Electric Appy VI Project

Three Mile Island Camp has had a series of launch boats over the past 100+ years to ferry campers to the island and back. The current launch, Appy V, was built in 1980. While it continues to serve the island well, running smoothly with regular care and maintenance, the camp has the opportunity now to replace our current launch with a newer, more modern and efficient boat. Appy VI operates with an electric motor, helping to save the camp money in fuel and maintenance costs, and helping to meet the Appalachian Mountain Club’s goal of zero carbon emissions by 2040. It is lighter, quieter and easier for passengers to board. Construction began in the summer of 2022, and the new Appy VI lauch was delivered to Three Mile Island in June, 2024.

Update: On June 26th, 2024, the finished Appy VI arrived at Goodhue’s Boat Basin in Meredith, New Hampshire, and made its maiden voyage to Three Mile Island. Appy V will stay at the island temporarily for the season. Thanks to everyone who contributed in large and small ways to making this project a reality, especially Mark and Marty Lindsay, without whom this would not have happened.

Profile sketch of Appy VI before construction

Boatbuilder Bruce Dyson, prime benefactor Marty Morgan Lindsay and boat designer Doug Zurn, April 2023

Andrew Flaherty (L) and Bruce Dyson (R) add strips of wood to the plywood “strongbacks” to better define the shape of the hull before foam Corecell is applied, August 2022

Foam Corecell, which is the middle of the hull “sandwich,” is affixed to the wooden form, August 2022

Corecell has been attached to the entire wooden form and it has then been filled, sanded, shaved and shaped to provide a smooth and geometrically correct surface before the exterior layer of fiberglass, resin and epoxy is applied, September 2022

Exterior fiberglassing is complete, October 2022

Exterior fiberglassing has been sanded and the boat has been flipped right side up, in preparation for interior fiberglass and structural work, December 2022

The strongbacks have been removed, the bottom of the interior hull has been fiberglassed, and the first structural stringers have been laid down. The gray sections in the middle are higher density foam that will serve as motor mounts, January 2023

Bruce Dyson stands in the boat with a fully fiberglassed interior hull, the hull structural framework complete, and forward bulkheads and deck supports in place, March 2023

Neil Burns stands on the port (left) side of the future cabin deck straddling a passenger bench support while discussing things with Bruce Dyson and Doug Zurn. Note the Corecell foredeck in place awaiting fiberglass, and the fiberglass I-beam structure that will support the middle of the cabin deck above the battery set and the electric drive motor, April 2023

The Appy VI hull is complete! Bruce Dyson and the trailer driver lift up the boat hull to be placed on the trailer for transport to Boston Boatworks.

The trailer being backed into Bruce Dyson’s workshop for the hull. Note the tight quarters.

Appy VI hull being slowly eased out of Bruce Dyson’s workshop.

Appy VI hull ready to be transported to Boston Boatworks in Boston.

Appy VI hull being backed into the Boston Boatworks bay upon its arrival.

Dinty Child welcoming the arrival of the hull at Boston Boatworks. Phase Two can now begin.

Appy VI hull at Boston Boatworks October 2023

The Appy VI electric motor in its crate yet to be unpacked

The battery for Appy’s electric motor has arrived at Boston Boatworks

Carl Gulovsen and Dave Carpenter discuss the new launch in its hull

Three Mile Island volunteers and Boston Boatworks staff in Appy VI on Halloween 2023

A base coat of paint has been applied and the outer hull is almost ready for the “Sea Shell” green paint. December 2023.

Dinty Child checks out the transom. The larger holes are outlets for the cabin scupper drains, and the hole in the middle is the discharge for the high voltage battery compartment vent system.

Boat cabin showing below deck areas where the HV battery set and motor will go. The bench seats will accommodate life jacket storage underneath. The yellow tape is securing felt paper to protect painted areas.

A view of the bow. Boston Boatworks. December 2023.

A glimpse of what the Appy VI will look like with passengers. December 2023.

Appy VI hardtop is delivered to Boston Boatworks, January 2024

Bow-on shot with windscreen frame in place, February 2024

HV battery set, from the stern looking forward, February 2024

February 2024, at Boston Boatworks

February 15, 2024 bow

February 15, 2024 stern

The helm, with the wet compass, 7” interactive Torqeedo B&G display and backup Torqeedo control panel in the approximate locations where they will be mounted. March 8, 2024