The green-conscious Vantage Yacht Club has added four electric boats to its cache of available hulls for rent for luxury cruises down the Chicago River. The Chicago, Illinois-based yacht club has acquired four, zero-emission boats that will be rentable by the hour effective April 15, 2012.
The electric boats are enclosed with an overhead canopy and have removable windows. The vessels are reported to be easy to operate even for folks without prior boating experience. The boats will run out of the Vantage Yacht Club Marina and will be used by customers to cruise and sightsee the Second City at their leisure.
The new electric boats are Duffy 18 Snug Harbor models. The boat’s length is 18.5 feet and it has seating for up to 10 adults. It cruises at a maximum speed of just over five knots (six mph). The Northern California-based marine company has been manufacturing electric boats since 1970.
"While promoting environmental conscientiousness, yet still encouraging the adventurous spirit keen to Chicago and its guests, the electric boat manufacturers and Vantage Yacht Club will work together to create the level of awareness necessary to change the way we all view and treat the Chicago River," said Jason De Palma, founder and president of the Vantage Yacht Club.
The Vantage Yacht Club will charge $150 an hour to rent an electric boat. A captain also will be available to man the ship for an extra $60 per hour. For more information, visit the company's website at VantageYachtClub.com.
