The federal government is not offering boat owners enough incentive to switch to more fuel-efficient motors and needs to develop a rebate or replacement program, says an environmental group.

Ersilia Serafini, executive director of the Toronto-based Clean Air Foundation, said she likes Ottawa's proposed regulations that would impose new boating emissions standards but notes consumers may be slow to make the switch. She said fine-tuning the regulations may yield more effective results.

"I firmly believe that, in this case, with some government assistance engaging manufacturers, and retailers in this as well, we can design a program that can be very beneficial," she said.

'When the old one is still running, although polluting like hell, why would you get rid of it?" —Al Donaldson, Ontario Marine Operators Association

The proposed regulation planned for January will only apply to new vehicles or engines being sold. Marine engine emissions are currently unregulated in Canada.

Environment Canada estimates that marine spark-ignition engines and off-road recreational vehicles are responsible for about five per cent of total carbon-dioxide emissions produced by on-road transportation and off-road machines.

Al Donaldson, executive director of the Ontario Marine Operators Association, said fuel economy likely won't sway consumers, given that upgrade costs can reach as much as $10,000.

"When the old one is still running, although polluting like hell, why would you get rid of it?" he said.

But Environment Canada spokesman Steve McCauley disagrees, saying boaters will end up saving in the end with reduced operating costs.

"The improved fuel efficiency … will provide the impetus for consumers to buy these new engines," he said.

According to Transport Canada, 30 per cent of fuel and oil used in two-stroke boat engines ends up in the water. The federal agency says recreational boats in North America dump about one billion litres of hydrocarbon and oil pollution annually, about 15 times the amount spilled by the Exxon Valdez tanker in 1989.