CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. — A local business plans to use a solar-powered boat to let Islanders and tourists dine and explore the Charlottetown Harbour this summer.
Ride Solar plans to launch an online crowdfunding campaign to fund the Isola Solaretto, a 40-passenger dinner cruise and tour boat.
Steve Arnold, co-founder of Ride Solar, says the solar transit system may be one of the first of its kinds.
“I believe it’s Canada’s and maybe the world’s first solar-electric transit system with the purpose for commute, sightseeing and fun.”
The Isola Solaretto, which translates to “island solar water bus” was originally a boat, a Vaporetto, showcased in the 1967 World Expo at Montreal. The boat was used for tours in the 1970s in the Charlottetown Harbour.
Arnold said the ship has been remodelled and furnished, along with attaching solar panels to it.
“We bought it, stripped it right down to the fibreglass hull and built an entirely new cabin.”
Batteries and six-kilowatt solar panels were installed on the roof, Arnold said.
The tour boat will go for a test run in June, and commercial use will begin July 1 at the Charlottetown Marina.
Local craft beer, wine, produce, beef and lobster will be served on the cruise.
The 90-minute eco-tours will cost $25 for adults and $20 for children. Tickets bought via Kickstarter in advance would be half-price.
There will be 20-minute tours of the boat dockside for $5 and all proceeds go to the IWK in Halifax.
Ride Solar also plans to launch an 18-person-pedal bus, a large bicycle with 18 seats and solar panels attached on its roof, for sightseeing and tours in Charlottetown by June.
Heidi Zinn, the executive director of non-profit marketing agency, Discover Charlottetown, said they have been anxiously waiting for a product like this in the Charlottetown market.
“Anything that promotes and captures the Island is really great for tourism. We need to embrace the water.”
Along with his partner and co-founder, Peter Ixkes, Arnold believes their business is a private sector solution to the government’s commitment to reduce greenhouse gases in P.E.I. by 30 per cent by 2030.
They also plan an interprovincial crossing with the Isola Solaretto from Borden, P.E.I., to Cape Tourmentine, N.B., in September.
For more info and to purchase tickets, click here.
