The prototype docked at Community Boating Inc. on the Charles River.

Author | Steph Solis

Publication Date: Jun 18, 2026

Photo Caption: The prototype docked at Community Boating Inc. on the Charles River.

Photo: Courtesy of James Worden

Sailing enthusiasts will get a preview this weekend of a solar-electric boat that's due to launch later this year.

Why it matters: James Worden, a solar industry leader and MIT alum, is pioneering solar design and manufacturing for the sea.

State of play: North Andover-based Worden Marine plans to send its 20-foot prototype to Community Boating Inc. for the organization's 80th anniversary party and sail-a-thon Saturday and Sunday, a year after first showing it at MIT.

• The boat will carry a small group of media and VIP guests on the Charles River to get a closer look at the sail-a-thon, a 24-hour sailboat regatta with 10 teams.

• The events, including, the 80th Anniversary Dock Party, is part of CBI's fundraising efforts for its junior sailing program and universal access program for youth and people with disabilities.

Zoom in: The prototype, named "Anita" after Worden's late wife, moves silently with no fumes or exhaust and uses LiFePO4 battery cells with a battery management system (it lets you charge the batteries while they're in use).

• Anita is about half the size of the mini-ferry Worden Marine plans to launch later this fall.

• That one will be able to carry up to 20 passengers.

What's next: The vessel starts taking passengers Saturday morning.