More and more players in the boating industry are choosing electric motors for their boats. This is the case of the Portuguese shipyard Faro Boat, whose first model is the Faro 5. It is a 5 m long and 2 m wide runabout, inspired by the 1920s.

Its design, by Tomas Costa Lima, is modern with a planing hull, a strong V at the front and an imposing redan. The standard version features a deck molded from FSC Cryptomania wood from the Azores and covered with epoxy resin. The boat can also be delivered entirely in fiberglass, plain or customized. The construction is made of fiberglass infusion, with a PVC core, but the shipyard is considering more sustainable construction solutions, such as organic linen for the hull and deck and cork for the core.

Several powers of electric outboard motors can be installed, from 6 to 30 kW, coupled with three different types of batteries. With the smallest power and two Lithium batteries, the announced cruising speed is 4 knots for a 10 hours autonomy, and the maximum speed is 8 knots. With 15 kW and 2 LiFe batteries, the speed rises to 8 knots and the autonomy drops to 8 hours. The maximum speed increases to 12 knots. Finally, with the most important motorization of 30 kW and two CATL batteries, the cruising speed is 10 knots, the autonomy remains the same and the maximum speed is 22 knots.

The Faro 5's cockpit is equipped with cup holders, a Fusion stereo system and a cooler for quiet sailing on calm waters. Its draught of only 0.3 m allows you to get as close as possible to the anchorages.

If the Faro 5 is not an innovation in itself, it is its dedicated charging station that is. While the runabout can be charged at any power outlet, the shipyard is currently developing a charging and storage station that can be adapted to any pontoon or marina. The Faroboats Solar Docking Station is tailor-made for the boat and allows it to be stored in a dry place, thanks to a hoist. The batteries are recharged in 1h30, according to the shipyard, using only solar energy. This innovative solution can be moved on a trailer, so that it can be used anywhere. It also allows to store the boat in a dry place, and thus to avoid using antifouling.

Price of the solar charging station: 80 000 euros