An Electric Year at Elk Rapids Marina

A look at e-boating momentum in 2024

By Hanna Lee-Kleb | Oct. 12, 2024

As the 2024 boating season comes to an end, Elk Rapids Marina, a prominent player in Michigan’s electric boating scene, reports a growing interest in eco-friendly watercraft.

It all began in 2022, when the all-electric X-Shore EELEX 8000 was unveiled in the harbor. Later that year, the marina installed an Aqua superPower high-power DC charger for electric boats on its docks. In 2023, Elk Rapids Marina held its first e-boat summit, with the biggest-ever gathering of electric boats in the water at any one time. This past summer, they hosted a free, open-to-the-public demo with e-boat innovators Arc, X-Shore, Hercules, and Lilypad.

With Elk Rapids emerging as an epicenter of electric boating, the team at the marina is optimistic about the future of gas-free watercraft. Lewis Cooper, one of the marina’s owners, shares insights into their journey through 2024 and the promise of continued growth in 2025.

A Slow Start, But a Growing Buzz

Although the idea of electric boats might seem like a no-brainer in today’s environmentally conscious world, Elk Rapids Marina reports that sales are off to a slow start.

“We’ve only sold one electric boat this year,” Cooper admits, “but the person who bought it loves it.” The good news for the marina is that the electric boat has caught people’s attention. “People see it out there, and it’s starting to spark calls and inquiries,” he adds.

Of course, electric boats don’t come cheap. The X-Shore EELEX 8000 and the Arc One both start around $300,000, whereas your typical speed boat or pontoon, when purchased new, could fall in the $40,000-$80,000 range. As with any boat, size, customization, and features all increase the price.

The market is evolving, and as electric boat technology improves, Cooper predicts that sales will continue to grow. “Prices are starting to come down, and electric boats are becoming more competitive with gas-powered models of the same size. I don’t think anything will slow this momentum down.”

As such, the lone 2024 sale hasn’t deterred Cooper and his team. “Seeing it in action really helps people visualize themselves in an electric boat,” says Cooper.

That’s where rentals come in. One of Elk Rapids Marina’s unique offerings is the Lilypad Solar River Boat, available to rent. The Lilypad is $200 per two hours, and looks a bit like a floating living room.

“The beginning of the year was a little slow for the Lilypad rentals,” Cooper explains. However, that all changed in August. For the second year in a row, Elk Rapids hosted the single largest assembly of electric boat manufacturers in the U.S., and the buzz from the event was significant. “After that event, we saw a big uptick in interest in the Lilypad rentals,” Cooper notes, adding that customers have given “nothing but great reviews” of the experience.

As a result, Elk Rapids Marina’s rental fleet is expanding. For the 2025 season, they’re working with Hercules, a Michigan-based company, to add an electric Tahoe to their offerings.

“We’ve given them a Tahoe to put an electric drivetrain in. That’ll be available next season, giving people the opportunity to try something a step up from the Lilypad,” Cooper says.

Ups and Downs of Going Electric

One of the major criticisms Cooper hears from potential buyers is “range anxiety”—the fear that their boat won’t have enough power to last a day on the water. But for those on inland lakes, that fear is often unfounded.

“I like to tell people, how can you have range anxiety when you can see your house all day?” he laughs. For most people, especially those spending time on smaller lakes, the range provided by electric boats is more than sufficient for a full day of cruising.

Speed is another concern, though Cooper explains that most electric boats can match the cruising speed of gas-powered boats. “Top speed might be a little lower, but speed really isn’t the issue for most buyers,” he explains. “They’re more concerned about range and charging.”

Charging is perhaps the key learning curve for boaters. “One of the biggest questions we get is about charging,” says Cooper. “Most people keeping their boats at home need help understanding how to set up their charging station.”

E-boats can be charged in a variety of ways, depending on the model. According to Arc’s website, a Level 2 charger (commonly used for electric cars) can get their Arc Sport wake boat battery to full overnight. A faster Level 3 charger could complete an 80 percent charge in as little as 45 minutes.

Cooper is quick to put the experience in perspective. “It’s really not that difficult to set up, and it’s similar to owning an electric car. There might be one day a year when you worry about range, but for the other 364 days, you’ll be saving time and money compared to a gas-powered boat.”

When it comes to dollars and cents, a typical day spent boating and floating around inland lakes may cost a gas-powered boat $25-$50 in fuel based on the speed, time on the water, and gas prices. Meanwhile, the price of electricity to charge an e-boat for a similar outing would be $5-$10.

Driving into the Future

Aside from the obvious environmental benefits—no more exhaust fumes polluting northern Michigan’s pristine lakes—charging electric boats offers a practical advantage: convenience.

“One thing people are starting to understand is the convenience of never needing to carry gallons of gas down to the boat,” says Cooper. “You run a power line to the dock once, and you’re good to go.”

Case in point: “We were out on Walloon Lake for a cruise this year and got waved down by a family in a gas-powered boat that had run out of fuel. We towed them back to shore in our electric boat,” Cooper says with a laugh. “That’s the kind of moment that shows just how convenient and reliable electric boats can be.”

Looking ahead to 2025, Cooper believes that more buyers will come around as they realize the long-term benefits of going electric—not just for the environment, but for their own convenience and peace of mind.

“It’s not just about the electricity itself. It’s about keeping the water clean—no more oil or gas rainbows on the water every time you fill up. That’s something people connect with immediately.”