Owning a pontoon boat can be fun while still being ecofriendly. There are electric pontoon boats manufactured by different companies that are fitted with an electric motor instead of a traditional gasoline engine. These motors run on batteries that are installed onto the boat.
When to Buy an Electric Pontoon Boat?
There are several occasions when an electric pontoon boat may be the right choice. Some water bodies and lakes may not allow boats with gasoline powered engines and these are ideal for such scenarios. A few lakes may have restrictions imposed on the maximum horsepower a boat can have and these boats may be a better fit for them as they have lower power. Individuals who want to do their bit for a greener environment can also opt for these boats. People living in areas where fuel might be expensive or hard to come by, can buy these boats.
Manufacturers of Electric Boats
There are some manufacturers that have series of boats dedicated to electric pontoon boat power.
Sun Tracker Bass Buggy 16 DLX ET
The Bass Buggy 16 DLX ET model from Sun Tracker is a great choice for people seeking an electric pontoon boat. It is 16 feet long and has a width an inch over 7 feet. The boat comes with all the amenities and features that are found in its gas engine powered counterpart. A buyer may opt for rod-holders, folding fishing chairs, a 9-gallon aerated livewell and a fishfinder for undertaking fishing expeditions. It is powered by a Torqeedo Cruise 2.0 R electric motor which has the same power as that of a 6HP gasoline engine. It come with a 10-year warranty and has a seating capacity for 7 people. The in-built battery management system provides the user information regarding the charge on the battery and the distance that the boat can travel using integrated GPS. It starts at a price of $13,995.
Princecraft BRIO Electric Series
The BRIO Electric Series from the boat manufacturer Princecraft consists of two electric pontoon boat models. The Brio-e 15 is a 15’1” long and 7’6” wide model that can seat 6 people as per NMMA USA standards. The Brio-e 17 has similar width but is 17’1” long and accommodates 7 persons. All the basic amenities are available in the boat that include a Jensen stereo, 4 waterproof speakers, bimini top, adequate storage space and cup holders. A remote throttle has an integrated display for providing information regarding speed and remaining charge. The boats may be installed with a Torqeedo 2.0R or 4.0R engine which are equal to 5HP and 9.9HP outboards respectively. A solar panel maybe installed to charge the batteries. These boats have a rear swim platform and can be fitted with livewell and rod storage compartment for facilitating fishing.
Paddle Qwest
Paddle Qwest is a unique electric pontoon boat that is propelled by a manual/electric pedal at rear making it an environment friendly boat that also makes for a fun exercising option. It is available in multiple 14 and 16 feet variants depending on the usage that include fishing, cruising and sports variants. It may be installed with a 24V electric motor and a solar charging system by opting for the electric package. A clutch enables engagement of the electric motor or foot pedals may also be used. It has all the amenities of regular pontoon boats that include a plush furnishing and seating, a bimini, optional folding fishing seats, rod holders and a round table.
Besides these, some of the other boat manufacturers including Tahoe, Harris, and Avalon offer electric packages that contain electric motors from Torqeedo and other manufacturers on quite a few of their pontoon boats. A person seeking an electric pontoon boat may opt for one of these packages while purchasing a boat.
