The Future Really Is Now
I was quite happy to see the Quest Pontoon boat displayed at the Wenatchee Sportsman Show by Sandy Williamson was powered by an electric motor. Quest has three electric outboards that they can integrate with any of their pontoon boats.
Most of us are aware that Minn Kota makes trolling motors, but did you know they have a line of “E-drive” outboards? Sandy explained that you can get several 48 Volt options in the Minn Kota line. Then there was a manufacturer that I have not heard of, “Ray Electric Outboards.” These guys produce electric outboards in Florida and you have to like their positioning line, “We Don’t Troll - We Motor”.
The Quest pontoon boat being displayed at the Town Toyota Center was powered by a Torqeedo Cruise outboard. This is a German manufacturer that is likely the leader in electric power for boats. Check out the “Deep Blue” line of outboards producing as much as 80 HP!
Torqeedo in a partnership with Johnson Controls, developed and is now marketing the Deep Blue High Voltage Lithium pack which looks like an automotive battery.
Quest also markets an optional solar charging system that is designed into the boats structure for a natural and functional look. As we investigated the system we were impressed with the Torqeedo Lithium battery pack. The one on display was a 48 Volt system with a 110 Ah rating. Completely waterproof, only 130 pounds and small enough to be completely unobtrusive. This is a “Shout Out” for PontoonWest and Sandy because they have brought an electric powered boat into their inventory so that the rest of us can see them.
For more information contact Sandy Williamson at: Sandy@Wordboats.com, or (888) 387-1963 or (253) 376-8273.
Check these websites for more information on electric outboards:
http://www.pontoonwest.com/electric-toons
http://www.torqeedo.com/us/en-us/products/batteries/deep- blue-high- voltage-battery/4101- 00.html
http://www.rayeo.com/index.php/motors/
http://www.minnkotamotors.com/Trolling-Motors/Electric- Outboard/E-Drive/