Watercraft and the Environment

Consider engine type: Look at the websites of the motor boat manufacturer's
   Change from 2 stroke to 4 stroke or electric -
           quieter and more fuel efficient
           or 2 stroke with a catalytic converter
   - Evinrude: www.evinrude.com/en-US/
             (link may not work,
            so copy the address into your browser)
   - Johnson: www.johnson.com/en-US/Index.htm
   - Mercury Marine: www.mercurymarine.com/
   - Minn Kota (Electric): www.minnkotamotors.com/   

Consider an electric boat or motor or solar:
   No noise, No fumes,
   No gasoline (charge the battery using solar),
   No pollution - oil in water is very polluting
   For fun look at this $69,000 electric boat
   from the Learjet family:
   www.epowermarine.com/

PADL members often complain about noise from boats, jet skis and loud music. In response to this concern this page was added to begin dialogue about possible solutions. At the 2007 PADL annual meeting, there was discussion about contacting boat and engine manufacturers to encouarge change from 2 stroke engines to 4 stroke engines. Some lakes including Lake Tahoe limit the use of motorized watercraft www.trpa.org. Devils Lake is such a small lake. The article below is from the North American Lakes Management Society (NALMS). It has timely information – global warming, noise, gas prices, oil and other polluting discharge. Please let PADL know if you have information that would be helpful. The Seattle Electric Boat Company has an interesting story about tourism. www.theelectricboatco.com/

http://nalms.org/Publications/NALMSNotes/notes07-06.html
EPA Small Engine Rule to Impact watercraft by 2009
On April 17th, EPA released a new clean air proposal that sets strict standards for most lawn and garden equipment and small recreational watercraft. In the near future, those boating out on the water and those spending hours mowing their lakeside lawns will be using more efficient, combustible engines.
The proposal is groundbreaking in several areas. To meet the new exhaust emission standards, manufacturers are expected to use catalytic converters for the first time ever in many types of small watercraft, lawn, and garden equipment. After rigorous analysis and extensive work with diverse stakeholders, EPA determined that such a strategy was feasible and safe. This proposed rule by EPA also includes the first ever…
* Fuel evaporative standards for all the types of equipment and watercraft
* National standards for vessels powered by stern-drive or inboard engines and
* Carbon monoxide standards for gasoline-powered engines used in recreational watercraft
Americans spend more than three billion hours per year using lawn and garden equipment. Currently, a push mower emits as much hourly pollution as 11 cars, a riding mower emits as much as 34 cars, and a recreational watercraft can emit as much as 348 cars an hour.
By 2030, recreational watercraft powered by gasoline engines would see a 70 percent reduction in smog-forming hydrocarbon (HC) and nitrogen oxides (NOx), a 20 percent reduction in carbon monoxide (CO), and a 70 percent reduction in fuel evaporative emissions. When fully implemented, the rule would result in annual emission reductions of 630,000 tons of HC, 98,000 tons of NOx, 6,300 tons of direct particulate matter, and 2.7 million tons of CO.
The next step is a comment period through Aug. 3. If the EPA adopts the rule as proposed, it could start taking effect for outboard engines and personal watercraft by 2009 and mowers, leaf blowers, weeders and other garden equipment by 2011.
Eliminate Gas altogether, Go Electric
NALMS does not endorse any specific product. This item is just for informational purposes.
If gas prices are ridiculously too high, you can’t wait until 2030 for more efficient gas motors, or you are tired of dealing with the mess in general, you might want to consider an electric motorboat.
There are many boat manufacturers out there that now build and distribute durable and beautiful electric boats. They do produce no direct pollution to your lake water. They also have a battery life of over 10 hours per charge, have low maintenance, have no fumes, and are quiet.
Do a web search and you will see there are several companies out there. Here are just a few examples that you can quickly check out, www.duffyboats.com and www.electricboatsintl.com.
Better Yet, Avoid Non-Renewable Energy Altogether
NALMS does not endorse any specific product. This item is just for informational purposes.
With summer here and Lakes Appreciation Month just around the corner, here are several great ways to experience and appreciate a lake without using fossil fuels:
* Sailing
* Paddle Boating
* Canoeing
* Sail Boarding
* Kite Surfing
* Swimming
* Kayaking
* Sculling
* Aquaskipping (www.inventist.com)
* or just simply floating around on an inner tube
So whether you will silently canoe around the littoral zone in the early morning, use the gentle afternoon breeze with your sailboat, or just simply swim, the goal is to enjoy your summer day out on the water without gas.

Websites to
investigate:

Wikipedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org

Build your own
Electric Boat
www.mindspring.com

Duffy Electric Boats www.duffyboats.com

Seattle Electric Boat
Company -
Boat tours in Seattle
www.theelectricboatco.com/

Electric boats
www.electricboatsintl.com

Spincraft boats
www.spincraftboats.com/

Lake Tahoe watercraft restrictions
www.trpa.org