The Limestone Boat
Company (the “
Company”)
(
TSXV: BOAT | OTCQB: LMSBF) – owner and builder of
Aquasport Boats, Limestone® Boats and Boca Bay Boats – is pleased
to announce the successful completion of sea trials for its Vision
Marine (
NASDAQ: VMAR) electric outboard-powered
Aquasport 2100CC. Rigorous real-world, open water testing has
validated the Company’s belief in its EV engine partner as the
preeminent provider of high-performance electric power in the
recreational boating market. The Limestone Boat Company will now
shift their EV model development efforts into scheduled production
with a delivery target of early in the second quarter of the 2023
calendar year for initial shipments to Dealers.
“Limestone’s stated EV mandate has been to
establish a disruptive early mover electric footprint in the
traditional boating sector. The partnership provides Limestone a
technological advantage as the E-Motion™ powertrain offers
unprecedented power and torque in an electric outboard and will
establish Limestone as a leader in the rapidly growing electric
segment of the recreational boating industry,” said Scott Hanson,
CEO of the Limestone Boat Company. “The sea trial results met our
expectations, confirming that we can be the first to offer a fully
electric-powered 21-foot Center Console boat that is expected to
deliver an average cruising speed of 23 mph, over two hours of run
time, and can be recharged at dockside in four to eight hours
depending on whether one opts for one or two onboard chargers. And
for those looking to enjoy a sunset cruise or take in the wildlife
in the quiet of EV outboard technology, six to eight hours on the
water would not be out of the question at idle speeds.”
Hanson continued, “Given the validation of last
week’s sea trials, we are confident in moving on to the next phase
of our EV efforts and placing an initial order for 25 Vision Marine
E-Motion™ engines, rigging components and integrated battery
systems, establishing a production framework leading into the
second quarter of 2023, as well as extending our EV testing to
include other models as product becomes available. Traditional
internal combustion engine boat sales remain strong and continue to
grow through the strength of our expanding dealer network but the
new EV option will provide a great alternative for boaters looking
for the features that electric power offers. We’re excited about
working with our EV engine partner in the months ahead to offer a
fully integrated, leading-edge electric propulsion system for those
seeking an alternative without having to curtail their boating
lifestyle unduly.”
The Limestone Boat Company announced their EV
partnership in May 2021 with the stated intent of using its
partner’s disruptive E-Motion™ outboard powertrain system to offer
an EV option for big water performance boats that would deliver,
without compromise, the operating times, cruising speeds, and cycle
times that coastal and inland boaters seek. The Company shipped its
first two test models for EV-integration in September 2021 and once
completed, put the fully electric Aquasport 2100CC on the water for
sea trials in May 2022.
Results from last week’s sea trials delivered on
their promise of providing all of the benefits of an EV boating
experience without compromising the performance expectations of an
internal combustion engine and maintaining the ride characteristics
for which Limestone’s Aquasport Brand is renowned. Equipped with
the 180 horsepower E-Motion™ electric outboard powertrain system
coupled with two high-voltage 35kWh battery packs, onboard charging
system and digital screens, the Aquasport 2100CC EV Model Prototype
met the Company’s demands and then some, yielding impressive fresh
water test results while keeping intact Aquasport’s superior
handling features;
- Top Speed of 38 MPH
- Planes at 18 – 22 MPH
- Operating Time estimated in excess
of 2 Hours at an Average Speed of 22 MPH
- Full Recharge Dockside in 4 – 8
Hours (time dependent on use of 1 or 2 chargers)
Click to View Video of the Limestone Boat
Company’s Aquasport 2100CC EV Prototype Sea Trials
The Limestone Boat Company will now move forward
with plans for serial production and an intended target date for
deliveries commencing early in the second quarter of calendar 2023.
The Company anticipates taking orders on the EV boats in Q3 of
2022. Rather than simply retrofitting the existing Aquasport 2100CC
model, the Company will review the trial data to further optimize
performance capabilities, through battery placement refinements,
variable engine placement, and lighter, stronger laminate schedules
for an all-new EV-specific version of the model. This is a further
testament to the Company’s long-standing commitment to quality
manufacturing and durability, as well as its ability to control its
manufacturing process through ownership of its Tennessee boat
production facility.
In addition to the production preparations for
the electric Aquasport 2100CC, the Company and Vision Marine will
begin mapping out a timeline to test out the EV potential for
additional models, such as the Aquasport 2100 Deck Boat, as it
looks forward to bolstering its presence in the 19- to 25-foot deck
boat segment, which has been growing in appeal nationwide in both
the recreational ownership and commercial boat rental markets.
The Company’s choice of partnering with Vision
Marine to deliver a state-of-the-art EV boating experience has
proven to be the right one. Showcasing the E-Motion™ powertrain
capabilities, the sea trials also demonstrated the partnership’s
shared commitment to safety, quality, and reliability; the
performance and stability of the Aquasport Prototype was not
compromised in any way, and yet was still compliant with the safety
standards that the Limestone Boat Company demands, which are above
and beyond industry compliance standards. The success of the trials
moves the partnership closer to its shared aspiration of
establishing the Limestone Boat Company as a leader in the electric
boating industry.
“The successful sea trial results were the
culmination of our team’s and partner’s collective efforts in the
months leading up to the trials,” said Telfer Hanson, Chairman and
Director of the Limestone Boat Company. “We are delighted with the
Aquasport EV Prototype’s performance and, based on the success of
the trials, have received significant interest from potential
industry partners who share our EV vision.”
About The Limestone Boat Company
LimitedThe Limestone Boat Company – owner and builder of
Aquasport Boats, Limestone® Boats and Boca Bay Boats - is publicly
traded on the Toronto Venture Exchange under the ticker symbol BOAT
and on the U.S.-based OTCQB® Venture Market under the ticker symbol
LMSBF. They are headquartered in Collingwood, Ontario with a
145,000 sq. ft. manufacturing facility in White Bluff, Tennessee.
The company is backed by a large, skilled labor force and dealer
partners throughout the United States and the Canadian Great Lakes
Region.
For more information, contact: Bill Mitoulas | Investor
Relations800-720-2395bill@limestoneboats.comwww.limestoneboatcompany.com
Neither the TSXV nor its Regulation Services Provider
(as that term is defined in the policies of the TSXV) accepts
responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news
release.
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking
Statements
Certain statements contained in this press
release, and other publicly available documents including the
documents referenced herein, constitute forward-looking information
or forward-looking statements (collectively, "forward-looking
information)". These statements relate to future events or future
performance. The use of any of the words “anticipate”, “believe”,
“could” “should”, “would”, “estimate”, “expect”, “forecast”,
“indicate”, “intend”, “likely, “may”, “plan”, “potential”,
“project”, “outlook”, “seek”, “target”, “trend” or “will” and
similar expressions and statements relating to matters that are not
historical facts are intended to identify forward-looking
information and are based on the parties’ current belief or
assumptions as to the outcome and timing of such future events.
Examples of such forward-looking information include, without
limitation, the projected growth of the electric outboard and
recreational boating markets, guidance with respect to the
projected number of electric-powered boat models to be ordered by
the Company, further development of the Company's electric-powered
models, including in connection with the technology provided by
Vision Marine, the timing for the Company accepting orders and
bringing such electric-powered boats to market, and the performance
statistics of the Company's boats, including its electric-powered
boats. Actual future results may differ materially. The Company is
subject to a number of risks relating to integration and go-forward
operations, certain of which are more particularly described in the
Company's public filings available on SEDAR including, without
limitation, the filing statement filed by the Company on February
23, 2021, and the Management's Discussion and Analysis for the year
ended December 31, 2021 and the three months ended March 31, 2022.
The forward-looking information contained in this release is made
as of the date hereof and the parties are not obligated to update
or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of
new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by
applicable securities laws. Because of the risks, uncertainties and
assumptions contained herein, investors should not place undue
reliance on forward looking information. The foregoing statements
expressly qualify any forward-looking information contained
herein.
Many factors could cause actual results, level
of activity, performance or achievements or future events or
developments to differ materially from those expressed or implied
by the forward-looking statements. All the forward-looking
statements made in this press release are qualified by these
cautionary statements and other cautionary statements or factors in
this press release. There can be no assurance that the actual
results or developments will be realized or, even if substantially
realized, will have the expected consequences to, or effects on,
the Company. Unless required by applicable securities law, the
Company does not intend and does not assume any obligation to
update these forward-looking statements.
A photo accompanying this announcement is
available at
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/a97d7f85-ad3e-4b3f-92da-e872d3ff4ee1
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