Mysterious boat signals new age of watersports on Lake Austin
The Arc Sport, a fully electric boat developed by former Space-X engineers, has made a quiet but impactful debut on Lake Austin. Unlike traditional gas-powered boats, the Arc Sport operates almost … The Arc Sport, a fully electric wake boarding boat built by former Space-X engineers, has been introduced to Lake Austin as an early sign of the next age of boating in Central Texas. Sales lead with Arc Boats, Francis Pickworth, sees electric boats as the future of the industry. The boat can be preordered for $258,000 and will begin shipping next year. According to MarketsandMarkets.com, the electric boating industry is expected to double within the decade and generate $7.7 billion globally by 2030. The shift towards electric vehicles is part of an overall adoption of electric vehicles. The environmental impact of these boats can include noise pollution, fishing opportunities and wildlife viewing opportunities.
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AUSTIN (KXAN) — Clad in space grey, a quiet boat quickly stalked its way across Lake Austin this month. Nearly silent when compared to its gas powered brethren, the Arc Sport is a fully electric wake boarding boat built by former Space-X engineers. Its arrival could be an early sign that the next age of boating will soon arrive in Central Texas.
“It’s the first time you’re getting into an EV car and you plant your foot. That feeling, that rush that you get? It’s the same thing as driving this boat,” said Francis Pickworth, sales lead with Arc Boats.
Pickworth spent the last few weeks zipping across Lake Austin, showing the boat off to possible customers. Other boaters pulled up alongside it with frequency, asking questions and getting excited.
“Can that thing throw a wake?” One boater shouted at Pickworth from across the water. “Yeah, it’s a wake surfing boat,” Pickworth responded.
“This happens all day, every day. People are so stoked to see an electric boat on the water,” Pickworth said as the boat drives off. A smile adorns his face.
Like most electric vehicles, the Arc Sport weighs a lot. Three thousand pounds of battery drop the back end into the water, and 2,100 lbs. of water ballast can drop it lower in the water.
The boat is an impressive feat of engineering, but it’s only the start for an industry that’s on the verge of exploding.
Electric boats take to the sea
According to MarketsandMarkets.com, the electric boating industry is expected to double within the decade. Currently, it is worth around $3.3 billion. By 2030, industry experts expect electric boating to generate $7.7 billion around the world.
The shift to electric is part of an overall adoption of electric vehicles. Experts with Markets and Markets said improved technology and a rise in boating as recreation is part of the drive towards EV.
Then, of course, there is the environmental impact.
“Electric vehicles are, you know, cleaner, quieter, they are less expensive throughout their life,” said Chris Robbins, associate director of science with Ocean Conservancy. Since 1972, the nonprofit has been fighting to protect our waterways. Electric boats could play a huge role in that fight.
“It’s estimated that 1/3 of the fuel that passes through a two-stroke engine goes unburned and enters the air or surrounding aquatic environment,” Robbins said. He also said 3.5% of the oil that spills into North American waters can be contributed to small boats and personal watercraft, like a jet ski.
Noise pollution also has an impact.
“Electric-powered boats are quieter than gas-powered boats, what this means is that they are a lot less likely to chase away fish or wildlife, and that just increases the fishing opportunity and wildlife viewing opportunities for boaters,” Robbins said.
Will Lake Austin see more electric boats?
So far, according to Pickworth, Lake Austin boaters seem to be interested. “People have loved it here. We’ve met a lot of the locals so far. Everyone is sick and tired of going down to one end of Lake Austin to go get gas or to lug jerry cans all the way back to their dock to fill up their boat.”
Pickworth, who got his start working on super yachts, sees electric boats as the future of the industry. He said Arc Boats hopes to fully electrify every type of boat on the water.
“We want to see more electric boats on the water. We want to eliminate the gas-powered boats,” Pickworth said.
The Arc Sport can be preordered now. It starts at $258,000 and will begin shipping next year. The typical wakeboarding boat ranges from $70,000 to $400,000.