Sailboats (outboard)

There is a special thrill that comes from accelerating through the water using only your knowledge, your boat’s sails, and the limitless resource of a fresh breeze. Yet the wind is also the least reliable propulsion option, sometimes leaving sailers stranded across the lake at sunset or dead in the water in a busy channel.

Electric propulsion pairs perfectly with sailboats not just because it is nearly as silent and smooth as wind power, but also by solving propulsion problems common aboard sailing vessels. Gas outboards, for instance, whether hung on transom brackets or secured within a lazarette well, may require physical steps to deploy and start, so safety often dictates running a gas outboard in tight waterways just in case it’s needed. Electric motors, in contrast, are always at the ready. Just a quick key twist and lever press instantly accesses propeller thrust anytime, providing peace of mind without sacrificing serenity. And since any electric outlet, or even on a solar generator, tops up batteries, there’s never a need to stop at a fuel dock nor transport, store or pour from messy gasoline jerry jugs. By eliminating concerns over gasoline stowed belowdeck, Elco’s electric outboards also simplify boat ramp launch and retrieval operations.