In part two of our four-part blog on this subject, our quest to find environmentally friendly boat lines and products take us to Demark, where a remarkable young visionary has built a remarkable electric boat out of recycled windmill blades. 

Rand Boats: Denmark

Since childhood, Danish architect and designer Carl Kai Rand was fixated on the idea that he could build a better boat. He wanted to reinvent the powerboat to incorporate the charm with the feel of the environment in which the boat moves. Thus, the electric Rand Picnic Boats were born, where Scandinavian form follows function, but with an “edge.”

Here environmental sustainability is a key concern of the developer. “The hull composite is formed from a material made from recycled plastic bottles and windmill blades,” boasts the 31-year-old Rand, who notes his boats are "unsinkable.” The wood used for the boat deck is provided by the Norwegian company Kebony, who developed a technology that enhancing the properties of sustainable softwoods with a bio-based liquid, so that the wood is replaced by permanent premium properties.

The elegant, minimalist design, features a table that can be quickly converted into a sunbathing area for sun-seekers and seats up to ten people. The ease of operation takes into consideration the desire for a leisurely boat trip with friends or family where the driver can be engaged with guests safely. 

But the best part: the emission-free, quiet, fast acting electric motor allows the boat to be used in many waters that prohibit gas powered motors, and produces a top speed of 21 mph. With up to 16 hours of battery life before the need to recharge, the Rand Picnic Boat provides yet another “edge” for the eco-conscious boater.

Tomorrow’s blog, part three, takes us to England where the military experience of a British Special Op’s officer spawned the idea for an electric powered compact boat that could be used for military operations, emergency scenarios, as well as used for pleasure.