E-40 Powercat

A Lightweight, High-performance Electric Catamaran

Although the E-40 was among the smallest multihulls on display at this year’s International Multihull Show, that did nothing to diminish the appeal of this electric powercat, which is quite unlike any other. With its slender hulls, inverted bows, wide deck platform, discreet coachroof and electric propulsion, the Earthling unapologetically breaks the mold of recreational boating - and that of twin-hulled motorboats in particular - and for us, that’s no bad thing…

This powercat embraces its sailing catamaran design… just without a mast.

The long sugarscoops, great for swimming or getting in the dinghy, are also very practical alongside for stepping aboard, even from the side thanks to the cut-out sections. The bridgedeck clearance is high enough to allow easy passage through the water.

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Practical info

Boat Test price5.00€ Inc. tax

Purchase

Boat Test price5.00€ Inc. tax

Purchase

Test location: La Grande-Motte, South of France
Conditions: Southeasterly wind 5 to 10 knots, moderate sea state

From the dock, the Earthling E-40’s lines evoke those of a sailing catamaran: It would be easy to imagine it featuring a carbon rig and fancy tillers… but it definitely hasn’t got a mast. This is indeed a powercat that cheerfully breaks free from the marketing hype that still reigns supreme in the world of powercats. On the E-40, there’s no flybridge carrying a T-top, and no promise of easily exceeding 20 knots by revving two powerful diesels in the engine compartments. But it’s clear that the project leader, John McGettigan, has a genuine passion for sailing and performance: A New Zealand engineer, John has, among other things, worked on the America’s Cup, and this is by no means his first foray into multihull design: as early as 2000, he launched a large 58-foot (17.6-meter) sailing catamaran already named Earthling - a design by Greg Young. That project already demonstrated his interest in innovative technical solutions and energy efficiency.