The introduction of Rand Boats' Picnic and Picnic Sport motorboats now offers a lightweight, large-capacity, electric-powered alternative to traditional gas-powered boats. Able to seat up to 10 people and weighing in at a relatively svelte 280 kg (617 lb), both models can sail for up to 16 hours at a maximum speed of 13 km/h (8 mph) depending on the choice of motors and batteries.
- Featuring a 2 x 5-meter (6.5 x 16-foot) hull made of recycled plastic bottles and wooden elements obtained entirely from sustainable forests, the Rand boats are claimed to be environmentally friendly, and require little maintenance.
Safety features include rounded hulls with protective rubber fenders and wide edges, anti-slip floors and a self-draining floor. There's also plenty of storage and capacity for a boat of this size, at 700 liters (about 25 cu. ft) and 900 kg (1,984 lb) respectively.
Owners have a choice of either lithium or gel batteries that can be charged while plugged in at the dock, removed and charged elsewhere, or charged through the boat's solar cells. The available Torqeedo electric outboard motor can be easily removed to transport back and forth between the boats when necessary.
Options include a steering wheel instead of the tiller, an adjustable table to replace the standard fixed version, a wooden deck, and multiple cushions that be stowed in the storage compartment.
Both models can be ordered off of the company website. The Picnic starts at €9,995 (approximately US$10,800) while the Picnic Sport, which includes most of the available options, is priced at €12,950 ($14,000). Motors and batteries are sold separately, depending on the buyer's preference.
The Rand Picnic and Picnic Sport join several other electric boats introduced over the last couple of years, including Sky Yacht's electric Joyboat and the Loon.
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