GM's new electric pontoon boat, really?

Carpediem44DB

Carpediem44DB

Well-Known Member
Aug 18, 2015
3,230
Sanfransico Bay area
Boat Info
2000 Carver 506
2006 44 DB Sedan Bridge
Engines
Volvo TAMD 74 P
GM’s New Electric Pontoon Boat Lets You and Your Friends Cruise the Lake Emissions Free (msn.com)
I just came across this online article and just don't see it being very feasible at scale. I can see them as a safe alternative for rental operations on eco sensitive lakes but as a family boat, I don't see them being very popular. With 14 or 23 miles per hour top speeds I can't see people being satisfied. I suppose as time goes on the performance will be improved. I've got a freind with a tri-toon that goes 75 miles an hour and he is constantly looking for ways for it to go faster!
CD
 
Carpediem44DB said:
GM’s New Electric Pontoon Boat Lets You and Your Friends Cruise the Lake Emissions Free (msn.com)
I just came across this online article and just don't see it being very feasible at scale. I can see them as a safe alternative for rental operations on eco sensitive lakes but as a family boat, I don't see them being very popular. With 14 or 23 miles per hour top speeds I can't see people being satisfied. I suppose as time goes on the performance will be improved. I've got a freind with a tri-toon that goes 75 miles an hour and he is constantly looking for ways for it to go faster!
CD
Click to expand...

Nah, if I'm REALLY booze cruising I don't see the need to go above 5kts :)
 
Same argument made on electric cars a decade ago yet here they are in mainstream now. I think there is a market even at this limited speed and range as there are plenty of small lakes lined with docks full of pontoons.
They do not work for me, but I can see the application for them.
 
I think this is intended for smaller lakes. I grew up on a lake that was about 5 miles long and everything was electric and that was 40 years ago. This is a pretty modern-looking new option to the electric pontoon boats that haven't changed in a half century.
 
Yeah, I guess it’s the same as the Nissan Leaf there are those that fancy driving them but since I could not see myself in one EVER, I doubted the viability of them too. It’s all about perspective I suppose.

Won’t be too long before Tahoe will be electric only. They banned two stroke PWCs several years ago and have imposed hefty fees for launching in an effort to dissuade boat traffic and the resulting pollution in and on the water.
CD
 
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I was a gas burning gearhead all of my life. Anti-electric anything....
I'm now completely electric with my yard tools from edgers to lawn mower. I even have an electric snowblower. All Ego stuff. I also have a hybrid pickup and an electric golf cart.
The boat industry? I have no idea what it will look like in 10-15 years. I'm pretty sure it'll be different. It really won't matter personally. I figure I have another 5 or so years of serious boating left and then father time determine what I can and can't do.
 
Your statement of "it's all about perspective" is the key. Where we are, there are a LOT of electric-only lakes and electric-powered pontoons (that only go sub-10MPH) are VERY popular.

It's not "really" GM... well, it is, but it isn't... sort of. The engines are made by a newer company to the electric outboard scene called Pure and they have some very nice features that differ them from old-style electric outboards (they're not alone - there a number of them). GM recently bought the majority stock in the company.

I'm not sure who is making the actual boat (whether GM or a sub-company) - this is the first I heard of a "GM" pontoon boat.
 
paulswagelock said:
Same argument made on electric cars a decade ago yet here they are in mainstream now. I think there is a market even at this limited speed and range as there are plenty of small lakes lined with docks full of pontoons.
They do not work for me, but I can see the application for them.
Click to expand...
I wouldn’t call them mainstream. We are going to find out there are major problems we haven’t addressed. The power grid for one and inner city use. They are great for the suburbs, that’s about it.

As for boats, not for me. Maybe a small lake where I can get home when the charge is out. But think of the weight real batteries will be on a boat. Just not making sense.
 
I would think a gas kicker would be a must have on one if it were used on a larger lake for all day boating. I see it as a solution for certain situations but really just a novelty at this point.
 
I'm curious what the big boat market does over these next 20 years. If we're really 'banning' diesel or gas powered off-road vehicles I can't wait to see how (or IF) they find a way to push a 30,000# boat at 25kt with any significant range using electric power. I read there is a 15 year period of diesel and gas sales after the 2035 ban in NY so that puts my 410's lifespan to 2050 :)

or maybe it means I just have to pack it up and cruise south in 2050..
 
Golfman25 said:
I wouldn’t call them mainstream.
Click to expand...

Tesla alone out sold Volvo and Jaguar/LandRover and were about equal to Mazda in 2021 - I think that qualifies as main stream especially when you add in all the other electric vehicles..

I do not disagree with the unresolved issues a growing electric car force will bring though.

But back to the OP, I think the electric recreational market will grow, boats, ATVs, etc.
 
Strecker25 said:
I'm curious what the big boat market does over these next 20 years. If we're really 'banning' diesel or gas powered off-road vehicles I can't wait to see how (or IF) they find a way to push a 30,000# boat at 25kt with any significant range using electric power. I read there is a 15 year period of diesel and gas sales after the 2035 ban in NY so that puts my 410's lifespan to 2050 :)

or maybe it means I just have to pack it up and cruise south in 2050..
Click to expand...
power output won’t be an issue for electric motors. Tesla motors generate upwards of 500hp. Higher than our gasoline big blocks. Most trains are driven by electric motors these days. The biggest issue is power storage.
 
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Lazy Daze said:
Your statement of "it's all about perspective" is the key. Where we are, there are a LOT of electric-only lakes and electric-powered pontoons (that only go sub-10MPH) are VERY popular.

It's not "really" GM... well, it is, but it isn't... sort of. The engines are made by a newer company to the electric outboard scene called Pure and they have some very nice features that differ them from old-style electric outboards (they're not alone - there a number of them). GM recently bought the majority stock in the company.

I'm not sure who is making the actual boat (whether GM or a sub-company) - this is the first I heard of a "GM" pontoon boat.
Click to expand...
I grew up with GM cars, can assure I’d rather paddle a canoe than own a GM boat. I know I can get home with the canoe.
 
I think the electric motor with a generator option would work well for a boat as well.
 
Oh don’t get me wrong, a genset to provide the juice would be amazing. If I’m not mistaken it’s how super yachts and cruise ships operate.

I, maybe wrongfully, assumed the 2035 target for non-diesel or gas powered vehicles meant they couldn’t burn diesel at all but maybe putting a nice diesel genny in the bilge between two fat electric motors is ok? I don’t see the logic there myself but I’d be fine with it…
 
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