The thing about revolutionary ideas and technology, is that their adoption is never that hard. Because, almost always, their constituent components already exist. They just have to be recognised, and assembled intelligently. Earthling is just such an ‘integration house’, continually searching, striving for simplicity and efficiency which feeds the ethos of sustainability.
The E-40 PowerCat is the latest in a long line of engineering and boating innovations by John McGettigan, Earthling’s creator and owner. New Zealand boaties might well remember John’s previous iconoclastic boat, the so-powerful-it-was almost-unearthly sailing catamaran Earthling with its towering rig, automated leach control and distinctive silver-gold livery.
Before that John forged an international career in designing complex, automated industrial systems. And while living in South Africa, raced production motorcycles on the circuit. He’s always known how to get there, how to achieve seemingly impossible goals. And fast.
Now it would appear he’s found a new chapter. And slowed down a bit. But that’s something of an illusion, for he and Earthling the E-cat are full of the unexpected – as we shall see.
But going back a bit to introducing new technology, it’s little-known that electric marine propulsion pre-dated diesel motors by 10 years, and over 100 years ago (see box).
The appeal of a motor with
