By Jamie Stafford

Electrification and sustainability

“ Marine manufacturers are constantly innovating to make the manufacturing process and endproduct cleaner ,” says Frank Hugelmeyer , president of the National Marine Manufacturers Association ( NMMA ). “ Since 2010 , the industry has reduced emissions from marine engines by more than 90 % and increased fuel efficiency by over 40 %. Today , recreational boats account for just 0.7 % of total U . S . transportation greenhouse gas emissions .”

That number is slated to drop even further as electrification hits its stride and alternative , renewable fuels take off . Earlier this year , Swedish boatbuilder X Shore landed on U . S . shores as the centerpiece of the Electric Pavilion at the Discover Boating Miami International Boat Show ( DB- MIBS ). The Electric Pavilion was a new addition hosted by local dealer Nautical Ventures , meant to highlight all the advancements that electric power has made in the past few years . Along with X Shore , companies like Aqua superPower and ePropulsion ( whose small electric outboard received Boating Industry ’ s 2023 Top Products award ) wowed attendees with the “ future of boating ”.

Sustaining a vision

In terms of electric-powered boats , the future is already here . “ Everything has taken off really quickly ,” says Jenny Keisu , CEO of X Shore boats . “ For us , we ’ re super happy to see others in the category . We don ’ t see anyone as competitors – we need to collaborate to grow this category together . That ’ s how everyone wins . As for X Shore , we ’ re coming out with the X Shore 1 later this year and we sold everything that we can produce in the first quarter within 48 hours . Our mission is zero emission boating . It ’ s not just electric , we want to inspire people .”

X Shore is a leader in electric boatbuilding , but they don ’ t let sustainability stop at their boats . “ We ’ re the only manufacturing company in the world to have a 100 % dark green rating – the highest sustainability rating you can get ,” Keisu says . It ’ s a recognition that takes concerted effort , and others in the manufacturing sphere are not far behind .

“ When discussing sustainability , it is much more complex than simply quantifying exhaust emissions or lack thereof ,” says Hugelmeyer . “ There are many upstream emissions and impacts related to the production of the boat and propulsion system

Jenny Keisu that need to be considered . Many marine manufacturers now employ sustainability profes-

Frank Hugelmeyer

sionals which help to manage efforts to reduce environmental impacts in production and throughout the marine industry value chain . Thoughtful selection of production materials , facility energy use , environmental management efforts and partnerships , and education all play an important role in reducing CO2 emissions from recreational boating .”

“ In terms of boat propulsion ,” he continues , “ there are many technologies and products that encourage consumers to do their part to minimize CO2 emissions . These include sustainable marine fuels , hybrid-electric , fully electric propulsion systems , advanced hull design , advanced combustion , and efficiency management systems . Each of these technologies and innovations can reduce CO2 emissions from recreational boating . For example , the marine industry was an early adopter of hybrid propulsion which is widespread and commonplace among boaters who utilize internal combustion engines for speed and longer distances and electric trolling motors for slower speeds .”

Cruising through

One thing on almost everyone ’ s mind when discussing electrification is the numerous challenges the industry must address first . “ The recreational boating industry faces a unique set of challenges when compared to industries such as automotive ,” explains Hugelmeyer . “ First , water is approximately 800 times denser than air , meaning it re-

18 may 2023 www . boatingindustry . com