A boat to win the hearts and minds of the green vote

by Bob Wonders on 29 Jan 2010
I'm often given the impression that those infernal pests (ok, ok I shouldn't have said that) known as dedicated ‘greenies' hate boats and boating.

Well, a family-owned company in Canada, builder of the respected Campion marque, may have come up with a boat that will win acceptance from the greenest greenie.

The company claims it is poised to launch the world's first bio-diesel powered boat built from Envirez resin, which is produced entirely from renewable resources.

Marketed as the Campion Allante 645i bowrider, the new boat will be powered by the Volvo Penta D3 200hp engine, although the company is investigating other suitable engine options.

Campion has now decided to build its entire range using Ashland's Envirez resin.

The Toronto-based company unveiled the new concept at the Toronto International Boat Show and has already sold its first example.

Mark Hayhoe, CEO of K2 Milling, a custom miller of grains and oilseeds, has purchased the first model off the production line through Ontario dealer Campbell's Landing.

Hayhoe said he had been looking for an ecologically-friendly boat for some time, but he did not find the right combination until Campion came through.

'I spend plenty of summers on the Muskoka Lakes and I am impressed with Campion's vision towards a more ecological boating experience,' he explained.

Gary Campbell, of dealership Campbell's Landing, situated on the shores of Lake Muskoka, labelled the Campion project 'exciting.'

'We're certainly looking forward to the first boat, though not as much as Mark Hayhoe, I'm sure,' he said.

Across the Pacific Ocean, Australian Campion dealership, Blakes Marine, in Sydney's west, is another keenly anticipating the arrival of the enviro-friendly boat.

The dealership proprietor, Alan Blake, said the Campion marque had been very well received by Australian buyers and had won a reputation for innovating design and a high standard of finish.

'Full credit to Campion Boats,' he said, 'I think this is definitely the way to go.

'No reliance on petroleum products has to be appealing across the board,' he added.

The Campion Allante 645i bowrider would certainly suit the Australian marketplace, Blake says.

'It's a fairly typical bowrider design, offering widespread appeal to the boating family, with ample space aboard, including fore and aft cockpits, with the added advantage of Campion Boats' excellent standard fit out and finish,' he added.

At this stage, Blake hopes to launch the Allante 645i in July at the 2010 Sydney International Boat Show, the largest recreational boating exhibition in the Southern Hemisphere.

For further information, e-mail pwingfield(at)campionboats.com