Blog

The electric llaut Medvolt M7 was presented at the Palma Boat Show 2022, a year and a half after its presentation, there are already 6 of them sailing in different parts of the Balearic Islands and the Mediterranean coast and we are manufacturing the 7th one. For a family shipyard like ours it is a great success, and what makes us most happy is the positive feedback from everyone who tries it. Apart from being a boat that offers a silent and emission free navigation, its wide deck with a classic look offers a very comfortable and quality experience. It is perfectly adapted to the most demanding customers, 2 Llauts M7 are working exclusively with 5 star hotels and the feedback from customers who enjoy it could not be more positive. The manufacturing secret of our M7 is the judicious choice of the best materials and suppliers. We have conscientiously chosen each component to ensure they are durable, practical, sustainable and offer a premium experience. For example, on the deck we use Flexiteek installed by Extreme Marine Solutions, in our opinion the best synthetic teak on the market. These days it is not easy to find teak wood and be sure that it is sustainably and ethically sourced. Much of the teak wood comes from countries that are being illegally deforested. Alternatively, Flexiteek offers a very similar feel and look to teak, if you don't look closely it looks like teak, but offers great longevity with minimal maintenance, it can be easily cleaned without chemicals. And for every 10m2 Flexiteek sells, they plant a tree, so they keep their carbon footprint low. For carpentry and woodwork, such as the gunwale, rodas, rudder, mast, etc, we rely on Maestro D'Aixa Sebastià Vidal (Barques de Fusta), a renowned craftsman from Mallorca, with extensive experience in the construction and repair of traditional llauts. We always choose wood with sustainability certificates. For the pulleys and the rigging of the lateen sail, we have opted for the "jewels" that Joan Ramón Bordoy, an expert in the traditional navigation of Mallorca and its culture, creates in an artisan way and with renewable energy sources. As for the shaft and propeller, we have worked hand in hand with Vetus to develop a propeller specially optimised for electric motors, with 4 blades and adapted to work at the optimum speed for electric motors. We achieve the best performance with minimum vibration and turbulence. For the upholstery we rely on Cerberus Boats, using top quality materials for the bench cushions and for the deck sundeck. Very comfortable, durable and tailored to the tastes of our customers. For the lateen sail and the traditional awning, we have always relied on Velas Matheu, who with more than 35 years of experience ensure a classic and quality product. Another controversial element is antifouling. The function of antifouling is to prevent the growth of algae and organisms on the hull of the boat, as they slow the boat down. Traditionally, paints with biocides or heavy metals have been used, i.e. paints that are harmful to organisms. But the same active element to prevent algae growth is continuously released into the marine environment. Generally the antifouling "wears out" within 12 months, and has to be reapplied every year. Internationally these products are starting to be regulated because of their environmental damage. As an alternative we have chosen Hempel Silic One antifouling, a silicone based product, which instead of "killing" the algae, prevents it from sticking to the hull, and allows it to be easily cleaned with a sponge or rag. In addition, there is no need to repaint it every year, as it offers a durability of 2 years or more. With regard to the latest generation of motors and lithium batteries, we have Torqeedo batteries, Water World motors and recently we have incorporated inboard motors and ePropulsion batteries, from the expert hand of Sole Iberia. And our supplier par excellence for fittings and other components is Marine Point, a large selection of products always in stock. Medvolt would like to thank all our suppliers, without their effort and trust in the project we would not be here. Innovating and creating something different is never easy, but with our team and the help of our suppliers everything is possible. 

We couldn't be happier with the launch of this sustainable nautical tourism project. We would like to thank the Iberostar Selection Playa de Muro Village hotel and its management and reception team for their firm commitment to sustainable tourism with the incorporation of a 100% electric Medvolt M7 Llaut to the catalogue of experiences offered at the exclusive hotel. The electric llaut, manufactured and customised for the hotel, has all the necessary elements to offer a unique experience in the bay of Alcudia, a completely silent and emission-free navigation, and a deck with a sunbed and folding table for 8 people. Named "Abuela Isabel", the llaut has been launched and put into operation this August, with very positive feedback from customers who have already enjoyed the experience. To offer an unforgettable experience, the llaut has 2 inflatable paddle boards, snorkelling equipment, electric underwater scooter, GoPro camera, binoculars to identify birds and descriptive sheets with the fauna that can be observed on our coasts. In a context where the climate crisis and its impact on tourism is becoming more and more evident, we believe that decarbonisation and the reduction of CO2 emissions are urgent, especially in threatened sectors such as tourism. Companies such as Iberostar should be recognised for their firm commitment to sustainability and local culture, and other companies in the sector should be encouraged to adopt similar measures. Especially when customers increasingly demand more information about the carbon footprint of their holidays and value low-impact experiences, as Hosteltur recently published in the article "Climate impact of travel: everyone wants to know more". ( read article ). Medvolt is ready to collaborate with tourism companies that want to offer sustainable experiences adapted to their needs. Together we can advance very quickly towards the goals of decarbonisation, always respecting local culture and traditions.

National Geographic Travel recently did an extensive report on the St Regis Mardavall Hotel, highlighting the service and 360º experience it offers its guests, "The care of the guests, inside and out, is the hallmark of the most hedonistic hotel on this island". Among the different experiences offered by the hotel, the 100% electric Medvolt Llaut stands out as one of the most sought-after plans: "Just a three-minute walk from the hotel, the Mardavall jetty greets you with one of the most sought-after plans of the St. Regis experience: a sailing and electric-powered llaut route along the Mallorcan coastline. With a picnic on board, the trip allows you to visit some of the coastline's protrusions such as Puerto Portals or the protected beach of Ses Illetes".

We had the pleasure of welcoming the Majorca Daily Bulleting team on one of our 100% electric llauts, who were able to experience first-hand the silent and environmentally friendly sailing.  In the article they published they highlight how relaxing and unique it is to sail in a 100% electric llaut with lateen sail. Medvolt would like to thank them for their visit and send them our best regards.

We recently delivered and sea-tested the first electric RIB for maritime and cleaning work in the marina of MARINA D'ES BOTAFOC on the island of Ibiza , with a Torqeedo Cruise 6 kW electric outboard and a 5 kW 48 v battery . At Medvolt we manufactured and customised a watertight fibreglass box to house the battery and chargers for maximum safety and practicality. This combination offers a top speed of 12 knots and an all-day range for harbour work. With virtually no maintenance and zero emissions, it is a perfect solution for ports and marinas. If you are a port facility and would like more information, Medvolt can advise you and offer you a solution adapted to your needs. Thanks to OCIBAR S.A. for trusting and switching to electric propulsion for your work boats in the Botafoc Marina.

Around our 100% electric Llaut M7 we developed a complete experience of Sustainable Nautical Tourism , in collaboration with multiple associations and experts from different fields. We managed to create a unique experience, fully aligned with the different SDGs and the recommendations of the United Nations . Thanks to the events and activities agency LifeXperiences , and its commitment to sustainable tourism, we customised and adapted one of our llauts to work exclusively, from June to September, with the incredible Hotel St Regis Mardavall , located on the coast of Calvia, Mallorca. The Hotel St Regis Mardavall has a small jetty, and after looking for the right boat, they decided to offer the experience with the 100% electric llaut as one of the main activities of the hotel. Pioneers in the development of sustainable tourism, in this case they also decided to promote the local maritime culture and a traditional llaut with lateen sail and traditional rigging. Together we managed to provide hotel guests with a unique, top quality experience, with minimal impact on the environment, with zero emissions and promoting local culture and gastronomy . And the feedback from the hotel guests couldn't have been better, they highlighted how quiet and pleasant the experience was. A unique and special way to get to know and enjoy the Balearic coast .

From Friday 28th October to Tuesday 1st November we will be present at the Valencia Boat Show with Sport Nautic, you can find us at Stand AR2 and our 100% electric llaut M7 will be on a mooring just in front, if you feel like it you can take a test ride. See you in Valencia: www.valenciaboat.com

We are very happy to present Medvolt Club , a project of the Medvolt group for everyone to enjoy sustainable boating . In Medvolt Club you will be able to enjoy sustainable sailing and 100% electric zero emission sailing through exclusive Experiences , a Sailing Club and Boat Sharing . We have developed different day charter experiences and sailing formulas aimed at both the tourist sector and residents. An attractive way to enjoy our sea and try electric sailing, promoting the culture of llaut and slow sailing. Located in Alcudia , at the moment we have a 100% electric Llaut M7, and by the end of the season we will have at least 3 llauts. We will progressively increase our fleet and open new locations. We invite you to visit the Medvolt Club website and discover sustainable sailing: 

Yesterday we had the pleasure of receiving in our shipyard in Can Valero (Palma) the visit of the Vice President and Minister of Energy Transition, Juan Pedro Yllanes , the Director General of Energy and Climate Change, Pep Malagrava and the Director of Industrial Policy, Antoni Morro . They expressed their support and Juan Pedro Yllanes, in front of the journalists present, set us as an example to be followed by the rest of the sector. We were told that the Government attaches great importance to this type of initiative aimed at reducing the carbon footprint and polluting emissions in the seas. The Vice-President stressed that mobility, including nautical mobility, is one of the greatest sources of pollution, which is why measures are planned to limit these emissions, and insisted that the protection of the marine environment, especially considering that it is one of the islands' main assets, is one of the Executive's objectives. This is reflected in the Balearic Islands Energy Transition Investment Plan, which has several economic lines of action in this regard. Juan Pedro Illanes took advantage of the visit to announce that 15 million euros will be allocated to the decarbonisation of the marine sector, as part of the Investment Plan for Energy Transition in the Balearic Islands. For our part we convey to them that we are ready for the challenge of helping to decarbonise the fleet of boats in the Balearic Islands, especially through the conversion to electric motorisation of llauts. In this sense, we have already successfully converted a boat by means of an integral retrofit, and we are in the process of converting a traditional wooden llaut and a passenger transport llaut. Due to the great demand we are receiving, in the next few days we will be opening our first electric boat conversion centre in the Port of Alcudia. Facilities that we will dedicate exclusively to the conversion of boats, being one of the first centres specialised in the electrification of boats (if not the first) in the Balearic Islands and the Mediterranean. We encourage all recreational boat owners and charter companies to consider converting their boats to less polluting propulsion systems, it is a proven technology that offers multiple benefits and it seems that the administration is going to make it easier for us. From our point of view, all of us who love the SEA are obliged to take care of it and preserve it, and to be aware of our impact on it, we owe it to it. Both Diario de Mallorca and Ultima Hora were present at the visit and echoed the announcement of the subsidies. Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)