Arc Sport Test Drive!

🌊 WATERSPORTS

Test Drive Review: Arc Sport Electric Water Sports Boat

Earlier this Fall, we had the chance to test drive the Arc Sport, an electric water sports boat. This is the second offering from Arc Boats. Their Arc One was their Tesla Roadster, and the Arc Sport is the Model 3 (but really more like a sports car). As a sign of a true boating crew, shoes were asked to be removed before stepping aboard - it would have been concerning if they had not asked! The Arc Sport uses a fibreglass hull, versus the Arc One which used aluminum.

The test drive began on a warm, sunny morning at the Loop 360 boat ramp in West Austin. Despite its name, Lake Austin feels more like a river, but it was an ideal setting to get acquainted with the boat.

First impressions of the Arc Sport were amazing! Living up to the Sport name, this boat corners like it is on rails. The boat's high gunwales stand out, providing a sense of security inside the boat, especially for families with children. The boat we demoed was finished in matte black. If the demo crew had not mentioned it was a development boat, it would have been difficult to tell, it was in excellent in terms of fit and finish.

The interior of the boat is spacious, with a well-thought-out layout that allows comfortable seating for a large number of passengers (up to 12). The offset center access to the bow creates a wraparound seating area, enhancing both comfort and safety. This offset creates a wider, well-appointed dashboard for the driver, that includes a large landscape-mounted monitor that controls many systems on the boat.

The throttle control was outstanding, and the Arc team mentioned a custom version would be available in production (by Levorsi, no less). The Arc Sport aims to deliver a similar experience to electric vehicles, with design considerations that reflect that goal - shortening the boating learning curve for first time owners. As mentioned, the cockpit has a large video monitor for entertainment and watersports settings, while a smaller display above the steering wheel shows critical boat functions like speed, depth, and water temperature. A smart feature is the integration of cameras that can provide constant views of the surroundings, enhancing safety as a background video - while being able to monitor important pieces of data (like water depth).

The tower and hard bimini top on the Arc Sport is another standout feature. Lowering the tower effectively creates a cabin-like space, potentially extending the boating season in colder regions. Additionally, the tower design eliminates the need for traditional wakeboard side storage racks, which are often cumbersome and prone to tangling ropes. Instead, all board storage is seamlessly incorporated into the top, making the design clean and functional.

As expected with electric propulsion, the boat was exceptionally quiet. It idled smoothly, and on the calm waters of Lake Austin, the experience was serene. The boat's battery is positioned just behind the rear seating - perpendicular to the long axis of the hull - and has its own independent cooling system, making the Arc Sport suitable for both saltwater and freshwater use.

Storage is another area where the Arc Sport excels. There are ample compartments for life jackets, boards, and other gear, ensuring the deck remains clear and uncluttered - if you boat with your family this added space makes a day on the water feel much less cluttered.

The boat may need some additional grab rails, especially given the impressive acceleration. Passengers definitely need to hang on tight on take off.

The Arc Sport is designed for wakeboarding and wake surfing, with a focus on delivering clean, customizable wakes. The ballast system fills in under five minutes using fast pumps with fat sacs. Their system makes it easy to switch between different wake setups. Rider profiles are easily saved for quick setup. The centre trim tab and additional planers in the production version will likely help manage (if desired) bow rise during acceleration and provide a symmetrical wake (minimizing the need to move passengers around in the boat).

This boat is an appealing choice for buyers, thanks to the simplified maintenance compared to traditional inboard or outboard combustion engine boats (winterization of traditional watersport boats is costly). The Arc Sport also includes side thrusters, operated via a joystick, making docking a breeze. The entertainment system is user-friendly, with large displays allowing passengers to enjoy water sports footage without the hassle of managing their phones. The sound system is mint! With the quiet electric engine, the tunes don't need to be cranked to enjoy.

The Arc Sport is powered by an electric engine comparable to those used in semi-trucks, providing plenty of torque. Located under the deck in the middle of boat (direct drive, we assume), the demo team mentioned the trial and error on finding the right propeller - mentioning 'blowing off the rudder' on occasion in testing (whoa -talk about power). As we recall, the Arc team landed on a ~20" prop - which felt like the right balance of 'hole shot' and top end speed/performance. The boat's acceleration is swift, reaching a top speed of around 38 mph (with a software limited maximum of 40 mph). To go for the occasional barefoot run - it would be fun to have a turbo mode allowing a top speed of 43 mph for shorter periods of time.

The wake can be customized for either wakeboarding and wake surfing, with a well-shaped, long, powerful wave - tons of push for surfing.

The team at Arc Boats has clearly put considerable effort into refining the details—from prop selection to the user experience to the hull design—to make this boat a versatile option for a range of activities.

It’s worth noting that the demo team members at Arc Boats were exceptional ambassadors for the brand. Their enthusiasm, expertise, and dedication to sustainable boating left a lasting impression. They answered every question with clarity and demonstrated a deep understanding of both the boat and the industry. Thanks and a big shout out to Grant and Lauren.

The Arc Sport is already generating interest, and with good reason. It’s a promising option for anyone looking to enjoy water sports in a sustainable way. As an example of the potential celebrity appeal, entertainer Ludicrous (+22M followers) recently posted a picture on Instagram sitting in the bow of the Arc Sport near Miami, Florida.

Learn more about the Arc Sport, here.

⚓️ RECREATIONAL

The Northman 1050 Trawler Electric by Natural Yachts stands out as the recipient of the 'Motorboat of the Year 2024' at the Hiswa te Water boatshow. This vessel, with its 10-meter length, is an electric-powered trawler designed to maximize living space and comfort. The yacht features a flybridge, accessible from the foredeck, where an array of solar panels can be installed to enhance energy efficiency. Inside, the boat accommodates up to four people with two cabins, a modern kitchen equipped with an induction hob, and a bathroom with a separate shower and electric toilet, all contributing to a home-like environment.

Performance-wise, the Northman 1050 Trawler Electric is powered by a robust electric motor, allowing for silent, emission-free travel. It achieves an impressive range of up to 230 km on a single charge, making it suitable for both short jaunts and longer voyages. The helm is fitted with state-of-the-art technology, including a proportional bow and stern thruster for precise maneuverability in ports or tight spaces, and the entire hotel function (lighting, heating, etc.) is electric, ensuring a fully sustainable experience.

The jury's decision to award this model was based on several key factors:

• Innovation: The yacht's electric propulsion system is not just a nod to sustainability but a practical implementation that shows electric boating can be as effective as traditional methods.

• Versatility: Despite its compact size, the boat offers spacious outdoor areas, including a cockpit on one level with the saloon, offering panoramic views through large windows that flood the interior with natural light.

• Construction Quality: The Northman 1050 Trawler Electric is well-built, with a focus on durability, ease of handling, and comfort, which was evident during extensive sea trials on the IJsselmeer.

This award signifies a broader industry trend towards eco-friendly marine solutions. The Northman 1050 Trawler Electric not only challenges the notion that electric boats lack the range or comfort of their combustion-engine counterparts but also sets a new standard for sustainable boating. This vessel proves that luxury, comfort, and environmental responsibility can coexist. The recognition of this boat is a clear signal that the future of marine travel is leaning towards electrification, with designs like the Northman leading the charge towards a cleaner, quieter, and more efficient boating experience.

🛝 RECAP OF 2023 GUSSIES

In 2023, the Gustave Trouvé Awards, known as ‘The Gussies,’ honoured several electric boats for their excellence in design and innovation (these awards are run by Plug Boats). The winners were:

/

These awards highlight significant advancements in electric boating, showcasing a global commitment to sustainable marine transportation. The 2024 Gussies were announce last week, we’ll dive in to the winners in a future issue!

⚙️ PHYSICS LESSON - TRADITIONAL HULL VS. HYDROFOIL

A traditional hull operates on the principle of displacement, where a boat displaces water equal to its weight. The physics of buoyancy, governed by Archimedes' Principle, states that an object immersed in a fluid experiences an upward buoyant force equal to the weight of the fluid displaced. The drag on a traditional hull includes wave drag, viscous drag, and form drag, all of which are functions of the hull's shape and the water's viscosity, described by the Navier-Stokes equations.

In contrast, hydrofoils lift the hull out of the water using underwater wings, reducing drag significantly. Once the speed is sufficient, the hydrofoil lifts the vessel, and it "flies" above the water surface. This lift is analogous to aerodynamic lift in aircraft, explained by Bernoulli's principle and the lift equation, where lift (L) equals 0.5 ρ v^2 Cl A (ρ is the fluid density, v is the velocity, Cl is the lift coefficient, and A is the area of the foil). The drag is dramatically reduced, mainly consisting of induced drag from the lift and some parasitic drag.

The energy required to propel a traditional hull through water increases with the cube of the speed due to wave-making resistance, following Froude's number (Fn = v / √(g * L), where v is speed, g is gravitational acceleration, and L is the length of the hull). For hydrofoils, the energy requirement for lift increases with the square of the speed, making them more energy-efficient at higher speeds once they are foil-borne.

Consider a traditional hull like pushing a block through sand; the resistance increases non-linearly with speed. Now, imagine a hydrofoil as akin to pulling a sled with skis on ice; once moving, it requires less force to maintain speed due to reduced friction.

Current battery technology presents a challenge for both designs due to weight and efficiency. Traditional hull designs can handle heavier batteries since they rely less on speed for efficiency. However, the added weight increases the energy needed for movement. Hydrofoils, with their need for speed to generate lift, benefit more from light, high-energy-density batteries. The efficiency of electric propulsion systems in hydrofoils can lead to longer range and faster travel with the same battery weight, thanks to lower drag.

For example, a battery with a specific energy of 250 Wh/kg might allow a traditional hull boat to travel a certain distance at a moderate speed. In contrast, the same battery in a hydrofoil could potentially double that distance due to the reduced energy required to overcome drag once airborne.

The physics governing traditional hulls and hydrofoils are distinctly different, with hydrofoils offering advantages in speed and efficiency at the cost of higher initial energy to achieve lift. As battery technology advances, the weight-to-energy ratio improves, making hydrofoils increasingly viable for electric marine transport. However, the choice between these designs depends on the intended use, speed, and the technological balance between battery weight, capacity, and the physics of water navigation.

If you are finding this newsletter interesting or valuable, please help us by sharing this on social media and/or forwarding the registration link to a friend or colleague.