Electric power boat from Portsmouth's BAR Technologies makes new 'Round the Island' record

By Giles Gwinnett

20 July 2023

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The electric power boat SpiritBARTech35EF, which was designed by Portsmouth's BAR Technologies, has comfortably made a new record for such a vessel in the 'Round the Island' race.

The boat sped away to start off Cowes on the Isle of Wight at 11 am on July 18 (Tuesday) and completed the race in one hour, 56 minutes, breaking the previous record of just under six hours.

The boat was piloted by Simon Schofield (chief technology officer at BAR Technologies) and Oliver Pendleton.

Schofield said the vessel was the "embodiment" of the firm's pioneering approach for the luxury yacht sector, which was overdue "more efficient designs that don't compromise the needs of comfort and performance".

The SpiritBARTech35EF is the product of Spirit Yachts’ partnership with BAR Technologies and the latter's America’s Cup simulation and design expertise.

BAR has said that, where previously, the average electric yacht of around 40ft has possessed a range between 25 to 70 miles at around 5 knots, dependent on the battery, the SpiritBARTech35EF has a 100-mile range at a cruising speed of 22 knots once it is "flying".

Spirit Yachts collaborated with BAR Technologies to implement its foiling technology, which minimises contact between the hull and the water.

The result is a boat that quietly rises from the water and flies over the surface at a top speed of 30 knots, said BAR Technologies.

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By Giles Gwinnett

Giles Gwinnett is a writer at The Business Magazine. He has been a journalist for more than 20 years and covered a vast array of topics at a range of media settings - in print and online. After his NCTJ newspaper training, he became a reporter in Hampshire before moving to a news agency in Gloucestershire. In recent years, he has been covering the financial markets along with company news for an investor-focused web portal. His many interests include politics, energy and the environment. He lives in Dorset.