As a propulsion source for boating, hydrogen has a lot going for it. When coupled with a fuel cell, the lightest gas in existence provides a clean and high-efficiency means of electrically spinning a propeller. Over the last couple of years, new technologies have emerged that allow hydrogen to be produced through electrolysis with seawater. One day soon, while out at sea with a solar array, you could literally end up refining your own endless source of fuel.

Battery technology has been getting the lion’s share of attention over the last few years, but batteries are heavy and in high-drag boats, offer fairly limited range. To address that, Emirates Team New Zealand, the Defender of the 37th America’s Cup, has been going all-in on hydrogen as a fuel for its chase boats. These boats must maintain 50-knot speeds just to keep up with the radical sailing foils of today. In the last year, Team Emirates has been sea-trialing its Chase Zero ­hydrofoiling catamaran. She’s arguably the most sophisticated vessel ever built: a 33-foot, six-passenger bullet that can hit 50 knots and cruise at 35 with a range of over 112 nautical miles. Belowdecks, four 73-gallon composite fuel tanks bear hydrogen compressed to 5,100 pounds per square inch. Adapted from Toyota’s second-generation Mirai automobile, her high-reliability fuel cells drive two 400-volt electric motors that generate 600 horsepower.

Chase Zero has outperformed expectations during challenging sea trials off New Zealand. In the wake of a radical video showing the boat pushing the boundaries, we reached out to Emirates Team New Zealand’s communications guru Hamish Hooper. He gave us an update on his team’s sea trials and tipped us off to the fact that hydrogen chase boat technology will be a prerequisite for America’s Cup teams moving forward. As laid out in the America’s Cup Deed of Gift, the Cup defender dictates the rules for the following competition. This gave Emirates Team New Zealand the power to mandate hydrogen power across the chase boat fleet.

Acting on that directive, Sanlorenzo Yachts’ brand Bluegame has signed on to build a pair of hydrogen-powered, hydrofoil chase boats for New York Yacht Club’s American Magic team. Their boats are expected to be operational for the 37th America’s Cup in Barcelona in 2024. Sanlorenzo also expects to launch a first-of-its kind 50-meter hydrogen-powered superyacht in 2024.

SOUNDINGS: We’re impressed with the video of Chase Zero traveling 150 nautical miles on hydrogen tanks and electricity. What’s the latest?

Hamish Hooper: We’ve completed over 80 hours of run time, constantly pushing operation and so far have been comfortable in all conditions—that includes over 30 knots and 3-foot high waves. Top speed registered so far is 52.4 knots. Currently Chase Zero is undergoing its first inspection of the drive train and (foil) flap mechanisms, and both are showing little to no signs of wear. In terms of serviceability, within a four-hour period both the drive train and foil mechanism were pulled apart and inspected, which illustrates that maintenance is a time-efficient process and could be achieved overnight if needed. Autopilot development and the overall control of the boat has been great and that’s also been very helpful with the parallel development of the AC40 (Emirates Team New Zealand’s racing sailboat) autopilot.

SO: Have there been any surprises since you started running Chase Zero and the Toyota hydrogen system?

HH: The reliability of the hydrogen powertrain has been fantastic. In the past, when we have commissioned powertrains on sailing or powerboats, we generally experienced small teething issues. The hydrogen powertrain on Chase Zero has been flawless from the beginning and gave us a huge amount of confidence in its ability.

SO: Has there been any further movement towards obtaining “green” hydrogen from solar or other renewable sources? That’s fascinating—that you can actually generate hydrogen from renewable sources like the sun.

HH: Our hydrogen infrastructure partner is constantly looking at revolutionizing the way that it obtains hydrogen. Chase Zero is fueled only by green hydrogen.

SO: What’s been the reception of the public to Chase Zero?

HH: We have taken representatives from both the British team (INEOS Britannia) and the Italian team (Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli) for rides on Chase Zero. Both teams were very impressed with the performance.

Whenever Chase Zero passes another boat, people stop, stare and generally take photos or videos. It looks unique when it is running on foils due to the fact that it is so fast, quiet and has very little wake.

The boat has a fantastic outlook from the interior due to the large glass windows, as well as the fact that you are foiling about a meter above the water. When conducting banked turns, there are very little lateral G-forces compared with a conventional boat. That, combined with the boat flying above the majority of waves, makes the ride incredibly smooth. That surprises the majority of passengers. The general comment of people who have been for a run is “I want one.”

This article was originally published in the January 2023 issue.