Epic - Electric Hybrid Boat

[crowland]

I saw this over on wakeworld - http://www.wakeworld.com/getarticle.asp?articleid=2073

I love my nautique, but I have to say I am completely impressed with this Epic take a huge risk in this economy and actually taking this into production. I can say this is really the only innovation industry in the last several years that I have been truly impressed with, I thought it would be 2020 before this actually came to fruition.

I cant wait to see some water tests and specs on this boat- and I am really curious to see what kind of stereo you would be able to have with this kind of engine/generator setup.

[drnautiques]

RE: Epic - Electric Hybrid Boat

I would also like to see this in action - get the stats on it after a full day in the water pulling riders.

[gride300]

RE: Epic - Electric Hybrid Boat

the boats are pieces of shot. i mean just look at where they put speakers on the transom. retards i wish i had two rudders

[WakeSlayer]

RE: Epic - Electric Hybrid Boat

The speaker placement is pretty interesting. I am more of a surfer than anything nowadays, so that would be ideal.


I love these boats:

http://www.edisonboats.com/

But they are pricey as all get out.

Mike

[TravisFling]

RE: Epic - Electric Hybrid Boat

That's a pretty nifty idea. I don't hate the speakers on the transom. Seems like the might get dinged around a bit, but much the same as putting them on the tower. Releases the need for all that up there, I suppose. Odd to have the subs off the back, though. I suppose it looks neat.

[DanielC]

RE: Epic - Electric Hybrid Boat

I see two problems with using batteries to help power a boat. First, energy density. Put one way, about a cup of gasoline will lift a thousand pounds a thousand feet, or 20 gallons of gasoline will move my Aerostar van about 400 miles. Show me a battery that will do the same amount of work.
Second, where do we get the electricity? Right now, in the Pacific Northwest, an area that has many rivers, with many hydroelectric dams on it, we are still burning coal and natural gas to make electricity.

[gride300]

RE: Epic - Electric Hybrid Boat

well it's a HYBRID. the prius of boats. and having 10 0speakers on the rear is just an accident waiting to happen w/ water rushing all over them when stopping.

[east tx skier]

Are these the same hulls/boats that Toyota built for a short stint in the 90s? This thread was on the rails for a split second on the MC forum and I posted a picture of the 300 hp Lexus 4.0L that was in the old Epic boats. Heard it was a pretty quiet boat engine from a few people some time back. Just curious if this is the same mold.

[harddock]

Need more ballast.... just add batteries

[gride300]

no it's not. its a company who built their first boat in a garage.

[sperbet]

wow, why the hate? somebody comes out with something new and innovative and it gets bashed before anything is really known about it.

I've been thoroughly impressed with Epic since their start. As a wakeboarder they are the ONLY boat that caters toward just wakeboarders. The Epic is NOT a family friendly boat that they just put a tower, speed control and ballast in like all of the other companies, including CC. All the other inboard mfg's build family boats (with good reason), however, Epic is making a WAKEboat for WAKEboarders. Not a family boat that can be used for wakeboarding. For someone who doesnt fit in the family boater category it is very nice to see someone at least trying to make the best WAKEboat possible and put the other ish aside. Some of us dont care about storage or if I can pull out a table and eat lunch or take a crap in my own boat...


This is a GREAT idea considering gas was nearly $5 a gallon last summer where I live. Is it going to be perfect right away? Of course not, but it is a step in the right direction.

Cheers Epic

[SkiTundra]

There was a website or blog I'd run across a few weeks ago that talked about the Epic hybrid and also a rumor that CC was working with Elon Musk at Tesla on an electric boat. There's also the Bosch electric but I'm not sure how well it could pull anyone.

More Here http://www.planetnautique.com/index....050&highlight=

[SkiTundra]

There are 3 or 4 posts related here. About 1/2 to 3/4 down the page.

http://crustylogic.blogspot.com/sear...max-results=30

[Mikeski]

The intrigue of Epic ended the first time I saw one in person.

I heard a rumor they are now being built in the Centurion factory?

Transom stereo vs 409HP 6.0L motor... Sound in air over water bends down towards the water due to the difference in temperature, so transom speakers are not such a great idea once you understand how sound travels.

Hybrid propulsion, gotta see some specs on the electric motor and battery unit before I am convinced. A high voltage electrical system capable of propelling a 4,000lb boat... Safety? Electrocution?

Tought to say weather Calabria's 2 speed transmission or this electric hybrid is a better idea? The general idea of having a propulsion system capable of shifting modes after the boat is on plane is a good one. Maybe they got it right, maybe this will revolutionize the industry (even if the industry is ailing right now).

I have a Toyota Prius, after driving it for 30,000 miles I am not convinced the hybrid powerplant is superior over a geared internal combustion engine. The electric transmission operation of the Prius is what impresses me most.

[SkiTundra]

Isn't the entire US Navy powered by electric motors? Granted, they've got Nuclear reactors for electricity, but they do seem to be able to do it without electrocuting too many folks.

Perhaps a Prius is to a Tesla what a 15hp fishing boat is to a CC?

Agree on the speakers. Tower speaks should sound better than transom. Transom might be able to deliver more low-end though.

Finally got in to the Edison site. That is one seductive boat. A friend used to have an older wood Chris Craft. I always wanted one. Don't think I can part with $100k 0 $120k right now though. I would be fun to try to build one some day though. I wonder what the cost diff is for an electric drive system w/ batteries compared to a petrol engine system.