@Gabriel
Do you think Electric Boats will catch on in the recreational market?
Christopher said:
@Gabriel
Do you think Electric Boats will catch on in the recreational market?
It’s already happening where I live. I know some skeptics of electric cars who don’t even think twice about their electric boats.
Christopher said:
@Gabriel
Do you think Electric Boats will catch on in the recreational market?
Yes. Engine maintenance is a big headache for recreational boaters, and electric motors are much simpler.
Like this? https://silent-yachts.com/
Amelia said:
Like this? https://silent-yachts.com/
This is why I need to be rich. Not for the yachts, but for a solar yacht. That’s really cool.
Amelia said:
Like this? https://silent-yachts.com/
This is why I need to be rich. Not for the yachts, but for a solar yacht. That’s really cool.
Amen!
Amelia said:
Like this? https://silent-yachts.com/
Their marketing says ‘unlimited range.’ How far can it actually go just on solar power?
Amelia said:
Like this? https://silent-yachts.com/
Their marketing says ‘unlimited range.’ How far can it actually go just on solar power?
It’s possible to get unlimited range. They have backup generators if needed, but if you’re island-hopping, solar can keep you going most of the time.
Amelia said:
Like this? https://silent-yachts.com/
Their marketing says ‘unlimited range.’ How far can it actually go just on solar power?
Technically true. If you use less motor power than solar generates, you have infinite range, but you’ll be going slow. You can’t expect full throttle forever for free!
Amelia said:
Like this? https://silent-yachts.com/
Their marketing says ‘unlimited range.’ How far can it actually go just on solar power?
You can keep refueling without needing fuel deliveries. It’s like a sailboat; you don’t measure range by how far you go on one windy day.
@Amelia
Solar only works in ideal conditions. I’ve been out on the ocean 8 times this summer, and all 8 times were foggy and overcast. Solar would’ve been pretty useless those days.
chozen said:
@Amelia
Solar only works in ideal conditions. I’ve been out on the ocean 8 times this summer, and all 8 times were foggy and overcast. Solar would’ve been pretty useless those days.
True, but if you’re just hanging out, the big batteries last a while. And if I had a $2M yacht, I wouldn’t be in a hurry anyway.
Amelia said:
Like this? https://silent-yachts.com/
Their marketing says ‘unlimited range.’ How far can it actually go just on solar power?
It depends on your speed. If you’re moving slowly, your range is only limited by time.
What are the challenges and concerns Electric Boats need to overcome?
Sharks. 
Seriously though, I’d love an electric boat. Engine maintenance is expensive, and they’re loud. But it takes a lot of energy to get a boat up on step. Once it’s there, it runs efficiently, but only at that speed. It’s like a car that’s only efficient at high speeds, so range is a challenge.
The Taiga Orca is close, but not quite there yet. Pure Watercraft’s pontoon is interesting, but using a Bolt battery is odd, since the Bolt is being discontinued. Switching to an Ultium pack will take a lot of re-engineering.
Taiga is facing financial issues: https://www.taigamotors.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/PR-EN-Restructure.pdf
They sold to a British investor today: https://www.bnnbloomberg.ca/business/company-news/2024/10/11/montreals-taiga-motors-sells-to-british-electric-boat-entrepreneur-stuart-wilkinson/
Pure Watercraft also pulled out of their WV factory: https://www.wvnews.com/news/wvnews/pure-watercraft-closes-beech-bottom-west-virginia-factory/article_90b7b798-5b57-11ef-8d05-0f1fc9647664.html
They still manufacture in Washington, so they’re not dead in the water.
@Peggy
The same channel I mentioned in the OP reviewed the Taiga Orca.
The prices are high right now, though.
I know a bit about this topic. One manufacturer’s retrofit didn’t go well due to components not being saltwater-proof. Plus, an installer made some big mistakes with the electrical and mechanical systems, which led to some scary close calls.
Pro tip: If someone installs a propshaft coupler wrong, the shaft can decouple and back out of the boat in reverse. This unlocks a new fear, and you’ll want to install extra devices to make sure it never happens again.
Safe? Definitely. Practical? Ehhh…
Electric hybrid sailboats have become more common since they don’t need a lot of motor power. But for powerboats, it takes a lot of energy to move through water. It’s hard to beat diesel for long distances or fast speeds.
Sailboats are zero-emission and already ‘green.’ Powerboats need tons of power, so battery size and charging infrastructure are still major hurdles. Some Youtubers are going electric, like Gone with the Wynns, but long-range electric powerboats are still a challenge.
Also, fixing diesel engines on remote islands is easier than repairing an electric motor. We’re still far from having widespread support for electric boat repairs around the world.
@Kenneth
Just to add: Sailboats already solve a lot of the problems that people buy EVs to fix. They’re eco-friendly, zero-emission, and have unlimited range using just wind.
For commercial ships, hybrid systems will probably become more common due to emission rules. Big ships need a lot of power, and we don’t have a good way to safely deliver that to electric motors yet. I’d love to see nuclear-powered shipping, but that’s a whole other conversation
Electric boats have been around way longer than electric cars. Submarines have used electric motors for over 100 years. Electric propulsion is common in military and large ships.
The main issue for small electric boats is weight. For larger boats, the problem is range and the lack of fast charging infrastructure. But electrocution? Not really a big concern.
EV tech is moving into marine industries
It’s already been there for nearly a century.
There have been some discussions about battery safety in marine environments.
From who? People who don’t know much about it? EVs are 20 times less likely to catch fire than gasoline cars.
What challenges do Electric Boats need to overcome?
Not many in terms of safety. Maybe range anxiety and finding charging spots. A sealed battery can be submerged, and you’re more likely to have a fuel explosion on a regular boat than a battery fire on an electric one.