Skip to main content

The Q30 Is the Ultra-Minimalist Electric Yacht You’ll Never Hear Coming

Q Yachts - Q30 Electric Motorboat Introduction

The days of fossil fuel-powered craft are numbered. Cars are going all-electric. Flying cars — if, nay, when they happen — are likely to be all-electric. Even electric planes are on the horizon. Now, one forward-thinking Finnish boat-maker is taking to the water with a stunning new all-electric boat.

Recommended Videos

The Q30 Yacht is a study in stark, minimalist design that’s thoroughly Scandinavian. The smooth, bone-white hull cuts a sharp line through the water like an icy shard pushed by an unseen current. Even much of the deck is laminated with a glistening white gel coat. Save for the wooden decking ’round back, it’s hardly recognizable as a boat from the air.

As a day boat, the Q30 Yacht offers enough room for eight, including a four-seat table and a sunbathing platform for two. For overnights, there’s a bright white interior awash in natural light thanks to an overhead skylight. Low-voltage LED lighting illuminates the cabin after dark. Here, guests will find just enough room to bed down, plus other creature comforts like a small sink and a Beoplay A1 wireless Bluetooth speaker system. Topside, the navigation and lighting are all controlled by a single iPad. The entire package weighs over 3,000 pounds, but it’s easily tow-able with even a small crossover or SUV like, say, your all-electric Tesla Model X.

Janne Kjellman, the pioneering owner of Q Yachts, set out more than a decade ago to devise a silent marine propulsion system. After countless prototypes, he arrived at Oceanvolt, a revolutionary all-electric technology. It had already been in use as an alternative power source for sailboats, but Q Yachts adapted the technology for its luxury motor craft. The result is an all-electric boat that’s almost completely silent with zero emissions.

By the numbers, the Q30 is impressive, especially considering the limited range of most electric craft. An AXC20 electric motor propels the “yacht” (the Finnish evidently use that term loosely) to a top speed of 15 knots with a cruising speed of around nine. The optional 60kWh extended battery pack can keep the 30-foot vessel cruising for up to 80 nautical miles. The hull is constructed of lightweight fiberglass with an ultra-hydrodynamic form that minimizes drag. It won’t take you on a trans-Atlantic sailing trip, but it’s got plenty of juice for tooling around the lake near your Arctic Circle fishing cabin.

Pricing for the Q30 is still to be determined. But, frankly, if you have to ask …

Mike Richard
Mike Richard has traveled the world since 2008. He's kayaked in Antarctica, tracked endangered African wild dogs in South…
Bridgestone’s new touring tire comes with an 80,000 mile warranty
Bridgestone Launches All-New Turanza EverDrive Touring Tire
bridgestones new touring tire comes with an 80000 mile warranty bridgestone turanza everdrive  3

Since we started using a set of Firehawk Indy 500 tires a few months ago, Bridgestone has really impressed us with their dedication to quality and innovation in the tire scene. This week, they’ve introduced an exciting new addition—the Turanza EverDrive touring tire, and it's backed by an incredible 80,000-mile warranty, which is their longest yet.

These tires are designed for sedans, CUVs, and minivans, and they come with some really new and useful technology. The next-generation rubber compound helps fight against uneven wear, so you can expect them to last you longer. Plus, they’ll give you a smooth and comfortable ride, perfect for all your daily adventures with or without the family.

Read more
Aston Martin and LEGO unveil their latest collaboration: the LEGO Technic Aston Martin Valkyrie
The LEGO Technic Aston Martin Valkyrie
aston martin and lego unveil their latest collaboration the technic valkyrie  astonmartinvalkyrie1

Aston Martin and the LEGO Group have teamed up to roll out an exciting new project: the LEGO Technic Aston Martin Valkyrie. This awesome set combines the high-performance vibes of Aston Martin’s incredible hypercar with the fun of LEGO building. It gives fans a chance to explore all the exciting details and cutting-edge technology that make this car so unique.

Whether you’re into cars or just love LEGO, this model promises a fun building experience that’s sure to keep you engaged. Plus, it’s part of a fun partnership with Gameloft's Asphalt Legends UNITE gaming platform, so you can race both the real Aston Martin Valkyrie and your LEGO version in the game, getting the best of both worlds.

Read more
Ben Collins talks us through his record-setting Top Gear Test Track lap
Former Stig Ben Collins talks about the car he's just set a record time in
Ben Collins stood next to a Praga Bohemia

Ben Collins has a respectable racing career, movie credits, and a successful YouTube channel to his name. Despite all of this, he’s most famous for a role that was meant to be anonymous. Collins played the part of Top Gear’s iconic tamed racing driver, “The Stig,” between 2003 and 2010.

Despite hanging up the white racing suit, Collins still knows the Top Gear Test Track like the back of his hand, which is useful as he’s just broken another record on it. The accomplished driver officially set the fastest time in an internal combustion engine (ICE) car while behind the wheel of a Praga Bohemia. The Manual recently caught up with Collins to discuss his record-breaking lap, and the vehicle that propelled him to it.
The Praga Bohemia is “a real weapon”

Read more