NY Boat Show: Showing off green boating

I guess we've just spent too much time talking about green cars. Boats are getting jealous! And while boating, for may, is a less necessary part of our lives, it's important to consider their environmental impact as well.

This year's New York National Boat Show has a whole exhibition on green(er) boating, including everything from plug-in hybrid boats to EPA approved cleaning products. Probably the coolest thing on display is the Torqeedo, a portable electric outboard engine that can fit inside a backpack.

OK, slightly cooler than that is the $16,000 hybrid boat that they will be giving away. The 16 foot Scout 145 is a plug-in hybrid vehicle. It can be powered either by batteries (it can get a full charge in 6 hours) or by a traditional outboard motor. The electric motors are good only up to eight mph, unfortunately, but plenty that you can turn your outboard off once you've reached your fishing spot, or are in a wake-free zone.

I guess if you're going to be avoiding manatees, you might as well be doing it with a clean engine!