From the Masthead...
In an effort to go, or appear, green, is the marine industry shooting itself in the foot?
I recently attended the North American marine industry’s premier event, the International Boat Builder's Exhibition, between hurricanes Helene and Milton, in Tampa, Florida, where there was no end of propulsion (and other) products labeled "green”, “sustainable”, or “carbon free/neutral".
In one presentation, entitled, Avoiding Contradictions in Technology, which included as panelists a naval architect, an engine manufacturer and other marine industry professionals, and which was moderated by Aaron Porter, editor of Professional Boat Builder magazine. About halfway through the 90-minute session, I asked the following question (I’m paraphrasing)…
“I hear a lot about electric propulsion, and other new and interesting technology, much of it is right here on the show floor, however, in my experience many manufacturers, especially those introducing new, high-tech products, underestimate the need for short and long-term support and training for dealers, and when these products aren’t well-supported, that tends to lead to dissatisfied boat owners. Add to that the already high cost of boat ownership, and of these products specifically, and it ends up being a good recruiting tool for golf clubs, because boat owners become disillusioned and fed up with systems that simply aren’t ready for prime time. When I work in Europe I see few middle class boat owners, we seem to be headed in that direction. Does this concern you?”
None of the panelists disagreed with the sentiment, and at least one agreed they could do better.
As an industry, we struggle to recruit and retain technicians who can fix legacy propulsion systems, much less the seagoing version of an EV. I'm all for greater efficiency, and environmental friendliness, but not at the expense of reliability, affordability and enjoyment. With a few exceptions, most boat owners and buyers I talk to aren’t driving this trend toward electrification and (seeming) carbon neutrality, I don’t hear boat buyers saying, “I’m not ready to buy yet, I’m waiting for them to introduce a bigger (more expensive) electric outboard”, or “I want a battery powered vessel, gas and diesel are just to environmentally unfriendly”...
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(Photo caption: The author stands before the family run about, on a gloomy day in Huntington Harbor, New York circa 1969.)
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2d🧿⚓️🇹🇷