News: ABYC Standards Week to Explore Efoils and Powered Surfboards
Learning to fly: U.S. Coast Guard and ABYC take part in an eFoil demonstration.
Photos from ABYC.
Industry leaders to convene in Charleston to discuss standards for rapidly evolving technologies.
The American Boat & Yacht Council (ABYC) announced that Standards Week 2026 will take place Jan. 11–15 at the Francis Marion Hotel in Charleston, South Carolina, bringing together marine industry leaders, technical experts, and safety advocates to address emerging technologies and shape the future of boating through collaborative standards development.
This year’s event will feature a new exploratory subcommittee meeting focused on efoils and powered surfboards. The session, scheduled forMonday, Jan. 12, follows a request from the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) to evaluate the need for standards addressing these rapidly expanding segments of the recreational boating market.
Topics under consideration include:
Emergency cut-off mechanisms
Capacity
Battery and electrical system safety
On-product warnings and labeling
“This meeting is a critical first step in evaluating how ABYC standards can support safe innovation in emerging watercraft technologies,” said Brian Goodwin, ABYC director of standards and compliance. “Federal regulations lag behind market evolution, and ABYC standards provide the marine industry with practical, consensus-based guidance that enhances safety and supports responsible growth.”
Key stakeholders, manufacturers, regulators, and interested parties are invited to attend. The meeting is open to all, and the outcome will help determine next steps in potential standards development.
Also occurring during the week are Project Technical Committee (PTC) meetings covering topics such as electrical, hull performance, fuel and ventilation, and thermal appliance. In addition, ABYC’s annual meeting and cocktail reception will be held Monday, Jan. 12.
Registration is free for all events. To learn more, visit https://abycinc.org/standardsweek.
