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Hunter Vision 360e Hybrid on Display at Annapolis Sailboat Show
ANNAPOLIS, MD – Oct. 8, 2013 – Elco Motor Yachts, a leader in electric propulsion systems, today announced a partnership with SailTime® Group LLC, the world leader in fractional boating membership. The partnership has added an Elco powered Marlow-Hunter 36 foot sailboat, the Vision 360e Hybrid, to the SailTime fleet in Virginia Beach. Elco will be at the US Sailboat Show in Annapolis, Section AB-10, Booth 6.
“We have a decade-long relationship with SailTime, with 161 boats in their fleet,” said John Peterson, president for Marlow-Hunter. “As the leader in electric and hybrid electric propulsion, Elco was the natural choice for this partnership.”
The Vision 360e Hybrid model on display in the SailTime booth includes an optional diesel generator added to the electric-powered Hunter Vision 360e. Elco and SailTime plan to add five Vision 360e sailboats in five cities by 2015. These boats will be part of the SailTime fleet, exposing them to sailors from all over the country. The Vision 360e model will be available exclusively through SailTime and may be purchased for either private ownership or ownership within the SailTime program. A shared enthusiasm for electric and hybrid power ultimately led the companies to form the partnership.
“When I was first introduced to Elco at the boat show in Miami, I knew SailTime would be the perfect platform to get this innovative product out into the marketplace,” said Todd Hess, president for SailTime. “Our partnership has made Elco EP motors more available to a large community of sailors.”
The long-range performance of the Vision 360e Hybrid was evident during a recent sail from Miami to Norfolk along the Intracoastal Waterway, including offshore passage, using mostly electric power. The Elco EP-4000 motor was connected to an onboard genset to recharge the batteries, a configuration known as a hybrid system. This extends the range of the motor significantly and enables sailors to recharge the battery while under sail.
“A gallon of diesel fuel used to recharge the batteries will carry you farther than a gallon of fuel used for propulsion,” said Elco CEO Steve Lamando. “Our EP motors are clean and simple to operate, even with a connected genset.”
Elco EP motors are installation-ready and come complete with everything needed, including battery charger. Elco offers a full line of EP motors, suitable for powering sailboats, launches and catamarans from 15 feet to 85 feet. In addition to showcasing the Vision 360e Hybrid, Elco will be displaying three different motors, the EP-4000, EP-2000 and EP-600. The company will also be accepting submissions for its free electric motor giveaway, which will conclude on Oct. 13.
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