Prowler Powercat 480 · Est. 2005

Walk the Plank

A 48-foot catamaran converted to run entirely on electric propulsion and solar power — home base for a life spent moving between the Bahamas and the Caribbean.

About Us

A really cool boat, the hard way.

Our project started in early 2025 with the purchase of a 2004 Prowler Powercat, a 48-foot power catamaran powered by a pair of Yanmar 315HP engines.

What began as a simple plan — add a solar panel roof, replace the engines — became a full update and fix of everything wrong with the boat, the result of years of deferred maintenance.

We found some great mechanics and aluminum fabricators in Florida, and together this morphed into what can only be called "a really cool boat."

The boat was completed in November of 2025, and we drove her down the Florida ICW to Miami, where we decided we couldn't trust the generator to give us the extra electric power needed for extended voyages, so we put in a new 12.5kW generator. That was finished in January, and then we waited for the next weather window to reach the Bahamas, which came in late February 2026.

Our journey came to a halt when we realized our WaterWorld engines weren't up to the task of powering the boat — not even hitting rated continuous speed, by a large margin. So rather than throttle back to a snail's pace, we pulled the air-cooled electric engines and upgraded the propulsion system to a water-cooled Green Marine 22.5kW double-engine system. Of course, that meant upgrading the propellers too — and using AI to override the manufacturer's recommendation, which is usually geared for a smaller boat. And then, well, why not — we also tossed the underpowered Chinese HVACs for some extra cooling.

Yes... that was quite the project, until the next shoe dropped. Batteries are bad. Almost all of them. Dead cells... no one knows what happened. Yes... same brand as the engines that wouldn't cool. Although tempted to dump them overboard from the sheer exasperation, we put in a warranty claim... and now are shopping for batteries.

We finished everything else just in time for hurricane season, so our adventure continues in 2026 as we head for the BVI.

2025
Project began
Nov '25
Refit completed
12.5kW
Backup generator
2026
Bound for the BVI
Helm and salon aboard Walk the Plank Salon Helm
Hallway to the master cabinHallway
Galley with full-size refrigeratorGalley Fridge
Galley oven and rangeGalley Oven
Drop-down TV in the salonTV Dropdown
Where We Are Now

Currently underway.

Walk the Plank at anchor Aft Deck
On the water

Freeport, Grand Bahama

Home port and current location while final systems are finished out. Bound for the BVI in 2026 — follow along here as we move between the Bahamas and the Caribbean.

Last updated manually — check back for the latest position.
Live AIS

Track us in real time

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Live position will appear here once the boat's AIS transponder MMSI is on file.

MMSI 378114559. If no vessel marker appears, the AIS transponder is currently powered off — the map will pick up the signal automatically once it's on.