SailGP circuit chartering a fleet of RS Electric Boats for Season 3
May 26, 2022
SailGP, the international racing series featuring high speed F50 wingsailed catamarans, is partnering with RS Electric Boats – sister brand of sailboat manufacturer RS Sailing – to use the Pulse 63 electric RIB as chase, coach and support boats.
RS Electric Boats will supply SailGP with four Pulse 63s, which were designed to be electric boats from the outset. The unique aerodynamic hull form is designed to support the weight of the batteries while allowing rapid acceleration, functional speeds up to 23 knots and ample range.
SailGP was founded in 2018 with the stated ambition of being “the world’s most sustainable and purpose-driven global sports and entertainment platform” by accelerating the transition to clean energy and combatting climate change.
RSSailing is the world’s largest manufacturer of dinghys and has evolved since its beginnings in flat-out racing in 1957 to build a range of products that includes 19 small sailboats and related parts and fittings, as well as clothing, footwear, hats, caps, bags and other swag.
The company has an extensive sustainability program and the RS Electric Boats offshoot came about with the discovery that fossil-fuelled support boats are one of the biggest polluters at dinghy competitions. They introduced their first entry into the electric boat market, the Pulse 58, at Boot Dusseldorf in 2020.
Since that time the design and elements have been refined to create the larger Pulse 63, which was launched in May of 2021. The boat has a 40 kW (≈ 50HP) rim drive motor powered by a 46kW modular lithium-ion battery pack. It can be charged in less than two hours via CCS – the Combined Charging System (CCS) standard for electric vehicles.
On the SailGP side, they are extremely conscientious about their entire carbon footprint. They measure every aspect of their races, including on shore facilities and actually remove more carbon than their footprint by investing in U.N. renewable energy projects and mangroves. A key goal is to have the entire on-water footprint powered by clean energy propulsion by 2025.
“It is an absolute privilege to team up with SailGP and be a part of their transition to a zero-emission support fleet” said RS Electric Boats Commercial CEO Jon Partridge.
SailGP Chief Operating Officer Julien Di Biase added that “Everyone at SailGP is excited to partner with RS Electric Boats on our journey towards a zero-emissions support fleet. It’s been a privilege to work with RS Sailing alongside the SailGP Inspire Program, and this is an excellent addition to the relationship”.
