High gas prices steering more toward electric boats

Demand for electric boats has risen along with gas prices this year, even as the boating industry has faced a severe sales downturn.

[Grizzly Adams]

What an age we live in. I wonder what they'll think of next- a boat propelled by the wind perhaps? Nahhhhh, it'll never happen.

[Former DFLer]

That's a cool looking boat. 6-10 mph isn't exactly speedy but if you're just cruising it's fine. It would be nice to have the quiet. My only worries would be running out of juice on the water and the cost of replacing the batteries. Batteries take a beating when they sit for the winter so you'd have to keep them charged which isn't an option if it's at some winter storage place. I hope the technology will get better and make it more feasible for your average fisherman or recreational boater. It's a cool concept though.

[rational]

Uhh...
"A new wind sail system is being tested on a ship transporting cargo from Germany to Venezuela.
Bonn, Germany-based Deutsche Post said it will be the first company to use an ocean-going cargo vessel with a kite-like wind propulsion system from Hamburg's SkySails."

What will they think of next! Oil, we hardly knew ya!

[Bright idea Maplewood]

A boat power by wind.Maybe we could call it a sailboat.

[Bike Bubba]

It would be interesting to compare the overall cost of one of these with a similarly designed, conventionally powered boat--especially one where the rear end is rounded instead of square. I would have to guess that the electric boat doesn't look so good when you consider that you add half a ton to the weight while halving the useful range and adding an extra $10k to the cost.

[Willys]

I heard that it was difficult to water-ski behind but that mightjust be a nasty rumor put forth by the powerboat industry.

[Mark]

Makes perfect business sense for Travelers. People who would actually buy these things are probably not people that drink heavily or drink recklessly on a boat. A great money maker for Travelers...high premiums with little chance of a big loss. How many serious injuries are inflicted going 6 mph.

[Mad Jack]

Whoa, must be a full moon, all the crazies are posting.... "Sailboat"? In your dreams! That'll happen when they make a telephone you can put in your pocket! Or a coal powered cooker that'll make popcorn in 4 minutes!

[P T Bull]

Bright idea Maplewood wrote:

A boat power by wind.Maybe we could call it a sailboat.

But is the technology fully developed yet?

I can't wait to water ski behind an electric boat that weighs more than my house. ;)

[Krazy Kat]

Bike Bubba wrote:

It would be interesting to compare the overall cost of one of these with a similarly designed, conventionally powered boat--especially one where the rear end is rounded instead of square. I would have to guess that the electric boat doesn't look so good when you consider that you add half a ton to the weight while halving the useful range and adding an extra $10k to the cost.

Yeah, that guy that figures one of these will pay for itsself *ever*(much less in a couple of years) must be smoking crack.

[Mikle in Woodbury]

If they can design the Tesla to go 130mph, zero to 60 in 4 seconds and have a range of 200 miles, I think the boat industry is using the wrong batteries.

[Quitcherwhining]

"Sales have doubled this year", what does that mean, he sold two this year? Finish the story, get the facts, don't just go with a trendy storyline, read the sales literature and get a pitch from a few salesman! What ever happened to REPORTING?!!! Where's the research, the actual costs of ownership? This article is nothing but fluff. Wake up editors.

[Mad Jack]

Quitcherwhining wrote:

"Sales have doubled this year", what does that mean, he sold two this year? Finish the story, get the facts, don't just go with a trendy storyline, read the sales literature and get a pitch from a few salesman! What ever happened to REPORTING?!!! Where's the research, the actual costs of ownership? This article is nothing but fluff. Wake up editors.

Exactly. And poorly written fluff at that.

[Mellers]

Quitcherwhining wrote:
"Sales have doubled this year", what does that mean, he sold two this year? Finish the story, get the facts, don't just go with a trendy storyline, read the sales literature and get a pitch from a few salesman! What ever happened to REPORTING?!!! Where's the research, the actual costs of ownership? This article is nothing but fluff. Wake up editors.

Exactly. And poorly written fluff at that.

Well, it's not a big of a deal compared to other companies' declining sales. If anyone's business doubles, that's a good thing, even if it's from 1 to 2. We need to celebrate small businesses' successes, right?

[Tom]

This is nothing new. An 80-lb Thrust Trolling Motor will move a boat nearly this speed quite some way.

[gas guzzler]

what a waste of a power boat hull; 6 - 10 MPH?? give me a break.