or both. Engineering frustration is inevitable when you include the difficulty of heat management.
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Meet Vessev and the VS-Drive Innovation
Here comes Vessev, a startup from New Zealand that specializes in innovative marine engineering. With the help of a new propulsion system called the VS-Drive, their most recent invention, the Vessev VS-9, may finally make electric boating feasible.
There is more to the VS-Drive than just another electric motor. The motor, controller, and propeller are all housed in a small, underwater torpedo-shaped housing, making it a fully integrated “podded propulsion system.” It reduces noise and maintenance by using a direct-drive brushless motor instead of complicated gearboxes or lengthy driveshafts.
Its sophisticated cooling system, however, is what truly makes it unique. Even under prolonged high-performance use, the VS-Drive’s internal, closed-loop cooling design maintains operating temperatures below 122°F (50°C), in contrast to conventional water-cooled marine motors. According to Vessev, this efficiency prevents the system from overheating even when operating in tropical waters.
The Vessev VS-9: Electric Power Meets Hydrofoiling Efficiency
The Vessev VS-9, a sleek 29.5-foot (9-meter) carbon-fiber hydrofoiling catamaran designed for commercial use, is connected to this incredible drive system. It is a fully functional electric water taxi that is designed for comfort and efficiency, and it can accommodate ten passengers.
The VS-9 uses two carbon-fiber hydrofoils to lift itself out of the water when it accelerates. Only the VS-Drive pod and the thin foils remain submerged as a result of the significant drag reduction. The result is exceptional energy efficiency and longer range — the holy grail for electric boats.
Performance and Range
The Vessev VS-9 delivers:
- Continuous power: 90 horsepower
- Peak power: 150 horsepower
- Torque: 295 lb-ft (instant electric response)
- Cruising speed: 25 knots (29 mph)
- Top speed: 30 knots (35 mph)
- Range: 50 nautical miles (57.5 miles) light load; 40 nautical miles (46 miles) fully loaded
It’s also fast-charging capable, regaining about 0.8 nautical miles of range per minute using DC charging — ideal for commercial operations with tight schedules.
Smart Design and Practical Features
The VS-9 is designed for practical applications. It can operate in shallow marinas thanks to its retractable hydrofoils, which have a draft of only 1 foot 8 inches when the foils are up. The foils are 4 feet 11 inches long when fully extended. By improving maneuverability, the vectorable drive makes docking safer and more seamless.
The VS-9 has remarkably low noise levels; even at maximum speed, passengers can converse at normal volume, and at low speeds, it is almost silent. This is revolutionary for operators used to the loud roar of outboard motors.
Why the Vessev VS-9 Matters
Range, performance, and dependability have proven difficult for electric boats to balance, but the Vessev VS-9 seems to have found the solution. Its high-torque electric propulsion, effective cooling, and hydrofoiling technology represent a significant advancement in environmentally friendly maritime transportation.
The Vessev VS-9, which is quiet, quick, and effective, has the potential to completely change our perception of commercial water transportation and demonstrate that electric boats may be the way of the future.
