Background for starting Electric Boater.
While working with the folks at Elco Motor Yachts over the past several, I’ve seen dramatic growth in the acceptance of electric propulsion. I’ve spoken with many people on East Coast travels, at numerous boat shows and on the lakes, rivers and canals, who have had lots of good questions about electric propulsion.
I enjoy seeing the curious faces when I cruise past a dock or back into a slip with a 34’ trawler that is completely silent, absent the low rumble of a diesel!
There have been many questions along the way between Maine and Miami. Questions are wide in scope and occasionally fathoms deep in search of more technical information. It’s been rewarding to be on the second frontier of electric propulsion for modern-day applications. I say second because electric propulsion is actually over 125 years old.
The conversations indicate a need to help folks of all backgrounds understand more and hopefully buy an electric boat or motor for their existing boat. Electric propulsion is the right choice for many applications but not all. Using this site and the links provided within, you should find many answers and places to learn more.
One of the priorities will be to include environmental considerations in the formula for making propulsion decisions. Climate change is real for anyone who doesn’t already know it and purchase decisions, no matter how small or large, all have an impact.
What information matters the most to you? Email me at nsatterly@electicboater.com
Electric Boater (EB) is a website for everyone having an interest or curiosity for electric recreational boats and for those caring about environmentally sustainable recreation.
Mission: Connect subject experts, amateurs and the curious of diverse backgrounds and experiences to participate on an open forum for learning, networking of ideas and information, and promoting electric propulsion for recreational boats of all types that supports a more sustainable environment.
Goals: Promote adoption and use of electric vessels and encourage innovations to increase the performance of the boats, motors and energy storage systems.
Electric Boater is also intended to be a landing place and repository for the latest developments, reference information and links to useful sites that contribute to the mission.
Editor: I am a life-long boater, US Coast Guard licensed, boater safety instructor, and active member of the Antique & Classic Boat Society. I have been fortunate to work for New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and as a Special Project Consultant to Elco Motor Yachts. I am passionate about a clean environment, safe and accessible boating and the advancement of electric propulsion. I am not an engineer, scientist, or environmentalist by profession. My professional work has focused on communications and management. My expertise is in creating the network environment with writing, photography and video. You are the professionals, engineers, mechanics and DIY’er experts who can share what you know for a greater good. My goal is to facilitate the exchange by helping to connect people for advancing the mission described while striving for fact-based information. There will be strong bis for like-minded individuals who share in the advancement of electric boats. Fact-based information and credible sources take high priority.
Topics: Electric inboard and outboard motors, energy storage (batteries), boats and hull designs, boat builders wanting information, electric hybrid applications, re-powers with electric, benefits and limitations of electric propulsion, historical perspectives, environmental considerations, local-state-federal legislation impacting electric boating. More topics as decided by EB visitors. If there is a topic you’d like to hear more about, contact me.
Content: does not intentionally promote products or services in general content but they are part of the news and information. EB does accept sponsor support to pay bills for quality content, photos and video. EB focuses on smaller, recreational applications. We may in the future find ourselves doing advocacy beyond this site to advance electric recreational boating. Larger commercial applications for Electric and Hybrid Electric, may appear but there are already forums for that. Constructive criticism is always welcome but our purpose is to stay positive to grow the adoption of electric.
As mentioned, Electric Boater is for everyone having interest….
Neil Satterly – Editor