Electric Launch Company: Pioneering the Future of Power

Electric Launch Company is making waves in the maritime industry with their innovative electric propulsion solutions. They've been around since 2011, a relatively young company with a big vision.

Their flagship product, the eL-Sea, is a 30-foot electric launch that's designed for both speed and efficiency. It can reach speeds of up to 25 knots and has a range of over 50 nautical miles.

One of the key benefits of their electric propulsion is the reduced operating costs. With no fuel costs and lower maintenance requirements, owners can save thousands of dollars per year.

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At the World's Fair in Chicago in 1893, Electric Launch Company made a historic start by propelling dozens of 36-foot launches using electric inboard motors and batteries.

The company's early success was a big deal, as it marked the first time electric propulsion was used on a large scale for transportation. This was before internal-combustion gas or diesel engines became common, and other options were limited to external-combustion steam or naphtha engines.

Electric Launch Company, later known as Elco, continued to grow, building thousands of vessels for various clients, including titans of industry, royal families, adventurers, and everyday yachtsmen.

From 1892 through two World Wars and up to 1949, Elco designed and built over 6,000 pleasure boats, ranging in size from 18-foot gigs to 127-foot cruising power boats.

Electric motors for marine use were invented by William Woodnut Griscom in 1879, and he started the Electric Dynamic Company in 1880, which was later bought by Isaac Leopold Rice in 1892.

Henry R. Sutphen joined Elco in 1892 and may have been one of its founders, and he ran the company from 1895 to 1949, building the pleasure boat interest.

Elco built its own boat-building facility at Bayonne, NJ, in 1900, and hired Irwin Chase, a young naval architect, in 1906, who designed the famous Elco "Cruisette" in 1915.

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Electric Launch Company, a pioneer in the field, has seen significant advancements in power technology over the years. Their boats are now equipped with more efficient and powerful electric motors.

One notable development is the introduction of lithium-ion batteries, which provide a substantial increase in power density and energy storage. This has enabled Electric Launch Company to design more powerful and efficient electric propulsion systems.

Their boats can now reach speeds of up to 65 knots, thanks to the improved power-to-weight ratio of their electric motors.

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The first low power devices were introduced in the early 2000s, with the release of the Intel A110 processor, which used 2.5 watts of power.

These early devices were a significant improvement over their predecessors, but they still had limitations. They could only run for a few hours on a single battery charge.

The introduction of the ARM Cortex-M series in 2004 marked a significant shift towards low power design, with many devices now using this architecture.

This change led to a significant reduction in power consumption, with some devices using as little as 10 microwatts of power.

The use of low power devices has become increasingly widespread, with many modern devices now relying on these designs.

Elco has a long history of embracing the best available technology to benefit boaters. In 1987, solid-state motor controllers helped reintroduce battery-powered electric propulsion to recreational boats.

Electric propulsion offers several advantages over traditional combustion engines. For one, there are no concerns or odors from spilled or leaked fuel, and no exhaust fumes to smell.

Electric motors are nearly vibration-free and typically less than half as loud as combustion engines. This makes for a much more pleasant boating experience.

Elco's electric inboard motors come in a range of horsepower options, from 6 to 200 HP. Here are the available options:

One of the best things about electric motors is that they require no scheduled service for thousands of operating hours. This means less maintenance and more time on the water for you.

Electric outboard-powered planing powerboats now zip along lakes and bays.

Elco's outboard motors place less weight on the transom than similar gas outboards, making them a great option for smaller boats.

Their EP-20 electric outboard weighs about the same as most 9.9- model gas outboards, despite being a 20 horsepower motor.

Battery packs for Elco's outboards are sized for adequate runtime, placing weight where it's most beneficial.

Today, an Elco inboard motor, along with enough battery capacity, weighs one third less than the Atomic 4 or common diesel alternatives.

Elco's inboard motor patented airflow cooling system eliminates seawater plumbing and exhaust systems, two significant safety concerns in traditionally powered vessels.

Here's an interesting read: Elco Boat Company

Elco is leading the way in electric propulsion, celebrating 130 years of innovation in the industry. They're leveraging their decades of experience to standardize interconnectivity within electric propulsion systems.

Their innovative DASH App allows for seamless Bluetooth communication with iOS or Android mobile devices or smartwatches, making it easy to monitor system performance and view data like speed, RPM, and battery charge parameters.

Elco's systems can communicate in a universal language, thanks to NEMA 2000, allowing them to work with various battery systems, motor controllers, and boatbuilder equipment. This integration simplifies the process of incorporating Elco electric or hybrid propulsion into production boat models.

With the DASH App now accessible on most marine navigation displays, boaters can enjoy a more connected and efficient experience.