An Electric Boat Revolution

There is no doubt that the electric car revolution is well underway, especially with companies like GMC and Ford investing so much into the production of hybrid and electric cars. This revolution in the car industry now is seen as the precursor to the electric boat revolution making recent waves in the media.  News sources like Forbes, Bloomberg Green, The Economist and the Robb Report are all announcing the beginning of the electric boat revolution. With stories on companies like E-Motion 180 out of Quebec, BMW, Volkswagen, Silent and Serenity we are seeing the future of boating in a cleaner, greener light. 

Notably, there is one important factor  that many of the big players in the boating revolution are forgetting. Brahm Booth and Darla Bianchi, a Lake Ontario sailing couple, have pointed out that there are already so many private yachts in existence -  wonderful, beloved, and even luxurious vessels - that people don’t necessarily want to part with in order to go electric. 

“Many of the new electric boats offered are super expensive, are cruisers rather than sailboats, and have very little space and luxury to them for the price,” Darla opines.

There is also the issue of what to do with all the boats that are already in existence. With the current uprising across many industries of a renewed commitment to sustainability, small batch manufacturing, and upcycling, the idea of simply creating more and more boats to replace the existing ones is contradictory. At least that's how it seems to Brahm and Darla and their eco-friendly sailing and beach gear brand County Cape. 

“Sure it’s a fantastic notion to think that the boat world will go electric in the near future, but we are interested in doing so without having to manufacture more vessels. It’s feasible, affordable, and now possible to simply replace the conventional engine with an all electric motor and batteries,” insists Brahm.

The Toronto and Narragansett based County Cape team is planning to do its part by providing a way for boat owners and enthusiasts to retrofit their vessels with a customized Silent Sail Electric Motor Kit and LiFe Po4 Batteries. Offering assessments, customization, conventional engine removal, and either DIY installation guidance or full installation service, County Cape aims to help forward-thinking sailors and yacht owners upgrade their boat life. 

“By transforming your beloved sailboat into a Silent Sail Electric Motor boat, County Cape is giving boat owners a way to solve the issue of fuel emissions polluting our waters,” Brahm Booth explains. 

The electrification of boats holds the potential for serious environmental and economic benefit. As is the case with electric cars, the issue of air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions is eliminated due to the lack of an internal combustion engine. The lack of required maintenance and obviously lesser fuel costs also contribute to a lower price of operation than many traditional boats.  

https://electricautonomy.ca/2020/02/11/as-electric-boats-push-off-where-does-canada-stand/

Luke Sarabia, Electric Autonomy Canada, 11 Feb 20. 

As many boat owners have pointed out, the cost to own a newly built all electric boat is pretty high, especially compared to buying secondhand or just buying a new motor for a boat you already own. That is precisely where County Cape plans to fill in the gap, and it’s truly a welcome solution for many new and existing yacht owners.

“You don’t have to worry about replacing your entire boat in order to join the electric boat revolution. Our Silent Sail Electric Motor Kits offer an economical option to anyone looking to replace their loud, stinky, fuel guzzling conventional engine with an all-electric, odourless, quiet motor,” adds Darla Bianchi.

While there are major players like Ampere and BMW making waves in the electric boat industry, County Cape is committed to providing a sustainable, cost-effective solution for the mainstream yachting community to go electric. The Silent Sail Electric Motor Kits are available for purchase from their online boutique CountyCape.com . With a team of highly skilled engineers, machinists, and mechanics on the company’s board of advisors, County Cape is committed to assisting each buyer with their yacht’s personalized transition from fuel based combustion engine power to electric motor propulsion.