Retire Right..... the Amazing Electric Canoe.

 

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Finished product, an electricity powered Scott Albany Canoe

When Pat Underhill from Scott Canoes told me someone had converted an Albany freighter to run on electricity I was surprised.  Several years back I tried to do the same thing with an old Mad River Explorer. I gave up for fear of electrocuting myself.

But sure enough Todd Wells of Bend, Oregon has done a heck of a job. The pictures you see in this article were shots by Todd and his partner Nancy.

Todd found a five horse electric that sits astern like a normal outboard motor. The motor is from Germany and is called a Torqeedo.  He says it was more expensive than the Chinese versions but he's happy with it. This is not your bass boy's trolling motor. As you can see this little five h.p. has heft. 

There are four twelve volt truck batteries hidden under the seats. The battery weight lowers the center of gravity making it easier to walk. Not that the eighteen foot Albany would ever tip from someone walking. It just feels that way. Just in case, he added extra flotation to the inside of the boat's sides. After that he paneled the interior. Check out the pictures, it is indeed a beautiful job.

Todd pointed out even with the added battery weight the boat still draws very little water. I might add the shaft length of the electric is much less than gasoline motors. From experience, I can tell you that is a big deal.

Why go to so much trouble to make an electric canoe ? Two good reasons. 

In much of the Northwestern U.S. there are protected waters where you are not allowed to use a gasoline engine. The second reason is they are wildlife watchers. They needed stealth to avoid disturbing the wildlife. They like to get close for a better look. 

Todd told me his secret to seeing the big water raptors. He says glide the canoe into a marsh or quiet water area, camo up and wait. The Eagles and the Ospreys will come along in due course. It's like a silent running duck blind.

When I called Todd I was hoping he was retired so I could write about him for both my retire right series. He and Nancy are indeed retired full time. They live the good life near Bend, Oregon. 

Nancy volunteers in schools and Todd is involved with river conservation projects. Todd was a staff geographer for the Nature Conservancy for fifteen years. Prior to the N.C. he spent ten years working as a finish carpenter. His boat looks like something from a finish carpenter and an electrical engineer. The pictures show beautiful work.

They will be using the Scott freighter to explore the Oregon waters as well as birding. They have a small travel trailer and plan on doing some amateur archeology in the Northwest. 

Between the travel, the volunteering and exploring I would say this couple pretty well have their future laid out. Nice job you two.

Here is an update from Todd Wells. They have produced a manual for building an electric canoe.  Here is the link to that manual.    


                        Electric Canoe

I hope you enjoyed this story. This couple are perfect for this "retire right series". Stay tuned there will be more.

This article brought to you by the usual suspect @:

                              John B. Boykin 

                      "The Hard Hat Photographer"

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Life's purpose is not to arrive at the grave with the body in good shape. Hell no, you want your body worn slap out, skidding in sideways, eyes bloodshot, hair smoking and all the while hollering "Yee Haw !! ...  What a ride !!"