t the meeting gcrg had with the outfitters in Page on February 16, we were introduced to the latest technology springing from the minds of those who tinker. Arizona Raft Adventures (azra) has produced an electric outboard prototype, which they brought to the meeting to show everyone before taking it down to Lees Ferry to test on a short up-river run. This is part of the industry¹s attempt to respond to concerns raised about motor noise and emissions even beyond the realm of the four-strokes to which they are now transitioning.

The electric motor was later tested on Lake Mead and on Lake Mary in Flagstaff. It was then launched down river on its first official canyon run in March. By all accounts, it performed even better than the outfitters dared expect. And no one was electrocuted.

Upon entering major rapids, we¹re told the boat¹s pilots found themselves constantly checking the electronic gauges that tell how much power the motor uses and how much is left in the batteries. They wanted to be reassured that the motor was actually still running, because they could not hear it. The familiar vibrations and noise are completely lacking with the electric version. The electric motor¹s power is available at the turn of the throttle, instead of the pull of the cord, which makes it much more convenient than typical outboards. Concerning safety, the motor operates at low voltage so there is negligible risk of electric shock.

Right now, the dc permanent magnet electric motor the outfitters selected for this initial prototype sits inside the housing of an old outboard. It is powered by a thousand pounds of sealed 12-volt batteries and produces about the same amount of thrust as a fifteen horsepower gas powered outboard. It pushes a snout easily at about four miles an hour with a top speed of about 5.5 mph. When the throttle is released, the motor shuts down completely and is totally silent. Even when running at full speed, only a slight whine betrays the presence of the motor.

With the initial prototype, the batteries need to be recharged every second or third day, depending on usage, by a gasoline-powered generator. Recharging takes about two to three hours. In the near future, the outfitters believe that advances in fuel cell and battery technology will make it possible to drive even a full size and fully-loaded motor rig all the way through the canyon without having to depend on the gasoline-powered generator they are now using for testing purposes.

What¹s clear today is that this emerging technology will change the face of motor boating in Grand Canyon over the next few years. While it will be some time before a final system is designed, proven reliable, and manufactured in the numbers necessary, it¹s all a positive step in the right direction: getting rid of motor related noise and emissions. We look forward to seeing what comes out of the collective minds of the tinkerers next.

Christa, with technical details provided by Mark Grisham