The Torqeedo Catalina Solar/Electric Boat Challenge honors Bob Nordskog, a man who took the challenge 30 years ago to travel the intimidating Pacific Ocean over 26.5 nautical miles from Long Beach Harbor to Catalina Island in the first electric boat ever built.
   
The first successful Torqeedo Catalina Challenge took place on Oct. 24 in a 16-foot Hobie Getaway Catamaran named the Kona Concept, modified to accommodate batteries and a solar panel and powered by the Cruise 4.0R Torqeedo Electric Outboard Motor. Captain of Kona Concept and grandson of Bob Nordskog, Erik Robert Nordskog, and navigator Jim Czarnowski, director of engineering for Hobie Cat, were very proud to recreate the crossing. They completed it in just 6 hours and 41 minutes and with 35 percent battery power remaining.
    
The purpose of the Torqeedo Challenge is to go beyond using electric propulsion only on green lakes, in marinas and on cocktail cruisers. It's to demonstrate that electric propulsion can be developed into a destination motor in the mainstream boating industry. The challenge is intended to provide a means of recognition for and is open to individuals and manufacturers who demonstrate, in offshore conditions, improvements in both range and speed of recreational electric craft. Torqeedo also wants to encourage both atmospheric and noise pollution reduction.

There are four classes in which to compete: mono-hull, above and below 18-foot, as well as multi-hull, above and below 18-foot. Participants need to submit a proposal and document the voyage for consideration.  Winners will be rewarded with a bronze medallion replica of the original Catalina Challenge Trophy. This year it was presented to Erik Nordskog and Jim Czarnowski by Larry Smith, founder and owner of Team Scarab, and Steve Trkla, president of Torqeedo in the United States.