FORZA X1, a newly formed public company that builds electric sport boats to promote sustainable recreational boating, debuted its new all-electric F-22 center console boat at an invitational event last month at The Ben Hotel in West Palm Beach.
Despite the hindrance of Florida summer storms during sea trials, FORZA’s event showcased its technology with interactive displays, lively presentations by leaders, and delightful refreshments, including a logo-themed green cocktail. The event attracted marine media, investors, shareholders, and electric boat enthusiasts, offering a preview of upcoming prototypes set for production in Fort Pierce this year and extending into 2024 at the new factory in Marion, NC.
Above: The Forza X1 F-22 electric center console boat underway on the water. Photo via Forza.
Vessel Background
The Forza F-22 is a culmination of the development of its own unique hull, motor, propulsion and battery systems, begun by Twin Vee nearly three years ago. A dual console boat will also be offered soon by the builder as they plan to expand the model line up.
“The Forza F-22 is designed and built from the ground up, to meet the needs and wants of today’s boater—an affordable boat that is easy to operate and maintain, with no fuel costs or fumes,” says Jim Leffew, CEO and President of Forza X1, Inc. The company also recently announced that it completed a deal with OneWater Marine, Inc. for purchase of 100 of the 22’ boats, valued at approximately $12 million.
Above: The Forza X1 F-22 electric center console boat underway on the water. Photo via Forza.
Vessel Design
The Company opted to create a monohull to meet its goal of creating the ideal family cruising and fishing boat. Leffew had a long boat building career with Maverick Boats and was courted for months by Forza X1’s Executive Chairman and Chief of Product Development, Joseph Visconti, to take the helm of Forza. “I was skeptical at first, being an internal combustion guy,” laughs Leffew, “But when I saw the potential, I jumped in!”
The boat is constructed of resins and carbon fiber, including gelcoat, non-skid Grip-Tech flooring, molded fiberglass hatches for the bilge and all storage including the insulated bow, anchor and underdeck floor storage.
Designed For Electric
Leffew began changing the construction to accommodate the weight of the lithium-ion batteries and completed the build in-house with Forza’s own designed and built motor, cowling and a marine battery program, devised with American Battery Solutions. The boat’s batteries can be monitored and managed through an app, in partnership with Osmosis, available on iOS or Android platforms.
Above: The Forza X1 F-22 electric center console boat underway on the water. Photo via Forza.
Propulsion
The electric motors have also gone through various modifications, developed with Cascadia Motion, that offer a compact outboard with an inverter to convert AC and DC power between the batteries and motor. Forza is developing its own lower unit and trim, to create the highest horsepower, filling the customers’ need for intermittent spikes of peak performance of up to 40 mph or 4-5-hours of cruising or fishing at speeds of 20-30 mph.
Key Features
The F-22 can fish, with a 26-gallon live well, rocket launcher on the canvas T-top, 36-quart molded console cooler and anodized aluminum leaning post that provides for anglers’ needs. Meanwhile, upholstered white cushioned seating invites cruising passenger comfort at the helm, bow or aft fold-down seat. A transom ladder accesses the water and the 16” draft makes the boat ideal for sandbars and beaches while the 8’ 6” beam provides room to move around the 22’ hull.
At The Helm
At the helm, behind a single piece acrylic windshield, is a conventional throttle, JL Audio sound system controls and a 22” screen for motor interface (including motor performance, battery levels, breadcrumbs, geopositioning, autopilot and a telematics portal), developed with Garmin using touch screen controls.
FORZA believes it has created the ideal day boat for the electric future of recreational boating, that respects the environment and saves fuel—all at an achievable entry-level price, estimated at $120,000.
For more on FORZA, see Joseph Visconti’s insights in a recent video, Boats for A New Generation.
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