Pinellas Park electric boat startup makes waves
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The R30 sets sail. Photo courtesy of Blue Innovations Group
A former Tesla executive is barging in on the boating industry in Tampa Bay.
Driving the news: John Vo's company Blue Innovations Group (BIG) launched its new smart boat, powered by solar and electric energy, over the weekend at its Pinellas Park headquarters.
Why it matters: The R30 is the first of its kind in the recreational boating world, Vo tells Axios, combining sustainability and smart technology.
Zoom out: The electric boat market is projected to grow from $3.3 billion in 2023 to $7.7 billion by 2030.
- The Sunshine State makes up about 14% of the nation's $230-billion recreational boating economy, with Pinellas and Hillsborough in two of the top five counties for boat owners.
Details: The 30-foot ship costs about $300,000, which Vo claims practically pays for itself. There's no gas to fill or oil to change, meaning no scheduled maintenance. BIG handles repairs.
- The helm's smart screen, akin to Tesla's system, simplifies boating controls to turn anyone into an instant captain, he says.
- The boat is made of aluminum, which is lighter and more easily recycled than traditional composite and fiberglass boats.
- Its battery range is about 100 miles.
The intrigue: The R30 is just the beginning of Vo's BIG vision. He's started with making recreational boating more sustainable, but Vo sees a future where humans move from land to water full-time.
- His next venture is a bigger electric and wind-powered sailboat. He wants to eventually create industrialized floating smart homes — his sustainable solution to affordable housing.
What they're saying: "A boat is a great start to our final destination," Vo told Axios. "If we were to be successful, people would pay off their houses in five years, not 30."
What's ahead: The company is looking for investors to begin manufacturing more R30s. Reserved ships are expected to be delivered in the third quarter of 2024.