Sustainable showcase in Orillia to feature the future of boating

From the dock to Lake Couchiching, the future of boating will be on full display this weekend at the Sustainable Orillia Green Innovative Showcase.

ENVGO is showcasing its fully electric hydrofoil prototype called the NV1.

Mike Peasgood, CEO of ENVGO, said the hydrofoil is the main principal the electrification.

“The main principle behind that technology is a wing which sits underneath the water and it lifts the hull out of the water,” said Peasgood. “That gives us some incredible efficiency and performance which really makes that electrification practical.”

The sleek vessel promises to go farther and faster than gas-powered boats, with hydrofoils that lift it above the water for a smoother, more efficient ride.

“That’s really the big differentiator beyond the zero emissions,” said Peasgood. “We’re not polluting the environment but we’re also giving an overall better experience of that smooth flight over water and really showcase what that future of marine technology is going to look like.”

Danny Epstein is the vice president of the Sustainable Orillia Green Innovation Showcase. The event runs Saturday July 26 from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m and Sunday 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

He hopes people who attend the showcase have a better understanding of sustainability after walking through the grounds.

“We can’t keep growing and we can’t be dependent on growth all the time. and people need to understand that there are limits to growth,” said Epstein. “We live in at a time where, obviously there’s lots of evidence of climate change.”

The showcase continues to grow year over year and more than 60 electric vehicles will be on display along with a fleet of EV boats.

“Boats that you do see here are new technology, particularly the ENVGO boat,” said Epstein. “That’s new Canadian technology, and it’s clean technology.”

Vendors like M-Oceans participating in the showcase say that electric will be the future of boating.

“Yes, 100% sustainability is where it’s all headed towards, we see vessels from small inflatable dinghies to sailboats to even some larger power boats being converted, very actively today,” said Anatolii Shkliaruk, founder of M-Oceans.

With functional benefits continuing to increase on EV vessels.

“Sailing off into the sunset with no noise, no gas, no clouds of smoke, and quiet,” said Shkliaruk. “It aligns with the philosophy of sailing and boating in general and all the harbors and the small lakes are then clean with no spills. There’s no oil and marine wildlife is preserved.”

With a small fraction of electric boats in the water today, Peasgood believes there will be a shift coming.

“That’s because it takes so much power to push the boat through the water. What we’re building here, is the technology which gives us the efficiency so that electric becomes practical,” said Peasgood. “I think, inevitably, we’ll transition to electric, and this is a technology that we need to make that happen.”

The showcase is free attend and will have activities for kids including face painting.