The Lowcountry startup is rethinking the dayboat with an all-electric model built for performance, maneuverability, and low maintenance
Volare Boats cofounders Matt Moore and Dustin Tupper with their debut model, the Artemis23
Matt Moore knew that if an all-electric motorboat was going to catch on, his mom had to be comfortable docking it. “That was one of the first rules,” the Summerville-bred entrepreneur says of launching Volare Boats, whose first production vessels will be delivered later this year.
Moore and cofounder Dustin Tupper identified three issues that a viable electric boat needed to solve: maneuverability, performance, and maintenance. The longtime friends and Clemson grads spent nearly a decade at Scout Boats, Moore overseeing large boat manufacturing and Tupper serving as director of engineering. “We knew the pain points of manufacturing, and together, we felt like we had a complete picture,” says Moore of their decision to build their own boats.
Thanks to the backing of friends and family, a partnership with Dometic Marine through CTO Brian Robinson, and $700,000 in capital from the Catalyst by Beemok pitch competition, Volare is set to be the first to market nationally with an all-electric dayboat. “It’s an easier way to boat,” says Moore of electric-powered propulsion’s benefits. “It’s quiet and smooth, and it does all the same things as a 23-foot gas-powered boat.”
Moore recalls the sinking feeling of turning the key on his dad’s Boston Whaler and realizing his Saturday was ruined when it wouldn’t start. The simplicity of electric power—essentially the same mechanics as a 48-volt golf cart—minimizes maintenance and virtually guarantees operational consistency.
To improve maneuverability, the Volare debut model, Artemis23, utilizes both a wheel and a joystick. Docking is as simple as pointing the joystick in the desired direction, while dual motors with 180-degree maneuverability allow the boat to turn a complete circle without moving forward—a first in recreational boating. “Anybody can dock this boat and not have to worry about ending up on the Qualified Captain,” jokes Moore, referring to the popular boating blooper reels.
Another challenge was performance. Artemis23 can travel up to 35 miles at 25 mph on a full charge with the base battery pack. “It’ll go anywhere within that range,” says Moore, making the case that watching battery levels mirrors keeping an eye on gas—you monitor and plan accordingly.
The two-hull catamaran design, outfitted with hydrofoils, adds to the efficiency. At 12 mph, the boat planes out of the water, reducing drag. “It’s deadly smooth,” Moore claims, adding that even though electric boats don’t yet have the range to, say, troll the Gulf Stream, the Artemis23 handles heavy nearshore waves or chop in the harbor with unparalleled glide.
Volare takes its name from the Latin verb “to fly,” underscoring the feeling of planing in an Artemis23. Silence is an added benefit, be it the peace of flying across the water or stealthily approaching a creek mouth to cast a line.
Despite their confidence in the product, Moore and Tupper were in dire need of a paycheck to keep the company moving forward in early 2025, when they found the Catalyst competition on LinkedIn. They entered without high expectations and soon learned they were finalists among the 300 entries.
Beyond the initial cash influx, Beemok’s investment also brought new investors to the table. “It really catapulted us and shaped who we are today,” says Moore. Beemok bought the first production Artemis23, which will be docked at The Cooper hotel next year. In 2027, Volare plans to build 50-plus boats, with two other models in the works.
“Building an electric dayboat feels obvious,” says Moore. “It’s kind of scary being the pioneers, but we’re passionate about our boats and ecstatic about growing the business.”
