The summer of 2008 was tough on drivers who were used to cheap gas and inefficient cars, but boaters were more apt to upgrade their inefficient technology and make lifestyle changes as the marine industry embraced fuel efficiency. We know that pleasure boating is a lot more of a discretionary activity than driving to work -- but the model of sacrifice and innovation is one to keep in mind for the future of all transportation.
New technologies ranging from more efficient two-stroke engines to longer-range electric boats have given pleasure boaters an opportunity to go green on the blue ocean. Evinrude's now-venerable E-Tec line of two-stroke engines puts automotive technology to shame, while a luxury electric Lear boat runs ten hours on a single charge. If that ain't green enough for you, there's always the option to use your boat less often.
Still, we were wondering if green technology and less time on the water resonated with consumers. We caught up with two employees at 3A Marine, a major sales and service center just south of Boston. Dave Simmer, 3A's Marketing Director, said that fuel efficiency and pollution reduction are definitely on the minds of customers. Roughly half of the visitors to 3A's website check out their "green boating" page, while customers call to ask about fuel saving tips. "People have been conscious of it. We don't want people to not go boating, but we also want people to be responsible." We think that sounds like a common-sense approach for all forms of transporation.
When it was released five years ago, the Evinrude E-Tec revolutionized not only marine engines but two-stroke engines in general. For fuel injection, the E-Tec relies on the same Lorentz coil found in loudspeakers to allow precision control of fuel droplet size. The E-Tec also avoids a need for a battery, instead relying on a magneto for reliably starting an engine that often sits in storage for the better part of a year. Jack White, 3A's Sales Manager, said that the E-Tec was extremely popular with his customers. "They've taken the technology that's the dirtiest and turned it into the cleanest -- still using two-stroke technology. It's now even cleaner than the four-stroke outboards." Even more important: boaters like it. Check out a video of it figuratively smoking a four-stroke below.
Despite what the warning label on your hairdryer says, electricity and water can mix. Last week, SolidNav announced a 48 volt electric boat motor that can cruise for up to two hours. Duffy builds an electric that can cruise at five miles an hour for eight hours, while the Lear 204 runs for eleven hours. The current crop of electrics are particularly popular for cruising protected waterways, White says that he's sure that electric boats will be in his seaside showroom in the near future. "I'm sure that in a very short period of time we'll be seeing more coming about that. It hasn't reached the retail level yet, but I'm sure it's taking place in some specialty markets," he said.
There's another great way to enjoy a boat responsibly: don't go very far. "I spent less money operating my boat this weekend than it would cost to take my family of four to a Boston Red Sox game," White said. "It's a minimal part of the expenses -- but I saw many people including myself maybe taking shorter trips in the boat."
Innovate and conserve while still enjoying the water? We really like that idea.Despite the rise in boat foreclosures, 3A's sales manager Jack White said that sales at his shop remained strong throughout the summer as boaters demanded the fuel-efficient technology which the marine industry was happy to provide -- even technology that exceeded EPA mandates. "Even with the rise in cost with fuel, compared to what we were doing just ten years ago operational costs really didn't rise as much because of the efficiencies, which is great -- nevermind the reduction in pollution," White said. He likened sales this summer to those right after 9/11. "I thought sales would go right down the tubes, but people bought more boats because they weren't travelling," he said. "Business remains strong because people are choosing not to travel either by air or by automobile."
Your turn: would the fuel-saving paradigm of technology and conservation work outside of recreational boating? We're listening.
Showing posts with label fish. Show all posts
Showing posts with label fish. Show all posts
Friday
Job with Sea Tow a necessary day in paradise
Ripcurl board shorts, a yellow Sea Tow T-shirt and a life vest are the work attire for the 35-year-old fleet captain of Sea Tow Wrightsville Beach.
"No shirt, no shoes, no service" doesn't apply here.
Nearby, a fishing rod is tied to the side of the boat, for idle times. He casts when he sees fish splashing or jumping near the boat, catching drum, flounder, Spanish mackerel or bluefish.
When waves cooperate, Collins brings his surfboard as well, to catch quick waves off Masonboro Island.
To the outsider, it seems like paradise. For Collins, it's his job.
Sea Tow Wrightsville Beach is part of an international marine assistance organization, which functions on the water like AAA does on land. Rescuing grounded boats, jump-starting batteries, towing broken-down vessels and responding to water emergencies are typical calls. Collins has worked for Sea Tow for four years after service in the U.S. Coast Guard and work on research vessels in Bermuda and locally.
On Fourth of July weekend, Sea Tow was busy off the coast of Southeastern North Carolina, logging about 50 calls in a three-day span. That ranked the Wrightsville Beach business second-busiest of about 120 Sea Tow franchises for the holiday weekend. Only Fort Myers, Fla., reported more activity, according to a Sea Tow news release.
Collins said the busy weekend demonstrated that boating is alive and well in this area, despite fuel prices. Many area boat owners have the means to keep their vessels on the water.
"They enjoy boating, and they're willing to pay the price for the fuel," Collins said.
But Collins said he isn't responding to as many offshore calls because boaters are staying closer to the coast to save fuel. He said newer, more expensive boats are largely replacing old fishing boats in local waters, a sign that boating - because of high fuel prices - is becoming more of a rich man's hobby than a poor man's passion.
Collins is also responding to more boats out of fuel, which he attributes to boaters stretching their tanks as far as possible.
On a steamy, mid-July Thursday, Collins steers away from the dock on the Intracoastal Waterway off Airlie Road where Sea Tow keeps its three boats. Membership costs $149 a year.
Sea Tow Wrightsville Beach, which covers the waters between Sunny Point and the New River Inlet and up the Cape Fear River to Castle Hayne, has about 4,500 members.
About 10:40 a.m., the first call comes in. A boat is grounded in the New River Inlet on the north side of Onslow Beach. The tide went out and left the Gunfighter 26 from Sneads Ferry stuck on the sand.
As he turns around to head north, a fisherman in a small boat flags down Collins to ask where to find bait fish. He obliges, pointing to a nearby creek, and motors north at 30 knots.
About 90 minutes later, Sea Tow arrives at the grounded boat, occupied by two couples and two dogs. In the sky above, military personnel cling to ropes dangling from helicopters, an apparent training exercise from the base not far to the north.
Collins slowly maneuvers through several feet of water, taking care not to get stuck himself.
When within range, he throws a line to boat owner Bob Martino, who hooks it onto a ring on the bow of his boat. Collins puts the Sea Tow boat in reverse, easily pulling the vessel from the sand and back into deep-enough waters. The entire sequence takes only a few minutes.
Martino is originally reluctant to talk to a reporter, saying he would never hear the end of it from his neighbor.
Eventually, he offers positive words about Sea Tow.
"I swear by it," Martino said. "I have it every year. You're an idiot if you don't get it."
On the way back to Wrightsville Beach, another call comes. After responding to the far northern end of his territory, Collins now must to go to Sunny Point, the far southern end, to tow a boat with a malfunctioning water pump to Carolina Beach State Park. Another long ride lies ahead.
He drops a reporter and photographer back on the dock at Wrightsville Beach, poses for a photograph and continues to the south.
Collins isn't married. He says he can't plan anything during the summer because he's almost always on call and never knows when he'll get off at night.
But he wouldn't trade life on the sea for different work.
"I could never be in an office," Collins said. "Inside stuff, I'd go crazy. I guess I'm claustrophobic."
But don't you get lonely on the water all day?
"I mean, I don't have to put up with anybody," he said. "You can't ask for a better place to be by yourself."
And he doesn't have to wear shoes.
"No shirt, no shoes, no service" doesn't apply here.
Nearby, a fishing rod is tied to the side of the boat, for idle times. He casts when he sees fish splashing or jumping near the boat, catching drum, flounder, Spanish mackerel or bluefish.
When waves cooperate, Collins brings his surfboard as well, to catch quick waves off Masonboro Island.
To the outsider, it seems like paradise. For Collins, it's his job.
Sea Tow Wrightsville Beach is part of an international marine assistance organization, which functions on the water like AAA does on land. Rescuing grounded boats, jump-starting batteries, towing broken-down vessels and responding to water emergencies are typical calls. Collins has worked for Sea Tow for four years after service in the U.S. Coast Guard and work on research vessels in Bermuda and locally.
On Fourth of July weekend, Sea Tow was busy off the coast of Southeastern North Carolina, logging about 50 calls in a three-day span. That ranked the Wrightsville Beach business second-busiest of about 120 Sea Tow franchises for the holiday weekend. Only Fort Myers, Fla., reported more activity, according to a Sea Tow news release.
Collins said the busy weekend demonstrated that boating is alive and well in this area, despite fuel prices. Many area boat owners have the means to keep their vessels on the water.
"They enjoy boating, and they're willing to pay the price for the fuel," Collins said.
But Collins said he isn't responding to as many offshore calls because boaters are staying closer to the coast to save fuel. He said newer, more expensive boats are largely replacing old fishing boats in local waters, a sign that boating - because of high fuel prices - is becoming more of a rich man's hobby than a poor man's passion.
Collins is also responding to more boats out of fuel, which he attributes to boaters stretching their tanks as far as possible.
On a steamy, mid-July Thursday, Collins steers away from the dock on the Intracoastal Waterway off Airlie Road where Sea Tow keeps its three boats. Membership costs $149 a year.
Sea Tow Wrightsville Beach, which covers the waters between Sunny Point and the New River Inlet and up the Cape Fear River to Castle Hayne, has about 4,500 members.
About 10:40 a.m., the first call comes in. A boat is grounded in the New River Inlet on the north side of Onslow Beach. The tide went out and left the Gunfighter 26 from Sneads Ferry stuck on the sand.
As he turns around to head north, a fisherman in a small boat flags down Collins to ask where to find bait fish. He obliges, pointing to a nearby creek, and motors north at 30 knots.
About 90 minutes later, Sea Tow arrives at the grounded boat, occupied by two couples and two dogs. In the sky above, military personnel cling to ropes dangling from helicopters, an apparent training exercise from the base not far to the north.
Collins slowly maneuvers through several feet of water, taking care not to get stuck himself.
When within range, he throws a line to boat owner Bob Martino, who hooks it onto a ring on the bow of his boat. Collins puts the Sea Tow boat in reverse, easily pulling the vessel from the sand and back into deep-enough waters. The entire sequence takes only a few minutes.
Martino is originally reluctant to talk to a reporter, saying he would never hear the end of it from his neighbor.
Eventually, he offers positive words about Sea Tow.
"I swear by it," Martino said. "I have it every year. You're an idiot if you don't get it."
On the way back to Wrightsville Beach, another call comes. After responding to the far northern end of his territory, Collins now must to go to Sunny Point, the far southern end, to tow a boat with a malfunctioning water pump to Carolina Beach State Park. Another long ride lies ahead.
He drops a reporter and photographer back on the dock at Wrightsville Beach, poses for a photograph and continues to the south.
Collins isn't married. He says he can't plan anything during the summer because he's almost always on call and never knows when he'll get off at night.
But he wouldn't trade life on the sea for different work.
"I could never be in an office," Collins said. "Inside stuff, I'd go crazy. I guess I'm claustrophobic."
But don't you get lonely on the water all day?
"I mean, I don't have to put up with anybody," he said. "You can't ask for a better place to be by yourself."
And he doesn't have to wear shoes.
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