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View Full Version : fully electric tow boat from Nautique!!



saskyrider
01-25-2011, 10:45 AM
Pretty cool, i just got done watching the video. I would love to have a listen to the boat taking off with no other noise in the background. They say in the video that they can do 3-4 skier sets before the batts need to be recharged and that the batteries can be recharged in 4 hours.


http://blog.teamnautique.com/2011/01/100-electric-nautique/

dusty2221
01-25-2011, 11:00 AM
That is insane. I can't imagine the cost that has gone into that prototype boat.....

kaneboats
01-25-2011, 11:06 AM
This is probably the future. Glad to see they have a decent start on this. Pretty sharp looking boat too.

saskyrider
01-25-2011, 11:09 AM
Ya i really liked the colours on the boat. Anyone have an estimate as to how long 3-4 skier sets is??

kaneboats
01-25-2011, 11:19 AM
I am going to guess that at this point they are at about 60-90 min. run time before recharge. They have the same problem all the cars have. You have to balance weight and battery life. It will be interesting to see the wakeboard boats. You'll have built in ballast but you'll have to trailer all of it.

saskyrider
01-25-2011, 11:32 AM
wondering if it would be possible to have a couple sets of batteries.... then just swap em out. Head out in the morning for the first set run them down then stick them on charge and head out with the other set. stop for lunch and by the time your done lunch the first set should be ready to go again?? Pretty cool as a prototype but unless they get them up to at least 3-4 hours use per charge i can't see them taking over? Also life of batteries and cost of additional sets?? Of course the fuel savings should ofset this i would assume.

They need to have solar panels attached to the top of the bimini to help charge on the go....

kaneboats
01-25-2011, 11:51 AM
They need to have solar panels attached to the top of the bimini to help charge on the go....

Now you're talking! We could run all day on the FL sun.

Ian Brantford
01-25-2011, 01:18 PM
I have wanted to hear about this for years! I find it ridiculous that the human race is still using piston engines.

Hybrids are expensive. All-electric systems are not. They are far simpler than the alternatives. Lots of people have been home-brewing electric vehicles for decades -- but seldom for winter use!

Put a bunch of solar panels on the boat barn's roof, Mr. Marina Operator. I'll rent that rather than buy your gas. The boat will charge all week and I'll use it on the weekend.

Just like road vehicles, the batteries remain the weak point for electric systems. That will get fixed somehow because the auto industry requires it and will pour billions into the problem. Kudos to Nautique for being leaders in this regard in the boat industry.

sandm
01-25-2011, 01:51 PM
we're still using piston engines as there has been no pressure to change until the last 4-6 years due to plentiful and cheap oil.

I don't see any changes coming in the near future for any boating use. we are already all griping about the expense in a wakeboat, and that's without paying for the development costs of a new technology. I would bet that nautique started putting cash into that project back 2-4 years ago when they were selling boats left and right. the technology will change eventually, but I'm betting that 10 years from now, we're all still buying v8-powered pistoned boats.

it is a very cool boat and a good find :)

kaneboats
01-25-2011, 02:09 PM
I suppose they are as far along as the cars were 10 years ago. Politics have changed a little bit. The big 3 are getting on board with the cars. Oil companies are becoming energy companies. I love an internal combustion engine but love power more. Give me performance and I'll get over the CO2 and CO.

As far as switching batteries mid-day-- you need to compare the weight of a typical car battery to the weight of the ones that power that boat. Not gonna be easy.

sandm
01-25-2011, 02:52 PM
I think that cars are miles ahead. 10+ years ago, you could buy the saturn ev-1 and the prius was almost done. was not dirt cheap, but was affordable by those standards. the 2 boat examples-this all electric and the hybrid built by epic are really just about the "wow" factor, but they appear to be unrealistic in any mass produced model at this time(anyone heard from the epic in a year??) boats, imo, really have too many obstacles to become "efficient" in the near term.
those that live at lake houses have some real opportunities to make something like this nautique a reality, but think of us out west that tow many miles one way to a lake that has no facilities, no docks, and is in the middle of nowhere. similar to the electric car. great idea in large cities or dense metro areas, but try to use that out in montana, where there might be 60 miles between 2 towns. now that electric range is useless.


drives me crazy to watch our politicians spin wheels on this stuff tho. we have a great technology that would help in the interim-it's called diesel. look at europe and how many small turbodiesel cars are populating the country, but we choose to focus our efforts on ethanol which reduces fuel economy and is part of the rising food cost issue, and continue to force additives into diesel fuel and subject those cars to ever-stiffening emissions regulations that make them unattractive to own.. and then there is americans ongoing love affair with larger and heavier trucks and suv's....

ok, off the soapbox now..

did I mention it's a really cool looking boat :)

kaneboats
01-25-2011, 03:35 PM
Well, I'm with you on that. As long as the congress is allowed to take money from big oil, big 3 and farmer groups (along with a few others) things won't change much. Funny how we allow one branch of government to take money but if someone from the judicial or executive branch was caught doing it they'd be removed and put in jail.

jester
01-25-2011, 04:38 PM
I like the idea but like Sandm said for the people that go to the lakes in the sticks it would not work. Another downfall if you are looking at the environment is what is used to make the battery's and after 5 years you have to replace them and where do they end up. Also where does your power come from. No one really looks at what is used to make power they just see it at there door step.

squeeg333
01-25-2011, 06:26 PM
I think you make a fantastic point Jester!!!

I work in the Utility industry, specifically hydro generation, and I find it comical when people swoon to Electric Vehicles. Sure, the emissions are taken out of the picture, but, only from a vehicle aspect. When you plug that car (or now boat) into the wall, where does that energy come from? If you're in the Eastern half of the US, it's either from burning coal, or Nuclear. If you're in the West, it's almost all hydro. So, you take away the small amount of emissions from the vehicle, only to still be getting those emissions from your Coal plants. So, in reality, nothing will ever be zero emissions. You'll always have some sort of emissions at some point in the supply chain. You can't get something for nothing!!! Power and energy always come with a cost - whether it be fish migration, nuclear waste, emissions from coal plants, and the list goes on...

But, sandm is right... it's a sweet looking boat!

Ian Brantford
01-25-2011, 06:28 PM
I love an internal combustion engine but love power more. Give me performance and I'll get over the CO2 and CO.


I forgot to mention that: electric gives you full torque right from the get-go.


Another downfall if you are looking at the environment is what is used to make the battery's and after 5 years you have to replace them and where do they end up.

They are very recyclable. Toyota even puts a $200 bounty on their Prius batteries to make sure that they aren't improperly trashed.

viking
01-25-2011, 06:37 PM
practical - no
cool factor - yes

I'd like to ride in it as well and see how fast it planes out. Looks to be pretty powerful out of the hole with a lot of torque

Hoopskier
01-25-2011, 06:53 PM
As already mentioned, it may not be the most pratical for the consumer market..yet. I would like to see more pic or video of just the boat, inside and sound of it driving. Here is a link to a press release article. http://nautique.com/Press/index/nautique-announces-the-industry-s-first-high-performance-100-electric-boat

Note it says batteries equal about 8 gallons of gas. I also like the looks, the idea of instant torque. Not certain, but you probably come up with some new interior space, as you don't have to work around the shape of a gas engine. This may not be the newest technology anymore compared to cars, but no one else is doing it, so it get a thumbs up in my book.

maxpower220
01-25-2011, 06:54 PM
Epic has had an electric ski boat out for a few YEARs and you can buy one @ $140K.

A few issues: 1. Why is CC spending money on a a boat that won't see the market for 5-7 yrs in a terrible economy and waning boat sells. 2. Who wants a 220V outlet at the waters edge? Somenone told me that water and high voltage electricity are not a good combo for the human body. Why do you demo your "cutting edge technology" in your old, discontinued POS 196. Since drag is an issue and you don't make the 196 anymore either, why didn't they use the 176 with even less surface area?

I have a Fusion Hybrid and love the thought of "out of the box" thinking. However, there is a time and place for it. Down economy is probably not the time to spend R&D money on something no one has asked for. Also, why waste money on a product that isn't close to hitting the dealer's floor? Release info on a refined boat that is close to market ready (1-2 yrs). In 3 weeks, no one will care what CC is planning 5-7 years from now.

BensonWdby
01-25-2011, 08:18 PM
MP - I get your point. But I think there are a lot of good reasons to get it out there. It keeps your company in the spotlight and may generate enough interest to enlist the right minds.

I don't think the boating industry has quite the same stigma of 'managing technology for profit' as the auto industry does. So the probability of a quicker route to market is there.

Additionally, there is a good chance that the person that makes the breakthrough design on this technology does not even work for Nautique or their partner yet - but this ad may steer them in that direction.

kaneboats
01-25-2011, 09:43 PM
There's a lot of government money out there for green research and job creation, etc. I'd be very surprised if this wasn't paid for in part with a government program of some sort.

2007 Outback V
01-25-2011, 11:07 PM
There's a lot of government money out there for green research and job creation, etc. I'd be very surprised if this wasn't paid for in part with a government program of some sort.

Right on Kane!
Another idea for thought.........The Hydrogen fuel cell is a strong contender to power electric motors of the future, if we could just find a way to take the boom factor out of it????? The innovative thinker that figures this out could change the world! Hydrogen is everywhere, hence H2O, simple solar electrolysis and your good to go.
It is a really cool boat, great thinking. The economy is tough right now, but that doesn't mean technological advances should halt, maybe slow but we need to keep moving forward.

jimlsv
01-25-2011, 11:32 PM
my friend is a CC employee.The boat as it sits is over 500,000 dollars of cost to CC.The big motivating factor behind this boat is that in europe ,Their are a lot of bodys of water where only electric boats are allowed.They have been testing this boat in Canada for some time.CC is also testing at their facility a X-Star like BIG RED. No pictures no long looks,drive it,test it keep it under wraps.I was surprised they have kept it under wraps for so long.

Ian Brantford
01-26-2011, 12:41 AM
Epic has had an electric ski boat out for a few YEARs and you can buy one @ $140K.

I thought that it was just two years ago, but yes, they do have a hybrid system. I really like the fact that it's a "full hybrid" that can run for a significant time using only the electric system -- great if you are going slow (like for wakesurfing or putting around) and avoiding exhaust fume issues. I just got a FAE to reduce that problem.

However, Epic does not offer a full electric system, which can be much simpler. Take away the engine, fuel, transmission and V-drive and you just saved yourself a lot of weight for batteries. That's assuming that better (lighter, smaller) batteries won't be available by the time that an all-electric version comes to market.


A few issues: 1. Why is CC spending money on a a boat that won't see the market for 5-7 yrs in a terrible economy and waning boat sells.

If they have the cash on hand, a recession is a great time to do development quietly and a bit more cheaply, readying a product for when the market rises again.


2. Who wants a 220V outlet at the waters edge? Somenone told me that water and high voltage electricity are not a good combo for the human body.

I have the same concerns about gasoline and combustion engines, especially on the water. Every time I use the blower motor to remove any potential gasoline fumes from the bilge, I am reminded about how absurd it is to rely on this contraption for water transport!
[QUOTE]

mmandley
01-27-2011, 02:07 AM
Id really like to see a Diesel Wake boat set up. I mean the Diesel weights almost 2x the normal gas engine in whole and with it running at optimum 3k rpm < same as my boat does on plane> it would burn cleaner and have a ton more power. Plus the extra weight in the back of the boat means less ballast needed and all you need is the nose bag.

There are some River boats like the North River king that are running 2 diesel engines. Man thats a slick set up.

Im not into the electric motor type boats till they can make them last more then a few years.

Ever since the cars such as Prius and Evos and such came out i have been torn on them. I mean on average they cost some 5 to 10K more and really dont get that much better milage compared to a gas car.

Take this for thought a Prius gets what 35 MPG? hwy? Well my 90 Ford Escort got 38Hwy and 29 city and it cost me 6K new at the dealer.

Point im making is after you spend that 5 to 10K they have already proved you will need to drive 100K miles to make that electric portion and cost difference equal that of the gas engine.

MPG doesnt mean jack to me when you say its an Hybrid.. bottom line is MPG is a power to weight ratio.

Sure the Prius gets 35 MPG on the hwy but it is a tiny cramped little car that weights in at 3060 pounds you think hey thats pretty good.

Well Claudias 09 Equinox which is literaly 2x the size, has AWD and room for 5 in it weighs in at a hefty 6000 lbs yet get 24 MPG on the highway.

So twice the weight and 3/4th the milage.

The other point on the hybrids is why is there a gas engine? For accelleration thats where all cars burn the most fuel. The Hybrids use gas and electric to leave the line and then at higher speeds it switches to full electric. So in essence your still burning more fuel in town then any other time and this is part of the reason i dont agree with Hybrids.

It needs to be 100% electric or none at all.

kaneboats
01-27-2011, 03:01 AM
I ever tell you guys about my green Suburban? My very sophisticated aunt was bragging one time about what kind of mileage she gets in her Prius. She proudly told me she gets about 48 miles to the gallon. I told her I get about 128 to the gallon. She asked what I drive. I told her it's a Chevy Suburban. She gave me a quizzical look. Then I politely explained that she hauls her own self around and I haul 8 people.

maxpower220
01-27-2011, 09:35 AM
I would love to see a diesel electric boat. The same system that has been in trains for decades A small 2 or 3 cylinder diesel that charges a small battery pack which runs an electric motor. 100% tq available all of the time. Overall weight in the boat would end up being the same, but you can chose where that weight is in the boat.

On the same track: Why no diesel hybrid cars? If the I-4 in my Fusion Hybrid was a diesel, we would probably get 80-90 mpg instead of 40-50.

moombadaze
01-27-2011, 09:46 AM
Back in the early 80's my mom had a deisel 5sp Ford Escort as a demo, very fuzzy memory at this point but i think it got around 50mpg but if im right on that they really have not improved much

mmandley
01-27-2011, 10:20 AM
I would love to see a diesel electric boat. The same system that has been in trains for decades A small 2 or 3 cylinder diesel that charges a small battery pack which runs an electric motor. 100% tq available all of the time. Overall weight in the boat would end up being the same, but you can chose where that weight is in the boat.

On the same track: Why no diesel hybrid cars? If the I-4 in my Fusion Hybrid was a diesel, we would probably get 80-90 mpg instead of 40-50.

That would be the perfect hybrid lol.

I think the reason we arnt seeing more Diesels in America in smaller cars is the GOVERNMENT. They are the same ones who keep stomping out the diesel ina 1/2 ton truck.

Our country want to talk up a good fight for Green and lets get more for the gallon talk but in the end we don't want to do crap about ti because the farther Americans can drive one 1 gallon of gas the less the government makes on fuel taxes. You know in 2011 fuel tax went up again 6% thats more then the average yearly raise for people. And since its Fuel people just say yea ok well i gotta go places so ohh well.

I think Green is great and one of the other reasons thsi country is supporting hybrid and electric car development is because it keeps people in jobs and its only the large and rich companies doing this as they are spending millions on development and such.

Right now if you look at the car dealers, Diesel trucks are being bought up as fast as they are coming on the lots. The Diesel truck market is at a all time high right now because of the fuel vs towing capacity of these trucks. My truck is actually not even depreciating that much right now because its in such high demand.

If our government truely cared about the population in terms of vechicles then it would allow diesels in 1/2 ton trucks and diesel engine cars to be available but right now the governement wont allow a diesel in a 1/2 because its considered a Commercial engine and it has to go in a Work class truck. The 1/2 tons are all classes as a passenger truck like a car is classified. The reason you cant get diesel car engines is because there is no american car companies that make then and the ones who are get taxed so hard as an import that most people wont pay that extra amount for the car.

Yet they pay it for a hybrid LOL.

sandm
01-27-2011, 11:08 AM
there have been some diesel towboats. I think it was mastercraft that used a volvo turbodiesel for a year or so. certainly would have thought it would continue, but with them partnering up with illmore, I would guess that is dead.

i've said it before, look at all the major sellers in europe. they are almost all turbodiesels. the american car companies could very easily partner with someone like peugeot and bring a car over here, but with the strict emissions laws being put in place and now having to use adblue, it doesn't make sense from a cost standpoint to modify a euro-spec car to meet the us emissions requirements, and then the crash standards on top of that. mercedes and bmw have diesels here, but look at the profit margins on those compared to a peugeot 205 and you know how they can pay for the research and specialized components to make it happen..
I'd really like to think that smaller cars would sell here, but again, it goes back to americans love for the pickup and suv. we don't like small cars.

Ian Brantford
01-27-2011, 12:02 PM
[...] it doesn't make sense from a cost standpoint to modify a euro-spec car to meet the us emissions requirements [...]

That's probably the most important explanation to maxpower's question. We'll get more diesels here, but only the very latest engine designs will meet worldwide requirements.

Actually, maxpower asked about why new diesel hybrids. One of the points that GM made in early explanations about the Volt is that the gasoline engine is designed to be a modular component. It can be replaced with a diesel, fuel cell, pixie dust converter or whatever appears worthwhile when the time comes to make other choices worthwhile.

sandm
01-27-2011, 01:02 PM
That's probably the most important explanation to maxpower's question. We'll get more diesels here, but only the very latest engine designs will meet the stringent US govt requirements put in place by a bunch of bureaucrats that are only interested in their own agenda.


FIFY :)

cab13367
01-27-2011, 04:18 PM
Pretty cool, i just got done watching the video. I would love to have a listen to the boat taking off with no other noise in the background. They say in the video that they can do 3-4 skier sets before the batts need to be recharged and that the batteries can be recharged in 4 hours.


http://blog.teamnautique.com/2011/01/100-electric-nautique/

Until they can improve the run time dramatically, I think this concept is going to have very limited appeal. I'm not a skier but I think a set is two or three times thru the course which would take what, 10-15 minutes? So you get about an hour of run time per charge?

If you own a home on a lake and only take your boat out for short periods of time, I guess this would be a feasible option. But for the great majoirty of boaters, I don't think this is going to cut it.

maxpower220
01-27-2011, 06:00 PM
Yeah, diesel hybrid is my point. Diesel has been around for a while, not trying to rehash that. Hybrid tech has come along way recently, but still no good explanation on why there is no diesel hybrid or diesel electric option. Diesel electric in a boat makes A LOT of sense.

Straight diesel in a DD/VD boat doesn't make a lot of sense due to the varied RPM ranges needed, plus the noise. D/E could be a lot smaller in motor size, which would reduce noise and fuel requirements.

Mikey
01-27-2011, 10:36 PM
I'm pretty sure awhile ago there were a couple diesel powered ski boats and i believe on here awhile back somone had/ has a propane powered modified Outback i believe.
I think this whole idea / concept is pretty cool and in some cases would be ideal. ie cottage owner who just goes and skis then comes back and recharges etc.
For the everyday boat owner this will never be practical,but maybe some day.

As someone mentioned the gas price issue etc,. I/WE Canadians kinda laugh. If your government raises the price of gas .05 cents a gallon , All Hell breaks loose. We constantly get price fluctuations of .05 to .08 cents PER LITRE all the time and don't even mention the word long weekend as the price goes up more.
Litres are approx 4.5 per gallon,i don't have the exact figures handy but basicly we get .25 to .35 cent raises all the time.
Crappy part for me is we live where most of OUR and YOUR Oil/gas comes from.????? WTF? We get Raped the same as most Canadians.
I think this Electric idea is cool but with our weather and Sun being different,not as Bright and Hot ,this probably would'nt work so well for us.
Do i work in the Oil business ? No!! but everything around us is affected by it directly or indirectly . Will this save the world? No !! but just the same i think this is a cool idea and YES there will be more to come. Just wait and see.