Marine

Modular Ethos E30 easily converts into different types of boats

Modular Ethos E30 easily converts into different types of boats
The Ethos E30 hits the water
The Ethos E30 hits the water
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Azure Embark offers a variety of equipment and accessories, including a water sports kit
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Azure Embark offers a variety of equipment and accessories, including a water sports kit
The Ethos E30 has a V-shaped hull with a 13-degree deadrise
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The Ethos E30 has a V-shaped hull with a 13-degree deadrise
With its modular design and convertible cabin, the E30 is easy to transform
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With its modular design and convertible cabin, the E30 is easy to transform
The E30's design includes a safety bumper system around its exterior
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The E30's design includes a safety bumper system around its exterior
The cubbies along the walls let you attach furniture and equipment, including electrical appliances and running water outlets
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The cubbies along the walls let you attach furniture and equipment, including electrical appliances and running water outlets
The Ethos E30 transforms from fishing boat, to water sports boat, to pleasure boat and more
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The Ethos E30 transforms from fishing boat, to water sports boat, to pleasure boat and more
Azure Embark describes the Ethos E30 as "unsinkable" thanks to its sandwiched closed cell foam
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Azure Embark describes the Ethos E30 as "unsinkable" thanks to its sandwiched closed cell foam
This simple, empty deck can be quickly outfitted with benches, cabinets, kitchen equipment and more
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This simple, empty deck can be quickly outfitted with benches, cabinets, kitchen equipment and more
Azure Embark says that the E30 can be a pleasure boat, fishing boat, tourism boat, sport boat and diving boat
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Azure Embark says that the E30 can be a pleasure boat, fishing boat, tourism boat, sport boat and diving boat
The Ethos E30 hits the water
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The Ethos E30 hits the water
The Ethos E30 hits the water
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The Ethos E30 hits the water
The Ethos E30 (with available 250 hp engine) has a top speed of 25 knots
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The Ethos E30 (with available 250 hp engine) has a top speed of 25 knots
A look at the Ethos E30's composite hull
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A look at the Ethos E30's composite hull
The Ethos E30 at the 2014 Boot Dusseldorf show
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The Ethos E30 at the 2014 Boot Dusseldorf show
The Ethos E30 at the 2014 Boot Dusseldorf show
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The Ethos E30 at the 2014 Boot Dusseldorf show
Stepping aboard
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Stepping aboard
The Ethos E30 in Dusseldorf was a closed cabin
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The Ethos E30 in Dusseldorf was a closed cabin
The Dusseldorf model included some basic seating and tables
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The Dusseldorf model included some basic seating and tables
The equipment secures and comes out easily
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The equipment secures and comes out easily
A touchscreen command center offers monitoring and control
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A touchscreen command center offers monitoring and control
View gallery - 20 images

Most water lovers would be happy to own a single boat, but in order to enjoy the many activities of the sea – fishing, water skiing, pleasure touring, etc. – they'd need an entire fleet ... or they'd need the all-new Ethos E30 from Milano's Azure Embark. Billed as the "first hybrid crossover boat," this innovative vessel uses a modular design to transform for all kinds of purposes.

The E30 is one of our favorites from the recent Boot Dusseldorf show. Like the Superiore Uno, the boat benefited from a can't-miss location right next to a walkway adjoining two halls. Unlike the Uno, it didn't require a bright orange paint job to get our attention – its matte-gray composite hull and posters proclaiming its advantages grabbed our eyes from across the way.

The Ethos E30 at the 2014 Boot Dusseldorf show
The Ethos E30 at the 2014 Boot Dusseldorf show

When we arrived at the Ethos E30 booth what we found was a more flexible, versatile boating platform than we'd seen around the rest of the show. Azure Embark lists pleasure boating, tourism, fishing, water sport and diving among the uses that the boat is designed for.

The E30's modularity is underpinned by deck walls with integrated cubbies that serve to mount equipment. The walls include water and electrical hook-ups every 44 cm (17 in), allowing the owner to install, adjust and re-install equipment, including electrical appliances and water fixtures, in different configurations.

The cubbies along the walls let you attach furniture and equipment, including electrical appliances and running water outlets
The cubbies along the walls let you attach furniture and equipment, including electrical appliances and running water outlets

In practice, what the modular design means is that the empty deck shown above can be filled with near-infinite layouts of seats, cabinets, kitchen equipment, or other gear. So, for a relaxing Friday night dinner date on the water, the captain can affix a couch, kitchen and dining table. Then, he or she can replace those with a fishing layout for a Saturday of deep-sea casting, and a water skiing layout for an outing with the kids on Sunday.

The E30's cabin adds a little extra multi-use versatility. The boat quickly transforms from closed to open cabin by way of walls that come out at the twist of a screwdriver. Depending upon the weather and daily mission, the boat lets the breeze and sunlight in with an open cockpit, or bunkers down with a fully closed cabin accessible by a rear deck door. The door can also be left off, creating a semi-open cabin.

In terms of its underlying construction, the 31-foot (9.5-m) Ethos E30 is based atop a composite, V-shaped hull. Its bow cabin and aft deck are made from sandwiched composite with structural stiffening cross members and closed cell foam. Standard power comes from a 170-hp Hyundai diesel engine, and a 250-hp diesel and hybrid powertrain with 13-kW motor are available as options, as is a roof-mounted solar panel system.

A touchscreen command center offers monitoring and control
A touchscreen command center offers monitoring and control

Inside the walls (or not) of the cabin, an available 23-in touchscreen-based "boat autonomy control" provides control and monitoring of navigation, engine output, and boat systems like lights and pumps. QR codes etched onto various parts of the boat allow the captain to pull up information instantly on his or her smartphone.

The Ethos E30 launched last September and starts at €128,500 (US$175,100) for the Open, which comes without the cabin walls, or €148,500 ($202,400) for the closed Cabin model with walls. Standard equipment includes a bathroom with toilet, sink and shower, two beds and a bow sun lounge. Azure Embark offers many modular options, including various benches, tables, storage cabinets, refrigerators and entertainment equipment.

The video below illustrates how the boat transforms through its modular design.

Source: Ethos E30

Ethos 30 Technical Feauture

View gallery - 20 images
4 comments
4 comments
BigGoofyGuy
I think that is really neat and very versatile. I think it is cool since one can change it to fit ones needs. With all that one gets, the price seems rather reasonable.
Joseph Boe
I love the flexible concept - if not the boxy look. I am very skeptical of the durability of the screw on, interchangeable parts however. How long before the typical pounding a boat takes before these components become wiggly, noisy and ultimately, unsafe or unstable? I would need to see a lot of logged hours in a variety of environments/conditions before spending this kind of money but, I'd happily plunk my money down if it proved itself truly seaworthy.
Stephen N Russell
Be huge hit worldwide esp these venues: Hawaii Monaco Australia FL, VA, CT ME MD NC SC GA Japan Phillppines Taiwan
Radical for many uses:
Rescue boat Search Rescue Fishing type Tourism escort: take supplies & guests to select beaches, coves? Firefighting.
Bob
Interesting design but 250hp and 31 foot length doesn't make a very satisfactory ski boat. It takes too long to get up on plane and the speed is limited. It would also require storage space to keep any alternative floor plan setups. While unsinkable sounds nice, this design does not look good for rough water. All of the optional layouts show the stern and rear deck level just a couple feet above the water level. Anyone who has encountered 8-10 foot waves would want the deck level much higher, more free board, and would prefer a self bailing design that keeps the cabin dry. Rough water can also give the structure quite a pounding that may twist or loosen panels that are not securely screwed and glued into place. And my favorite, the fly bridge, is missing. This is a must for me when fishing or navigating unknown waters. This is strictly and inland lake or river boat. I also noticed a lack of trim tabs.