// MARKET TRENDS
side than Aqua superPower , and we are happy to be working closely with them to create a better tomorrow today for more boating customers .”
As of late 2022 , Aqua superPower has been working to roll out its network of marine fast chargers with installations in the U . S . at Lake Tahoe and Lake Michigan , and in Europe along the Cote d ’ Azur ( France ), Venice ( Italy ), Spain , Portugal , Sweden and the U . K .
“ Electric boats need charging and chargers need boats ,” Scott Canning , VP Business Development USA of Aqua superPower said . “ Our strategic alliance with Ingenity adds to the growing stable of leading electric boat makers Aqua superPower is working with to drive and develop marine fast charging interoperability , safety , and compatibility standards . We are very excited to partner with such a prestigious boat brand as Ingenity to jointly facilitate the adoption of sustainable , clean boating .”
Well-known for its ICE propulsion systems , Brunswick ’ s Mercury Marine has quickly been ramping up in the electric landscape . In May 2023 , Mercury announced an agreement with JJE -- a company focused on electrified propulsion components , assemblies and systems for global automotive applications – to enable the engine builder to expand its portfolio of electric propulsion solutions .
The all-electric Super Air Nautique GS22e from Ingenity .
Following the partnership announcement and after launching its 7.5e at the 2023 Consumer Electronics Show , Mercury announced the initiation of serial production of its new 20e and 35e Avator electric propulsion systems , with release for sale planned for later in 2023 .
Mercury Marine VP of e-solutions Perissa Bailey told Boating Industry that the company has already committed to the production of five 48V electric Avator propulsion systems across various power ranges .
“ This has been a long-running project at Mercury as we begin to understand who the electric customer is and what their needs are ,” Bailey said . “ Our goal is for Mercury to provide a nocompromise solution , leaning on our rich 80-plusyear history to drive us forward as a leader .”
Combating the critics
As we ’ ve taken note from other industries and their experience in the electric marketplace , it ’ s not quite always a smooth sailing scenario and the marine environment provides its own plethora of challenges .
Moore and his team at Nautical Ventures have acted as one of the first marine dealers to really embrace and shine a spotlight on electric in the marine space .
“ There are plenty of obstacles when adopting and trying to sell a new technology and I ’ ll be the first to tell you there have been some hurdles we ’ ve fallen on along the way ,” Moore said . “ But that doesn ’ t mean we don ’ t keep pushing forward and finding new ways to do things . We just have some questions that need to be answered yet and some problems that don ’ t have solutions just yet . It will get there , but it will take time .”
Moore , along with many manufacturers , look at the electric marine marketplace as a long-term play and believe we as an industry are in a learning period right now .
Vision Marine Technologies – formerly known as the Canadian Electric Boat Co . – is taking on some of the common critiques of electric head on .
At the 2022 Lake of the Ozarks Shootout , Vision Marine went up against electric speed critics with a 32-foot catamaran powered by the company ’ s proprietary E-Motion electric outboard motor and powertrain system . In two runs , the fully-electric boat hit 104 and 109 MPH , respectively , breaking the previous record .
However , Vision Marine isn ’ t stopping at speed . The manufacturer is now taking on the range side of electric critics with an attempt at an endurance record for electric boats . In late July , a 23-foot triton powered by twin E-Motion outboards and equipped with a solar array will embark on what the manufacturer hopes will be a 1,050-mile journey over 17 days .
“ At Vision Marine Technologies , our team is driven by a common purpose : to raise awareness about the immense potential of sustainable electric power and to sensitize individuals to the environmental impact of internal combustion engines in the recreational marine propulsion system ,” the company said in a statement announcing the challenge . “ We strive to demonstrate what can be achieved sustainably through electric power , and we are determined to educate and inspire others to join us in reducing waterway pollution .”
Despite critics and challenges ahead , electric seems to be here to stay in the recreational boating industry . And one can only expect to see further partnerships to emerge as technology continues to evolve and forever change the boating landscape .
“ We ’ ve already seen so many customers and potential customers ‘ going green ’ in their garages and in their homes ,” Mercury ’ s Bailey said . “ It ’ s now on us to not just embrace technology for technology ’ s sake , but really understand what these different customers want and need , and how we can meet those wants and needs .”
26 august 2023 www . boatingindustry . com