New Paradigm in Auxiliary Power

Lithium-battery-based systems edge closer to supplanting internal-combustion marine generators as auxiliary power sources on today's fishboats.

- Jim Hendricks

A mid the sweltering heat Land bustling throngs of boat shoppers during the Palm Beach International. Boat Show two years ago, I reached a moment of clarity. It was then, while attending the introduction of Scout Boats' new 350 LXZ, that I realized for the first time that lithium-battery-based auxiliary power systems were not only viable for boating anglers, but also represented the wave of the future for saltwater fishing machines.

Scout always the innovator-had employed a truly practical and advanced lithium-battery-based system in place of an old-school internal-combustion marine generator. While the 350 LXZ was not exactly a hardcore fishing boat, it served as an example of what's possible today and in the future. The lithium battery system on board this model incorporated a host of features, including solar panels, to supply beaucoup electrical power to systems such as the air conditioning that cooled my brain and gave me clarity that day.

SUPPLANTING THE GENNY

Fossil-fuel marine generators have long served the electrical needs of boating anglers while away from shore power. A genset or genny, as these are often called, provides great convenience in powering onboard systems such as air conditioning, refrigeration, pumps, microwaves, cooktops, gyrostabilizers and lighting.

Yet there are downsides to marine generators, as any boating angler who has had one can relate. Marine generator systems tend to create maintenance issues, are prone to cooling problems, and can become finicky at times. They also require separate fuel delivery systems, sometimes need a separate fuel tank, and can prove to be smelly, create intrusive noise, produce a lot of heat and, in some cases, generate dangerous carbon monoxide emissions.