Hubert Thomas has always been a professional sailor in the world of the sea. An entrepreneur for 40 years, he launched Next Blue Tech in December 2017. It is a company that wants to market nautical leisure devices on electrically powered foils.
An electric motor of less than 6 hp
In 2018, a prototype for scientific use was built called e-SeaRider. In order to make the machine usable by everyone, avoiding the problem of the mandatory permit above 6 hp, the team worked from an engine of less than 4 kW (less than 6 hp). By relying on an Asian Navy6 engine manufacturer, it is now a successful bet.
On November 13, 2018, on Lake Peyrolles (13), the prototype managed to take off at 8 knots and sailed at a maximum speed of 15 knots. This jet-ski-shaped device, propelled by a propeller, stands above the water on 2 foils: a U-shaped foil at the front and an inverted T-shaped foil at the rear in the middle of which the propeller is installed.
Lightweight so as not to consume
To take off quickly and without too much energy, the prototype weighs only 140 kg. If it has reached a maximum speed of 15 knots, the batteries have an autonomy of one hour at this speed. But it will be possible to double this time by sailing at 10 knots.
The technical team chose an electric motor that is located in the hull with a shaft line that goes down underwater (just like an outboard base, but with foils). The water jet propulsion was not retained, as it does not operate efficiently underwater, but must remain close to the surface.
Available in 2020
Today Next Blue Tech has raised funds that will enable it to build demonstrators in 2019. These products at the border between the prototype and the finished product will serve as test machines to see the public's return before launching into commercialization probably in 2020. Hubert Thomas does not want to launch the e-SeaRider on the market if it is not completely completed and made reliable.
