Electric WaterCraft Forum to return after successful first edition

Organisers of the Electric WaterCraft Forum confirm they are already planning a second event for 2027, after a successful inaugural edition.

More than 125 marine industry professionals met at Lyman-Morse in Camden, Maine, on 22 and 23 October 2026 for the new event focused on the technical, logistical, and business details of Maine-built electric boat projects.

Founders Kate Holden and Ellery Brown organised and developed the inaugural Electric WaterCraft Forum in partnership with the Island Institute and with support from the International Electric Maritime Association (IEMA).

Five case studies formed the core of the two-day programme. One session looked at Wattson, an electric skiff developed for the Spruce Head Fisherman’s Co-op. Another featured Isobel, a custom runabout with a mid-century modern design.

Phil Coupe, co-founder of ReVision Energy, gave the keynote address, Electric Watercraft Are Accelerating the Electrotech Revolution. He discussed how electric boats fit into the wider shift towards renewable energy. Away from the panels, delegates could visit the exhibition and watch boats on the water. Those attending included boatbuilders, boatyard service professionals, naval architects, aquaculture farmers, electric motor manufacturers and policymakers from several countries.

“Building this event from the ground up has been incredibly rewarding,” says co-Holden. “As this community came together, the connections and conversations that took place showed us how much demand there is for this kind of event. The forum offers a path forward for marine electrification in Maine and beyond, and we’re already planning next year’s event.”

Brown adds: “We were honoured to welcome so many innovative marine professionals from around the world. Despite all the planning, I couldn’t have anticipated how inspiring it would be to learn from and collaborate with this community in such a beautiful place. I think we all returned to work this week with new ideas, new contacts, and a renewed passion for putting more electric watercraft on our waterways.”

Ed Roberts of Boston Marine Services points to the work on solar charging. He says: “It was gratifying to meet key players that have made Maine a leader in real-world applications of electric watercraft technologies. With a strong devotion to solar-powered charging, these leaders have made a great contribution to Maine and the future of electric watercraft adoption nationwide.”

John Turner of SFVentures says: “The Electric Watercraft Forum was an excellent opportunity to get together and see real work being done in this field and to be able to talk to others who are innovating in this field. It was an amazing opportunity to network and get ideas for future projects.”

Event sponsors included ATV Power, ePropulsion, Mack Boring, Hylan & Brown Boatbuilders, Torqeedo, Maine Technology Institute, Camden National Bank, 50Fish, Electric Boat Captain, Zero Emissions Marine Accelerator and Maine Beer Company.