Voting open for the Gussies; an electric outboard; Aqua superPower’s battery-backed DC charger

⚙️ Public voting is live for the 2025 Gussies Electric Boat Awards

Plugboats opened ballots on 2025-10-27. Finalists span 122 nominated craft across nine categories. Here’s how voting works and why it matters.

Public voting for the sixth annual Gustave Trouvé Awards—the Gussies—opened on 2025-10-27, following finalist selections from 122 nominated electric boats. The Gussies, organized by Plugboats , recognize craft and companies advancing electric propulsion across categories from tenders to cruisers.

Plugboats outlined the 2025 schedule earlier: nominations closed on 2025-10-19; judges selected finalists between 2025-10-20 and 2025-10-26; public voting runs from 2025-10-27 to 2025-11-16; winners will be announced 2025-11-19. The process blends an international jury with a public ballot, increasing signal on boats that combine sound engineering, commercial readiness, and user appeal.

For buyers and builders, the finalist list doubles as a market scan. It shows where innovation is clustering—higher-voltage outboards, DC-charging-ready platforms, and hydrofoil efficiency. It also surfaces regional adoption: inland lakes favor portable outboards and solar-assist hulls; coastal programs emphasize DC charging, higher cruise speeds, and regulated zones.

Voting structure matters for the industry narrative. Public ballots tend to reward boats that demonstrate practical benefits: lower maintenance, simpler rigging, and predictable runtime at typical loads. Judges’ shortlists ensure designs meet baseline engineering rigor and safety. Together, the Gussies help standardize language around power ratings, energy capacity, and use cases—helpful as more first-time electric buyers enter the market.

Cast your vote, here.

🌊 ePropulsion Spirit 1.0 Evo (1 kW / 3 hp) with full specs

For tenders, dinghies, and daysailers up to ~2 tons, the Spirit 1.0 Evo balances portability, runtime, and ecosystem features from EmoElectric’s lineup.

EmoElectric stocks multiple portable outboards, but for all-around use the ePropulsion Spirit 1.0 Evo is the most complete option for a wide range of small craft. It pairs a direct-drive 1 kW motor (≈3 hp) with a 1,276 Wh lithium battery, offering quiet operation, low maintenance, and flexible mounting.

The Spirit Evo adds features absent on the Spirit 1.0 Plus—remote capability, hydrogeneration, and accessory compatibility—while keeping the same 1,276 Wh pack the platform is known for (EmoElectric FAQ ). Compared with ultra-compact units like the eLite 500 W , the Evo delivers higher thrust for loaded tenders and small daysailers, yet remains manageable at the dock.

Use-case guidance:

• Tenders/dinghies: the integrated 1,276 Wh pack simplifies handling between mothership and dock.

• Small sailboats and micro-cruisers: hydrogeneration extends days under sail; remote helm options tidy the cockpit.

• Camps and rentals: direct-drive reduces maintenance; battery swaps keep fleets running.

Runtime depends on hull and loading. As a planning baseline, expect multi-hour trolling at low wattage, and about an hour at sustained high output on the integrated pack. External batteries expand range without changing rigging.

See full specifications, here.

🖌️ Aqua superPower unveils battery-backed DC fast charger at Fowey Harbour

A marine DC charger with on-site battery storage enables fast boat charging where grid capacity is limited; part of the Electric Seaway project in Cornwall.

Aqua superPower announced what it calls the world’s first battery-backed DC charger in a marine environment, commissioned at Fowey Harbour, UK, on 2025-10-30. The installation adds a stationary battery to buffer the local grid, enabling consistent DC output to electric boats even in constrained locations. The system debuted under The Electric Seaway (TES) program along Cornwall’s coast.

Why this matters: marina power often limits DC deployment. Battery-buffered chargers can charge at high power during boat connection, then recharge the site battery at a lower grid draw between sessions. The approach reduces peak-demand fees and avoids expensive grid upgrades, while supporting predictable turnaround for commercial and leisure craft. Marine Business News also covered the deployment, noting the 60 kW battery system that trickle-charges from the grid.

The timing aligns with show-season demonstrations. Operators and OEMs are bringing higher-voltage drivetrains and faster charging to public events, including Fort Lauderdale, where electric shuttles are in service and DC-ready platforms are on display (FLIBS).

What to watch next: integration with roaming/interop standards; load-balancing across berths; and charger-to-vessel communication for pre-conditioning and charge curves. Aqua superPower has been expanding network sites across Europe and North America and has partnered with powersports OEMs to streamline plug-and-charge experiences.

Read the announcement, here.

🛝 SOCIAL MEDIA POST OF THE WEEK

Miami is gearing up for the E1 Series race. Rafael Nadal was promoting this race on his Instagram account.

rafaelnadal

21M followers

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 📅 WEEKLY ITEMS

Recent News

• Hydrofoil technology is being revived to electrify boats by lifting them above the water, significantly reducing drag and energy consumption for cleaner marine transport in regions like Europe and North America. October 27, 2025. Link.

• Swedish boatmaker Candela demonstrated its electric hydrofoiling vessel on the Potomac River in Washington, D.C., showcasing the technology to potential U.S. customers and highlighting its efficiency for urban waterways. October 28, 2025. Link.

• South Florida entrepreneurs pitched their electric HydroBlade watercraft on Shark Tank but failed to secure a deal due to investor concerns over market readiness and pricing. October 28, 2025. Link.

• Portland-based startup Voltaic Marine is developing aluminum-hulled electric boats with advanced battery systems tailored for commercial and recreational use in North America, aiming to address range and versatility challenges. October 27, 2025. Link.

• BlueNav unveiled its new 8 kW electric outboard motor at the La Rochelle boat show, designed for easy integration into hybrid systems for European watersports and small commercial boats. October 29, 2025. Link.

• ABB will provide onboard and shoreside power solutions for multiple all-electric ferries operated by Caledonian Maritime Assets in Scotland, advancing commercial marine electrification in Europe. October 28, 2025. Link.

• U.S. fishermen are increasingly adapting to hybrid-electric systems and alternative fuels, with infrastructure like triple-phase electric in Portland, Maine, facilitating the transition for commercial fleets in North America. October 27, 2025. Link.

• The FERRIES 2025 conference will discuss innovations in emergency evacuation for alternative-fueled ferries, including electric and hybrid models, to address unique safety risks in commercial operations. October 28, 2025. Link.

Upcoming Events

• METSTRADE 2025 in Amsterdam will feature an expanded focus on sustainable products, including advancements in marine electrification, electric outboards, and hybrid systems for boats in Europe and beyond. November 18-20, 2025. Link.

• The Superyacht Forum 2025 at RAI Amsterdam will address key themes in sustainable yachting, including marine electrification and electric propulsion for luxury vessels in Europe. November 17-18, 2025. Link.