Beautiful eco-friendly solar-electric boats
comfortable, easy to use, beginner friendly, low maintenance, joy of operation
Beautiful by Design
A gently sloping shear line, fine entry bows, tumblehome sides and sugar scoop transoms combine with nicely finished wood and a clean top line for a modern yet classic look.
Multiple hull colors are available, or a boat wrap can be applied for complete customized graphics.
We have no time for ugly boats!
Powered by the Sun
Equipped with 300-Watt solar panels mounted on an easily lowered top, a 36 volt lithium battery and high efficiency drive, Cattina runs on the sun.
The best thing about the solar, battery and motor controller systems is they are all automatic, thus there is little control required by the operator.
Excess solar power is automatically stored in the battery. For times when the drive needs more power than is available from solar; it is drawn from the battery. If there is no power draw, and battery is already full, the solar is automatically disconnected to prevent over charging.
Power generation, power use and battery state of charge (how much is in the tank) are available at a tap of the screen. The system continuously calculates time remaining from the battery at your present speed…so there is very little worry of running short.
Speed and Range
Due to its carefully optimized drive, hull and propeller matching, Cattina’s range and speed are greatly enhanced.
Maximum speed is now just over 7 mph (there should be little more coming from development). For reference the video shows boat speed ~ 5.8 mph, so it will go a little faster.
The nominal 300W solar panels (really 260-270 W on a nice day) will push Cattina along at over 4 mph, with no battery use- instead powered only by the sun’s energy…we refer to that as “The Solar Speed”.
For evening or low sun time, the single 36V lithium battery will power Cattina for approximately 5 hours at over 5.5 mph, so for more than 25 miles…plenty of range for sunset or evening cruising.
In real world operation, Cattina, carrying two adults (~320 lb) will operate in a variety of conditions during the day:
- Some full speed runs for multiple miles
- Predominatly cruising at ~5.5 mph
- Occasional slow cruising though canals for relaxing activities like bird watching.
- Inevitable stops to chat and answer questions.
After 4+ hrs and returning to the dock we typically still have 75%+ battery capacity remaining. So for most users, the standard configuration is an all-day boat.
If you need recharge power, a high-power battery charger is already installed, simply plug into a 120V standard outlet and a complete recharge is done in ~ 4hrs.
The standard configuration is with a single battery, but Cattina is designed to carry a second battery if that option is desired. The two-battery configuration will result in continuous full power/speed operation capability for approximately 10+ hrs on a nice sunny day! Well beyond the needs of even the most determined users.
Beautifully Efficient
More than looks, the hulls are carefully designed for low drag, to be easily driven with limited power.
A modern brushless DC motor is coupled with advanced FOC* motor controls for low noise and very high efficiency.
Many electric drive systems locate the motor in the water for ease of cooling and low cost, but with low drag hulls increasing the speed, the motor quickly becomes the largest part of the drag. Our very efficient motor is air-cooled.
The motor drives a streamlined low-drag foot equipped with a carefully matched minimum induced loss propeller.
With full integration and careful matching of design, the result is much greater than the sum of its parts, so you can make the most of the available energy from the sun.
Simple Intuitive Controls
The controls for driving Cattina have been simplified for intuitive operation.
The handheld controller has a rotating thumb wheel with an image matching the motor, a comfortable finger trigger controls the speed and thrust of the motor.
Simply point the motor image in the desired direction and pull the trigger, the motor will follow. To go in reverse, point the motor to the rear and pull the trigger, the handheld prevents over rotation problems.
The basic wired controller is shown here and has cruise control functions, but an advanced wireless version will also control GPS and navigation functions.
Ease of Operation
Due to the ease of control and the full rotation of the motor, Cattina will turn in its own length, stops rapidly and is a joy to drive.
For the operator, narrow canals, crowded marinas, gentle docking or following a mangrove shoreline are a breeze.
New operators quickly become comfortable and visiting guests can be taught to drive (operate) in a matter of minutes.
Simple GPS Based Navigation
Beyond the manual controls, Cattina’s drive system will soon be equipped with GPS positioning and directional sensors, so it will always knows where it is, where it’s pointed and how fast it’s going. This with its wireless communications opens a new world of capabilities.
Want to sit off the neighbor’s dock and chat, or hold on a favorite fishing spot? GPS anchoring will hold you there even in a breeze or current.
Interfacing with available charting and navigation software allows automated route planning and recording. Cattina will follow the programmed route automatically; you can take manual control or resume the route easily at any point, perfect for a relaxing evening cruise. Routes can be saved, modified or shared with ease.
With its own directional sensors, the handheld unit can act as a direction wand. Want to go to a friends dock across the lake? Simply point the handheld unit and click the button, Cattina will steer a course to your destination.
Growing up around boats, nothing matches the adventure, responsibility and excitement of going out on your own and ditching your parents! With GPS and Geo-fencing nervous parents can predetermine how far those adventures can go and exactly where they can take you!
Ease of Maintenance - Ownership
If you’ve lived with boats, or near the saltwater for any time, you know ease of maintenance is critical to enjoying a boat.
No gas to carry, no carburetors to drain no motor to flush.
Cattina, with its full marine grade hardware, and the closable lockable decks and hatches is well protected. All electronics, battery systems and wiring are concealed, leaving large dry lockable storage in both hulls.
The top and solar panels are easily raised or closed in moments, balanced by under-deck gas springs it only requires light hand operation (there will be a power option).
With its automatic battery and solar charge controllers, in a freshwater lake Cattina can simply be pulled up on the shore/grass and be ready to push in and go.
In a saltwater environment, a small lift or davit keeps the boat ready to go at the dock. As with anything in saltwater, an occasional thorough rinse with freshwater is always a good idea!
Keeping Cattina on a trailer? Its light weight makes it easy to tow and launch even with a small vehicle from almost any ramp, opening lots of exploration possibilities.
Caring for the Environment
Here on Florida’s Gulf Coast, with Cattina’s quiet operation you can easily approach birds (not too close please), manatees, dolphins, basking cownose rays and plenty of fat red fish and snook.
No fumes, no fuel and zero emissions means wherever you go, from small lakes, pristine flats or protected no-motor zones, you leave nothing behind but a small wake.
Fishing Function!
Although tempting, one cannot live life simply cruising around with a drink in hand…sometimes you need to go fishing.
Cattina’s catamaran hull platform provides a large stable open deck, perfect for casting the flats. The recessed deck hinges eliminate trip points and toe stubs, and the non-skid surfaces give sure footing. Bare-foot fishing? The decks and hinge mounts are ready to accept your preferred deck padding as desired. The convenient cooler seat back is perfect for the single angler. Smooth, rounded hulls produce little to no hull slap to spook the fish, and the low draft makes Cattina a shallow water weapon: Ready for the nearby flats!
Enjoy Our Beautiful Waterways!
I've got a Question!
If you have questions, we will try and get you answers! Please click on the icon and let us know...there will surely be a FAQ page to follow soon!
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I want to See Cattina!
We are always happy to show-off Cattina! The test boats alway draw lots of attention and we have enjoyed discussions it with many people at their docks, along sea walls and at the boat ramp, so flag us down if you see us in St Pete! Not in St. Pete, but fairly local? Click on the icon to give us some contact information, your location, are you on the water? Near a convenient boat ramp?, Your preferred timing and we will try and arrange to show you a boat...or at least notify you when we are in your area so we can meet...we are always up for a touring adventure.
I Want One Now!
We are now accepting a limited number of refundable preproduction deposits (some of which are already spoken for). Preproduction deposits consist of a $500 deposit, fully cancelable and refunded (minus any credit card processing fees) at any time with no obligation until a purchase agreement is signed. They will be serviced on a first come-first served basis. A purchase agreement will need to be signed two-weeks prior to your boat build starting, with 50% due at the start of build and the balance due at delivery. Please click on the icon for a full description, pricing, instruction and forms for proceeding if interested.
I Want Something More!
If you are interested in something else, you are in the resort, rental or eco-tourism space? If you are interested in potential financial involvement or investment possibilities in St. Pete Solar Boat, or are a like minded organization or individual interested in protecting our waterways, we would love to hear from you.