Kerala's backwaters, lakes and rivers need boats that can handle water and sun day after day. Every Emerald boat is moulded from Fibre Reinforced Plastic (FRP) with Isophthalic resin and Isophthalic gelcoat for high strength, low weight and a long service life.
Why FRP is the right material for boats
According to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), FRP weighs about 1.5–1.7 tonnes per cubic metre compared with about 7.8 tonnes for steel. It does not rot, cannot be eaten by marine borers, and does not corrode, shrink or swell. An FRP hull is moulded as one continuous piece, so there are no seams to caulk and far less maintenance than a wooden boat.
Isophthalic resin, gelcoat and 316 steel
The resin and finish decide how well a boat ages. Isophthalic resin resists water absorption and osmotic blistering better than cheaper orthophthalic resin. The gelcoat is the smooth, coloured outer layer that protects the laminate from water and sunlight. On our pedal boats we use 316-grade stainless steel fittings, which contain molybdenum for better resistance to corrosion than common 304 steel.
Our boats
- Speed Boat – 5.5 m FRP hull, outboard motor up to 115 HP, 6, 8 and 10-seat models
- Pedal Boat – 2-seat, swan-type and 4–5 seat models with 316 steel fittings
- Row Boat – stable and easy to row, in 2-seat, swan-type and 4–5 seat models
- Single Seated Kayak – 3.2 m, lightweight and agile for solo paddlers
- Double Seated Kayak – 4.1 m, stable for two paddlers
Choosing a boat for your business:
- Speed boats suit guided rides, transfers and water sports where speed matters
- Pedal boats suit parks and lakes where visitors want a gentle, self-driven ride
- Row boats suit calm water and traditional, quiet experiences
- Kayaks suit adventure tourism — Kerala Tourism promotes kayaking and canoeing on the backwaters around Kumarakom, with October to March the best season
Safety and care tips
- Provide a well-fitting life jacket for every person on board
- Before starting tourist operations, confirm registration, survey and licensing requirements with the Kerala Maritime Board
- Never exceed the rated seating capacity of the boat
- Rinse the hull with fresh water after use and store boats out of direct sun where possible
- Check seats, fittings, pedal mechanisms and the outboard motor regularly
Warranty and pricing
Pedal boats and row boats carry a 3-year warranty on the FRP body and a 1-year warranty on steel fittings. Seating, colour and fittings can be customised. Listed prices include GST, and transportation is charged separately.