Finnish solar-powered builder overhauls range, expands in Western Africa

Finnish solar-powered boatbuilder Elvene Boats is overhauling its range of craft equipped with sustainable propulsion to increase their top speed, but maintain their self-sufficiency. At the same time, the business is diversifying into the fishing boat market segment, and expanding its foothold in new foreign markets, among others developing sales in Western Africa, according to a senior company representative.

Emil Finne, the chief executive and founder of Elvene Boats, told International Boat Industry that, based on its customers’ feedback, the builder has introduced a new drivetrain for its two models, Amy and Amber, to allow the boats to reach a top speed of around 30 knots.

“The new motor is a 50 kW outboard, and it is a ‘plug and play’ solution that fits with our boats’ electric system. We have received feedback from some customers that they would like a bit more speed, and now we can provide that,” Finne said. “This new motor is available both for Amber and Amy, giving them a top speed of around 30 knots. While we increase the top speed of the boats, we don’t lose any other feature, the boats are still solar-powered. They are just as efficient and at slower speeds you still have ‘infinite’ range. So you can go out on 200+Nm trips, like we showed last summer.”

Both Amber and Amy are 6.5-metre long. The Finnish builder describes them as electric boats “powered by the sun” that are 100 percent self-sufficient.

Under the plan, Elvene Boats will unveil the new variant of its Amy boat fitted with a new powertrain at the forthcoming Nice Tomorrow Boating show. The French event is scheduled to be held between March 19 and 22. Following the Nice show, the builder plans to continue its promotional activities by taking part in the boat shows that are to be held in France’s Arcachon and Spain’s Barcelona. These activities are aligned with Elvene Boats’ ongoing intense efforts to secure new customers in a number of foreign markets, including countries outside Europe, according to the Finnish company’s founder.

“We have sold more boats to Western Africa and are accelerating our efforts there. Western Africa is one of our main markets and it keeps growing. Our main focus is the hospitality industry, where our boats are very popular, thanks to their off-grid capabilities, silent and problem free operations,” Finne said. “For beach front resorts, who want to provide an exclusive on-water experience to their clients, our boats are the perfect solution. No noise, no fumes, no running costs and hardly any maintenance, also you don’t need to invest in any infrastructure to support our boats.”

Meanwhile, Elvene Boats has also diversified its activities by moving into the fishing segment, using the new drivetrain and implementing it in fishing boats.

“At the same time, as we provide emission free fishing vessels, with all the same benefits as we provide in the hospitality industry, we also put great focus on safety, providing fishermen with safe, so unsinkable, vessels, thenecessary safety equipment and training, to make their livelihood safer and more profitable,” he said.

Headquartered in Jakobstad, on Finland’s Gulf of Bothnia shore, Elvene Boats moved into new, larger facilities in the region last year.