20 Electric Boats to Choose From
X Shore
The Swedish-built X Shore Eelex 8000 has the distinction of being one of the first and most widely-recognized electric boats. She is 26.2’ (8 m) long and is powered by a 175 kW peak and 145 kW continuous-power, electric motor. Her 1,764-lb. (801 kg.) 126 kWh battery bank is made by Kreisel, the leading European name in lithium-ion marine batteries, which was recently purchased by John Deere.
She has a range of 100 miles at 25 knots, a top speed of 30 knots and a cruising speed of 20 knots, according to public information. At 5,539 lbs. (2,518 kgs.) empty, and 7,370 lbs. (3,350 kgs.) with standard equipment and maximum load. She is rated to carry up to 1,650 lbs. (750 kgs.) in passenger weight. X Shore’s software is built on the Garmin platform accessible via a 24” touchscreen onboard and the X Shore app. Her lithium-ion battery bank can be fully charged overnight with a 220-240V power source, according to the builder.
Boat TEST has tested this boat and will be releasing the video results in March. https://www.xshore.com.
Florida distributor: https://www.nauticalventures.com/xshore
Candela
The new Candela C8 follows in the footsteps of the C7 which has been in productions for several years and was sold both in Europe and in the U.S. The C8 is currently in production in Stockholm for the world market. She is one of the most innovative e-boats, eliminating much of the drag issue with hydrofoils designed to lift the hull completely clear of the water at speed.
The foiling system eliminates pounding in seas 2’ and below because the hull is above the wave action. She has low drag thanks to the three foils, which vastly improves both speed and efficiency. The foils largely retract at displacement speeds. The boat is built completely of carbon fiber and epoxy resin and weighs 3,531 lbs. (1,605 kgs.). She has two 45/50 kW motors in tandem and dual props in a torpedo-like pod under at the bottom of the stern foil.
The builder says she has a range of 57 nautical miles at 22 knots with the 69 kWh Polestar battery bank. Top speed is 27 knots, according to the company. She comes in open, hardtop and T-Top models. See our demo ride video aboard the C7 in Stockholm.
https://candela.com.
Delphia
The Delphia 11 is a 35’ design produced by Beneteau for silent, relaxed cruising of inland lakes and rivers. There is a sedan and a “FlyLounge” version, both with 12’6” (3.8 M) beam. Both models are powered by a single 56kW (80hp) Torqeedo Deep Blue 50i 1400 electric motor and accompanying lithium-ion battery system. One version has a single 38 kWh battery pack.
There’s also a “cruise” model for longer excursions on rivers and canals with two battery packs totaling 76 kWh, and the Rapid version has the same double battery pack with the addition of a 22kW fast charger. https://www.delphiayachts.com.
Duffy
Dr. von Jacobi’s 1839 Russian paddle wheeler notwithstanding, the grandmother of all modern electric boats is the Duffy Cuddy Cabin 22. They have been a staple in Southern California harbors for 52 years, and are now seen all across the U.S. engaged in excursion work as well as private yachts. Duffy electric models range from 16’ (4.88 m) to 22’ (6.71 m). The Cuddy Cabin 22 can carry 12 adults, has a top speed of 6.5 mph and can run up to 12 hours.
The Cuddy has a unique look compared to the rest of the Duffy lineup, along with the ability to add a marine toilet up forward inside the cabin. Her 48-volt motor runs on 16 six-volt batteries. https://duffyboats.com/22-cuddy-cabin.
Nimbus
The Nimbus 305 Drophead is designed to run flat from idle speed to 20 knots, according to the company, with little bowrise to cause power-robbing wakes. She runs on a Torqueedo Deep Blue electric motor and BMW i3 batteries. Charging takes 16 hours from a 230V source or 8 hours from a 380V.
The installation can be upgraded with an optional battery pack to include two BMW i3 fast charging batteries 2 x 42.2 kWh totaling 84.4 kWh. With a cruising speed of 5.7 knots she has a range of approximately 53 Nm. At 3.7 knots the range increases to 86 Nm, according to Nimbus. https://nimbus.se.
Four Winns
The Four Winns H2e is an upscale bowrider designed and built specifically for an electric outboard motor and the required batteries and necessary system accessories. This was done in collaboration with the outboard maker Vision Marine, which will supply its 180-hp electric outboard. For the boat’s power source, two high-density 700v battery packs will be raw-water cooled through a heat exchanger. A dedicated touch-screen MFD keeps tabs on charge, range and other functions of the battery/outboard system
She runs faster than 35 mph at full throttle, according to the builder, which has been testing the boat and system for a number of months. It will be available this summer at retail. https://www.fourwinns.com/fourwinns-h2e.
Nautique
The 22’ (6.7 m) Super Air Nautique GS22E was the first 100% electric towboat, and hit the water several years ago. Developed from a partnership with sister company Ingenity Electric, the GS22E’s motor provides 220 kW of peak power and 145 kW of continuous power.
That allows for instant torque delivery straight to the inboard prop for two to three hours of watersports use on a single charge of the 124-kWh battery. Nautique is a subsidiary of Correct Craft: https://nautique.com/models/super-air-nautique-gs22e/overview.
Vision Marine
The Vision Marine Volt 180 is powered by Vision Marine technologies E-Motion E-Propulsion 3.0 electric motor and lithium-ion battery banks. While Vision Marine started out building boats 25 years ago, including the low-speed, harbor-friendly electric Fantail 217 and Quietude 156, it is ramping up to produce the 180E outboard motor to provide power for existing boat manufacturers. https://visionmarinetechnologies.com/volt-en.
Silent Yachts
The Silent 60 is a 100% electric yacht with multiple ways to charge the lithium-ion batteries, and even multiple methods of propulsion. Models can be powered by either dual 50, 200, or 340-kW electric motors being fed by 142-, 207- or 286-kilowatt hour lithium-ion batteries charged by 42 17 kW solar panels or 100 or 150-kW generators. She also has twin diesel engines aboard to charge the batteries, making her a hybrid.
They are currently being built in several locations. See BoatTEST’s video interview of the owner/builder at the 2022 Cannes boat show aboard the yacht. https://www.silent-yachts.com/silent60/
Ingenity
Ingenity is a division of CorrectCraft, maker of Nautique, which built the first electric wakeboat. Ingenity’s first boat, the 23 EL 1, seen above, is a remarkable fiberglass pontoon boat-like platform that is built with deck modules that can be changed given the application, greatly expanding the utility. It comes standard with a 63kWh battery and a standard electric motor, and sells for $249k.
The EL 2 has twice the battery capacity at 126kWh, and an “enhanced’ motor package. The EL 2+ is the deluxe version of the EL 2 with all the bells and whistles, and sells for $329k. While the boats are basically built for freshwater lakes and rivers, a $2,900 saltwater package is available. See Boat TEST’s video look at this boat. https://build.ingenityelectric.com/
Pure Watercraft
Pure Watercraft in Seattle co-created with Highfield Boats a 12.5’ (3.81 m) long RIB tender that delivers performance using the Pure Outboard System. Using an 8.8 kWh battery pack that weighs 118 lbs. (53.5 kg), the 25-kW motor can power the RIB to 25 mph with a range of 43 miles at lower speeds.
Using multiple battery packs increases range, and the Pure Outboard System is also offered on Sun Tracker Pontoon boats and Tracker bass boats as well. Pure Watercraft has also developed a fiberglass pontoon boat on which it is taking deposits. https://www.purewatercraft.com/
Flux Marine Dual Console
Flux Marine is another company founded to make an electric outboard power system that has also married its motor to an existing RIB. The Flux RIB 13’ rigid hulled inflatable boat with a 5.75’ beam comes with a 40-hp electric motor and system. It pushes the boat to a top speed of 26 mph (we’ve been on the boat and it is plenty fast for its size) and has an estimated range of 30 miles (48 km). Pricing for the RIB starts at $35,000.
A 21’6” (6.55 m) “deluxe” RIB powered by a 100 or 140 continuous-hp outboard motor will be available this summer for from $150-$180k, says company CEO Ben Sorkin. He also says that Flux Marine will be offering this summer a 21.5’ fiberglass dual console bowrider powered by either a 70 or 100 continuous-hp outboard motor selling for $100-$120k. https://www.fluxmarine.com/dual-console.
Serenity Yachts
Serenity Yacht’s Serenity 64 uses 700 square-feet of solar panels for recharging, and can cruise at 5-6 knots with battery power. So long as the sun shines the boat has virtually unlimited range. Serenity builds them with carbon fiber to save weight and add strength. It also has twin 200-hp diesel generators and a 434 gal. (1517 L) fuel tank, which makes this boat a hybrid. Top speed with a diesel is said to be 16 knots.
The Turkish company also builds 74’ and 84’ versions. All models feature four VIP staterooms on the lower deck, while the upper deck features a large galley, interior and exterior dining area, and seats up front. https://www.serenityyachts.com/serenity-64.
Veer
The Veer X13 is a lightweight polyethylene dinghy designed for beach-hopping, protected-water fishing and general “messing about in boats.” With a base price of $15,495 with an electric motor, it’s being promoted as a perfect match for the new Mercury Avator 7.5e electric outboard. This motor has a quickly-detachable lithium-ion battery that drops into the top of the housing.
This appears to be Brunswick’s first toe in the electric boat business and its website says “pre-order for late spring.” https://www.veerboats.com/boat-configurator.VX13.html
Alva already has a track record of building successful 60’ electric catamaran designs and is now offering larger yachts. The Alva Ocean ECO-90 shown here has a stupendous 46’ (14 m) beam and the vast hard top and bow shade are ideal for mounting multiple solar panels to recharge the battery banks. She will also carry 2x 100 kWh DC hydrogen generators for those times when the sun does not shine.
Power is two 500 kW gearless electric motors. A hybrid version with diesel backup is also available. https://www.alva-yachts.com.
Forza X1
Forza X1 is a division of Twin Vee power cats, a publicly-traded company. This 24’ catamaran dual console (there will also be a center console model on the same hull) will have lithium-ion battery banks supplied by Proliance, a brand of American Battery Solutions. The boat builder says it “has completed the design phase of its outboard motor and is now developing and preparing to manufacturer it…”
The company also says the Forza X1 will reach 35 knots. Production boats are not currently available but the company says you can reserve one for $100 down for one when deliveries begin. https://www.forzax1.com.
The Magonis Wave e-550 has a 16.2’ (4.92 m) hull and an 18’ (5.48 m) LOA thanks to an extended bow boarding platform. She has an unusual but interesting interior design. The builder says this sport boat cruises at three knots up to eight hours (range 24 nautical miles), when equipped with a Huracan Mag Power 30-kW (40-hp) motor. At 22 knots it can run 50 minutes, about 20 nautical miles.
The company says e-it’s also available with Torqeedo outboards. This is a Spanish/Italian company, and the boats have been approved for operation in the canals of Venice, where all boats must be electric by 2028. The Wave e-550 is priced from €33,485 ($37,665.10) to €68,900 ($77,501.13), ex.VAT. The boat appears to be well built. https://magonisboats.com/en-us.
RaceBird
RaceBird, in partnership with Mercury’s Racing Division, is producing this sleek single-seat hydrofoil bullet to compete in a projected all-electric Formula 1-type racing. The Mercury Racing electric outboard includes a skeg on the lower unit to help the hull elevate above the water at speed.
Mercury is sponsoring the future Union Internationale Motonautique E1 electric powerboat racing championship series, developing an electric powertrain for the hydrofoil-based race boats that will compete on the circuit. The Mercury electric motor is 150kW, or 201-hp. Races are planned for Monaco, Miami, Budapest and Rotterdam locations among others. https://www.e1series.com/about
Rock Proof Boats has partnered with Elco, perhaps the oldest name in electric boat motors, to produce an aluminum fishing package, the 1760, ideal for smaller lakes and rivers. With the 50-hp Elco outboard the boat can run up to 25 mph for about 15 miles (24 km) with a 23 kWh lithium-iron-phosphate battery bank, and comes as a package complete with trailer, bow mount troller and sonar. https://rockproofboats.com.
The Vita Lion was engineered and powered by Vita in the UK, designed by BorromeodeSilva in Milan, and is now being built by Hodgdon Yachts in Maine, which claims to be the oldest boat builder in America. The company says the Lion represents high-quality boat building with the latest in electrical marine propulsion. The 33’ (10.06 m) dayboat packs a peak 590-hp equivalent electric punch for a 37-mph top speed.
The company does not say how long it can run at that speed or what its constant horsepower motor output is. Designed as a superyacht tender to ferry eight guests, the Lion can cruise at 32 mph for around 58 miles, the builder says. The Vita Power division developed the electric propulsion setup, with its massive 235kWh lithium-ion battery pack and twin UQM electric motors driving a pair of water jets: https://vita-power.com/boats/vita-lion.