{
  "id": 5824282,
  "title": "Couple who had never sailed before plan world circumnavigation in all-electric sailboat",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/05/couple-who-had-never-sailed-before-plan-world-circumnavigation-in-all",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-05T19:03:39.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Euro Weekly News",
    "slug": "euro-weekly-news",
    "url": "https://euroweeklynews.com/2026/09/05/couple-who-had-never-sailed-before-plan-world-circumnavigation-in-all-electric-sailboat/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Dan and Kika Deckert, a couple with no sailing experience, are set to embark on a 12-month circumnavigation of the globe aboard their 36-foot sailboat, Uma. Planned for departure in November 2026, their goal is to travel 30,000 nautical miles without any fossil fuel assistance, using only solar power, batteries, and regenerative energy generated by the boat's movement.\n\nThe Deckerts purchased Uma in 2012, after graduating as architects, and spent the next decade learning to sail and rebuilding the vessel. Their first electric propulsion system used a second-hand forklift motor and batteries, which they later upgraded to Oceanvolt electric propulsion. In 2021, Uma reached the High Arctic without using a diesel engine, having crossed the North Atlantic.\n\nUma's upcoming 3.0 model features twin Oceanvolt electric propulsion, 3kW of solar panels, 50kWh of battery storage, and up to 1kW of regenerative energy captured while sailing. The couple emphasizes that all essential systems, including navigation, communications, cooking, and water production, must operate within the available energy from solar power and regeneration.\n\nPrevious attempts at all-electric cruising voyages have failed to meet their strict criteria, as they do not include backup fuel or generators. If successful, Dan and Kika aim to claim the title of the first all-electric cruising sailboat to complete a circumnavigation under the specified conditions. The couple hopes to demonstrate the viability of long-term life aboard an electric cruising boat, sharing their journey through Sailing Uma's website, YouTube, and social media, with live tracking planned for future updates.",
  "summary": "After a decade of preparation, Dan and Kika Deckert are preparing to take their 36-foot sailing boat Uma on a […]",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}