After the success of VEGA’s electrification in 2023, her owner came back to us with a new project in mind.  He enjoyed using VEGA for day trips with friends and family, but wanted another boat to venture further afield in, with simple overnight accommodations for up to two people.  Sorrento to Isle au Haut without plugging in was the challenge he gave us – and he already had a boat in mind.

Built in 1969 by Uniflite in Bellingham, WA, this former Navy motor whaleboat was a good candidate for efficient electric cruising.  With a double-ended hull designed for displacement speeds, she slips through the water with ease and can easily carry the weight of a large battery bank.  The design Doug came up with called for gutting the boat and building a new superstructure, with a long hardtop for solar panels, good protection from the weather, and lots of glass for unrestricted visibility.

For propulsion, we installed a 15 kW pod from Rim Drive Technology, paired with a 60 kWh Victron battery bank.  The result is smooth, silent operation with extremely low maintenance requirements.  Six 200 W solar panels mounted on the cabin top continuously recharge the batteries while underway, enabling what we call “solar sailing”: traveling at a speed determined by available sunlight rather than by drawing down the battery bank.  At modest cruising speeds, SEIWA can run comfortably all day, and under favorable conditions, with very little battery use at all.

Inside, we focused on simplicity, with accommodations tailored to her owner’s vision of minimalist coastal exploration.  Two settees convert to comfortable sleeping berths, and the compact cabin includes a Laveo waterless head and a clever galley with a folding single-burner stove that reveals a sink beneath.

With planning, multi-day trips using nothing but the power of the sun are a real possibility in a boat like this.  For sailors transitioning away from sail, or cruisers looking for a quieter, less demanding way to explore, SEIWA offers an effortless and environmentally responsible alternative.  For us, the boat stands as a proof of concept: with the right hull, thoughtful design, and carefully-selected solar-electric systems, electric cruising isn’t just possible – it’s practical, peaceful, and deeply rewarding.

Particulars:
LOA – 26′
BEAM – 8′ 5″
DRAFT – 2′ 2″
MOTOR – Rim Drive Technology POD 15.0 (15 kW, 48V)
BATTERY BANK – 60 kWh (12x Victron 24V-200Ah LFP)
SOLAR ARRAY – 1200W (6x Renogy 200W flexible panels)
RANGE – 80 nm at 4 kts, 30 nm at 6.25 kts
RANGE WITH SOLAR – 130 nm at 4 kts, 33 nm at 6.25 kts
SOLAR RECHARGE (20% to Full) – 6.5 days
AC RECHARGE (20% to Full) – 20 h