Longboat Key boat retailer highlights benefits of electric vessels

Ed Kolodzieski described the Duffy boat as a “luxurious, floating living room,” where the typical, noisy aspects of other boats are removed. 

But despite the potential appeal of Duffy boats, Kolodzieski said there may only be two in use around Longboat Key, aside from the ones in his shop. 

“There isn’t high demand for electric boats because there isn’t much awareness,” he said. 

Out on the water, Captain Nic Cunninghame Graham showed how easy the 22-foot boat is to maneuver, with a steering wheel and a throttle. Spinning the wheel all the way left and then pushing the throttle forward allows the boat to turn sharper than most others on the water. 

Kolodzieski said the boat is perfect for enjoying nature quietly. 

“The only sound you’re going to hear is the music or the water,” Kolodzieski said. 

Going 6 miles an hour, the boat can run for about 12 hours before needing to be plugged into any common three-pronged outlet to charge the 16 batteries stored in the keel. 

“If you can plug in a hairdryer, you can plug in a boat,” Kolodzieski said. 

Photo by Carter Weinhofer

Aside from saving on the cost of gas and the benefit of a quiet ride, Kolodzieski said the electric boats he sells are low maintenance. 

“The pain in the butt aspects of boating really aren’t there,” Kolodzieski said. 

Like any boat, the electric Duffy boats should be rinsed with freshwater after being on the water, but unlike boats with gas-powered engines, the engine doesn’t need to be flushed and it doesn’t need to be filled with gas before each use. 

In the showroom of the Whitney Beach Plaza Ultra-Duffy shop, there’s a Torqeedo motor on display, in a deep tank of water. The motor weighs about 37 pounds, which is lightweight compared to gas-powered motors.

Kolodzieski demonstrated how it can be taken apart in under a minute. This makes it easily transferable to other vessels, like the inflatable Zodiacs he also sells. 

Photo by Carter Weinhofer

The Zodiacs are much smaller, only able to hold about two or three people. They’re more of a transporter, Kolodzieski said. He imagines people using these small boats to travel to and from waterfront restaurants, like Mar Vista. 

Growing up around Tampa Bay, Kolodzieski was always interested in the water and boating. He moved to Longboat Key in 2010 and has been operating the Ultra-Duffy business since 2020. He currently opens for appointments only, giving him more one-on-one time for consultation and education about the electric boats and motors he has available.  

Aside from the boats seen at his shop, Kolodzieski said not many other electric boats can be seen on the waters of Longboat Key. Kolodzieski said most people in Florida probably don’t know that electric boats like this existed but electric Duffy boats have been manufactured since 1970. 

According to Kolodzieski and the Ultra-Duffy website, all electric Duffy boats are made in Adelanto, California. Not too far from Adelanto is Newport Beach, where there are more than 3,500 Duffy electric boats. 

With more marketing and awareness, Kolodzieski hopes that Longboat Key can catch up to Newport Beach.