Rayglass and electric propulsion company, Naut have joined together to build their first electric vessel, currently in build in New Zealand.
The ProtectorE. 310 Chase is a Protector hull, powered by Naut’s Kaha, electric outboard that provides 300hp continuous power and 525hp at peak and instant torque that holds steady under load.
The batteries are fully configurable, so users can add more for extra range or power depending on their use of the boat.
Charging is carried out via a standard AC connection, via infrastructure at a marina or harbour or from a mothership.
Innovative Kiwi company
“We’ve been talking to Dean [Rayglass CEO] for a long time and Naut and Protector are just a perfect cultural/people match.
“We see Rayglass and Protector as an innovative Kiwi company – the type of business we love to work with,” explained Fiona Bycroft, Naut CEO.
“Plus, sailors immediately get the benefits of electric because they’re used to moving with no sounds or fumes.
“The Protector Chase is the gold standard chase boat in the sailing world – it’s great to have that connection.”
The outboard company grew out of McKay, one of New Zealand’s largest electrical engineering firms which developed the propulsion and power system for the first electric ferry in the Southern Hemisphere.
After the project, a boat builder asked McKay if it could suggest an electric outboard powerful enough to plane a boat. With nothing available in the market, McKay built it.
Gap in the market
Fiona explained: “The customer was happy with what we built. We were happy. But we knew it could be better and there was clearly a gap in the market. So we thought, why don’t we solve it?”
Naut developed and iterated the product over five years, building an inboard solution and installing it in a custom vessel – then they decided they needed to build an outboard.
“We built Kaha [the outboard] then we needed to show it off on a vessel. Protector was just perfect for it,” said Fiona.
“Brunswick and Protector are huge players in the marine industry – we’re really excited about bringing this super powerful outboard and vessel to the market with them.”
Dean Harris, Rayglass president, added: “This is a fantastic vessel, in keeping with our usual high standards.
“And there’s nothing like the experience of hearing the waves when you accelerate. Naut has built a fantastic propulsion system and we want to share this technology with the world.”
Trials for the new ProtectorE are scheduled to start in September.
