Then and Now

Electric boats are definitely not a new concept. What is believed to be the very first marine outboard motor was invented in 1880 by a French inventor, Gustave Trouve, and it was electric. In the early 1890's electric boats were first introduced in the United State with the formation of the Electric Launch Company (Elco) in Bayonne, New Jersey. It was the Chicago Exposition in 1893 that put them on the map. Elco was requested to build fifty-five (55) 36-foot electric launches for this event. Ticket sales to transport people around the Chicago area lakes and rivers exceeded 1,000,000.

That was over 120 years ago and at that time electric motors were the preferred form of propulsion. The electric “Picnic Launch” became the essence of a perfect lake cruise. Elco's company records reveal that Thomas Edison, John Jacob Astor, Admiral Dewey, George Westinghouse, and the Grand Duke Alexander of Russia were all owners of Elco electric launches.

There were, of course, steam engines that were very powerful, yet heavy, a lot of work and not conducive to a pleasant cruising experience – especially when their boilers would explode. In the late 1800s, there were also gasoline engines. These engines at that time were called “Explosion Engines”. The names were later changed to “Gasoline Engines” to make them sound safer and more appealing to the consumer.

After about 1920, gasoline and diesel engines became the primary propulsion units for boats – but they could never offer the quality of the electric cruising experience. At that time electric boats lost their following because the batteries could not carry enough energy to match the horsepower of the internal combustion engine and because folks became more intrigued with speed at the expense of comfort and quality of the boating experience.

However, the Navy's submarines continued to rely heavily on electric propulsion – because it is fundamentally reliable, efficient, and quiet. Later on, Navy ships and commercial vessels returned to electric propulsion systems for the same reasons – but using generators to create the electricity. Today, the Queen Mary II is powered exclusively with electric motors that generate 157,000 horsepower.

So electric propulsion is not a “new concept” and is considered by far the most reliable form of propulsion. Not only is electric propulsion reliable and efficient, it offers the ultimate pleasure boating experience: relaxing, quiet, and NO smelly fumes. For these reasons, combined with the advances in battery technology, electric pleasure boating has enjoyed a revival over the past few decades.

Several companies, including Duffy Electric Boats which is considered the industry leader of this revival since 1970, have resurrected the electric launch and other more contemporary designs.

Electric boating has become the boating lifestyle of choice for many thousands around the world in many different venues for the mainstream population.

What's So Special About Electric Boats?

Imagine a boat that starts every time — with no mechanical headaches — as EASY as a golf cart to operate. You just unplug, untie, turn the key, and go. Duffy electric boats are so reliable that they come with a lifetime warranty of the electric propulsion system. And did I mention NO GAS? Have you checked those prices lately? Plus, there's the added benefit of NO POLLUTION.

The elegance, design, and proven reliability of the Duffy boats in particular are what really got our attention - they are beautiful reproductions of the electric launch as shown in this photo of the Duffy 21. They offer 19th century luxury with 21st century technology.

Common Misconceptions

The most common misconception that we hear is that people are afraid that they will run out of electricity. To that, we always answer with a question, “Do you frequently run out of gas in your car?” Most people respond, “Never.” It is the same in a quality electric boat. Duffy boats, for example, have an electronic hour meter on the console that tells you by digital readout how many hours and minutes you have left. These boats are designed to run all day on a charge and recharge overnight - for about $1's worth of electricity! As a result you have worry free cruising for you and your family.

Another common concern that we hear is that people aren't sure whether or not electric boats will be able to stand up to a tidal shift or a strong current. The simple answer is, yes they do. We can qualify that by comparing the Duffy Drive System, which turns a 15-inch by 15-inch propeller at 1100 RPM's. That is more like a tugboat and we're definitely not talking about trolling motors. We have a sister dealership that personally towed at least 2 dozen broken down power boats on Lake Gaston with a Duffy 21 Cruiser – including the rescue of an overturned catamaran sail boat in 40 mph winds and very turbulent water.

But then again, we are not talking about speed here. Electric boating is about the journey — not the destination — a rather amazing journey at that. This is not your ski boat – it's your slow pleasure cruising boat at its finest. Optimal cruising speed is about 5 mph – in comfort and style.

Cost Comparisons

Total cost of ownership is significantly less for electric boats than traditional gas-powered boats as reflected this cost comparison table.

Let's compare a 20-foot pontoon boat with a 50 horsepower engine to a Duffy 16 Catamaran (similar to a deck or pontoon layout seating 10 adults comfortably). This comparison will be for an 8 year period with a 16-week boating season at 12 hours a week. The pontoon boat has an average base price of $21,000 and will burn about 18,000 gallons of gasoline and use about 400 gallons of oil. That is about $60,000 of operating expense. Small outboards typically last about 1500 hours with proper maintenance. The engine will need replacing at a cost of about $7,500. This is a total of $67,500.

The Duffy 16 Catamaran has a base price of $23,995, will consume about $65 worth of electricity during this time period, and the batteries will be replaced once at a cost of around $500. All Duffy boats have a lifetime warranty on the power system, so if a component fails — it gets replaced free of charge. The total price would be $24,560.

This comparison does not take into account the additional cost of winterizing the pontoon boat. The Duffy boat can remain ready to use year-round.

Conclusion

Electric boating may be new to SE Georgia and NE Florida, but it is definitely not a new concept — instead it is a proven, mainstream reality. It is akin to sailing without the work. When you go sailing, it's not about the destination; it's about the sailing experience. Likewise, when you go electric boating in a Duffy it is not about the destination; it is about the journey.

Duffy Electric Boat Company has been manufacturing their boats since 1970 and is considered the leader in the electric boating revival that has been in progress for a few decades. There are thousands of Duffy boat owners worldwide. Several other manufacturers have also followed suit.

We have selected the Duffy product line with a large-scale manufacturing facility in California. The Electric Boat Association of America website is a great reference site.

Enjoy the wonders of electric cruising in your Duffy Electric Boat and at the same time make a real difference in keeping our water clean — there are no pollutants released into the water. In comparison, 2-stroke engines release up to 30% of their fuel/oil mixture into the water; 4-strokes are better at a 15% maximum rate.