As a propulsion source for boating, hydrogen has a lot going for it. When coupled with a fuel cell, the lightest gas in existence provides a clean and high-efficiency means of electrically spinning a propeller. Over the last couple of years, new technologies have emerged that allow hydrogen to be produced through electrolysis with seawater. One day soon, while out at sea with a solar array, you could literally end up refining your own endless source of fuel.
Battery technology has been hydrofoiling catamaran. She’s arguably the most sophisticated vessel ever built: a 33-foot, six-passenger bullet that can hit 50 knots and cruise at 35 with a range of over 112 nautical miles. Belowdecks, four 73-gallon composite fuel tanks bear hydrogen compressed to 5,100 pounds per square inch. Adapted from Toyota’s second-generation Mirai automobile, her high-reliability fuel cells drive two 400-volt electric motors that generate 600 horsepower.
