Navagear has been fascinated with electric propulsion, and with the Torqeedo motors in particular, for several years now.

So count us “very interested” in this event. IN FACT, let me go so far as to suggest that we would probably not turn down an invitation to crew or cover this event, were it offered.

Anyway, here’s the press release with the background and details:

Torqeedo is always looking to push the envelope in developing the most efficient and powerful electric outboard motors in the marine industry. That’s why they created the Torqeedo Catalina Solar/Electric Boat Challenge, proving that electric outboards are destination motors. It also honors Bob Nordskog, a man who took the challenge 30 years ago to travel the intimidating Pacific Ocean over 26.5 nautical miles from Long Beach Harbor to Catalina Island in the first electric boat ever built.

The first successful Torqeedo Catalina Challenge took place on October 24 in a 16′7" Hobie® Getaway Catamaran named the Kona Concept®, modified to accommodate batteries and a solar panel and powered by the Cruise 4.0R Torqeedo Electric Outboard Motor. Captain of Kona Concept and grandson of Bob Nordskog, Erik Robert Nordskog, and navigator Jim Czarnowski, director of engineering for Hobie Cat, were very proud to recreate the crossing. They completed it in just 6 hours and 41 minutes and with 35% battery power remaining.

So, why establish the Torqeedo Challenge? The purpose is to go beyond using electric propulsion only on green lakes, in marinas and on cocktail cruisers. It’s to demonstrate that electric propulsion can be developed into a destination motor in the mainstream boating industry. The challenge is intended to provide a means of recognition for and is open to individuals and manufacturers who demonstrate, in offshore conditions, improvements in both range and speed of recreational electric craft. Torqeedo also wants to encourage both atmospheric and noise pollution reduction.

There are four classes in which to compete: mono-hull, above and below 18′, as well as multi-hull, above and below 18′. Participants need to submit a proposal and document the voyage for consideration. Winners will be rewarded with a bronze medallion replica of the original Catalina Challenge Trophy. This year it was presented to Erik Nordskog and Jim Czarnowski by Larry Smith, founder and owner of Team Scarab, and Steve Trkla, US president of Torqeedo.

Erik’s grandfather, the late Bob Nordskog, first attempted this feat in 1980. His close friend, Larry Smith, bought the motor, controller and batteries from Bob to build a 14′ bay launch. As president of the American Power Boat Association Race Group, as well as founder and owner of Powerboat magazine, Bob Nordskog held many offshore endurance racing records that are still unchallenged to this day. He was an innovator and believed in solar technology and attempted the first ever solar electric boat run to Catalina Island.

Now Erik, Jim and Torqeedo were ready to try their own voyage to Catalina Island in an electric craft. On Saturday, October 24, a cloudy morning in Southern California, with a bright future ahead, Torqeedo began their quest. Launching at 8:28am, the water was calm as the team left port. Off to the starboard side was the Queen Mary, a historic vessel, sitting in her dock as she has for the last 42 years. Saluting her in passing, the challengers realized how far boat design has come. As Kona Concept left Queens Gate, the harbor exit into the ocean, they were traveling at a speed of 5.8 mph, using two Lifeline® battery banks with a total of 48V to power the Torqeedo Cruise 4.0R.

Providing the highest overall efficiency on the market, the Torqeedo Cruise 4.0R is a high-tech outboard with superior range. Along with remote steering and remote throttle, it has the propulsive power of an 8 hp combustion engine in displacement drive and the thrust power of a 9.9 hp gas outboard motor. Torqeedo’s complete product line sets the new standard of powerful electric outboards in the marine industry.

A Power Film® solar panel mounted to the catamaran’s Bimini top continued to charge the battery banks. The throttle was set to draw 1,000 watts from the 4,000 watt motor as a control to determine the best setting for the 26 mile journey. These settings enabled the team to average 5.6 mph and ensured there was enough battery power to complete the voyage. When utilizing the full 4,000 watts, the top speed of the boat was 10.2 mph. At 11:38am, just 3-1/2 hours and exactly half way, they switched from the 79 amp batteries to the 105 amp bank which had been hooked up to the Power Film solar panels.

Now for the fun part. The challenge needed a boat to film and document the quest and they had the best, a 48′ Scarab, based on the original design by founder and owner of Team Scarab, Larry Smith. Captained by Dan MacNamara, it lived up to its reputation as a speedboat. A Lowrance® GPS/Chartplotter also helped record the journey by marking the course of the catamaran along the way. Erich Stull and Tate Schieferle from Monte Vista Media who worked the video camera and Craig Smith who took the still shots were on board, too. Steve Trkla and Anthony Piraino, Torqeedo’s national sales manager, along with Elena Czarnowski, Jim Czarnowski’s wife, rounded out the support crew.

While traveling alongside the Kona Concept, they all felt a great sense of pride by watching this amazing feat of technology. They were even rewarded with a sighting of California grey whales breaching on their journey out to sea. It made everyone stop and think of the power of the ocean and its creatures as their colleagues continued in the 16′ Kona Concept.

Everything continued to go well as they maintained a speed of 5 mph and the batteries were doing the job, when all of a sudden, over 1,000 porpoises surrounded the team. They played and jumped and welcomed the crew. It was an amazing site for all to see and was a perfect way to celebrate this achievement. The team arrived at Avalon, California, the main harbor on Catalina Island at 2:43pm, 6 hours and 41 minutes after the journey began with an incredible 35% battery power remaining and a very happy crew.

For additional information and challenge rules please send an email to Larry Smith at Teamscarab@cox.net. For more information or to purchase the Kona Concept Deck Kit, please contact Murray’s at 800-786-7245.