Hydrogen Chase Boats Revolutionize Racing Coverage
Revolutionary hydrogen chase boats from America's Cup faced dock bans in Barcelona despite zero emissions, highlighting infrastructure challenges.
Hydrogen Boats
By Elke Porter | WBN News Vancouver | June 4, 2025
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The future of marine hydrogen technology faces both triumph and turbulence, as highlighted by discussions at the hy-fcell Canada conference this week at the Vancouver Convention Centre.
Dan Kahn from Hiringa Energy, who was part of the team that developed the hydrogen-powered chase boats for the 2024 America's Cup, participated as a panelist in Wednesday's "Speed & Stealth" session. Unable to attend in person, Kahn appeared via screen and answered questions from the moderator in what proved to be a well-executed virtual presentation.
The discussion centered on the Chase Zero boats, which represented a breakthrough in clean marine technology. These impressive vessels measure 10 meters (33 feet) in total length and are equipped with foils that allow them to lift above the water surface. Capable of carrying six people with an additional payload capacity of 250 kg, the boats have a range of 93 to 111 miles (150 to 180 km).
The Chase Zero generates approximately 440 kW of maximum power through a 400 V DC system powered by hydrogen fuel cells, reaching cruising speeds of 35 knots (68 km/h) with maximum speeds exceeding 50 knots (90 km/h). With a total weight of 5,200 kg including cargo, the first unit launched in March 2022 with an approximate price of $620,000 (€550,000).
Powered by hydrogen fuel cells that produce only water as waste, these foiling catamarans could keep pace with America's Cup racing yachts without creating disruptive wakes.
As I heard someone explain afterward, the logistics of bringing these innovative boats from New Zealand to Barcelona for the America's Cup presented significant challenges, though details of the port authority concerns may have been somewhat exaggerated in the telling.
The situation illustrates hydrogen technology's current challenge: impressive performance capabilities sometimes constrained by infrastructure and regulatory unfamiliarity. Despite producing zero emissions and offering superior passenger comfort through their foiling design, new technologies can face hurdles simply because they represent unfamiliar approaches to traditional maritime applications.
The hy-fcell Canada conference, running June 3-5, brings together hydrogen professionals from across business sectors to address exactly these kinds of real-world implementation challenges. The event focuses on hydrogen and fuel cell advancements across various applications, including transportation sectors where such marine innovations represent the cutting edge of clean technology development.
#Hydrogen Boats #Clean Marine #Americas Cup #Hydrogen Tech #Maritime Innovation #Sustainable Boating #WBN News Vancouver #Elke Porter
Connect with Elke at Westcoast German Media or on LinkedIn: Elke Porter or contact her on WhatsApp: +1 604 828 8788
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