However, what we need to test today is not the top speed – 22 knots, according to the manufacturer – but the maneuverability, noise and fluidity of the propulsion system as well as comfort on board.
Accustomed to many sea trials with conventional motors, the first thing I try to do as soon as I climb on board is to start the engine. But the engine is already ON and is making no noise. Always in absolute silence, I maneuver in a limited space easily, I turn 180 degrees and go out of the channel.
The accelerator level is fluid and power, although limited in this case, is progressive. I have to get used to the sensation of acceleration in total silence, the only noise I hear is produced by a progressive increasing speed of the propeller that, in this case, is a four-bladed 14-inch one.
We sail until we reach a top speed of about 6.5 knots, as imposed by this special version and this navigation area. I realize that the fuel consumption marked by the instrument at this speed is equal to 2.5 kw/h. At this speed, however, we can go on sailing without charging batteries for 5.5 hours.
I’m sailing with another passenger on board, Franco Moro of Huracan. While he explains that, if we sailed at full power, consumption would be equal to 35 kw/h, I realize that we don’t need to raise our voice to talk to each other.
Thanks to the central arrangement of weights and the stability of the boat, comfort is excellent even if the annoying waves of the lagoon are hitting us from every direction.
Under these harsh navigation conditions, the Naumatec E-Tender is always stable and dry, which is very important for a tender like this.