Orca WX3 ePWC Launch!

⚓️ Electric Inboard Engine

Torqeedo’s Deep Blue 200i is a step up in electric inboard power. The motor is rated up to 200 kW at 900 rpm and is engineered as a fully integrated inboard that drops into full-electric or hybrid architectures, a configuration Torqeedo is targeting at high-thrust commercial duty where continuous pull and slow-to-medium shaft speeds matter. Alongside the inboard, Torqeedo showed a new electrically rotatable Deep Blue 100 azimuth thruster with 360-degree maneuverability for heavy inland vessels, plus connected-fleet software and a DC charging system with CCS2 for faster turnarounds.

At the system level, the 200i sits within the Deep Blue platform, which combines high-voltage batteries, inverters, controls, and an energy management backbone in one safety-certified package. That integration is what enables the motor to be configured either as the prime mover in a pure-electric driveline or as the traction unit in a serial or parallel hybrid with a range-extending generator and hotel-load management. For operators, this means one vendor for propulsion, batteries, charging, controls, and diagnostics rather than a piecemeal retrofit.

On raw numbers, the 200 kW rating at 900 rpm places the motor squarely in the high-torque, low-speed bracket used to swing large-diameter propellers efficiently on displacement and semi-displacement hulls. Using the published power and speed, shaft torque pencils out to roughly 2,120 N·m (P=τω; 200,000 W at 94.2 rad/s), which is about double the continuous torque of Torqeedo’s 100 kW, 900 rpm inboard and aligns with the 200i’s role on heavier working boats. That torque density at low rpm reduces or eliminates the need for deep gear reduction, trims drivetrain losses, and helps hold thrust under high bollard-pull loads.

Energy supply scales with the Deep Blue battery modules. Torqeedo’s Battery 40 and Battery 80 provide usable capacities of about 38 kWh and 77.6 kWh respectively, and each module is spec’d for up to 55 kW or 79 kW of continuous power. Large installations parallel multiple packs to meet both energy and power requirements; in practice a 200 kW continuous shaft target points to multi-pack banks with appropriate DC bus architecture, thermal management, and redundancy to preserve continuous rating in hot, fouled, or tidal conditions. The platform’s integration simplifies that scaling while keeping battery health, insulation monitoring, and fault handling under one control stack.

For vessels that need pinpoint handling, the new Deep Blue 100 azimuth thruster complements the 200i by delivering 360-degree steering authority from a marinized, electric unit designed for stop-start, maneuver-heavy cycles in locks, canals, terminals, and work sites. Compared with conventional shaft-and-rudder arrangements, an electric azimuth package can cut swing room, shorten approach times, and steady station-keeping, while the all-electric drivetrain removes localized emissions for enclosed or regulated waterways. Torqeedo has fielded a 50 kW thruster for several years, and the 100 kW class extends that concept to larger inland and near-shore craft that need higher continuous thrust without the cost and complexity of twin diesels.

Applications span inland cargo barges, urban and tourist ferries, crew and service boats, pilot and patrol craft, small harbor tugs, and utility catamarans that live at low-to-mid speeds and see frequent maneuvering. In serial-hybrid form with a compliant genset, operators can size battery capacity for route energy while using the generator to cover peaks or extend range, keeping noise low at the pier and in sensitive zones. In pure-electric form, the 200i slots into daily-route ferries with overnight AC charging and opportunistic DC fast charging at terminals as infrastructure grows. Torqeedo’s expo preview specifically called out a CCS2-based DC charging system and new fleet monitoring features that let managers watch energy use, cycle counts, and performance across boats, which matters for dispatch reliability and battery life planning.

Relative to the long-standing 100 kW Deep Blue inboards, the 200i pushes the company’s inboard ceiling into a class that had been the domain of custom industrial drives, giving yards a cataloged, warranty-backed option with matching batteries, charging, and controls. For cities and waterways tightening emissions and noise rules, that combination offers a path to electrify workboats without losing thrust or uptime, and it gives builders a clear route to hybridization when full-electric energy budgets don’t yet close.

🌊 Taiga’s ePWC launch

Taiga used Europe’s stage to reset expectations for electric PWCs, unveiling a new three-seat Orca WX3 and a refined two-seat Orca P2 at the Monaco Yacht Club on September 9, 2025. The company framed the event as the start of European availability, with global deliveries of the next-gen Orca lineup beginning in 2026. The WX3 stretches the platform for touring and tow sports, adds a reinforced tow point and accessory-ready aft deck, and targets up to two hours on the water. The P2 carries over as the performance benchmark on a lighter, cleaner package. Both models launched alongside fresh colorways including Monte Carlo Red, Miami Blue, and Titanium Pink to mark the brand’s European debut.

Taiga’s update goes well beyond cosmetics. All 2026 Orca models move to automotive-grade DC fast charging with CCS1 in North America and CCS2 in Europe, allowing riders to use the same public networks as EV drivers and bring charge times under 30 minutes. New on-dash mapping puts live navigation on the gauge cluster, geofencing lets owners set boundaries or speed limits for shared use and sensitive waterways, and shareable digital keys make it simple to grant access to family, guests, or fleet customers. An optional integrated audio system rounds out the console. Under the skin, a redesigned powertrain and battery pack focus on sustained output in hot marine conditions: Taiga cites fused cooling panel technology and software updates that increase continuous power by up to 65%, plus a battery management update that reduces standby drain for long off-season storage. “Where the industry sees challenges in electrification, we see possibility through innovation,” said CEO Samuel Bruneau.

The WX3 is the crossover in the lineup—an extended, stability-first hull that planes quicker and holds steady while a rider casts from the aft deck or while towing a wakeboarder or skier. The P2 remains the sharper tool for solo riding and quick acceleration, and on Taiga’s product page it’s rated up to 120 kW with an estimated two hours of riding, aligning with the company’s broader claim for the WX3’s endurance. Bidirectional charging debuts across the lineup in 2026, enabling the craft to serve as a portable power source at the dock, onboard a yacht, or during a home outage. For European buyers, the CCS2 port and vehicle-to-grid capability position the Orca to plug into emerging marine and shoreside infrastructure as regulators and marinas push quieter, cleaner operations along the Mediterranean and Atlantic coasts.

The launch fits a broader execution story. Taiga has been ramping manufacturing in Montreal with installed capacity up to 8,000 combined units per year, and it has worked to reduce part counts and harden corrosion resistance with new alloys and aerospace-grade anodization—moves aimed at simpler service and better durability in salt and brackish water. To ease charging anxiety for early adopters, Taiga partnered with Aqua superPower, whose marinized DC network spans 59 sites across North America and Europe and is expanding into key yachting hubs. Together with CCS compatibility, that network gives European customers a clearer path to regular use beyond home charging.

For the e-PWC segment, the Monaco reveal is notable because it bundles practical range, fast charging on standard connectors, fleet-friendly controls, and bidirectional power into a package priced near premium gas competitors. The quiet operation and low maintenance also matter for marina access and charter fleets that need to meet noise and emissions rules without losing the fun factor. Taiga’s 2026 Orca lineup pushes the category toward that future while giving European riders a credible option they can actually plug in.

Read more on their product website: Taiga

🏄‍♂️ Boogie Electric Towing for Surfers

ZeroTow in Australia has developed an electric tow device called the Boogie, built to help surfers get into waves under their own power. The unit measures 1,300 millimetres in length and weighs 14 kilograms without the battery. The detachable battery adds another 15 kilograms and provides a runtime of about 20 kilometres, or roughly two hours in the water. Maximum output is software limited to 6 kilowatts. The system is capable of towing a rider up to 100 kilograms on a 30-litre board with an 800 square centimetre foil, provided the rider applies proper technique.

The remote controller is waterproof and features a high-resolution display, an aluminium throttle trigger, built-in GPS data logging, and a line-of-sight range of 150 metres. It supports wireless charging and includes functions such as Autosteer and Summon. The Boogie package comes with the tow unit, remote, chargers, protective case, battery, propeller, repair kit, and tow rope.

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Construction of the Boogie focuses on durability in marine environments. It is sealed with a PVC shell, internal components are potted for protection, and the unit operates under positive pressure to prevent water ingress. Together these elements make the device suitable for repeated use in surf conditions.

ZeroTow Boogie product page

🖌️ Social Media Post of the Week

300+ HP electric outboard, by Evoy!

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⚙️ Weekly Scan

News items

• Trade coverage on the Molslinjen system package — additional specs and context from industry press. (Link)

• Incat confirms build program for Denmark e-ferries — shipyard announcement on the two battery-electric catamarans. (Link)

• REGENT × HITRANS feasibility for seagliders in North Scotland — partnership to evaluate 12-passenger electric seagliders for coastal travel. (Link)

• Candela P-12 Gothenburg pilot — residents and media invited; trial studies timetable, docking, charging, and crewing. (Link)

Events

• Monaco Yacht Show — Sep 24–27; watch for hybrid/electric tenders and charging solutions. (Link)

• IBEX (Tampa) — Oct 7–9; marine tech expo; new electric drive and charging components likely. (Link)