Three Types of Hybrid Boating

Researching hybrid boats online could lead to confusing results. As it applies to a boat, Merriam Webster’s dictionary has as one of its closest definitions of a hybrid as “having two different types of components performing essentially the same function.” This still leaves a bit of leeway in the characterization.

Hybrid Boating Uses

For example, if you run a search for hybrid boats on a used boat website you may find it defined as a multipurpose boat that shows the ability to serve dual purposes such as that of a pleasure boat for a family but also equally as a fishing boat. Retractable chairs, folding surfaces, and other features such as the hull design for hybrid boats contribute to this versatility. But as a buddy of mine once said, “You can fish from any boat if you can just get the captain to slow down enough.”

Hybrid Boating Vehicle

A quest for hybrid boat performance info online also might take you a different, possibly amusing direction, by combining two vehicles. For instance, if you are not concerned with a hull design for efficiency of energy there is the amphibious hybrid truck/boat, “duckmobile” that you may find around touristy destinations. You may also find a nifty wheel deploying boat which then can drive out of water and on land. Or, a version of a “caraboat” which was a caravan (house on wheels), which also has an outboard motor. Most hybrid boat performance considerations of this category were not focused on speed, distance, or even hybrid boat efficiency. Online searches might even reveal a boat/plane hybrid or James Bond’s exotic Lotus car/submarine.

Hybrid Boating Power

However, more likely you are seeking information on the hybrid boats definition that uses both options of fuel and electric, like what you can find in the hybrid car market. Dual boating power options have been around for a while. Old submarines could run on diesel or electricity, depending on the circumstances. Some hybrid powered boats are “serial,” which use a combination of a generator to power an electric motor, often called a “genset.” Depending on fuel tank size and internal combustion engine efficiency, a primarily electric boat range generally is less than that of traditional gas engine powered boats.
 

But there also are “parallel” hybrids which can be switched to power the same propeller by either an electric motor or a fuel motor. When considering regular gas vs hybrid boat range or hybrid boat fuel economy, overall, the hybrid should score higher numbers thanks to the versatility and the likely designed lightweight materials in hybrid boats. But of course, this depends on how the boat is used and in what conditions. Either way, the old rule of leaving a third of your power in reserve will help ensure that your hybrid boating trip will return on time.