Phantom Boats Can Be Recycled Over and Over, but Are They the Future of Boating?

Yes, it is recyclable, and the way Vision Electric Boats (VEB) pulled this one off is by using polyethylene plastic, a material known to be highly recyclable, around 9-10 times, maybe more. But it's not quite clear if the Phantom itself is completed from recycled plastic. Nonetheless, there's a whole bunch to talk about here, so let's dive a tad deeper.

First and foremost, allow me to point out that VEB is no stranger to the boating game, having, over the years, been responsible for an array of boats and propulsions systems, having been active in the industry for more than 27 years. Did I mention that they even designed and built a 180-hp electric outboard motor? The 180E, the very same motor (two of them) used to set a world record for the fastest electric boat in 2023: 116 mph. That's a flat 100 knots! If you're already impressed, why not invest in this team; it's listed on NASDAQ as VMAR. Be sure to check out the little introductory video below.

All that brings us to the Phantom, a boat clearly built by a crew that knows exactly what they're doing. After all, it's not every day that you set world records. That brings us to that polyethylene (PE plastic) hull and the way it's built. To bring each of these components to life, VEB calls upon tried-and-tested tech.

According to VEB's website, each Phantom hull is brought to life by roto-molding or rotational molding into its desired design. What is a roto-molding? Well, imagine a mold into which a fine powder is injected, in this case, PE plastic, and heated to flow evenly throughout the entire mold. Upon cooling, you basically have your final product, well, with a few stages necessary for refining edges and seams. Other goods built in a similar fashion are some kayaks, containers for a wide range of liquids and solutions, and the list goes on and on.

Why use this technique and material to build a boat hull? First and foremost, VEB claims that a Phantom hull is 30% lighter than a fiberglass hull of the same size and shape. What does lighter mean? We're shown a dry weight of just 800 lbs (363 kg), and a shallow draft means cruising close to coastlines. This material also makes it a rather easy-to-fix hull and, as VEB likes to claim, "unsinkable!" Easy maintenance is also part of the magic here.

But what about from a performance perspective? Judging by the images in the gallery, the Phantom can even accommodate up to eight people and can also be equipped with an array of extra gear to raise comfort levels and the pleasure of using this beauty for just about anything you'd normally use a day boat for. Do note that motors with only up to 50 hp can be added to a Phantom.

As we can see, we can run a Phantom topless or with a bimini, with or without a JBL marine sound system, J-hook ladder for easy access in case you're a fish at heart and often spend time in the local waters, and speaking of fishing, a plethora of other goodies aimed at catching and releasing your favorite prey.

For navigation, depth finders are a must, and the central console seems to be part of the initial mold, too, drilled up to include all the hardware needed to maneuver this puppy safely; VEB isn't very clear on what systems are found. A steering assembly, cable steering, horn, and a bilge pump are mentioned on the pre-order page, along with 3 D-rings and 4 black cleats.

That leaves us with the ultimate question on everyone's minds: How much is this recyclable dream going to cost interested buyers? Well, it all depends on the sort of trim level you go for. For instance, a hull on its own will run you $15,000 American, and with an e-propulsion system boasting 5 hours of range, you'll need to dish out $25K. Want to double the range? A tad $30,000 is the price.

Now, I understand that it's rather difficult to figure out what one of these babies may feel like and what it has to offer from where you're standing. So, the thing to do is find out when and where Vision Marine will be spotted next and see if they brought along a Phantom. For example, in 2024, they attended the Miami International Boat Show with a Phantom and were showcasing it for visitors as well as investors; be sure to check out this brand's investment opportunities, wink-wink.