Is this the future?

[Glassman]

You tell me. Is everything headed this way? Are boats next?

Notice the tire squeal that is usually drowned out by the roar of the engine?

 

[steined]

Not likely in boats in my opinion. It might be more like a diesel electric locomotive vs hybrid car. Boats work a lot harder than cars do and are therefore in a more efficient operating range for internal combustion and they wouldn't benefit from any regeneration from braking to charge up batteries. Running an electric motor with generator would allow for the engine to work in its most efficient Powerband at all times and any extra power could top off a small bank of batteries for low speed trolling or idle zones. Too much complexity if you ask me. All this epa crop they have to deal with now is also adding to the complexity and costs. To what benefit on an engine that on average runs 50 hours a year!!!??? Insanity I tell you. ;-)

 

[octavio3311]

 

[jdiaz78]

I'd take that Epic boat....I don't enjoy filling my tank up. I'd just plug it in at my slip and make the marina pay to keep is charged!

 

[maboat]

I love fuel burning engines and the sound of horsepower, I pray we never see the day where everything is electric, it would be silently boring.

I also love the sound of horsepower! Almost as much as the feel of torque.
Go test drive a Tesla. The torque is outrageous It may change your mind on how boring silent is.

 

[octavio3311]

I've driven a Tesla - it not at all boring. Electric power makes all it's torque instantly. The Tesla is a bad ass car and I certainly wouldn't mind having one.
But it's missing that fine tuned rumble that we all love so much.
So if I was buying and had to choose between a $75k Tesla or a $75k Audi RS5 - I'm taking the Audi.

 

[octavio3311]

I have raced electric go karts, they are fun, but I still like the sound of horsepower and the smell of burning fuel - especially two-strokes using Castor 924 premix, lovely to smell every time.

Oh man - I miss the smell of a 2-smoker. I changed over to 4 stroke MXers (like everyone else) back in 2000 with a YZ426. And have stayed with them since - YZ250f, YZ450's, and KTM 450's. I have noticed recently that the 2-strokes are slowly making their way back. I'm starting to see more of them every week.

 

[maboat]

I've driven a Tesla - it not at all boring. Electric power makes all it's torque instantly. The Tesla is a bad ass car and I certainly wouldn't mind having one.
But it's missing that fine tuned rumble that we all love so much.
So if I was buying and had to choose between a $75k Tesla or a $75k Audi RS5 - I'm taking the Audi.

Maybe they can start pumping engine sound through the speakers like a $75k BMW does

 

[Magic]

I have raced electric go karts, they are fun, but I still like the sound of horsepower and the smell of burning fuel - especially two-strokes using Castor 924 premix, lovely to smell every time.

I Love the smell of burning jet fuel in the morning!

 

[Magic]

Its all stored solar energy anyway..... Love my electric lawn mower....using it, not so much.....'

Actually looking to get a diesel electric car for long distance driving next year... 70 mpg is not so bad... maybe a diesel electric boat? Works for trains and non-nuclear submarines!

 

[davel501]

The problem with all electric is that nobody can bring you a can of electricity in the middle of the lake. They have to tow you in so you can charge for 4 hours.

And then there's this:

I could not find the top gear video with the blue flames coming out of the top pipes but that would hands down beat any LED mod, assuming you could run that hot at night.

 

[octavio3311]

I have owned all of those bikes mentioned except the KTM, I have been riding a Suzuki DRZ 400E the last year, but sold it last weekend as I don't ride much anymore.

Yeah - I hear you man.
Unfortunately, with 2 active kids - I find myself at baseball games, lacrosse games and cheerleading events and no time to ride. Any free chance we get, we try to get our asses on the boat. So I have not been riding anywhere as much as I'd like.