Electric Boats and Outboards

Last updated 2007.01.17

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There is definitely more to electric boating than trolling motors. And there are options available smaller than the QE2 and military submarines - yes, the QE2 is electric powered, and most non-nuclear submarines are diesel-electric hybrids that run as pure electrics when submerged.

Imagine yourself out on a quiet lake, enjoying the tranquility, while still making good headway thanks to the virtually silent electric motor pushing your boat across the water. Imagine boating without trips to the marina for fuel, without lugging gas cans (and oil) to the boat, without cantankerous, hard-to-start engines, without annual tune-ups. What's left? Only the pleasures of boating, without the headaches, and without the guilt of thinking about what your fun is doing to the environment. Marine engines are a major source of environmental damage, according to the US EPA.

No electrical hookup at the dock to recharge your boat? Consider the potential for charging your boat using solar panels or wind generation. In my first season with my electric boat, about 40% of its charging came from a single 33-watt photovoltaic panel, and I have electric power right to the boat at the dock. In subsequent years we have used even less shore power.

Here are some electric boating links for you to check out:
Bobcat Boats
Budsin Wood Craft - Electric Boats
Black River Boats
Duffield / Duffy Boats
ELCO Electric Launch Incorporated
ElectraCraft Home Page
Electric Boat Association of the Americas
Glen-L's Boat Page, which has designs, parts and supplies for several electric boats, including plans for converting gasoline outboard to electic drive, the Amp-Eater, a 13' electric boat, Lo Voltage, a 15' electric launch, and the PowerYak electric kayak.
Griffin Leisure Boats
Jim Kerr's Electric Boats site (many links to other related sites).
The Lighthouse Tole Shop offers an electric drive built into the rudder of sailboats.
Marlab Electric Boats - Roskva
The Mundoo 3 Solar Electric Boat
Nauticraft have an electric/pedal-power hybrid boat (Encore II) and an electric-only boat (Encore III) in their line-up
Outboard Electric Corporation website
The Pender Harbour Electric Launch Company make electric launches in British Columbia.
Ray Electric Outboards
The Reservoir Runner (electric outboard) Home Page (many links to other related sites).
Ruban Bleu Electric Boats
Serene Water Craft
Solar Sailor
SpinCraft Electric Boats (the manufacturer of my electric boat).
Tamarack Lake Electric Boat Company (Electric Loon)
The U.K. Electric Boats page
The Wilde Evolutions E-Boat page

Electra Marine does not appear to be on the Web, but they produce the Electra 180, an elegant 48-volt fiberglass monohull that is 17'10" in length and 78" abeam, weighing in at 1800 pounds and the ElectraCat 185, a fibreglass catamaran hull weighing 2000 pounds, 8'6" abeam and 18'2" long. Both have a draft of just 20" and boast a top speed of 15 km/h (about 9 mph). They can be contacted at (819) 538-4303, fax (819) 538-8185, or by post at 3111, 3e Rue, Parc Industriel, Grand-Mère (Québec) G9T 5K5.

No longer produced, but an interesting craft, is the Aero-Marine Engineering Lec-Tric Ki-Yak, built in Fort Worth Texas. These were powered by modified trolling motors. One owner I have corresponded with is very enthusiastic about his Ki-Yaks.
Image of 2 Ki-Yaks (colour - 43 k)
Image of Ki-Yak motor setup (colour - 70 k)

Of course, if a trolling motor meets your needs, and some "trolling motors" can produce over 70 pounds of thrust, then have a look at what is available. Two of the better known brands are Minn Kota and MotorGuide. And here's a novel way to keep those trolling batteries charged.

Inevitably, get a few electric boats together and people want to race.
Cloud Electric Vehicles electric boat page
Seattle Outboard Association - Electric outboard boat racing page
Solar Splash electric boat race
Solar boat racing

Electric Boats and Outboards

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