Japanese Eco-friendly Outboard Motors

In the world of boating, reliability - being able to trust that your engine will not malfunction - is everything. Of course, this is also true for cars or any kind of vehicle, but it is especially true when you are at sea, where you cannot simply pull over on the side of the road when you experience a problem. With so much on the line, it is no wonder people all over the world rely on high-quality Japanese manufacturing for outboard motors for their boats. An outboard motor is a motor that attaches onto the back of a small or mid-size boat, providing both propulsion and steering. Let’s look at the role Japanese companies are playing in this field and the exciting new advances that are on the horizon.

Electric Outboard Motors

In recent years, some Japanese manufacturers have been pursuing electric outboard motors as part of larger SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals) initiatives. One company made use of their experience making electric engines for motorcycles, and thus the development of electric outboard motors was surprisingly swift. After just a year and a half of development, their electric outboard motors began being trialed.

One place where they are currently being trialed is in boat tours on the Matsue Castle moat in Shimane Prefecture. Before the switch to electric motors, these castle moat tour boats would emit a total of about 47 tons of CO2 per year. By switching to electric motors, the CO2 emissions of those boats were effectively eliminated.

Another Japanese manufacturer developed an electric outboard motor which is currently being used in tour boats on the canals of Otaru City, Hokkaido. Unlike a conventional propeller, this motor’s propeller is powered by a magnetic current around the rim, which greatly increases the motor’s efficiency.

There have been other surprising benefits to the switch to electric motors besides just reductions in CO2 emissions. Thanks to the reduced noise, tour boat operators no longer have to rely on microphones and speakers to be heard, so they feel a more personal connection as they interact with guests and answer questions. The guests say they can hear the sounds of nature around them more and appreciate the beautiful scenery without distraction. Even the town benefits, as the quiet engines help preserve the peace of the historic neighborhoods they pass through. When Japanese researchers and manufacturers push technology forward, everybody wins.

Outboard Motors in Industrializing Economies

Japan-made outboard motors are also playing an important role in industrializing economies in places like Africa and South America. There, outboard motors are preferred because they can be easily removed from the watercraft and carried by a single person, so they can be safely stored in the home when not in use. They are relied on for transportation, fishing, and other trades, becoming an integral part of the local infrastructure. Thanks to the power and reliability of Japan-made outboard motors, local fishermen are able to expand their operations, going farther out to sea and bringing back bigger hauls. As the reliance on Japanese outboard motors has increased, some Japanese companies have even begun conducting grassroots activities in these countries to teach the local people about care and maintenance.

New Outboard Motors that Collect Microplastics

Another challenge our environment faces besides CO2 in the atmosphere is the proliferation of microplastics in our oceans. Microplastics harm marine life and damage ecosystems, and once they get into the ocean they are very difficult to remove. But thanks to new developments coming out of Japan, outboard motors may soon be a part of the solution to this problem.

A Japanese company has begun producing outboard motors equipped with microplastic collection devices. This project began as part of a larger environmental initiative at the company to help keep the ocean clean by reducing packaging, switching from plastics to plant-based materials, collecting pollution from shorelines, and more.

When an outboard motor is running, it continuously draws in and expels water in order to keep itself cool. By placing a special microplastic collection device in the middle of this flow, the motor is able to clean the ocean simultaneously as it propels the boat forward. When the technology was trialed among fishermen and divers in various parts of the world, they were surprised. Even in seemingly clear waters, the motors were able to collect a wide variety of plastics.

Propelling the Boating World into the Future

With Japan’s spirit of innovation and commitment to quality, it is no surprise that Japanese manufacturers are at the forefront of many of the exciting breakthroughs in the world of outboard motors. Even now, new research is being done into things like improving the resilience of batteries to saltwater conditions, and hydrogen and biofuel-powered engines. With Japanese companies and researchers hard at work, who knows what breakthroughs could be just around the corner?