Artemis 23

Efficiency doing the work of power

Fifty kilowatts in total — two 25 kW pods on 48-volt systems — sounds thin for a seven-metre boat until you notice the claimed 26 knots. That combination is the entire argument for the Artemis 23: a purpose-built semi-foiling catamaran whose lift between the hulls cuts drag, so it needs less energy to go fast rather than a bigger battery to compensate. The rotating pods and Optimus 360 joystick control are the other real draw, giving close-quarters handling that flatters an inexperienced skipper — worth more to a family day boat than a few extra knots.

Where the questions are

Battery capacity is not published in the headline specification, and third-party listings have quoted differing figures as the pack was revised, which means the 35-nautical-mile range cannot be checked against any stated kilowatt-hour number. Pin both down in writing before ordering. The 48-volt architecture that keeps the boat simple and safe also caps how much power it can ever carry, so expect no hotter version later.

It is an American boat with an American price — US listings have shown base configurations above US$300,000, which is a great deal for 23 feet — and European buyers should establish support, warranty and CE homologation before committing. The ex-Scout Boats pedigree is genuine engineering credibility, but the company itself is young and the dealer network thin.