For nearly a century, B. Giesler and Sons has built small runabouts, rowboats, and canoes with cedar planks, copper nails, and craftsmanship handed down through three generations. Today, the Canadian boatbuilder is looking to the future of marine propulsion by becoming part of the Elco-powered Boat Builder Network.
A Perfect Pairing: Giesler’s Craftsmanship and Elco’s Legacy
Gerry Giesler, owner of B. Giesler and Sons and grandson of the founder, first encountered Elco when the latter commissioned a demonstration boat to take to shows. The 15′ 8″ French River he built is an all-purpose runabout perfect for fishing and cruising. It has graceful lines, exposed ribs, console steering, classic bench seating for four, and the heritage style that makes the Elco electric EP-20RL the perfect outboard to hang from its transom. “We really like the way an Elco motor looks on our boats,” said Giesler. “It’s reminiscent of engines back from the 1960s.”
While the outboard’s cowling may be traditional, what’s inside is pioneering. Paired with a 10.8 kWh lithium-iron-phosphate battery, the water-cooled 20-hp PMAC motor delivers 390 pounds of thrust—enough to propel the fully rigged French River to 15 mph with two adults on board.
Why Electric? The Environmental Drive Behind Elco’s Motors
“The future is with electric motors,” said Giesler. “There may be some resistance now, especially for boat owners with working gas engines, but it’s an environmental issue.”
With zero emissions and no chance of fuel spilling into the water, Elco is a sustainable propulsion solution. Plus, as municipalities increasingly restrict waterway access to electric propulsion only, some owners may begin to experience a lack of areas in which to use their diesel or gasoline-powered boats.
The Sound of Silence: Elco’s Near-Silent Boating Experience
Unlike fiberglass and aluminum, wood absorbs sound. The combination of Giesler’s Canadian-sourced cedar and Elco’s near-silent operation makes for an extremely quiet boat ride. “At idling speed, I didn’t even know the motor was running aside from the water pump,” said Giesler. Many Elco owners cite this added benefit, along with no annoying fumes, as major factors in making their boating stress-free.
Giesler and Sons offers Elco propulsion on three of its models: the 18′ Lake Nipissing, the French River, and the 14′ West Arm. “Elco’s a perfect match to the sturdy working rough-and-ready boats we build that will withstand abuse,” said Giesler.
Celebrating 130 years of electric vessel propulsion, Elco manufactures electric inboard and outboard motors ranging from five to 200 horsepower. elcomotoryachts.com; gieslerboats.ca
