Electric Powered Boats: Clean and Quiet

With summer nearly here, its time to think about recreational boating.

Its great fun to buzz along a lake or river, but the noise and pollutants emitted from outboard motors can ruin the experience for others in the area, as well as impact local habitat.

Electric outboard boat motors are clean and green

Electric powered boats are both clean and quiet, however.  Instead of burning fossil fuels and emitting CO2, a quiet electric outboard motor can propel a variety of watercraft – from canoes to rowboats – and allow boating opportunities in areas not otherwise open to noisy combustion engines.

Here in Central Oregon, a number of water bodies do not allow use of gas motors.  Like electric cars, an electric powered boat is practically silent.  Some boaters have remarked that the noise of lawn mowers on land can be heard over the slight buzz of an electric motor.  That means that electric powered boats can be operated on waterways that would normally only be open to human-powered canoes or rowboats.

Electric boat motors can be hard to find though.  Some boaters have used DIY manuals to build their own.  A local boater in Oregon, Todd Wells, described how easy it is to use a single, primary electric outboard motor (instead of just reserving it for backup).  He noted that it can reach speeds of 6-7 miles per hour, and can operate for 10-12 hours on a calm lake (5-6 hours against a current).

Fishing with an electric boat motor

Wondering about the cost of an electric outboard engine?  Overall, the cost of the batteries, motor and equipment will range between $4000-$6000.  However, you won’t have to pay for gas, which is continually rising these days.

One of the other drawbacks of electric powered boats is that, if you are away from an electrical outlet, you cannot recharge the batteries, unless you have a portable solar power device.  That would open up the ability to rely on clean, quiet electric outboard motors for extended camping or fishing outings.

Ever operated an electric powered boat?  Share your experiences below!