It's hard to think about sunshine on a dreary February morning in Middlebury, Indiana. Chunks of dirt-ridden snow line the streets and sidewalks, people wrapped up strait-jacket style in winter scarves, coats and fur-lined boots, and boating season still feels light years away.

But this winter the sun has been a driving force for Dick Marquis, director of engineering at Forest River Marine. Marquis and his team are behind the recreational marine industry's first battery-operated, solar-powered pontoon boat, the SolarCraft 18.

The SolarCraft, which debuted at the 2009 Chicago Boat, RV & Outdoors show in January, went from a concept drawing into a workable production model in just four months. "That's why I have grey hair," Marquis jokes.

But in all seriousness, he says, the boat was well received in Chicago, drawing a steady stream of interested onlookers and prompting a litany of questions about its unusual technology. "People were very curious about it," Marquis relates. "They know it's something no one else has. A lot of people said, "˜Wow, that's a great idea!'"

The SolarCraft is not going to break any speed records and run time is understandably limited. But the boat's electric/solar capabilities, its trailerable design, cool features like a joystick helm and optional remote control steering, and a base price of about $22,000 make it worth a closer look.

LINDSEY JOHNSONSolar panels recharge the SolarCraft's large battery bank, when the weather cooperates.LET THE SUN SHINE

While solar power isn't new "” and several hybrid boats have taken the stage in the last year "” Forest River did pioneer tying solar panels into battery-powered, electric motors for the pontoon market.

The technology behind the boat's "green" propulsion system isn't all that complex, Marquis admits. The SolarCraft 18 features two electric motors powered by a series of four batteries: Three batteries power the motors, while the fourth runs the boat's radio, lights and various electronic accessories. The batteries are 12-volt absorbed glass mat (AGM), meaning they contain no liquid; the acid is sandwiched between glass plates and remains sealed inside. AGM batteries are advantageous because they hold a deeper charge, Marquis explains, and charge slightly faster.

The three batteries powering the motors are known as Series 27 batteries. The bigger the battery (or series number), the more energy it stores. The boat's "house battery," which supplies power to the electronics, is a Series 24. Forest River offers up to a Series 31 battery on the SolarCraft 18's motors, but only as an option. The larger battery gives the boat a bit more power underway and runs slightly longer as a result.

There are two ways to charge the boat's batteries: through the solar panels on top and via the onboard charging system. While Marquis and Guy Vidmar, Forest River Marine's administrative manager, say wind and water conditions, among other factors, can affect how long the SolarCraft 18 runs on its battery power, they estimate the boat can run approximately three hours at half throttle – about 2.5 mph – before the charge is reduced to 50 percent on the standard Series 27 batteries. In the battery world, Marquis explains, this is the point at which you want to consider plugging back in. He says running a charge down to zero could hurt the batteries' life.

LINDSEY JOHNSONWhen you need to recharge, simply plug in the SolarCraft.If opting for Series 31 batteries, Marquis says you'll gain approximately 30 to 45 additional minutes of run time, also operating at half throttle. "It's meant to be a leisurely cruise, where you can sit back and take time to enjoy life," he explains. Part of the enjoyment is the fact that the boat runs virtually silent: While the motors are running, you detect only a slight hum.

While the SolarCraft 18's electric motors churn, its two solar panels are actively charging and helping power the boat. Each panel can produce 95 watts. They absorb and then convert solar energy into electric current, but their productivity is dependent on the weather. The prime hours for solar charging are between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., Marquis says, while the sun's highest in the sky. Regardless, "When the boat's under power, the sun is still sending a charge to the batteries," Vidmar explains. "It's charging all the time."

Having solar panels can lengthen your run time, but they're not intended to dramatically increase the amount of hours you enjoy on the water during any given trip. Even as you're recharging from the sun, you're still discharging more energy and can't fully catch up. At half throttle, Marquis estimates, the boat is pulling approximately 30 amps per hour out of the batteries. The solar panels are recharging during this time, he says, but only replacing the charge between 5 and 6 amps per hour. "It's not a one-to-one ratio," Marquis admits.

FOREST RIVER MARINEThree of the SolarCraft's four batteries power the electric motors. The fourth is a house battery.GOING GREEN

In 2007, Marquis and Vidmar say Forest River Marine took note of the public swing toward "green" power options, including harnessing energy from the wind and sun. While just a few years ago, this technology was still in its infancy, and no suitable electric motors existed that could accommodate a vessel like the SolarCraft 18, the men say times have changed. Engine technology has been refined and perfected to allow realistic development of a solar-powered pontoon.

But advancing technology wasn't the only deciding factor; the cost of filling a boat's tank was, too. As Forest River watched the effect that last summer's record high gas prices had on boating, they decided it was time to make an entirely electric pontoon boat. "Gas prices definitely stimulated the conversation," Vidmar says.

Forest River Marine is known for its innovations in the pontoon market, so it's no surprise the company was first to develop an all-electric, solar-powered boat. The company, a division of recreational equipment manufacturing giant Forest River (a subsidiary of Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway), is regarded for its custom-made, "go-fast" pontoon boats, some of which are outfitted with twin 300-horsepower Mercury Verados and capable of speeds in excess of 70 mph. Under its South Bay product line, the company custom-built a $110,000 pontoon for one of its customers, including 600-horsepower MerCruiser racing engines.

"We're known for our high-performance pontoons, and SolarCraft is clear on the other end of the spectrum," Marquis points out. "We make nice, slow-cruising pontoon boats, go-fast versions and everything in between."

SolarCraft is ideally suited for nearly any type of lake boating, particularly areas where speed, horsepower and gasoline-powered-engine restrictions are enforced. The boat is trailerable, and the entire top actually folds down to accommodate garage storage. "You can literally back the boat into your garage," Marquis says. "The toughest job on the whole boat is plugging in the cord."

CREATURE COMFORTS

The SolarCraft 18 actually feels larger than its 18 feet. Vidmar says part of this results from Forest River's decision to forego a steering-wheel console. This not only opens up space, but also allows installing joystick steering, manufactured by Lenco Marine, right on the captain's chair. There's even a remote-control key-fob option, allowing the driver to operate the boat from anywhere onboard. The remote-control box is mounted under the driver's seat and has a reported range of approximately 100 feet, which means you could technically control the boat from the dock.

Rated for a nine-person capacity, the boat is akin to a floating living room, complete with couch-style vinyl seating, carpet, and a handy little table with cup holders. Standard equipment also includes a waterproof stereo system with an MP3/iPod hookup and full iPod controls. Vidmar says future models will feature a USB port, where you can plug in a flash drive with all your music files cued up and ready to go.

The SolarCraft 18 is also equipped with an enormous amount of storage. There's room to stash PFDs and gear under each of its four loveseat-style lounging areas, inside each seat arm and aft to either side of its battery bank.

Vidmar says Forest River Marine has already sold several units throughout its 100-plus dealer network in the United States and Canada. Since it's just now making its way into showrooms, at the time of this writing, no units have been sold at retail. Between the "green" propulsion and price point – about $22,000, including the key fob remote-control option and standard Series 27 batteries – Vidmar expects strong interest this spring and summer.

FOREST RIVER MARINEThe joystick to drive this pontoon boat is mounted right on the chair armrest.