electric motor yachts

Best Electric Motor Boats: Silence, Smoothness, and Sustainability

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The allure of the open water is undeniable, but the call of a more sustainable boating experience is growing louder. Electric motor boats offer an eco-friendly alternative to traditional gasoline-powered vessels, providing a quieter, cleaner, and more enjoyable journey. But with so many options on the market, choosing the best electric motor boat for your needs can feel overwhelming. Fear not, because we’ve compiled an extensive guide to help you navigate the waters of electric boating.

From sleek, sporty day cruisers to spacious, luxurious pontoons, we’ve reviewed the best electric motor boats currently available. Our comprehensive analysis considers performance, range, features, price, and more, to provide you with the information you need to make an informed decision. Whether you’re a seasoned boater looking to upgrade or a first-time enthusiast seeking a sustainable adventure, this guide will help you find the perfect electric motor boat to match your desires and cruising style.

Before diving into the reviews of the best electric motor boats, let’s take a look at some relevant products on Amazon:

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Table of Contents

The Rise of Electric Motor Boats: A Silent Revolution

The world of boating is experiencing a quiet revolution, fueled by the growing popularity of electric motor boats. These sleek, silent vessels are not only environmentally friendly but also offer a unique and enjoyable boating experience. Gone are the days of loud, smoky engines – electric motor boats deliver a tranquil journey, perfect for those seeking serenity on the water.

Electric motor boats are powered by batteries that store energy, providing a clean and efficient means of propulsion. This translates to zero emissions, eliminating the need for harmful fossil fuels and reducing your carbon footprint. The silence of electric motors enhances the experience, allowing you to appreciate the sounds of nature and enjoy a peaceful time on the water.

Choosing the best electric motor boat for you depends on your needs and preferences. There are a variety of models available, ranging from small, inflatable dinghies to larger, luxurious cruisers. Some are specifically designed for fishing, while others are ideal for leisurely cruising or exploring secluded waterways.

The technology behind electric motor boats is constantly evolving, with advancements in battery capacity, charging infrastructure, and motor efficiency. This means that the range and performance of these boats are continually improving, making them a viable alternative to traditional gasoline-powered boats.

Whether you’re a seasoned boater or a curious beginner, the best electric motor boats offer a compelling proposition. They combine environmental responsibility with an enjoyable and unique boating experience, making them a growing trend in the world of watercraft.

The Best Electric Motor Boats

1. xantrex outboard electric motor.

The Xantrex Outboard Electric Motor is a fantastic option for those looking for a quiet and environmentally friendly way to power their boat. It boasts a powerful electric motor that can reach speeds of up to 10 mph, making it suitable for a variety of activities, from fishing to leisurely cruising. The motor is also incredibly quiet, allowing you to enjoy the peace and tranquility of being on the water without disturbing wildlife or other boaters.

The Xantrex Outboard Electric Motor is easy to install and operate, and it comes with a variety of features that make it a great choice for any boater. It has a built-in battery meter, so you can always keep track of your power levels, and it also comes with a remote control for easy operation. The motor is also very durable and long-lasting, so you can be sure that it will provide years of reliable service.

2. Torqeedo Cruise Electric Outboard

The Torqeedo Cruise Electric Outboard is a high-performance electric motor that offers exceptional power and efficiency. It features a powerful electric motor that can reach speeds of up to 15 mph, making it suitable for a variety of activities, including fishing, watersports, and cruising. The motor is also very efficient, and it can run for hours on a single charge, making it a great choice for those who want to minimize their environmental impact.

The Torqeedo Cruise Electric Outboard comes with a variety of features that make it a user-friendly and versatile motor. It has a built-in display that provides real-time information on speed, battery life, and other important data. The motor is also very easy to install and operate, and it can be used with a variety of different boats.

3. Minn Kota Endura C2 Electric Trolling Motor

The Minn Kota Endura C2 Electric Trolling Motor is a reliable and affordable option for those looking to power their boat for fishing. It features a powerful electric motor that provides plenty of thrust for trolling, and it also has a variety of features that make it a great choice for anglers. The motor is also very easy to install and use, and it comes with a variety of different accessories that can be used to customize it for your specific needs.

The Minn Kota Endura C2 Electric Trolling Motor is a great option for anglers who want a reliable and affordable trolling motor. It is easy to use, and it comes with a variety of features that make it a great choice for anglers of all levels.

4. Yamaha Electric Outboard

The Yamaha Electric Outboard is a high-quality and reliable electric motor that is perfect for a variety of boating activities. It features a powerful electric motor that provides plenty of thrust, and it is also very quiet and efficient. The motor is also very durable and long-lasting, and it comes with a variety of features that make it a great choice for boaters of all levels.

The Yamaha Electric Outboard is a great choice for boaters who are looking for a reliable and efficient electric motor. It is powerful, quiet, and durable, and it comes with a variety of features that make it a great choice for a variety of boating activities.

5. Mercury Avator Electric Outboard

The Mercury Avator Electric Outboard is a powerful and versatile electric motor that is designed for a variety of boating activities. It features a powerful electric motor that can reach speeds of up to 20 mph, making it suitable for everything from fishing to watersports. The motor is also very quiet and efficient, and it comes with a variety of features that make it a great choice for boaters who are looking for a high-performance electric motor.

The Mercury Avator Electric Outboard is a great choice for boaters who are looking for a powerful and versatile electric motor. It is fast, quiet, and efficient, and it comes with a variety of features that make it a great choice for a variety of boating activities.

The Rise of the Electric Motor Boat: Why Go Green on the Water?

The boating world is experiencing a quiet revolution, and at its heart is the electric motor. Once a niche option, electric motor boats are gaining popularity for a variety of reasons, appealing to both seasoned boaters and newcomers alike.

Firstly, electric motors offer a distinct advantage in terms of environmental impact. Unlike traditional gasoline engines, electric motors produce zero emissions while in operation, contributing to cleaner air and healthier waterways. This is particularly important in sensitive ecosystems where pollution can have a devastating impact.

Secondly, the quiet operation of electric motors creates a more peaceful and enjoyable boating experience. No loud engine noise means you can truly appreciate the serenity of the water and the sounds of nature. This makes electric boats ideal for fishing, wildlife viewing, or simply relaxing on the water.

Finally, electric motors are simply more efficient. They require less maintenance and have lower operating costs compared to gasoline engines. With the growing availability of charging infrastructure, electric motor boats are becoming an increasingly practical and cost-effective option, especially for frequent users. As the technology advances and the selection of best electric motor boats expands, the future of boating looks increasingly electric.

Types of Electric Motor Boats

Electric motor boats come in a variety of shapes and sizes, catering to different needs and preferences. You can find small, inflatable dinghies powered by electric motors, perfect for leisurely fishing trips or exploring calm waters. For larger bodies of water or longer excursions, there are electric pontoon boats offering ample space for passengers and amenities. And for those seeking high-performance thrills, electric speed boats deliver impressive acceleration and top speeds, rivaling their gasoline counterparts.

Choosing the right type depends on your intended use. Consider factors like the size of the boat, the power of the motor, the range, and the features you require. Do you need a boat for fishing, watersports, cruising, or something else? The answer will guide you towards the ideal type of electric motor boat for your needs.

Beyond the standard categories, there are also hybrid electric boats that combine electric propulsion with a gasoline engine for extended range and versatility. This option provides the benefits of quiet electric operation for short trips while offering the flexibility of a gasoline engine for longer journeys.

Advantages of Electric Motor Boats

Electric motor boats offer a range of advantages over traditional gasoline-powered boats. Perhaps the most significant benefit is their environmental friendliness. They produce zero emissions, reducing air pollution and contributing to a cleaner environment. This is especially important for sensitive marine ecosystems, where traditional boats can harm wildlife and contribute to water contamination.

Another key advantage is their quiet operation. Electric motors run virtually silent, creating a serene boating experience for you and your passengers. This is ideal for enjoying peaceful fishing trips, exploring wildlife sanctuaries, or simply relaxing on the water without disturbing the natural tranquility. The lack of noise also allows for better communication with other boaters and wildlife.

Moreover, electric motors are generally simpler and require less maintenance than their gasoline counterparts. They lack the complex engine systems and need fewer fluids and filters, resulting in lower operating costs and fewer maintenance headaches. The absence of fumes and oil spills also contributes to a cleaner and safer boating experience.

Considerations for Electric Motor Boat Owners

While electric motor boats offer numerous advantages, it’s important to consider some practical factors before making a purchase. The primary concern is range. Electric boats are limited by battery capacity, and the distance you can travel on a single charge will vary depending on the motor size, battery size, and your boat’s speed and conditions. This can be a limiting factor for extended excursions or trips to remote areas.

Another important consideration is charging infrastructure. While charging stations are becoming more common, you’ll need access to an outlet or charging station to power your boat. This might not always be readily available, especially in remote locations or on extended trips.

Finally, the cost of electric motor boats can be higher than gasoline-powered boats. However, the long-term savings on fuel and maintenance can offset the initial investment. Additionally, the growing popularity of electric boats is driving competition and leading to more affordable models becoming available.

Your Guide to the Best Electric Motor Boats: Navigate the Waters with Eco-Friendly Power

The allure of the open water is undeniable, but with rising environmental concerns, boaters are increasingly turning to eco-friendly options. Electric motor boats offer a compelling solution, combining quiet, emission-free operation with the thrill of cruising the waters. However, navigating the world of electric boats can be overwhelming. This comprehensive buying guide breaks down seven key factors to consider when choosing the best electric motor boat for your needs.

1. Purpose and Usage

Before diving into the technical details, it’s crucial to define your boating intentions. Are you looking for a boat for leisurely fishing excursions, exploring calm lakes, or navigating coastal waters? Are you planning on towing water sports enthusiasts or transporting passengers? Each usage scenario demands a specific type of boat, ranging from compact, lightweight dinghies to spacious cabin cruisers. Consider the size of your crew, desired range, and the types of activities you plan to engage in.

For example, if you are planning on leisurely fishing trips on a calm lake, a small, lightweight electric boat with a shallow draft might be ideal. However, if you are looking to navigate coastal waters or tow water sports enthusiasts, you will need a larger boat with more power and range.

2. Range and Battery Life

Electric boats are powered by batteries, which directly impact their range and cruising time. Consider the size of the water body you’ll be navigating and the distance you intend to travel before needing to recharge. Battery technology is constantly evolving, with lithium-ion batteries offering improved energy density and longer runtimes.

Look for manufacturers who provide transparent data about battery capacity, range, and recharge time. Remember that factors like speed, weather conditions, and weight can influence battery consumption. Some electric boats offer the option of adding additional batteries for extended range, which is a valuable feature for long-distance voyages.

3. Motor Power and Performance

The motor’s power output directly influences the boat’s speed and performance. Electric motors are often rated in kilowatts (kW), with higher numbers indicating greater power. Consider the intended use of the boat and the type of water you’ll be navigating. For calm lakes and slow-speed cruising, a lower-powered motor might suffice. However, for navigating currents or towing water skiers, a higher-powered motor is essential.

Electric motors are known for their smooth and silent operation, offering a more enjoyable and relaxing boating experience. However, be sure to research the specific motor’s torque and acceleration capabilities to ensure it meets your needs.

4. Charging Options and Infrastructure

Electric boat charging requires access to a power source, whether it’s a standard household outlet, a dedicated charging station, or a shore power connection. Before making a purchase, assess the charging infrastructure available at your intended boating locations. Some electric boats offer fast charging capabilities, which can significantly reduce recharge times.

Consider the time it takes to fully charge the battery and the availability of charging stations in your boating area. Some electric boats can be charged directly from a standard household outlet, while others require a dedicated charging station.

5. Features and Amenities

Electric boats offer a range of features and amenities, often exceeding their gasoline-powered counterparts. Some standard features include GPS navigation, fishfinders, and onboard computers that provide real-time data on battery levels, speed, and location.

Luxury electric boats may include air conditioning, entertainment systems, and comfortable seating arrangements. When choosing the best electric motor boats, consider the amenities that are essential for your boating experience.

6. Cost and Maintenance

The cost of electric boats can vary significantly depending on size, features, and battery capacity. However, electric boats often have lower operational costs than their gasoline-powered counterparts. This is due to the relatively low price of electricity compared to gasoline and the reduced need for engine maintenance.

While the initial purchase price may be higher, electric boats offer long-term savings on fuel and maintenance. Ensure you consider the total cost of ownership, including the price of the boat, battery costs, charging fees, and any required maintenance.

7. Brand Reputation and Warranty

Choosing a reputable manufacturer is essential when investing in an electric boat. Look for companies with a proven track record in producing reliable electric boats. Research the brand’s reputation, customer reviews, and any available warranty information.

A strong warranty can provide peace of mind and protect your investment. Ensure the warranty covers the battery, motor, and other key components for a specified duration. It is also important to research the availability of parts and service in your area.

What are the benefits of using an electric motor boat?

Electric motor boats offer several advantages over their gas-powered counterparts. They are incredibly quiet, eliminating the noise pollution associated with traditional engines, making them ideal for serene fishing trips, wildlife viewing, or simply enjoying the peacefulness of being on the water. Additionally, they are incredibly eco-friendly, producing zero emissions, making them a sustainable choice for environmentally conscious boaters.

Furthermore, electric motors are significantly more efficient than gas engines, resulting in lower operating costs and requiring less maintenance. Electric boats also have a much simpler powertrain, reducing the complexity and potential for mechanical issues. The absence of fumes and oil spills further adds to their environmental friendliness and makes them a great choice for pristine waters.

What should I consider when buying an electric motor boat?

Choosing the right electric motor boat involves several key considerations. Firstly, determine the intended use of the boat – will it be for fishing, leisurely cruising, or more demanding activities? This will help you decide the required power and range. Secondly, consider the size of the boat and your budget. Electric boats come in a variety of sizes and price ranges, and finding the right fit for your needs is crucial.

Lastly, explore the battery technology and charging infrastructure available. Different battery types offer varying ranges and charging times, and understanding these factors will help you choose a boat that meets your usage patterns. Additionally, consider the availability of charging stations in your area and the time it takes to charge the battery.

How far can an electric motor boat go on a single charge?

The range of an electric motor boat depends on several factors, including the battery capacity, boat size, and operating conditions. A typical electric boat can travel between 10 and 40 miles on a single charge, with larger and more powerful boats having shorter ranges. Factors such as wind, current, and load affect the range significantly.

It’s crucial to consider your intended usage and ensure the chosen boat’s range meets your needs. If you plan longer trips, consider models with larger battery capacity or explore options for charging on the water using solar panels or generators.

How long does it take to charge an electric motor boat battery?

Charging time for electric motor boat batteries varies depending on the battery capacity and the charging method. Generally, a standard 110-volt outlet takes several hours to fully charge a battery, while a 220-volt outlet can significantly reduce the charging time.

Some manufacturers offer rapid charging options, which can reduce the charging time further. It’s important to consider the charging infrastructure available in your area and ensure the charging time meets your usage needs.

Are electric motor boats suitable for all types of water?

Electric motor boats are generally suitable for most types of water, including lakes, rivers, and coastal areas. However, their capabilities may be limited in certain conditions. For example, strong currents or heavy waves can affect the boat’s performance and range.

It’s advisable to choose a boat with sufficient power and range for your intended use and consider the specific conditions you’ll be navigating. In challenging conditions, you may want to consider a boat with a larger battery capacity or a more powerful motor.

What is the maintenance cost of an electric motor boat?

Electric motor boats offer significantly lower maintenance costs compared to gas-powered boats. They have fewer moving parts and require less frequent servicing, reducing the overall cost of ownership.

While the battery may need replacing over time, the long lifespan and relatively low cost of electric motors significantly offset the potential cost of battery replacement. With no oil changes, spark plugs, or fuel systems to maintain, electric boats offer a more affordable and convenient boating experience.

Are electric motor boats safe?

Electric motor boats are generally considered safe for use. They have a lower risk of fire hazards compared to gasoline engines, and the lack of fumes eliminates the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.

However, it’s important to follow safety guidelines and ensure the boat is properly maintained. Always wear a life jacket, follow the manufacturer’s instructions for operation, and be aware of your surroundings. As with any boat, it’s essential to exercise caution and avoid potentially hazardous situations.

Choosing the right electric motor boat can be a daunting task given the variety of options available. We’ve compiled this list of the best electric motor boats to help you navigate the market and find the perfect vessel for your needs. Whether you’re looking for a quiet and eco-friendly way to explore lakes and rivers, a luxurious yacht for entertaining, or a high-performance boat for water sports, this guide has something for everyone.

Ultimately, the best electric motor boat for you will depend on your personal preferences and budget. Consider factors such as range, speed, capacity, and features when making your decision. By carefully reviewing our recommendations, you can be confident in choosing the perfect best electric motor boat for your next aquatic adventure.

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Top 10 Electric Super Yachts

Electric Yachts vessels utilise electric propulsion systems powered by advanced battery technologies, reducing reliance on fossil fuels and minimising environmental impact. EV yachts boast whisper-quiet operation, zero emissions, and enhanced manoeuvrability, providing a serene and eco-conscious cruising experience. As the world increasingly embraces renewable energy solutions, EV yachts emerge as the pinnacle of green luxury, seamlessly blending opulence with environmental responsibility on the open seas.

Amels electric yachts redefine luxury cruising with a sustainable edge. Integrating advanced electric propulsion systems, they prioritise eco-conscious cruising without compromising on opulence. These vessels represent a harmonious blend of innovation and environmental responsibility, offering discerning travellers an unmatched yachting experience on the open seas.

9 | Heesen Yachts

Heesen's electric yachts (EV Yachts) marry luxury with sustainability on the open seas. Equipped with cutting-edge electric propulsion systems, they prioritise eco-friendly cruising without compromising on elegance. These vessels redefine luxury travel, offering discerning travellers an exceptional blend of environmental consciousness and comfort for unforgettable maritime journeys.

8 | Abeking & Rasmussen

Abeking & Rasmussen's electric yachts epitomise luxury and sustainability at sea. Integrating advanced electric propulsion systems, A&R EV Yachts prioritise eco-conscious cruising without compromising opulence. These vessels redefine luxury travel, offering discerning adventurers an unparalleled blend of environmental responsibility and refined comfort for unforgettable maritime experiences.

7 |  Lürssen

Sunseeker's electric yachts combine luxury and sustainability for unparalleled maritime experiences. They offer eco-conscious cruising with advanced electric propulsion systems without compromising opulence. These vessels redefine luxury travel, providing discerning adventurers with a seamless blend of environmental responsibility and refined comfort on the open seas.

6 | Sunseeker

5 | princess yachts.

Princess electric yachts (EV Yachts) epitomise luxury and sustainability on the high seas. With cutting-edge electric propulsion systems, they prioritise eco-conscious cruising without compromising on opulence. These vessels redefine luxury travel, offering discerning travellers an exquisite blend of environmental responsibility and unmatched comfort for unforgettable maritime experiences.

4 |  Oceanco

Oceanco's electric yachts redefine luxury cruising with a sustainable edge. Integrating advanced electric propulsion systems, Oceanco's EV yachts prioritise eco-friendliness and silent operation. With their signature craftsmanship and innovative design, Oceanco EV Yachts offer discerning travellers an unparalleled blend of opulence and environmental responsibility on the open seas.

3 | Feadship

Feadship's electric yachts represent the pinnacle of sustainable luxury at sea. Integrating advanced electric propulsion systems, they prioritise zero emissions and silent cruising. With impeccable craftsmanship and innovative design, Feadship EV Yachts offer an unparalleled blend of opulence and environmental responsibility for discerning travellers.

2  | CRN

CRN electric yachts redefine luxury cruising with a commitment to sustainability and innovation. Incorporating advanced electric propulsion systems and cutting-edge battery technology, CRN's EV yachts offer unparalleled performance and eco-friendliness. These vessels prioritise zero emissions and silent operation, providing an exquisite cruising experience while minimising environmental impact. With meticulous attention to detail and impeccable craftsmanship, CRN EV Yachts exemplify the future of green luxury on the open seas, setting a new standard for responsible maritime travel.

1 | Benetti

Benetti electric yachts epitomise a harmonious blend of luxury and sustainability on the high seas. Benetti's EV yachts offer a revolutionary cruising experience with cutting-edge electric propulsion systems and state-of-the-art battery technology. These vessels prioritise eco-consciousness, boasting zero emissions and whisper-quiet operation while maintaining the exquisite craftsmanship and opulence that Benetti is renowned for. From sleek design to unparalleled comfort, Benetti EV Yachts redefine luxury cruising, setting a new standard for environmentally responsible maritime travel.

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The All-Electric Yacht Evolution

• By David Schmidt
• January 13, 2022

The powerboat drivers idle near their starting lines off Monaco, waiting for the signal to punch the throttles. But they’re different from those who have raced here since 1904: These nine boats are competing in the Solar Class at the 2021 Monaco Energy Boat Challenge.

Every July, the Monaco Yacht Club organizes this race, which features next-generation technologies. This year, after five days of competition—including a 16-nautical-mile-lap race, slalom racing and a championship race—the Dutch-flagged Sunflare solar team claimed top honors in the sun-powered class.

Is their boat’s top speed of about 29 knots going to break any world speed records? No. But the Monaco Energy Boat Challenge is a harbinger of recreational boating’s not-so-distant future.

That future, of being carbon-free, has been a long time coming. German inventor Moritz von Jacobi created an early electric boat in 1839, a 24-footer that could carry 14 passengers at roughly 2.6 knots. In 1882, Anthony Reckenzaun, an Austria-born electrical engineer, built Electricity , a steel-hulled launch with onboard batteries that was considered one of the first “practical” electric vessels. Other innovations continued until circa 1910, when Ole Evinrude’s gasoline-fired outboards began their own revolution.

Now, a century later, electric yachts harness technologies such as solar panels, electric drivetrains, lightweight construction in carbon fiber, lithium-based batteries and, in some cases, hydrofoils. These boats’ performance, comfort and range can rival some traditionally powered yachts—and they are clean and quiet. Much like Teslas, they sometimes also come with memorable acceleration curves.

Contemporary electric boats range in size and complexity. There are displacement monohulls such as Zin Boat’s 20-foot Z2T and Z2R and X Shore’s 26-foot Eelex 8000. There are hydrofoilers such as the upcoming Navier 27 (see sidebar). There are also boats like those contesting the Monaco Energy Boat Challenge, as well as bluewater cruisers with multiple hulls.

“The first advantage is space,” says Michael Köhler, CEO of Silent-Yachts . “Catamarans have more surface area, which benefits the number of solar panels that can be installed.”

Other advantages of multiple hulls in electric-boat design include increased form stability (no ballasted keels) and reduced drag. “This low resistance means they’re better suited for electric motoring, as they need a lot less energy to move than monohulls,” says Nicolas Lapp, Sunreef Yachts’ strategy consultant for research and development.

One key to reducing a yacht’s energy requirements involves reducing its displacement. “The lighter the yacht, the less energy is needed to move it,” Köhler says. “For this reason, our yachts are made of lightweight carbon fiber.”

While all of the yachts discussed in this article can be charged via shore-supplied AC power, cruisers typically want greater autonomy. To that end, Silent-Yachts and Sunreef Yachts use solar panels. The team at Silent-Yachts specs its panels from California-based SunPower, while Sunreef Yachts created the marine industry’s first flexible solar panels, which are flush-mounted on hulls, masts and superstructures.

Aesthetics matter in yachting, and not everyone wants to cruise aboard a solar farm. Here, Lapp sees an opportunity. “If you want sustainability to be cool and attract the attention of new generations, the appeal of the product is something you cannot neglect,” he says. “Seamless integration of the solar panels was a way for us to prove that sustainability [can] generate green power [and] cool looks.” (After all, no one buys a Tesla because it looks like a Chevy.)

While the Caribbean and Mediterranean are blessed with abundant lumens, other world-class cruising grounds—say, the Pacific Northwest—aren’t equally illuminated. Because of this, electric cruising yachts typically also include redundant systems to ensure that the navigation lights stay on without heading to a marina.

“Every Silent yacht is equipped with a backup generator,” Köhler says. “This makes sure you never run out of energy, even when facing longer periods of unfavorable weather conditions.”

Rainy-day alternatives can include other green-power solutions. Sunreef Yachts typically specs dual wind generators atop its yachts’ rooftops. However, Lapp is realistic about their capabilities.

“Wind turbines can only supply a small fraction of the energy that our solar panels can,” he says, explaining that, in the right conditions, Sunreef’s panels typically generate 40 times more juice than the turbines. “What’s nice about working with wind is that your generators work all the time.” That includes under navigation, at the dock and throughout the night.

Energy sources aside, these experts say that high-quality batteries offering high performance are critical. Larger-capacity battery banks ensure more power reserves, but adding them can affect a yacht’s performance.

“The weight of the battery banks is also an important factor, as it can reduce or increase the overall efficiency,” Köhler says.

Battery performance is also critical for electric-powered coastal craft. One example is X Shore’s Eelex 8000, which has a high-performance 225 kW electric motor and dual 63 kWh lithium-ion batteries that can be charged anywhere there’s a power socket, or supercharged using the same technology as electric cars.

“The batteries can be charged in five to eight hours with three-phase power plugs and one to two hours with superchargers,” says Elias Wästberg, X Shore’s project manager.

While superchargers don’t exist in the middle of oceans, builders of electric-powered bluewater boats have already done this math. Silent-Yachts says its power catamarans are built to offer transatlantic autonomy, but a lot depends on how the owner uses the boat to minimize energy consumption.

“During sunny conditions, a general rule of thumb is that cruising at 6 knots maintains a balance between consumption and production,” Köhler says. “This basically means unlimited range. …The main thing that owners can do to increase range is reduce speed and turn off any appliances.”

This begs the question: Do owners need to downshift their expectations for onboard comfort when going electric?

“There’s no need to make any sacrifices or closely monitor energy levels,” Lapp says. “A lot of energy saving is done automatically. For example, at night, the air-conditioning system focuses solely on selected areas and cabins. … It consumes 70 percent less energy than most systems.”

And should the battery banks get thirsty, there’s always the generator.

Cruising with zero emissions might be a selling point for some customers, but one need not squeeze trees to embrace yachting’s future. “Running costs and maintenance levels are much lower compared to regular-motor catamarans,” Köhler says.

Then, there are unquantifiable returns. “You get to enjoy the absolute luxury of cruising in total silence and without disturbing the marine life around you,” Lapp says, adding that this experience helps owners create “better connections with the environment.”

Finally, there can also be the grin factor. “The Eelex 8000 can accelerate from 0 to 20 knots in 4.2 seconds,” Wästberg says. “The software captures 150 data points every second, allowing for real-time analytics of battery and engine performance, including temperature, humidity, pressure, location and the craft’s system status.”

While electric yachts boast some impressive capabilities, free lunches are unicorns. Electric yachts don’t emit carbon dioxide, but their carbon footprint likely deepens with stem-to-stern life-cycle assessments of their photovoltaic panels, carbon-fiber hulls and lithium-based batteries. Then there’s the inconvenient financial truth that all batteries have a finite number of charge cycles and eventually need refitting. Also, for now, diesel mechanics greatly outnumber certified electric-boat technicians, especially in remote locales.

Still, few people gifted with foresight would have bet against Evinrude’s outboards in the early 20th century. The same holds true for today’s electric boats. One only has to look at the Monaco Energy Boat Challenge to realize that some of the brightest minds in the marine and technology fields are committed to a carbon-free future.

Couple this trend with the fact that electric yachts are already providing better performance and compromise-free cruising, and yachting’s future is looking bright (green).  

Navier Boats teamed up with Paul Bieker, an America’s Cup-winning naval architect and hydrofoil expert, to create the Navier 27. It delivers 30-plus-knot top speeds or a 75-nautical-mile range at slower speeds. While impressive, hydrofoils require active control, which is a crux that Navier solved by creating an autonomous foil-control system.

Sunreef 100 Eco

It’s one thing to build a solar-powered vessel for the Monaco Energy Boat Challenge; it’s a different challenge to build an electric 100-footer that can accommodate 12 guests and five crewmembers. The Sunreef 100 Eco’s flexible solar panels mean this cat can accommodate 2,610 square feet of solar-farm space and generate up to 46 kilowatts per hour of DC power, which should keep its high-performance lithium-ion batteries topped off. 

Hands on the Helm

While the Navier 27 will initially require human hands on its helm, down-the-road software releases are expected to enable autonomous driving.

Panel Planners

While photovoltaic panels can be fitted to any yacht, catamarans present themselves as an ideal platform, given their beam and broader coach-roof space.

• More: Electric , Electric Boats , Electric Motors , Electric Yachts , Silent-Yachts , Sunreef Yachts , Yachts , Zin Boats
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Electric Inboard Boat Motors

Electric inboard boat motors from Elco Motor Yachts are suitable for new boats, or as an upgrade to existing vessels. Our electric inboard boat motor conversion kits can turn a noisy gas-powered boat into a serene pleasure boat for quiet enjoyment of nature’s beauty.

Our electric inboard boat motors, ranging from 6HP to a robust 200HP, are a testament to Elco’s commitment to innovation and sustainability. We meticulously craft each electric inboard motor to offer an unmatched boating experience. Whether you’re navigating serene lakes or braving the open ocean, our motors will power your journey with efficiency and reliability.

For sailing enthusiasts, our electric sailboat motors are game-changers. The silent operation of these motors enhances the tranquility of sailing, allowing you to listen to the waves lapping against the hull and enjoy the sea breezes without the disruption of engine noise.

If you’re looking to retrofit your existing watercraft, consider our electric inboard boat motor conversion kits. These kits enable you to transform your gas-guzzling boat into a quiet, eco-friendly vessel. Experience the joy of boating in harmony with nature, knowing that your adventure is leaving minimal environmental impact.

EP-6 Electric Inboard

Comparable HP: 6HP Voltage: 24 Volts Suggested Battery Package Options: Deep Cycle AGM - Victron - 12V / 110Ah (2 pack) Lithium Iron Phosphate - 24V / 100Ah (single pack)

EP-12 Electric Inboard

Comparable HP: 12HP Voltage: 48 Volts Suggested Battery Package Options: Deep Cycle AGM - Victron - 12V / 130Ah (4 pack) Lithium Iron Phosphate - 48V / 100Ah (single pack)

EP-20 Electric Inboard

Comparable HP: 20HP Voltage: 48 Volts Suggested Battery Package Options: Deep Cycle AGM - Victron - 12V / 165Ah (4 pack) Lithium Iron Phosphate - 48V / 100Ah (2 pack)

EP-40 Electric Inboard

Comparable HP: 40HP Voltage: 108 Volts Suggested Battery Package Options: Deep Cycle AGM - Victron - 12V / 165Ah (9 pack) Lithium Iron Phosphate - 96V / 100Ah (6 pack)

EP-70 Electric Inboard

Comparable HP: 70HP Voltage: 108 Volts Suggested Battery Package Options: Deep Cycle AGM - Victron - 12V / 220Ah (9 pack) Lithium Iron Phosphate - 96V / 100Ah (8 pack)

EP-100 Electric Inboard

Comparable HP: 100HP Voltage: 144 Volts Suggested Battery Package Options: Deep Cycle AGM - Victron - 12V / 220Ah (12 pack) Lithium Iron Phosphate - 144V - (Call for custom options)

EP-200 ELECTRIC INBOARD

Comparable HP: 200HP Voltage: 144 Volts Suggested Battery Package Options: Deep Cycle AGM - Victron - 12V / 220Ah (24 pack) Lithium Iron Phosphate - 96V / 100Ah (Custom setup)

Award-Winning Electric Motors

The Trusted Solution for Electric Boating

Our unbeatable, award-winning electric inboard motor system is not only highly-reliable but it’s also one of the most powerful inboard motors on the market. With a maximum of 200HP and over 50,000 hours of service life, you can be confident in your choice to go electric with an Elco electric inboard boat motor.

At Elco, we make electric boating accessible by design. Our electric motors for boat inboards are intentionally manufactured with a plug-and-play design that makes installation simple. If you’re looking for a powerful motor for a new build or you’re retrofitting the motor for an existing inbound system, our electric propulsion system is the superior option for electric boating.

Electric inboard boat motors by Elco offer numerous advantages to boat owners. The incredibly versatile design makes our electric inboard motors well-suited for a wide variety of boats. Sailboats, launches, trawlers, catamarans, workboats, water taxis – the range of compatible boats is vast. If your water vehicle measures between 15 and 120 feet, it could be eligible for an exceptional upgrade to our powerful electric inbound propulsion system.

In regards to powerful electric boating, the Elco Electric Propulsion System gives you the opportunity to customize your boating experience. We offer a wide range of capabilities when it comes to horsepower. From 6HP all the way to 200HP, you can find an electric boat inboard motor that works perfectly for your vessel. Swift and efficient electric boats are possible with the application of an Elco electric inboard motor.

The Elco Electric Propulsion System is all-encompassing, meaning we provide you with all the essential components you need to power your vessel. Our plug-and-play format allows users to have their newly electric inboard system fully operational in just minutes. This level of convenience and simplicity is something you can’t find amongst other electric boat inboard motors.

We’re proud to offer a simple yet dynamic design that is highly efficient and exceptionally powerful. Electric re-powering is much more straightforward than a diesel replacement, and we’ve worked to streamline this process even further. Our electric motors are also highly reliable. We employ AC induction for our inboard systems, making them up to 40% more efficient than competing DC induction motors on the market. They accelerate faster and create more torque all while requiring minimal maintenance.

The famed Elco inboard electric motor is simple and reliable while being incredibly powerful. It not only offers users a uniquely impressive experience but it’s also considered the premier modern solution. Boating enthusiasts know first-hand how important it is to take care of our waters. The planet depends on us to respect and care for the environment. With our electric inboard propulsion system, you can have an exciting boating experience while reducing your carbon footprint. This way we can all enjoy the beautiful waters for generations to come.

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Home » Blog » Gear » Buyers guide to electric boat motors (2023)

Buyers guide to electric boat motors (2023)

By Author Fiona McGlynn

Posted on Last updated: August 3, 2023

Considering making the switch to an electric boat motor? With electric vehicles now commonplace on the roads, it’s no wonder so many boaters are curious about electric boats.

While electric boat motors have been around for a while, in the last several years the technology has taken huge leaps, resulting in more powerful motors, longer-lasting batteries, and ultimately more options for recreational boat owners.

Today, many types of boats can be outfitted with an electric propulsion system including pontoon boats, sailboats, jon boats, powerboats, fishing boats, yachts, and trawlers . If your boat’s combustion engine is in the range of 1 to 135 hp (.75 to 100 kW), you should be able to find an electric substitute.

While electric boating hasn’t gone mainstream—it’s estimated that close to 2% of recreational boats are electric—it’s still a great time to be thinking about making the switch, particularly if you own a tender, sailboat, or boat on a green lake where combustion engines are prohibited.

Table of contents

• 1.1 Benefits
• 1.2 Drawbacks
• 2.1.1 Key features of electric outboard boat motors
• 2.1.2 Electric outboard manufacturers
• 2.2.1 DIY electric inboard boat motor conversion
• 2.2.2 Key features of electric inboard boat motors
• 2.2.3 Electric inboard manufacturers
• 2.3.1 Serial vs. parallel hybrids
• 2.3.2 Key features of marine hybrids
• 2.3.3 Marine hybrid manufacturers
• 2.4.1 Electric pod and sail drive manufacturers
• 3 Batteries
• 4 Ready to catch the electric boating wave?

Benefits and drawbacks of electric boat motors

Electric marine motors offer several advantages over internal combustion engines:

• They’re completely silent .
• No noxious fumes or smelly exhaust gases to deal with.
• Instant torque.  Electric propulsion provides instant torque, giving you better maneuverability and more consistent speeds in choppy conditions.
• Lightweight.  An electric setup (including motor, batteries, and generator) typically weighs less than its diesel counterpart.
• No fuel cost.  Charging an electric boat may cost a couple of dollars per charge.
• Easy to maintain.  Imagine the maintenance on an outboard with no gas, spark plugs, or oil! Electric motors are simple, more reliable, and virtually maintenance-free.
• Renewable power.  Once you’ve gone electric you can get power from renewable sources like wind generators and solar panels.
• Better for the planet.  Electric marine motors don’t produce water pollution or produce harmful emissions like carbon dioxide (CO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and hydrocarbon (HC).

• Range.  The greatest drawback of electric boats is their limited range, which is often measured in the 10s of miles. Range is limited because batteries don’t have the same energy density as fuel — they can’t provide the same energy, pound-for-pound as a tank of gas. A good battery monitoring system, one that displays the remaining range in real-time, can help boaters manage energy consumption and ease range anxiety. For those who want to go farther afield, hybrid propulsion may be a better option.
• Upfront cost.  This new technology isn’t cheap. For example, a small electric outboard boat motor may sell for two-and-a-half times the cost of a gas outboard. However, prices are expected to come down as the industry reaches scale.

Types of electric boat motors

Electric outboard boat motors.

Some of the first electric outboards to hit the recreational boating market were smaller electric motors, typically used as trolling motors on fishing boats.

Today,  it’s possible to buy far more powerful electric outboard motors in the 1 to 80 hp (.75 to 60 kW) range , with ever more powerful versions hitting the market each year. In 2022, Norwegian start-up, Evoy launched the world’s most powerful outboard to date, the 225kW Storm, a 300-hp beast of an electric outboard! 

The range on electric outboard boat motors varies dramatically depending on your boat, total weight, propellor, and battery capacity .

The range also depends on how fast you want to travel. If you go slowly you’ll have a much greater range.

For instance, at a slow speed (5 knots) Torqeedo’s Deep Blue 50R , a 50 kW motor (80 hp equivalent) with a 40 kWh battery, has a listed range of 33-100 nm. But at full throttle (20-25 knots), the listed range drops to 16-20 nm.

To get a better sense of what range to expect on your boat (at both low and high speeds), you can look at the manufacturer’s website. See our list of electric outboard brands below.

One of the great things about electric outboards is that they can use renewable power sources. So, for instance, you could plug your boat into a portable solar panel while picnicking and get an extra boost for the trip home.

Some electric outboard boat motors can even generate power! Motors with hydro regeneration capabilities can charge the batteries while the boat is being towed or under sail.

While hydro regeneration is a fairly new feature for electric outboards, some manufacturers, like EPropulsion, are offering it across their outboard product line.

Key features of electric outboard boat motors

Each electric outboard motor brand has slightly different standard offerings and add-on features. Here are some of the key features and options to look for.

• Waterproof.  Some electric outboards are fully sealed and designed to withstand immersion
• Remote controls. Choose between tiller and remote throttle controls
• On-board computers . Some electric outboards come with chartplotter connectivity, navigation functions, sonar, GPS anchoring, and autopilot features
• Built-in or stand-alone batteries.  Some of the smaller motors come with built-in batteries, while the larger ones have separate battery packs
• Battery monitoring and tracking systems  that calculate and display the remaining range in real-time
• Shaft length.  Electric outboards come in both short and long shaft lengths to accommodate a variety of applications.
• Hydro regeneration capabilities 

Electric outboard manufacturers

These electric outboard boat motor manufacturers (listed in alphabetical order) range from small startups to large companies and serve the North American market.

If you’re looking to learn more about what each of these companies offers (and how they compare) I’d highly recommend checking out the  Plugboats’ electric outboard guides and directories . Jeff Butler, the editor at Plugboats has done a great job of compiling motor specifications from across the market.

Headquartered in San Diego, California,  Bixby  makes a small electric motor system for kayaks, inflatable boats, canoes, and paddleboards.

Elco  has been building electric motors for 125 years and counts the likes of Henry Ford and Thomas Edison among their customers. Their award-winning electric marine motors range from 5 to 50 hp. The company is based in Lake George, New York, and its electric motors can be found on boats around the world.

Flux Marine

Flux Marine was founded by mechanical engineering Princeton grads and offers three outboard models—a 40 hp, 70 hp, and 100 hp. In 2021, they won an award for the best new green product at the Newport International Boat Show.

Joe Grez, a consumer product developer from Washington, invented the  EP Carry , a compact, ultralight electric outboard system because he was concerned about exposing his young daughter to the carbon monoxide (CO) emissions produced by gas outboards.

The EP Carry retails for $1,600 and is a great size for small vessels like dinghies, canoes, inflatable boats, and kayaks.

ePropulsion

ePropulsion , based in Guangdong, China, manufactures 3 to 9.9-hp electric motors for sailboats, fishing boats, as well as dinghies and tenders. They all come with hydro regeneration capabilities.

Mercury Marine launched the Avator 7.5 electric outboard (3.5 hp equivalent) in early 2023. The leading outboard manufacturer is currently developing more powerful 20e and 35e models which it plans to release later this year.

In 2023, Newport , a well-known US-based inflatable boat manufacturer, launched three small outboards ranging from 1.8 to 3 hp.

If you’re into fishing, you’re probably familiar with the Minn Kota  name, derived from MINNesota North DaKOTA, prime fishing country where the company has its roots. They introduced their first electric trolling motor back in 1934 and they’ve been making them ever since.

Pure Watercraft

Pure Watercraft  was founded by CEO Andy Rebele in Seattle in 2011. Their 25 kW (50 hp) motor starts at $16,500.

Ray Electric Outboards

Ray Electric Outboards is a 3rd generation family-owned business based in Cape Coral, Fl. They manufacture one outboard model that can be operated at different power ratings ranging from 10 to 22 hp.

Stealth Electric Outboards

The 50 and 75-hp  Stealth electric outboards  were developed by Scott Masterston of Houston, Texas.

German manufacturer,  Torqeedo , has been leading the propulsion industry for years and sells some of the best e outboard motors in the 1 to 80-hp range

Vision Marine Technologies  (formerly The Canadian Electric Boat Company). 

Based in Quebec, Canada,  Vision Marine Technologies  has been in the boating industry for 25 years and produced some very innovative electric boats. In 2021, they launched E-Motion 180E, one of the most powerful electric outboards on the market.

Electric inboard boat motors

Today’s electric inboard motors can provide anywhere from  3- to a whopping 330 hp (2 to 246 kW)  and are used in a range of applications from heavy displacement vessels to fast, planing powerboats.

Similar to outboards, the range on electric inboard engines will vary based on your boat, load, battery capacity, and boat speed (among other things).

However, with an inboard electric boat motor, you have the option of a hybrid motor which can significantly extend your range. We’ll discuss the pros and cons of hybrid boat motors later in this post.

Sailors may also want to consider choosing an inboard electric motor with hydro regeneration capabilities. These electric power motors can charge the battery while the boat is under sail.

DIY electric inboard boat motor conversion

One way to save money on an electric inboard is to do the installation yourself. There are a few DIY electric inboard boat motor conversion kits available on the market.

I’ve spoken with a few sailors who’ve had great success replacing their inboard diesel engines with these electric boat motor conversion kits from  Thunderstruck-EV , an electric drive manufacturer in Santa Rosa, California.

Key features of electric inboard boat motors

Each brand has a slightly different set of electric inboard motor options. Here are some of the key features and options to look for.

• DIY conversion kits
• On-board computers  and touchscreen display
• Waterproof  system components

Electric inboard manufacturers

US manufacturer, Elco Motor Yachts , has been building electric motors for over 125 years, having gotten their start in 1893, supplying electric boats for the Chicago World’s Fair. They have seven inboards ranging from 6 to 200 hp.

Electric Yacht

Electric Yacht  is a US supplier focused on providing plug-and-play electric motors for DIY installations on sailboats. Their electric propulsion systems range from 10 to 30. They’ve had over 450 installs in 10 years of production.

Oceanvolt  is a leader in regenerative systems and their electric inboard motors are popular among sailors. They offer shaft drive systems ranging from 6 to 60 hp.

Torqeedo, a German manufacturer, is the world’s leader in electric boat motors. They have two lines of inboards, one for displacement boats and another for fast planing boats. Their Deep Blue inboard systems range from 25 kW to 100 kW (40 to 135 hp)

Hybrid systems

Hybrid systems combine an electric motor and combustion engine, so you can cruise in silence (but know you’ve got enough gas to get home). These systems offer  many of the benefits of pure electric motors, without the limited range. 

If you want  additional power for onboard luxuries  like air-conditioning, hybrids can also provide a significant increase in house-side fuel efficiency.

The downside to any hybrid solution is that the systems are far more complex . Not only do they require more equipment, but, for an optimized system, you’ll need highly sophisticated software to manage multiple power sources and switch back and forth between diesel and electric.

Unsurprisingly, the increased complexity adds cost, making hybrids less economical than either a conventional or pure electric install.

Serial vs. parallel hybrids

As with cars, there are  two types of hybrid systems: serial and parallel.  A serial hybrid uses a generator to power a large electric motor connected to the drive shaft. Whereas, a parallel hybrid has both a conventional combustion engine and a small electric motor connected to the drive shaft.

There are plenty of factors to consider when choosing between a parallel and serial system. Marine mechanics and electrical expert, Nigel Calder, does a great job of explaining  serial and parallel hybrids  in detail.

In general, serial systems may be a better fit for boats that can get most of their propulsion energy from renewable sources (e.g., a sailing catamaran). Whereas, a parallel system makes more sense on boats that regularly require sustained propulsion (e.g.,  Greenline’s power yachts ).

Key features of marine hybrids

• Parallel and serial hybrid options
• Integrated energy management  systems

Marine hybrid manufacturers

Elco motor yachts.

Elco  manufactures serial, parallel, as well as a combined serial-parallel system. Their systems can be used on sailboats, trawlers, yachts, and boats up to 85′ feet.

Hybrid Marine Ltd.

Hybrid Marine  sells parallel hybrid systems in the 10 to 230 hp range. Beta, John Deere, and Yanmar’s hybrids all incorporate Hybrid Marine technology.

Finnish manufacturer,  Oceanvolt , offers serial hybrid systems for both sailboats and powerboats.

Torqeedo  makes hybrid systems for yachts up to 120 feet as well as powerful motorboats.

Electric pod drive and sail drive

Several manufacturers are now making electric pod and sail drives. These electric drive systems are more efficient and can save space onboard.

Electric pod and sail drive manufacturers

Electric Yacht  produces a range of sail drives that can replace diesel engines up to 75 hp.

propulsion  sells a 3 hp, 6 hp, and 9.9 hp fixed pod drive.

Oceanvolt’s  sail drives range from 6 kW to 15 kW (8 to 20 hp)

Torqeedo  sells a 40 hp and 80 hp equivalent electric sail drive as well as electric pod drives in the 6 to 25 hp range.

While it’s possible to power an electric motor with a conventional lead-acid battery, there are many  good reasons to upgrade to lithium-ion batteries.

Their increased usable  capacity is roughly double  what you can get out similarly sized lead-acid battery. More battery capacity means more range—and hours of fun—on your electric boat.

They also  charge more quickly  and have a  longer life span  than lead-acid batteries. Unlike flooded lead-acid batteries, which need to be watered, lithium-ion batteries are practically maintenance-free.

The downside is that lithium-ion batteries are far  more temperature-sensitive  and can’t be charged much above 113 F (45 C) or below 32 F (0 C).

They  can also present major safety issues . Lithium-ion batteries can go into what’s known as thermal runaway—a self-heating process that can cause the battery to catch fire.

Simply put,  lithium-ion batteries are NOT a drop-in substitute for lead-acid batteries.  They need to be specially designed for the marine environment and paired with a robust battery management system.

Electric motor manufacturers often provide complete solutions (including motor, batteries, and battery management system). It’s a good idea to work with a manufacturer with extensive marine experience and an ABYC-certified technician on any installation.

The other catch is that lithium-ion batteries  cost two to four times   as much as lead-acid  batteries. However, the increased capacity and longer life span may make lithium batteries a better value option over the long run.

Ready to catch the electric boating wave?

With ever more powerful and feature-packed electric options launching each year, it’s an exciting time to be in the market for a new motor or engine. If you have any doubts about whether an electric boat motor is right for you, head to your local boat show and see, first hand, what all the buzz is about.

Fiona McGlynn is an award-winning boating writer who created Waterborne as a place to learn about living aboard and traveling the world by sailboat. She has written for boating magazines including BoatUS, SAIL, Cruising World, and Good Old Boat. She’s also a contributing editor at Good Old Boat and BoatUS Magazine. In 2017, Fiona and her husband completed a 3-year, 13,000-mile voyage from Vancouver to Mexico to Australia on their 35-foot sailboat.

Douglas McQuilken

Sunday 30th of January 2022

Great article!

For those who wish to collaborate with prospective & current electric boaters, highly recommend this forum - https://groups.io/g/electricboats

Thanks for the suggestion, Douglas!

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The Pros, Cons, and Future of Electric Yachts and Sailboats

• By Sail Greener
• Last updated: April 27, 2022

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If you sail you likely spend considerable time—and money—cleaning, fixing, and worrying about your diesel or gas engine. When it comes to safety, your backup propulsion is as important as your sails. Can you rely on electric motors for safety? What are the pros and cons of buying an electric sailboat?   

Diesel engines are reliable, but they pollute. Diesel (and gas) engines emit greenhouse gasses and exhaust that includes particulate matter and carcinogens that are a risk to human health. 

Until recently, alternatives to marine diesel engines were limited. Boat owners could carry out their own repower projects or purchase expensive commercial electric motors. Storage capacity was a problem.

Fortunately, the winds are shifting and there are now numerous high quality and economically competitive alternatives to traditional marine engines. In this article we describe the pros and cons of purchasing a new motor or repowering an existing engine. We also describe the market for marine electric propulsion systems and identify leading boat builders, manufacturers, and installers.

Why do we need electric sailboats?

The climate is warming and we continue to pump greenhouse gasses into the atmosphere at a torrid pace. Transport emissions, including road, rail, air and marine transportation, account for nearly a quarter of global CO 2 emissions. 1 https://www.ipcc.ch/report/ar5/wg3/transport/ According to the United Nation’s International Maritime Organization , marine traffic accounts for nearly 3% of the world's CO ­­­ 2 emissions.

While emissions from recreational boaters are less than those from shipping and fishing fleets, they are still considerable. According to an estimate from electricmotoryachts.com , if just 5% of the roughly 13 million registered boats in the United States today repowered with electric, boaters would eliminate an estimated 1 billion pounds of CO 2 emissions. Scaled across boaters around the world, the potential for boaters to meaningfully reduce greenhouse gas emissions is significant.

Exposure to diesel emissions also poses health risks. The smallest particulate matter can contribute to heart attacks, strokes, and lung disease. High exposure to small particulates can impair brain development in children. The International Agency for Research on Cancer , part of the World Health Organization (WHO), classifies diesel engine exhaust as carcinogenic to humans.   

Is there a market for marine electric propulsion?

Global concern over climate is leading to a revolution in how we produce and use renewable energy. This is particularly true in the transportation sector. Sales of electric cars in 2019 increased 40%. In 2020, Tesla motors alone produced almost 500,000 new electric vehicles. This helped to propel Elon Musk to become the world’s wealthiest person. Electric vehicle penetration is still just about 3% but growing dramatically 2 https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/automotive-and-assembly/our-insights/mckinsey-electric-vehicle-index-europe-cushions-a-global-plunge-in-ev-sales# A key factor driving this growth, according to the European Patent Office (EPO) and the International Energy Agency, is innovation in rechargeable lithium-ion batteries and other storage technology. Batteries now account for nearly 90% of all patenting activity in the area of electricity storage. Between 2005 and 2018, patenting activity in batteries and related electricity storage technologies grew four times faster than the average of all technology fields. 3 https://www.iea.org/reports/innovation-in-batteries-and-electricity-storage

It is clear we are reaching a tipping point for electric automobiles and trucks 4 https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/jan/22/electric-vehicles-close-to-tipping-point-of-mass-adoption . Is the marine sector also experiencing an electric revolution?

The market for marine electric propulsion systems is lagging what is happening with cars and trucks. However, the potential for growth in this sector is extraordinary. In an article published in Yachting World, Christoph Ballin, CEO of electric motor manufacturer Torqueedo, estimated that only about 1.3% of marine propulsion systems are electric. 5 https://www.yachtingworld.com/features/future-yachting-smart-technology-126136 According to an article published in 2017 by IDTechEx there are over 100 manufacturers of electric boats and ships with an estimate of more than $20 billion in global sales by 2027 for non-military boats. According to the IDTechEx report, recreational boats are the largest—and fastest—growing electric marine market by sales.

The growth potential is enormous considering the size of the recreation economy. In the United States alone, in 2019 outdoor recreation generated US$ 788 billion dollars in output. 6 https://boatingindustry.com/news/2020/11/12/orr-provides-breakdown-of-latest-recreation-economy-data/  An estimated $37 billion of this came from retail sales of boats, engines, accessories and marine services. According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Outdoor Recreation Satellite Account (ORSA) data, Boating and fishing was the largest conventional activity for the nation as a whole, adding  US$ 23.6 billion to the economy. This was the largest conventional activity in 30 states and the District of Columbia and the second largest activity in 11 states. 7 https://boatingindustry.com/news/2020/11/12/orr-provides-breakdown-of-latest-recreation-economy-data/

Pros and Cons of Electric Motors for Boats

What are the pros and cons of electric motors for sailing?

Pros of electric propulsion

• Less noise : Electric motors are quieter than diesel engines and nearly vibration free.
• Lower long-term cost : Motors last a long time and require no fuel. You need batteries and electricity, but the sun and wind can recharge your batteries. You won't need to constantly change engine fluids, filters, or worry about leaks or old tanks.
• Cleaner and healthier: You won't end up with an oily mess in the engine room and bilge
• No emissions, no exhaust : Passengers and crew won't be exposed to hazardous fumes and particulates. You won't be spewing out carbon pollution.
• Instant power: Electric motors can go from zero to full torque instantaneously. Motors do not need to wait for engines to warm up.
• Weight and storage : Electric propulsion systems are typically less heavy than equivalent diesel systems. OceanPlanetEnergy.com estimates that electric propulsion systems are typically 1/3 the weight of diesel systems. This depends, however, on the weight of your battery bank.
• Easier maintenance and lower costs: Electric motors are simpler and easier to maintain than diesel generators. OceanPlanetEnergy.com estimates that maintenance costs could be 1/20 of the maintenance costs of a diesel engine in the first decade, even less over time because of electric propulsion systems use far fewer moving parts.
• Increased reliability and safety : Fewer moving parts translates into fewer breakdown which means which means more safety.
• Regeneration:   Batteries can be recharged while sailing using, solar, wind, and hydro generation systems.  For example, at sailing speeds over 6 knots Oceanvolt systems are reportedly able to generate significant power for recharging the battery bank.
• Improved maneuverability: Electric motors have high torque at low RPM, which can make maneuvering in tight spaces like marinas more precise. Electric motors can switch from forward to backward instantaneously.

Cons of electric propulsion

• Range anxiety: Depending on your battery bank and ability to recharge, you may have less range with an electric motor compared to a diesel engine.
• Cost: Electric motors can be expensive relative to combustion engines, but costs are plummeting.
• Lack of familiarity : Sailors familiar with traditional engines may not feel prepared or comfortable to switch to a new form of power.
• Fires: There can be a small risk of fires from batterie with improper maintenance, but this is also true with internal combustion engines.
• Charging time: Recharging batteries can take time, but charging times are changing quickly. Tesla V3 Superchargers support peak rates of up to 250kW per car, which translates to about 75 miles of charge in 5 minutes for a Model 3 and charge at rates of up to 1,000 miles per hour 8 https://www.tesla.com/blog/introducing-v3-supercharging . In January 2021 the Israeli company StoreDot announced new “exreme-fast-charging” lithium-ion batteries that could charge a car battery capable of 100 miles of charge in 5 minutes.   It will only be a matter of time before similar speed and capacity is available for boaters.

Industry Leaders

Who are industry leaders in the electric sailboat space?

Electric propulsion companies

Numerous companies produce electric and hybrid propulsion systems for the marine sector. Some of the best known and highest quality brands that provide electric propulsion systems for yachts and sailboats include:

• Elco Motor : Elco is one of the industry leaders in this field. The company has been around for more than 125 years and now produces a wide range of outboard and inboard electric and hybrid propulsion systems. 
• OceanVolt : The Finnish company is one of the industry leaders in electric propulsion. The company produces a wide range of electric propulsion systems for monohulls and multihulls. The company has provided cutting-edge electric propulsion systems for Vendée Globe racers, including Alex Thompson’s Hugo Boss and Conrad Colman in 2017, and other racers like French Olympic sailor Damien Seguin.
• Torqeedo : When Torqeedo was founded in 2004, concepts like “clean tech” and “electromobility” were just a glimmer in Mother Earth’s eye.  One of the pioneers in the modern marine electric propulsion sector, Torqeedo is now one of the market leaders. The company offers outboard and inboard electric motors and hybrid drive systems ranging from 0.5 km to 100 kw in addition to diverse accessories from lithium batteries and solar charging equipment to smartphone apps.
• Aquamot : This German company produces in-house electric propulsion systems for electric for boats and ships, including motors, batteries, and chargers.
• Kraeutler Elektromotoren produces a wide range of industrial, ship drive, and boat motors, including drive units for motor and sailing boats.

Electric sailboat manufacturers

Who builds sailboats with electric motors?

Electric propulsion is going mainstream. Dozens of boat builders are building electric-only boats (like SoelYachts.com and Silent-Yachts.com ). Some traditional yacht builders now offer electric propulsion options—and this will likely grow to include all major manufacturers in coming years. Examples of leading yacht manufacturers that include electric propulsion options include:   

• Arcona Yachts : A leading builder of high quality yachts from Sweden, Arcona is starting to offer high quality zero-emission models, such as the Arcona 415 .
• Alva Yachts : The German luxury electric yacht brand has designed both mult-hull (non-sail) and monohul (sail) boats. The company’s 25-m Ocean Sail 82 was designed with a hybrid propulsion system and a high capacity battery bank.
• Baltic Yachts : The Finish producer of luxury yachts and a world leaders in advanced composite yacht building in 2020 selected Oceanvolt for the company’s 68-foot Café Racer manufactured in Finland. The Javier Jaudenes designed boat is just over 20 meters long and 5.5 meters wide. 
• In 2001 Elan Yachts and Oceanvolt agreed to partner to build a full range of electric-powered yachts ranging from the luxurious GT6 to the the sporty E-Line performance cruisers.
• Hanse Yachts : The world’s third largest boat builder, Hanse produces the Hanse 315, which includes an electric rudder-drive option.
• Salona Yachts : A Croatian boatbuilder, Salona builds the Salona 46, a fast, comfortable, and luxurious electric yacht and winner of the Best Green Boat Award at the  Newport International Boat Show . 
• Sunreef Yachts Eco :   A manufacturer of luxury bespoke multihulls, Sunreef Yachts Eco catamarans are equipped with composite-integrated solar panel systems and lightweight batteries for energy efficiency and environmentally-conscious luxury cruising.
• Wally : The Dutch yacht builder produces, among its many other models, the 11.35 meter Wallynano MKII, which relies on an OceanVolt electric propulsion system
• Zen Yachts : A new company established in 2021, Zen builds what it claims is the world's first series production catamaran equipped with a wingsail.

Electric conversion companies

Who can help me convert my sailboat to electric propulsion?

A growing number of companies are dedicated to helping boat builders and individuals convert their yachts. These companies may provide design and support options for advanced battery systems, solar and wind systems, hydrogenation, and overall system design. Some of these companies produce their own electric motors and systems. Leading companies in the field include:

• OceanPlanet Energy : This company includes some of the giants of the industry. Bruce Schwab was the first American to officially finish the Vendee Globe. Nigel Calder is one of the best known sailing technology writers, including his must-read classic, Boatowner’s Mechanical and Electrical Manual. The company provides energy storage, charging, and monitoring systems; system design and consulting.
• Electric Yacht : The Minnesota, USA-based company with the eponymous name supports sailors interested in electric propulsion systems. The company helps boaters design and size system and provides motor kits, batteries, chargers, and other components. The company provides examples of conversion projects on its website.
• e Marine Systems specializes in distributing solar panels, wind generators, electric propulsion drives, inverters, and energy storage systems. The company is located in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA.
• Naval DC produces both “pure” solar and hybrid electric systems ranging from 10 kW to 1 MW. The company provides lithium battery solutions, data and monitoring systems, electric propulsion, and matched propeller systems.

Yacht dealers

A small but growing number of yacht dealers offer new and used electric boats. Green Yacht Sales is an example of a small company that supports the sale of electric yachts and systems from diverse manufacturers.

Global clearinghouses, like YachtWorld and Boat Trader , now provide options to filter searches for electric propulsion sailboats.

Battery technology and companies

Until recently, the amount of energy batteries could store was limited. The cost of buying a new battery bank was prohibitive for most sailors. Today, however, costs are dropping and batteries provide more charge. Range anxiety remains one of the biggest reasons sailors don’t want to swap out polluting diesel engines for quieter and cleaner all-electric systems. However, this concern will soon be obsolete.

There are many high quality marine battery suppliers. Some of the major players in the LiPO market include:

• ChargeEx Lithium Ion Batteries
• Dakota Lithium
• Dragonfly Energy
• Victron Energy

Successful Examples

Okay, this all sounds good in theory, but is it really possible to throw out your old engine and install a new motor? Here are a few examples of individuals and companies making the switch to electric yachts.

As with many disruptive technologies, it is easier for wealthy individuals to pay more—often much more—for tomorrow’s technology today. That said, these Super Early Adopters are a harbinger of things to come. These individuals may be risk takers but they are also typically really smart and forward-thinking.

Swedish billionaire Niklas Zennstrom is one example of a pioneering “mogul” in the electric yacht world. The founder of Skype and former Time Magazine 100 Most Influential People awardee, in 2018 Zennstrom’s team launched Rán VII. Yachtingworld described the boat as “…so angular it calls to mind Darth Vader or a Stealth bomber.”

Zennstrom shared his views on the future of electric racing in a CNN article in 2018:

“Having gone through the design, build and initial test cycle there is no doubt to me that the future for racing yachts is electric propulsion. It's lighter, less drag, quieter, and most importantly it is environmentally friendly.”

Do-it-yourselfers have been converting electric sailboats for years. The mainstream boating magazines and the media are increasingly showcasing the stories of these sailors retrofitting their boats. A few examples of well-publicized electric yacht conversion stories include:

• In 2019 Yachting World wrote an article, “How hybrid sailing yachts finally became a feasible option.”
• Dufour 382: According to an article in Yachting World , the owners Alcyone , a Dufour built in 2016, was retrofitted with an Oceanvolt SD15 saildrive moto r.

The future of electric sailboats

We are facing a climate emergency and the world is mobilizing to reduce emissions of greenhouse gasses. A growing number of boat builders, engine and battery producers, service companies, and individuals are addressing this need by building and retrofitting emission-free sailboats.  We are still in the early stages of this transformation, but change is coming quickly.

Some of the major challenges—and opportunities—for catalyzing this transition in coming years include:

• Battery storage, charging, and cost: The pace of technology change in the battery sector is dizzying. The amount of charge, the time to charge, and the price per kilowatt of battery storage systems are all improving.  Superchargers are already widespread on land. How long will it take for marine supercharging stations to fill the world’s marinas?
• Overcoming tradition : Sailors who have used the same technology for decades may hesitate to switch to new technology. Sailors used to heavy yachts and small batteries may look with skepticism on this new technology. Range anxiety is very real in the middle of the ocean. 
• Cost : As with any new technology, early adopters may have to pay more. The cost of electric propulsion, solar and wind power, and battery storage are dropping quickly. Cost will soon be less of a concern and may become a clear benefit.
• Retrofits: Many boats still sailing form 1960s and 1970s so 50 years of old boats locked in. But this is also an opportunity for individuals and companies who are willing and able to take this space
• Manufacturing: making boats expensive and companies may not want to take risks. But new companies are emerging, and the major yacht companies now coming out with electric options (examples).

We are at the dawn of a new age of sailing. With each passing month electric propulsion technology is improving. Motors are getting better, batteries and solar panels are getting cheaper, and electric sailboats are starting to become mainstream.

Finding more information

If you want to learn more about healthy products, check out The Sail Greener Guide to Healthy Sailing . If you want to learn more about who is working to conserve the ocean, see our list of The Best Ocean Conservation Organizations for Sailors .

• Sail Greener
• Originally Published: February 26, 2022

Table of Contents

• climate , diesel engine , electric motor , environment , sailboat , yacht

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Yachting Monthly

• Digital edition

Electric outboard motor: we test 13 options

• Theo Stocker
• July 25, 2023

An electric outboard motor is now a viable option for dinghy propulsion. Emrhys Barrell puts the latest outboards and trolling motors to the test

The electric outboard motor has been around for many years, but they have either been too low powered or their lead acid batteries have made them too heavy to lift in and out of a small tender, so petrol outboards have remained the engine of choice.

The development of lightweight lithium batteries has changed all this, making an electric outboard motor a practical alternative to petrol – and making all electric yachts a real possibility too.

With this in mind, we tested 12 models whose all-up weight, or the weight of their individual components, did not exceed the 14-17kg of a 2.5hp petrol outboard.

See how we tested the electric outboards at the end of this article.

Best electric outboard motor

Specifications Outboard weight:   12kg Overall weight with outboard and bracket: 14.5kg Battery capacity: 1085Wh Top speed: 5kts Thrust: 30kg / 66lbs

Designed along the lines of a dinghy rudder, this Remigo outboard is incredibly easy and intuitive to use. No external cables or anything to be snagged, it clips onto a bracket pre-mounted to your tender or dinghy, in a similar way that you’d attach a  dinghy rudder.

Flip down the handle, attach the magnetic kill cord and you’re good to go.

On test this outboard gave as much thrust as the ePropulsion below but out performed it in terms of maneuverability. The Remigo can be switched from forward to reverse thrust at the touch of a button.

We like the Remigo for it’s sleek simplicity. If you want a clean smart easy to carry outboard to take you from your mooring to shore or quietly meander from your anchorage to shore then this is definitely worth considering.

We especially liked the rudder effect of this outboard giving us steerage even we had turn the power completely off to coast in alongside our pontoon.

Read Fox Morgan’s review of this outboard – Remigo One Electric Outboard review

Reasons to buy

very easy to stow, innovative rudder design, lightweight, built in battery, easy to mount and dismount

Reasons to avoid

No multiple battery swap options like more conventional electric outboards

Find a dealer at Silent Yachting

Photo: Paul Wyeth

ePropolsion Spirit 1.0 EVO

Yachting Monthly’s best buy

Specifications Motor weight:   10.5kg Battery weight: 9kg Battery capacity: 1276Wh Top speed RIB: 4.5mph Top speed skiff: 6.0mph Thrust: 31kg/68lbs

The Chinese firm ePropulsion has been developing its electric outboard motor range and lithium batteries for some time. We tested the Spirit 1.0 Plus and Evo, both 1kW motors with integral batteries.

Clearly ePropulsion was influenced by Torqeedo, but there are some important differences. From the outset ePropulsion went for a direct drive motor, being quieter and avoiding gearbox problems.

The battery has a greater capacity than the original Torqeedo, and is still 30% higher than the latest version. It also floats – useful if you should drop it overboard.

Fitting the battery is a two-handed job, with the carrying handle being at the back, and latch lock at the front, which requires leaning over the transom to install it. You also cannot see the locating slots underneath, which isn’t quite so easy in a bobbing inflatable. The power cable socket is protected by a rubber cap.

You have a display, but it only shows power being consumed, voltage, and remaining runtime, which means it has larger figures, easier to read on a sunny day, but it lacks GPS speed or range.

It has the same trim settings as the Torqeedo, with a similar fiddly retaining split ring. It also has a magnetic kill cord. Three shaft lengths are available, catering for transom heights up to 61cm. The shaft is streamlined but rotates through 360º for maximum manoeuvrability and reverse.

High battery capacity Quiet 360º rotation

Limited display options

Buy it now from epropulsion

Yachting Monthly’s best in class

Specifications Motor weight:   10.5kg Battery weight: 9kg Battery capacity: 1276Wh Top speed RIB: 4.5mph Top speed skiff: 6.0mph Thrust: 68lbs Regeneration: 4 knots – 40W / 10 knots – 300W

The 1.0 EVO has the same dimensions and performance as the Spirit, but it has the options of a removable tiller, plus remote controls and steering, but the real innovation is that it offers regenerative charging while you are sailing, putting 40W at 4 knots, and 300W at 10 knots back into the battery.

You can even have a wristband remote for steering and throttle.

The ePropulsion Spirit 1.0 EVO is undeniably more expensive than it’s little sister without the regenerative charging and the cost difference is significant. If you are likely to be doing a lot of sailing and using your electric motor from ship-to-shore in relatively remote locations then the regeneration will probably be worth it. For most, though the price differential is probably a little too steep.

Regenerative charging Removable tille Remote controls

Relatively expensive

Torqeedo 1103 and Torqeedo 603

Torqeedo 603 specifications Motor weight:  11kg Battery weight:  4.2kg (floats) Battery capacity: 500Wh Top speed RIB: 4.0 mph Top speed skiff: Not tested Thrust: 44lbs

Torqeedo 1103 specifications Motor weight:  11kg Battery weight:  6kg Battery capacity: 915Wh Top speed RIB: 4.4mph Top speed skiff: 6.0mph Thrust: 68lbs

Torqeedo was the first company to commercially produce an outboard with an integral lithium battery in 2005. The earliest motors used a high-revving geared motor, which produced a characteristic whine. Following the launch of its new larger battery, Torqeedo changed to direct drive at about the same time that ePropulsion arrived on the scene.

The 1103 is 1.1kW and has a removable battery and tiller/throttle. The battery locates in slots in the powerhead and can be dropped in one-handed, with the slots clearly visible from above, which is helpful in a rocking dinghy. It then hinges back and locks in place with a separate plastic pin. The tiller locates in similar slots.

The two are then connected to the motor by a power cable and a data cable, but the latter has an 8mm plug, with five tiny pins that have to be carefully lined up, then secured with a threaded plastic collar. Neither of the sockets have caps to prevent debris or water getting into them when the cables are not connected.

The display on the tiller shows four lines of data at the same time, which makes them small to read (a phone app can be used for a large display). They include volts, battery capacity, range at a given speed, speed in kts, mph or km/h, and power consumption in watts. A magnetic kill-cord cuts the power circuits if you fall overboard.

The motor has four trim positions to allow for angled transoms, but the split ring securing the locking pin is very stiff and fiddly, especially when you have to adjust it hanging over the transom. A side-mounted lever allows the motor to be tilted horizontally. In normal use a catch prevents the motor kicking up in reverse, but this can be released with another side-mounted lever if you are in shallow water.

Long and short shaft versions are available, with the height of the transom to the top of the prop on the long shaft being 62cm. Clamps screws and fittings are stainless steel, making it suitable for salt water use, but an anode is an extra. It has forward and reverse but not 360º rotation.

Established brand with relatively long history Removable battery and tiller Lots of display options

Display hard to read

Buy the Torqeedo 603 now from Torqeedo Buy the Torqeedo 1103 now from Torqeedo

Best Trolling motors

Haswing Ultima 3

Specifications Motor weight: 11kg Battery weight: 5kg Battery capacity: 600Wh Top speed: RIB 4.0mph Top speed skiff: Not tested Thrust: 51lbs

Haswing is a new name to us, but this Chinese manufacturer now has an extensive range of motors, several of which we were able to bring along to our test.

The Ultima 3 has an integral Lithium battery and an output of 1,000W, with the ‘3’ in its name indicating the 3hp petrol outboard its makers claim it is equivalent to. The battery is 600Wh.

The battery was the easiest of all in our test to fit and remove, just sliding down a set of grooves, with contacts in the bottom removing the need for any linking cables or wires, and an easy one-handed operation.

The unit is well engineered, with stainless steel used throughout plus an anode as standard, making this suitable for use in salt water, and a spare anode and shear pin. The tiller/throttle hinges up and down for easy operation and storage. It has a streamlined aluminium leg, but rotates 360º.

A magnetic kill cord is a useful safety feature, and there are 5 LEDs showing battery capacity remaining, but this is the only instrumentation, so there is no way of gauging how much power you are using. It also meant that with no exposed power cables, we could not measure intermediate power settings.

Easy to fit battery Anode as standard for salt water usage High end materials

Limited instrumentation

Buy it now from Amazon

Motorguide Varimax 40

Specifications Motor weight:  9.1kg Battery (Sterling 60Ah) – 8kg Battery capacity: 780Wh Top speed RIB: 3.2mph Top speed skiff: 4.0mph Thrust: 28lbs

Another trolling motor, this has a claimed 40lb thrust and a variable speed electronic control. The throttle pulls forward for ahead, and pushes back for reverse then twists in the same direction for speed. A clever feature once you get used to it. Ten LEDs show the battery state.

The sliding shaft gives transom heights up to 65cm transom to prop, and 360º rotation. It also quickly tilts through 90º, with 5 positions, for shallow or weedy water.

Clamp screws and fittings are mild steel, meaning you should wash it off with freshwater after using it in the sea.

Clever throttle control Variable transom heights accomodated

Quite basic in functionality

Haswing Osapian 55

Yachting Monthly’s best budget buy

Specifications Motor weight:  9kg Battery weight:  (Sterling 60Ah) 8kg Battery capacity: 780Wh Top speed RIB: 3.3mph Top speed skiff: 4.4mph Thrust: 35lbs

This is another trolling motor with a claimed 55lb thrust, but with five forward speeds and three reverse on a twist-grip throttle. Again, it is a well-engineered motor, with all fittings and clamp screws made of stainless steel, an anode behind the prop and a spare in the box.

Five LEDs show the battery state. The sliding shaft gives transom heights up to 62cm, and 10 tilt positions.

As with all click-speed throttles you have double the power at Setting 5 compared to Setting 4, and very poor range figures at intermediate speeds compared to motors with electronic throttles.

However it is an excellent value-for- money option for sailors looking for ways to power their tender for short trip

Well engineered Value for money

Poor range at medium speeds

Motorguide SW82

Specifications Motor weight: 13kg Battery weight: 16kg Battery capacity: 1,560Wh Top speed RIB: 4.0mph Top speed skiff: 5.5mph

Motorguide is a well-established US company that is part of the Mercury/Mariner group. The most powerful of the transom mount range, the 82 has a claimed thrust of 82lbs, and is a 24V unit requiring two 12V batteries in series.

It is also designed for saltwater use, with stainless steel clamp screws and fittings, and a large anode on the shaft. It has an extra long shaft, giving up to 93cm transom height to the prop, 360º rotation, and seven tilt positions There are no battery LEDs. An on/off switch under the control head is the nearest it gets to a kill switch.

Well known company Powerful Anode for salt water

No battery LEDs

Haswing Protruar 1

Specifications Motor weight: 9kg Battery weight: 8kg Battery capacity: 780Wh Top speed RIB: 3.4mph Top speed skiff: 4.5mph Thrust: 40lbs

Another Haswing requiring a separate 12V battery, this has a variable speed electronic throttle, and similar features to the Protruar 5, except no kill cord. It claims to be equivalent to a 1hp petrol motor, but in practice delivered 600W.

The sliding shaft only allows transom heights up to 40cm, but a longer shaft version is available. It has 10 tilt positions and 360º rotation.

Another well engineered unit, with stainless steel used throughout plus an anode as standard, and a spare anode and shear pin. The tiller/throttle hinges up and down for easy operation and storage.

Anode for salt water use 360º rotation

No kill chord Limited transom height range

Haswing Protruar 5

Specifications Motor weight: 14kg Battery weight: 16kg Battery capacity: 1,560Wh Top speed RIB: Not tested Top speed skiff: 6.1mph Thrust: 108lbs

Another Haswing, the Protruar 5 is the most powerful model we tested. The unit is extremely well engineered, with stainless steel used throughout for the clamp screws and fittings, plus an anode as standard, making this suitable for use in salt water. A nice touch is the spare anode and shear pin in the kit. The tiller/throttle hinges up and down for easy operation and storage.

Its 5 designation indicates its makers think it is equivalent to a 5hp petrol motor, but in reality it delivers around 2.5kW at 24V so requires two separate batteries. It has a variable electronic throttle, three battery state LEDS and a magnetic kill cord.

The shaft slides up and down, giving a maximum transom height of 62cm and 360º rotation. Ten tilt positions are quickly engaged by a squeeze lever.

The thrust was the highest of the test, making it suitable for heavy boats, but the fine pitch prop significantly reduced its efficiency at speed.

Powerful model Anode for salt water use Battery LEDs and kill chord

Needs two batteries for full power

Motorguide R3 45

Specifications Motor weight:   9.5kg Battery weight: (Sterling 60Ah) 8kg Battery capacity: 780Wh Top speed RIB: not tested Top speed skiff: 4.1mph

This trolling motor has a claimed thrust of 45lbs and five forward speeds. The sliding shaft gives transom heights up to 65cm and 360º rotation, with seven tilt positions. Clamp screws and fittings are mild steel, so should be washed after saltwater use.

The click-speed throttle gives non-linear power gaps, with Speed Setting 5 being double the power of Setting 4. This throttle arrangement results in poor range figures at medium speeds compared to motors with electronic throttles, but it keeps the price down.

360º rotation Plenty of transom height range

Minn Kota Endura Max 55

Specifications Motor weight: 9.5kg Battery weight: (Sterling 60Ah) 8kg Battery capacity: 780Wh Top speed skiff: 4.6mph

Minn Kota is one of the oldest makers of trolling motors. The Max 55 has a claimed 55lb thrust, with a variable speed electronic twist-grip throttle.

Clamp screws and fittings are mild steel, making it best suited for freshwater, though you can use it in the sea if you wash it off afterwards.

It has a fine pitch prop like all trolling motors, which gives a good static thrust, but efficiency, and hence range, falls off at higher speeds, though the electronic Maximiser throttle helps to offset this.

Electronic maximiser throttle helps offset range issues

Big range drop off at high speeds Needs washing after salt water usage

Buy it now from MinnKota

How we tested the electric outboard motors

We took a selection of electric outboard motor units available on the market, and tested them in two situations, firstly on a Frib 275 folding RIB on the Lymington River to reproduce the situation of getting out to your boat in the tender. We then put them on a 4m skiff on the Thames, to see how they perform at higher speeds on a boat with a smoother underwater form and longer waterline on sheltered waters.

Speed: We measured speed using a handheld GPS, and electricity consumed using a clamp ammeter or the motor’s inbuilt power display. We converted these to the range you would achieve, either for a given power, or the full power of the motor’s battery.

Thrust: We measured static thrust using a spring balance. This is a somewhat crude test, as it measures the pulling power of a motor in a static boat, and therefore doesn’t allow the propeller pitch to work at its designed speed.

Function: We checked the stated weights of each of the motors and made a qualitative survey of their main features when used as a dinghy outboard.

We tested the trolling motors with a 60Ah lithium battery from Sterling Power, which cost £360, though you can use a heavier lead acid battery costing around £120 for a good quality AGM or gel. Don’t bother with leisure batteries, which will fail after 4 to 5 trips. You will need a good quality Lithium charger, which will add on £100 or more.

We haven’t included charging in this test, as this is dependent on the charger you are using, whether you are charging from 240V or 12V on board, and whether the power source is mains, a generator, alternator or solar. It’s worth noting that you will rarely be recharging from flat, and will rather be aiming to top up batteries after each use.

Trolling motor or electric outboard motor?

The options today are trolling motors with separate batteries – so called because they were mainly used as auxiliary slow-speed power for anglers, and integral-battery motors built for dinghy propulsion. These are the options a sailor will be looking at when thinking about changing to an electric outboard.

Trolling motors are still popular for low-speed applications, as they are simple and cheap, but they do need a separate 12V battery.

The integral battery motors are sophisticated units designed to give you more speed and greater range for a given power in a small boat, though for any 3-4m boat, the hull speed will limit how fast you can realistically go with any motor unless you start planing.

An electric outboard motor with an integral battery will often include displays showing speed, range at a given speed, and percentage of battery capacity remaining, but these features come with a higher price tag.

The trolling motors and integral battery models in our test were similar in weight and both come in at around the same total weight as a 2.5hp petrol engine.

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Best electric outboard motors: 11 top options for zero-emissions propulsion

• Electric boats
• Top stories

Electric outboard motors seem to be springing up all over the place right now. We round up 11 of the best electric outboards on the market…

Electric outboard motors are nothing new, after all the humble electric trolling motor has been around for decades, but in the past couple of years a new breed of more powerful units has emerged.

Capable of powering everything from a tender to a 50-knot sportsboat, this new generation of electric outboard motors will surely play a big role in the growing trend towards all- electric boats .

We’ve rounded up 11 of the best options available on the market right now to help you track down the right one for cutting down your boat’s carbon footprint.

Compact electric outboard motors for your tender

Torqeedo 603 Travel

Weight: 15.5kg Power: 600W / 0.8hp Battery: 500Wh Range: 11nm Price: £1,499

Torqeedo has been making electric outboard motors for quite a while now, and their latest offering slots into the travel range of electric outboards between the 503 (1.5hp) and the 1103C (3hp).

All the usual Torqeedo refinements are present and correct. IP67 rated as totally waterproof, the 603 Travel has a magnetic kill cord and an onboard computer providing instant readouts of operating range at current RPM and battery-charge status displayed on the tiller arm.

You can link it to an Apple or Android app and gain even more information including a map-based range indicator.

Read more about the Torqeedo 603 Travel

Mercury Avator 7.5e

Weight: 27.1kg Power: 750W / 1hp Battery: 1kWh Range: 34nm Price: $1,500

Announced in early 2022 and launched less than a year later, the Mercury Avator 7.5e is the first electric unit from the world’s biggest builder of outboard engines .

The whole top plate hinges up to reveal the battery, which can be quickly removed from your electric boat or replaced for convenient charging.

It’s by no means the lightest electric outboard motor on the market, but its claimed range at 25% throttle is very impressive – we look forward to putting one to the test.

Not resting on its laurels, Mercury launched the Avator 20e and 35e this summer as well. These units are no bigger than the 7.5e, but need wiring in to an on-board battery bank.

Read more about the Mercury Avator 7.5e

Read more about the Mercury Avator 20e and 35e

Weight: 14.5kg (inc. bracket) Power: 1kW / 3hp Battery: 1,085 Wh Range: 14nm Price: £2,185

The idea behind the Remigo One electric outboard makes perfect sense; rather than mounting the battery on top of the shaft, like the engine on an old-school petrol outboard, the Slovenian company has integrated it into the shaft and shaped it like a rudder to minimise drag and maximise steering effect.

It is backed by a 2-year warranty and has a magnetic key/kill cord. There are some other neat ideas too. The rudder casing is waterproof to IP67 above the water and IP69 below the water so it will survive a dunking, and it’s held in place by a clamp mechanism that allows you to adjust the shaft length to suit your boat with the aid of an allen key.

The transom bracket is separate to the motor so you can leave the bracket attached to the boat and simply slot the motor on and off. The tiller also folds and locks parallel to the blade so you can use it as a perfectly balanced carry handle.

Watch our test drive video of the Remigo One electric outboard

The Kicker is exceptionally light and surprisingly powerful

Thrustme Kicker

Weight: 4.4kg Power: 1kW / 3hp Battery: 259kWh Range: 5nm Price: £1,250

If it’s light weight and value that you prioritise over cruising range, then this Norwegian option is hard to beat.

Launched in 2021, the Kicker boasts enough range and grunt to get one person from ship to shore and back again in calm conditions, as editor Hugo proved in a week-long test.

The only downside is that the battery isn’t removable, which can make charging a little more difficult.

Read more about the Thrustme Kicker

Weight: 15kg Power: 1kW / 3hp Battery: 740Wh Range: Up to 1hr Price: €2,850

A brand new option from France, the TEMO-1000 doesn’t look anything like a traditional outboard motor.

The design doesn’t have any rectangular box on top, just a rudder-shaped shaft with an electric motor at the bottom and a long slim battery that simply slides down into it, connecting automatically to your electric boat without having to plug wires into it.

The tiller arm does the same, meaning it disappears completely when not in use and yet it is never detached and therefore never mislaid.

Read more about the TEMO-1000

Haswing Ultima 3

Weight: 16kg Power: 1kW / 3hp Battery: 1.03kWh Range: 18nm Price: £1,570

A top-of-the-range option from trolling motor stalwarts Haswing, the Ultimate 3 is suitable for boats up to 7m long.

The brushless DC motor produces 3hp (claimed to be equivalent to a 4hp petrol outboard motor), and it’s available in short and long shaft versions as well as the standard length.

Not only is the detachable battery unusually light at 5kg (lightest in class, according to the manufacturer), it also connects to the engine in a single simple operation without the need for connecting cables or other fiddly parts – no bad thing when you’re bobbing about in a tender!

Read more about the Haswing Ultima 3

ePropulsion Spirit 1.0 Plus

Weight: 19.3kg Power: 1kW / 3hp Battery: 1,276Wh Range: 22nm Price: £1,600

The original Spirit 1.0 has actually been in production for six years with over 10,000 units built. Featuring a 1,000W brushless motor, this electric outboard motor is claimed to be equivalent to a 3hp petrol engine, ideal for tender duties or small to medium sized dinghies.

This Plus version, launched in 2020, is the same weight, size and power – the big gain is where it’s needed most, run time. It has been achieved by upgrading the battery from 1,018Wh to 1,276Wh.

At the same time, the power cord has been upgraded for durability and reliability, and the voltage has been changed from 40.7V to 48V, making it compatible with an external 48V battery. The battery will even float if dropped overboard!

Read more about the ePropulsion Spirit 1.0 Plus

Most powerful electric outboard motors for day boats

Yamaha Harmo

Weight: 55kg Power: 3.7kW / 9.9hp Battery: Sold  separately Range: Depends on battery Price: £TBC

Announced in 2022 and tested on a 12m Venmar water taxi, the Yamaha Harmo electric boat drivetrain may be a rather modestly powered 3.7kW motor, equivalent to a 9.9hp petrol engine, but it is being seen as a major statement of intent from the Japanese brand synonymous with big, powerful four-stroke outboards.

Intriguingly, the Harmo is neither an outboard engine nor a sterndrive but a new propulsion package that borrows ideas from both camps.

It is mounted on the transom just above the waterline much like a sterndrive leg, but in keeping with the outboard engine ethos it’s an entirely self-contained unit that includes the motor and steering mechanism.

Read more about the Yamaha Harmo electric rim drive

RAD Propulsion RAD40

Weight: 100kg Power: 40kW / 55hp Battery: 20-60kWh Range: 100nm Price: £28,000 (ex. battery)

The RAD40 drive from British start-up RAD Propulsion appears to be far more than just a conventional outboard leg with an electric motor bolted on top.

Every single element of it has been designed from the ground up to maximise the benefits of electric power. The result is a brand new drive system that is not only much cleaner, quieter and more efficient than a petrol outboard engine but also smaller, lighter, cheaper to maintain and even more manoeuvrable.

In its current 40kW guise (equivalent to around 55hp) it’s powerful enough to propel everything from a 25-knot planing RIB to a 10-knot displacement craft but with a larger 160hp RAD120 as well as a portable tiller steered RAD2 already in development, it’s clear that RAD Propulsion has its eyes set on a much wider market.

Read more about the RAD Propulsion RAD40 electric outboard

E-Motion 180E

Weight: 580kg Power: 110kW / 180hp Battery: 70kWh Range: 70nm Price: $78,990

Launched in 2021 by Canadian firm Vision Marine Technologies, the E-Motion 180E looks like a genuine alternative to the 150-200hp petrol outboard motors that power the vast majority of 18-25ft sportsboats and RIBs.

The outboard engine itself weighs around 180kg, compared to 216kg for a 200hp V6 Mercury Verado, but that relatively modest saving pales into comparison next to the 400kg weight of the 70kWh battery pack.

Admittedly, a fair chunk of that will be offset by the lack of fuel tank and starter batteries, but unlike a petrol boat, the battery pack’s weight stays constant whether full or close to empty.

Read more about the E-Motion 180E

The Evoy Storm looks, feels and goes like a well-matched petrol outboard engine

Weight: 350kg Power: 222kW / 300hp Battery: 2x 63kWh Range: 25nm Price: €144,700

Although currently still in development, the Evoy Storm is a working prototype that has already been fitted to a number of partner brands’ boats, including an Iguana amphibious craft and an Axopar 25 that we tested at last year’s Cannes Yachting Festival .

Despite a 450kg weight penalty over a fully fuelled petrol boat, and five passengers, we still recorded a top speed of over 50 knots – vastly quicker than any other electric boat we’ve tested and not far off the world speed record for a production electric boat of 57.7 knots (held by a Goldfish X9 powered by a 400hp Evoy inboard).

The anticipated price for this electric Axopar 25 is €185,000 (ex tax), which looks pretty good value given that the price of the motor alone is €74,900 plus another €69,800 for the batteries. Whether Axopar can maintain, or even reduce, that price once the Evoy Storm enters production in 2024 remains to be seen.

Read more about the Evoy Storm

Tip of the iceberg

If this seems like a lot of choice, there are even more options coming down the pipeline in 2024. MBY understands that several major outboard manufacturers are planning on entering the electric outboard market, so watch this space…

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What it’s like on a €70,000 per week, 80ft motor yacht charter

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100% solar electric motor yacht

The best solar electric motor yacht that provides a way of sailing more handy, comfy and eco-friendly.

and 24,6 ft beam

3 battery packs of 80 kWh each

unlimited range at 5-6 knots

Developed over the last 4 years to protect our environment. Batteries are charged from solar panels, a back-up generator or directly from the shore power socket.

No greenhouse gas emissions compared with combustion engine yachts.

The Whisper 50 is based on 2 electric motors connected to shaft lines. The electric motors are fed by 240 kWh battery pack.

90% savings compared with combustion engines. Electric propulsion is very simple and basic in design: it requires no exhaust, no gearbox, no mechanical movements and gives off very little heat.

Volume equivalent to larger monohull motor yachts. Space for comfortable indoor and outdoor living. High stability for guest comfort, eliminating the need for costly outriggers.

At full speed, the Whisper 50 can reach 15 knots.

• Fly bridge aera 24m² (258ft²)

• Main salon (enclosed) 43m² (462 ft²)
• Aft and side cockpit 15m² (161 ft²)
• Forward cockpit 8m² (86 ft²)

• Owner cabin 16 m² (172 ft²)
• Guest area 18 m² (193 ft²)
• Crew area 4m² (43ft²)
• Hull length 15.00m (49.22 ft)
• Beam overall 7,50m (24,60ft)
• Draft 0,92m (3,01ft)
• Clearance 5,95m (19,52ft)
• Displacement (light ship) 22t
• Max/Cruise speed 15/10 knots
• Electric power 240 kWh
• Electric motors 2x100 kW (Boost 2x120kW)
• Back-up generators 2x20 kW (option 2x35kW)
• Fuel 300L (80 US Gal)
• Cabins 3 (option 4)
• Fresh water 400L (105 US Gal)

Details Whisper 50

40 m² of solar panels

Full beam swimming platform (7.5m)

Enclosed aft cockpit

Access door to exterior salon

Sliding transverse doors and window lift allowing the entire yacht to be closed or opened with solid and secure protections.

360° sea view

Up to 4 guest cabins plus skipper

With silent electric propulsion, we can finally sail along with just an eco-friendly whispering!

Highest requirements.

Whisper Yachts has selected the best profile/length/width/draft ratio to optimize the hull's performance in the water with minimal resistance. The aft part of the hull is raised to promote horizontal action of the propellers without compromising on draft.

The materials used in the construction of the hulls and superstructures have received meticulous attention. Whisper Yachts and Berret-Racoupeau Design have chosen the most advanced composite techniques to ensure the perfect balance between comfort and lightweight construction.

Limited yearly production

Whisper Yachts pays great attention to details. The team has chosen to produce a limited number of yachts to guarantee high end quality level and exclusive finitions.

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New Electric Trolling Motors for Salt Water

• By Jim Hendricks
• September 12, 2024

Big news emerged from the 2024 ICAST fishing trade show in Orlando, Florida. Both Lowrance and Simrad debuted bow-­mounted, electric-­steered brushless trolling motors designed for salt water, representing the first trolling motors from either engineered to perform in the brine; indeed, the Simrad motor is the first ever from this long-established marine electronics brand.

These motors join a ­cadre of models from Garmin, Minn Kota, Power-Pole and Rhodan all featuring GPS guidance, rugged marine-grade construction, sophisticated technology and advanced system integration. Among experienced boating anglers, positioning is everything. And positioning is exactly what these motors are designed to achieve. Let’s look at some examples.

The new saltwater trolling motors from Lowrance and Simrad share the same ­model name—Recon—and possess the same design, including a brushless motor that operates on either 24 or 36 volts and produces 90 and 115 pounds of thrust, respectively. 

These manually deployed, electric-steered trolling motors boast a unique joystick remote called Freesteer. Incorporating a color LCD screen, the remote is lightweight and wearable, providing 360 degrees of manual steering, as well as activation of automatic functions. With the Lowrance version of the Recon, the remote can be combined with a wireless foot pedal with a programmable keypad and seamless display integration via a NMEA 2000 network. The Simrad version grants full integration with a Simrad multifunction display via NMEA 2000. 

Recon trolling motors also feature a GPS-guided virtual anchoring system that holds boats within a 3-foot radius. A unique jogging function allows anglers to execute diagonal moves in eight directions. There’s also the option to move virtual anchor positions in almost any direction. The carbon-fiber-infused shafts carry lifetime warranties, while the motor carries a three-year warranty. 

The Recon motors have integrated sonar technology and are available with a sonar nose-cone option. The Recon models are available in 54-, 60- and 72-inch shaft lengths, and start at $3,499. To learn more, visit lowrance.com or simrad-yachting.com .

The news coming out of ICAST 2024 is that Garmin expanded its Force Kraken brushless saltwater trolling- motor series (which was introduced last year) with a 48-inch shaft length to accommodate smaller boat sizes, including flats boats and microskiffs. 

Like the other models in the Kraken series, the 48-inch model is engineered with a pivot-style mount for easy installation on boats where bow space is limited. With manual deploy and stow, it offers anglers seamless, wireless integration with Garmin sonar systems, multifunction displays and smartwatches. 

Now completing its first season in the hands of saltwater anglers, the Kraken features a brushless motor and high-­efficiency propeller to produce 100 pounds of thrust as a 36-volt system or 80 pounds as a 24-volt system. Anglers can also easily install live sonar thanks to a cable management system that routes the transducer cable inside the trolling-motor shaft. With the Kraken LiveScope Mounting Bracket (additional purchase required), any Garmin LiveScope transducer can be installed and operated in all three modes: Forward, Down and Perspective. 

The included wireless remote gives anglers control of the trolling motor with precise virtual anchor lock, autopilot functionality, heading hold and point-and-go gesture steering. The new 48-inch Kraken is available in both black and white, with suggested retail prices of $3,599.99 and $3,799.99, ­respectively. Other Kraken models feature 63-, 75- and 90-inch shaft lengths in white, and 63- and 75-inch lengths in black. To learn more, visit garmin.com . 

Read Next: The Benefits of Brushless Saltwater Trolling Motors

Minn Kota has set a high bar among saltwater anglers with its top-of-the-line Riptide Instinct models featuring Quest brushless motor technology and push-button deploy and stow. Now completing its first full season on the bows of saltwater fishing boats, the Riptide Instinct operates on either 24 volts for 90 pounds of thrust or 36 volts for 115 pounds of thrust. Shaft-length choices include 60, 65, 87 and 100 inches.

It also has a beefy composite shaft and pivot points, and the motor incorporates real-time battery monitoring with a “time until empty” indicator, which prompts anglers to switch to Eco mode when reserves drop to 20 percent. Built-in i-Pilot and ­i-Pilot Link GPS guidance enable functionality such as Spot-Lock virtual anchoring and a Drift mode that works like a virtual drift sock. 

Control options include a GPS wireless remote to drive the motor from anywhere in the boat. Riptide Instinct offers compatibility with the One-Boat Network for networking with and controlling via a Humminbird multifunction display easily. They are available in black or white and start at $4,399.99 for a 60-inch-shaft model. For more information, visit minnkota​.johnsonoutdoors.com .

The Move PV series saltwater trolling motors from Power-Pole feature pivot mounts, brushless motors, GPS guidance, wireless controls and virtual anchoring. The brushless motors are engineered to deliver power at lower rpm. A super-strong titanium shaft carries a lifetime guarantee. Advanced electronic technology includes built-in GPS navigation with features such as Anchor mode and Active Vector Heading navigation. A variety of ­user-friendly wireless controls include a ReelFeel foot pedal that provides the sensation of cable steering and the ability to put it anywhere you like. 

There are also wireless foot buttons available to activate the Anchor and Active Vector Heading modes. Power-Pole’s ProNav app can enable a ­mobile device to become a controller. The PV series is available in 45-, 52-, 60- and 72-inch shaft lengths, and is available in black or white. It starts at $4,999.99. To find out more, visit power-pole.com .

The HD GPS Anchor+ saltwater trolling motors from Rhodan feature pivot mounts and digital pulse-width modulation circuitry to help maximize efficiency and heat dissipation, optimize power and extend battery life. A wireless and waterproof floating remote fob controls the motor from anywhere on the boat. 

Available in 12-, 24- and 36-volt models delivering 80 to 120 pounds of thrust, these trolling motors also have the unique ability to steer the boat while the main engine is at low power settings, allowing anglers to troll at higher speeds or to anchor in fast-moving currents. The Anchor mode automatically compensates for wind, waves and cross current. 

Rhodan integrates with Raymarine’s Axiom MFDs to adjust thrust and the motor’s direction, and activate Anchor mode. This enables anglers to use the touchscreen display to control the Rhodan trolling motor when it is active. The HD GPS Anchor+ is available in black or white in shaft lengths ranging from 36 to 108 inches, starting at $2,399. Visit rhodanmarine.com to learn more. 

• More: Electronics , Gear , October 2024 , Trolling Motors

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Electric outboard startup Pure Watercraft is selling itself for parts

A hopeful entrant in the emerging market of electric watercraft is out of action and being sold for parts.

Pure Watercraft was founded in 2011 with the intention of replacing gas-based outboard motors with fully electric ones. We covered the company in 2016 when it began taking preorders for its first commercial outboards, and in 2020 Pure raised $23 million to step up production. GM even took a 25% stake in Pure as part of its big investment in electric infrastructure.

The company offered an electric outboard and battery combo that could be mounted on a boat like any other outboard, or in a package with a rigid inflatable or pontoon boat. With prices ranging from $21,600 for just propulsion to nearly $100,000 for a full boat, Pure’s products were arguably no more affordable up front than gas options, but they were certainly a lot cleaner and quieter.

But a tough market seems to have put an end to Pure’s ambitions. The company entered receivership — a sort of alternative form of bankruptcy — in July, per filing documents in King County, Washington, where it is based. In August it was also reported that a planned multi-million-dollar factory in West Virginia would not be going forward .

The documents describe numerous creditors, from individual investors to banks to the big one, GM, which put approximately $35 million into the venture. That wasn’t all cash, though: listed among Pure’s assets is some $25 million worth of “manufacturing support,” “know-how,” licensing of the name, and other forms of non-pecuniary goods. (This type of in-kind investment is fairly commonplace.)

On the asset side, we find $3.6 million in “finished goods,” likely the assembled motors and battery units built by Pure, though why those would not have gone out to the more than 900 people who paid a down payment is unclear (nor is whether refunds will be issued). Another $25.5 million of “raw materials” is also listed, but what this may be is unclear — other documents detailing sale of assets like boats and batteries don’t come near that sum.

TechCrunch has asked both Pure and GM for comment on the matter. GM did not offer a substantive response and we have not yet heard back from Pure.

Electric watercraft is a growing but still nascent industry, with startups like Candela , Navier , FleetZero and Zin Boats making a play for cleaner, more efficient waterways and infrastructure.

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Football Season Is Here: The 7 Best Stadiums for ‘Sailgating’ Around the U.S.

Who needs a crowded parking lot when you have a marina right beside your stadium here are seven great sailgating venues for your favorite nfl or college team., jaclyn trop, jaclyn trop's most recent stories.

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In 1962, University of Tennessee sportscaster George Mooney had an idea.

Tired of sitting in gridlock on game days, the Knoxville resident jumped on a ski boat, sailed the Tennessee River to Neyland Stadium, tied the boat to a tree, and walked to the stadium. Mooney’s problem-solving skills unwittingly birthed a beloved game-day tradition: sailgating.

As a close cousin of tailgating, the pre-game parking lot party where fans feast on barbecue and drink beer in fellowship, sailgating entails the same revelry but on a boat, boasting many conveniences.

Now the flotilla of boats on the Tennessee River has become a football season fixture. It’s named the Vol Navy–a nod to Tennessee’s sports teams’ mascot, the Volunteers, as well as to the “Volunteer State” nickname Tennessee picked up during the War of 1812, thanks to its volunteer soldiers.

“We make margaritas, grill, and watch the pre-game on TV,” says Michael Caudill, a fan from Gallatin, Tennessee, aboard his boat. “The fridge is fully stocked, so there is no running to the store or asking your fellow tailgate neighbor for mustard.”

Other advantages that are less obvious but equally “mission-critical” are having a bathroom on board—“You no longer have to use an outhouse or stadium bathroom,” Caudill adds—and one that Mooney surely appreciated: no post-game traffic.

Fortunately, the tradition is not limited to Tennessee. Plenty of other college and NFL teams play near marinas, too. Here is a roundup of seven stadiums where sailgate culture reigns supreme.

Burnham Harbor – Chicago Bears

Burnham Harbor, a five-minute walk from Soldier Field, welcomes Chicago Bears fans boating across Lake Michigan. As the largest harbor in the city’s network, Burnham boasts 1,126 slips that can accommodate boats ranging in length from 28 feet to 100-plus, as well as a gas dock. This season, the Chicago Bears’s home will enter its second century: Soldier Field, opened in 1924, is the oldest standing NFL stadium in the U.S.

Neyland Stadium – University of Tennessee Volunteers

The Vol Navy Boat Docks, a 12-minute walk from Neyland Stadium, welcome more than 200 boats on University of Tennessee home games. The Vols built a large walkway between the marina and the shoreline to accommodate the volume of fans streaming into the stadium from their boats. As the proud progenitor of the sailgating tradition, the Vol Navy online store sells boat bags, blankets, and floatable keychains.

Acrisure Stadium – Pittsburgh Steelers

Formerly known as Heinz Field, Acrisure Stadium—home to both the Pittsburgh Steelers and the University of Pittsburgh Panthers—sits at the confluence of the Allegheny and Ohio Rivers. Boaters line the North Shore wall outside the stadium to partake in gameday revelry. They can also dock at Washington’s Landing Marina about two miles up the Allegheny. The marina has 165 boat slips and shuttles to and from the games. Boatless fans who still want an experience on the water can take a Gateway Clipper from Station Square.

Inner Harbor Marina – Baltimore Ravens

M&T Bank Stadium sits less than a mile from Baltimore’s Inner Harbor, making it easy for Ravens fans to rent out transient boat slips. Inner Harbor Marina has 135 slips for boats up to 300 feet and is adjacent to an entertainment district that includes Maryland Science Center’s planetarium and IMAX theater, as well as many bars and restaurants for post-game revelry.

McLane Stadium – Baylor Bears

Located on the Brazos River, Baylor University’s McLane Stadium provides extraordinary water access for Baylor Bears fans. The river runs through Baylor’s campus to feature a large lagoon just steps from the stadium. Spectators arriving by sailboat, motorboat, or pontoon can rent a boat slip for the season at the Baylor Basin boat dock, or drop anchor in the lagoon on a first-come, first-served basis.

Husky Stadium – University of Washington Huskies

Husky Stadium, home of the University of Washington Huskies, welcomes more than 3,000 fans arriving via Lake Washington on game day, according to Boatmart . The diehards brave the North Pacific’s late fall chill and sail even on the wet, gray ones. Boats of all sizes—from skiffs to yachts—pack Husky Harbor well before kickoff. Fans on vessels that can’t fit in the marina can drop anchor in the lake and travel to shore via a shuttle-boat service.

Oasis Marina at North Coast Harbor – Cleveland Browns

Oasis Marina, formerly known as the Rock and Dock Marina, on Lake Erie is an eight-minute walk to Huntington Bank Field—formerly known as FirstEnergy Stadium—where the Cleveland Browns play. Slips accommodate boats from 30 to 50 feet, and bookings are available by the hour, or overnight for the real revelers. The marina is also accessible by charter or shuttle boat from Lorain Port Authority. The Browns are mulling plans to decamp from downtown Cleveland, so hop in your boat and catch a game before it’s too late.

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