In this episode of the Yacht Business Podcast, recorded at the Sydney Boat Show, host David Fuller explores disruptive technology, innovation, and the state of sustainability in the boating industry. The Boating Industry Association introduced the inaugural Sustainability award, won by Go Boat. However, sustainable boating examples were scarce, with Eyachts’ RAND range being a standout. Interviews with Ross Turner and Peter Hrones from Carbon Yachts shed light on market trends and the game-changing fully foiling Candela boats. David Meehan from Mercury discussed the smaller, outboard engine boats. The Boat Show also featured a ‘Sailing and paddling’ showcase with interviews by Nic Douglas.

• 00:31 – The Australian Boating Industry Association introduced a ‘Sustainability Award’ which was won by Go Boat.
• 01:07 – Nick Tyrrell from Go Boat explains some of the things that the company does with sustainability in mind. Boats are made in Australia, they are electric and everything is done in the company to be sustainable.
• 04:31 – Electric is a better boating experience. It’s cleaner…
• 05:54 – Electric boats are quiet…
• 06:39 – Electric boats are better business
• 07:46 – Go Boat is trying to make boating more accessible for a larger audience and 75% of customers are women.
• 09:55 – Ross Turner from the EYachts Group talks about electric boating and their RAND boats.
• 11:05 – RAND boats are made from recycled PET bottles and have an electric engine option.
• 12:19 – Is change coming? What is driving the change?
• 12:53 – Seavolt provides charging network for electric boats from renewable energy sources. We will be chatting to Seavolt in a coming episode of the podcast, so subscribe to get notified.
• 14:06 – Understanding boating behaviour helps to push electric boats.
• 15:30 – Peter Hrones from Carbon Yachts spoke about Candela foiling boats which changes the game again.
• 17:24 – Foiling looks cool! Which gives the boats a wow factor.
• 17:58 – Ross Turner on the experience of electric boating.
• 18:29 – Understanding buyer personas and user cases is important for pitching electric boats to the market.
• 20:45 – Speed limits have traditionally been determined not because of the speed itself, but the wake created. Foiling boats leave much less wake at speed, so should limits be different for them?
• 21:32 – David Meehan from Mercury is seeing strong demand for electric outboards, especially in the tender market. Advantages include not having to carry fuel and being able to know exactly what the range is.
• 24:05 – Nic Douglas from Sailor Girl HQ spoke with Olympic sailor Matt Belcher at the Sailing and Paddling showcase.

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