Would you buy an electric boat??

[hbrand]

I am thinking of starting an electric boat dealership here in Florida, Volusia. Duffy makes such boats for more than 30 years.

http://www.duffyboats.com/page.cfm?pgid=3&boatID=10

They have improved in looks, user friendliness and performance.
You can cruise all day long on one charge, recharge over night. Cost is about the same as a fast boat, but we have mostly idle speed on the inter coastal waterway, so speed is useless. Quiet, non polluting, $ 1.- a day for recharge, ans so easy to use.

Question: Would you consider owning one?

Target market is where idle speed is law. And for pure pleasure - sight seeing cruising. Also for the older generation. Turn the key and glide.
When you go idle speed with a combustion engine, the exhaust smoke engulfs the whole boat !!

[Zeke]

Duffys are top class. You should have a low and mid line as well because a Duffy is expensive. You will want to be on the water and be able to rent as well as demo your products.

What is it that you see that makes you want to do this? You know, success is filling a need more than it's creating one. If there was that big of need, there would be a dealer there now. But, it's your boat to float, I'm not here to sink your idea.

Bring us back some facts.

[JeremyD]

At that speed I think I'd go back to a sailboat. Duffy is expensive too - no?

[vash]

no, i dont think so.

cruising about on water doenst appeal to me. for me it is about fishing or getting some cargo moved about. but i dont live in florida.

[Zeke]

Electric boats have their place. Constricted harbors, private and small lakes and reservoirs where you can't use fuel motors. It's a cocktail thing at sunset.

That's why I want to know what is making this a business opportunity. The good life is over for most. I'll bet county club memberships are a bargain these days.

[daepp]

They sure sell a lot of them in Newport Harbor.

They are very fun to rent.

[john70t]

Add a sail and a solar panel, or a sail made of solar panel farbric......

[Rich76_911s]

Originally Posted by milt

What is it that you see that makes you want to do this? You know, success is filling a need more than it's creating one. If there was that big of need, there would be a dealer there now. But, it's your boat to float, I'm not here to sink your idea.

Kinda like dealing Pot in Southern California

Sorry Milt couldn't resist.

[Zeke]

Originally Posted by Rich76_911s

Kinda like dealing Pot in Southern California

Sorry Milt couldn't resist.

I just really noticed who the thread starter was. He has somewhat of a "reputation" here.

[avi8torny]

If your going to buy an electric boat .....go big.

[Stanley]

I'd try and focus more on rentals. I see electric boats as more of a novelty thing, but in a good way. I could also see renters being less intimidated by an electric boat compared to a gas one. I almost equate it to renting a golf cart compared to a side by side or ATV.

[Racerbvd]

I think it would be cool, depending on the maintenance what how far it will go on a charge. Me, I love being on the water, always have, grew up on it. I like that the ones you are thinking about have a classic look, like my run-a-bout but without the maintenance a 50 year old boat requires. What would they sell for??

[hbrand]

Originally Posted by Racerbvd

I think it would be cool, depending on the maintenance what how far it will go on a charge. Me, I love being on the water, always have, grew up on it. I like that the ones you are thinking about have a classic look, like my run-a-bout but without the maintenance a 50 year old boat requires. What would they sell for??

They start at about $ 20K up to $50K, high quality build, great resale value, no maintenance, low monthly cost. $ 1.50 per day for electricity
Thanks for all the good input on this board.
Harold

[Tim Hancock]

$1.50 a day? I would think that would be higher as it would require quite a bit of stored battery power to drive a boat all day long.

[Danimal16]

Originally Posted by avi8torny

If your going to buy an electric boat .....go big.

+1 that is what first came to mind.