Athens, NY
Whenever somebody mentions perfect combinations, many listeners immediately think of cookies and milk, while others visualize a sunny beach, a comfortable chair and a good book.
In the boating world, that perfect combination is Hunter Marine and Elco Motor Yachts of Athens, NY, the team that produced the innovative, highly acclaimed Hunter 27E, a beautiful sailboat with electric, rather than more traditional gas or diesel, auxiliary power. And just as they did at the recent Seattle Boat Show, boating enthusiasts visiting the upcoming Miami International Boat Show and Strictly Sail Miami will be able to inspect the Hunter 27E in its natural habitat, “on the water.”
The huge Miami show will run from February 17-21 at the Miami Beach Convention Center, with the Strictly Sail Miami exhibit taking place at the MiaMarina at Bayside, located at 400 Biscayne Blvd. In addition to shuttle buses running from one hour before show opening to one hour after closing each day, for the first time a courtesy Water Shuttle will be offered between the convention center and the marina between the hours of 10 am and 6 pm.
Representatives of Hunter Marine will be on hand at the marina to demonstrate the attributes of their comprehensive product line, which includes crafts ranging from nine to 50 feet, while Elco staff will handle queries about the “zero emission” powerplant in the 27E. A center of attention wherever it is displayed, the 27E was nominated for Boat of the Year honors in the 30’ and Under classification by Cruising World and was awarded the prestigious Green Award by Sail magazine.
The craft’s 3-phase AC electric motor, the equivalent of a 14 hp diesel, produces no noise, vibration, heat or fumes and is powered by batteries that can be recharged by hooking to shore power or by onboard solar panels and a wind generator. Fully charged, the batteries will provide 6-8 hours of propulsion.
The oldest producer of such equipment in the USA, Elco’s rich history dates to the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago, for which the company provided a fleet of electric launches.
Show hours at the Convention Center are 10 am to 6 pm on Thursday, February, 17th, 10 am to 8 pm Friday, Saturday and Sunday, and 10-6 on Monday, February 21. The Strictly Sail Miami exhibits at the MiaMarina at Bayside will be open from 10 am to 6 pm daily.
More information on the show is available at www.miamiboatshow.com
