Scout Boats' Hybrid churns up interest

A Summerville boat manufacturer is making waves at the New York National Boat Show this week, launching one of the first vessels to run on gasoline and electricity.

The 14 1/2-foot Hybrid model by Scout Boats Inc. comes equipped with a traditional 20-horsepower outboard motor, plus two 36-volt electric motors made by Lenco Marine of Florida.

The vessel's quiet battery-powered units can run up to 8 miles an hour for eight hours between charges, though the boat can travel about three times faster when the gas- powered engine is cranking.

Scout quietly unveiled the Hybrid to its dealers at an annual meeting in September.

Now the public is getting a close look at the environmentally friendly vessel this week at the New York National Boat Show, a huge, annual industry gathering in Manhattan that runs until Sunday.

"We have always been a company that's sort of known for fuel efficiency, so this makes sense," said Alan Lang, Scout's sales manager. "And we've always been real conscious about conservation."

Priced at $17,121, Scout's Hybrid is just a few hundred dollars more expensive than a similar-sized traditional vessel. The company also is launching a 16-foot version.

Hybrid technology is driving profits at most major automobile manufacturers. U.S. consumers bought 254,545 hybrid vehicles in 2006, according to data compiled by R.L. Polk & Co.

But boat builders have been slow to turn on electric motors; Scout claims that its new model is an industry first. The company said the boat is being well-received by buyers and the marine industry's trade press, although its sales goals are modest. Lang said Scout will make only 12 to 24 vessels this year with electric motors.

L.J. Wallace, the host of "Water's Edge," a weekly radio show for boating enthusiasts, said hybrid vessels aren't likely to catch many boaters unless manufacturers can create much smaller batteries or much more powerful electric motors. He said Scout's new offering would be good for "creek cruising," and even better for churning up publicity for the company.

"Even if they just did it for the 'gee whiz' aspect of it, I give them credit," Wallace said.

"They beat Sea Ray to the punch, that's for sure," he added, referring to the Tennessee-based company that dominates much of the pleasure-boating market.

After almost two decades in business, Scout rolls about 1,500 vessels a year out of its Summerville factory.

Reach Kyle Stock at 937-5763 or kstock@postandcourier.com.