July 21, 2026

What are the marinas hearing from their customers this summer around fuel and prices? With the war in Iran disrupting energy shipments world-wide, prices have been fluctuating rapidly and to high levels. I’m also wondering if the availability of fuel sales on the water has been reduced. Fuel sales regulations are much more stringent now and especially on smaller lakes, the investment in meeting regulations may make it unprofitable for marinas to sell gas. When that happens, we see boat owners using Gerry cans and filling up at the water where spills are a big risk.

Last week I spent the afternoon driving the Canadian ENVGO NV1 electric foiling boat. I was in it last fall and we featured this striking performance cruiser on the cover of our Canadian Boating magazine January Boat Show issue, but this was my first chance to actually drive it. Last fall the systems that control the foils were still in development. Now they are ready for anyone to drive (fly) the boat and it was a blast! Connecting the dots, I have to wonder if the war in the Middle East will persuade more people to buy electric cars, and maybe boats too?

The ENVGO NV1 is now a simple boat to drive and as it accelerates up and onto the foils, the noise is greatly reduced, the speed picks up and it literally flies over the waves. A big cruiser rigged for sport fishing was pulling out of Port Credit and it was leaving a pretty big wake. The ENVGO NV1 simply glided through staying level and without impact. That was impressive!

I have been in Tesla cars a number of times and they are quiet and powerful. If they can work as Uber cars, I think most people will be OK with their range. With foils, the ENVGO NV1 gains boat speed and range. Will our future be with electric cars and boats?  I’ll say this, the electric option looks better and better these days.

Also, I received a letter last week from a reader who commented on my Editor’s Message where I wrote that people were drowned in the Canada Day storm said that “The weather hit without much warning.”

I stand corrected.

The reader wrote, “The forecast that day from Environment Canada noted the risk of thunderstorms and warnings started to be issued by mid-afternoon.”

Also, the weather app on my phone clearly had a weather warning and a Yellow Alert. Our reader correctly said, “For the safety of your boating customers, a reminder to sign up for severe weather alerts or to check the Environment Canada website for the updated weather information would help build awareness that outdoor plans have to include checking the weather and being prepared to change plans to match the weather.”

In this edition of Boating Industry Canada News Week Digest, we have a new notice from the CanBoat organization (below) that you are welcome to use in your customer communications and on your website. That’s ready to copy and paste out below. It’s a fast and easy way to help your boating customers to stay safe.

Let’s hope the wild fires and fuel prices both die down, and that the summer weather continues for weeks to come. Andy

Adams – Editor