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• Electric Outboard Motors

9 Best Electric Outboard Motors in 2024

We gave our boating experts the job of reviewing an updated selection of the best electric outboard motors.

Our sailors and cruisers considered size, price and application when selecting motor options. They tested and conducted interviews for this guide.

It’s suddenly realistic to have an electric outboard motor for maritime propulsion. The best electric solution will depend squarely on the vessel.

As more electric outboard motors pop up on the market, you’ll find “green” boating taking two paths. One path is the all-in-one solution—new, purpose-built designs made from the ground up to be electric. Some of these vessels are beautiful but out of the price range of many boaters.

For smaller craft, like tenders or inflatable boats, this is easy and more attractive.

The other option is to modify an older craft with new electric outboards. It’s not a good solution for everyone, but it could be fantastic for someone looking for the smooth, silent, and clean ride that electric boat motors offer.

As of this writing, the most powerful electric outboard motor has a real-life value of 300 horsepower, demonstrating what’s possible.

More and more companies are making electric outboards, so let’s dive in and look at what’s available for 2024.

The 7 Best Electric Outboard Motors in 2024

All products:.

ePropulsion

X-Series by ePropulsion

Where to buy:

Where to buy x-series by epropulsion:.

For those needing a little more kick, ePropulsion has launched an all-new series of slim electric outboards ranging from 12 to 40 kilowatts. While the company refrains from putting horsepower equivalents out there, think of these motors as filling the space left by 10 to 40-horsepower outboards . They are powerful enough to get small boats up on a plane or driving a larger boat at displacement speeds .

With 88.2-percent efficiency in the drivetrain, new propeller designs, and a modular battery pack system, these motors will impress anyone looking to go electric.

To power these new outboards, ePropulsion has designed a modular 96-volt battery pack . To get more range or power a larger motor, you simply need to stack multiple packs together. The published range numbers assume that you would have one battery for the X12, two for the X20, and four for the X40.

• Rated power watts: 12, 20, or 40 kilowatts
• Propulsive power: Not listed (88.2% efficient)
• Horsepower equivalent: roughly 7-30hp
• Weight: 106 to 234 pounds, depending on model
• Battery size: 96V, 1024Wh (G102-100), sold separately
• Advertised range: See the website for various models and battery setups
• Waterproof rating: IP67 fully waterproof

Things we like:

Things we don't like:.

Torqeedo.com

Torqeedo Cruise 6.0

Where to buy Torqeedo Cruise 6.0:

If you’re looking for an option to get your tender, jon boat, or RIB on plane, there aren’t many motors on the market powerful enough to do the job. But Torqeedo has been researching and developing these motors for years, and they have outboards for sale today that range from 1 to 80 horsepower.

Torqeedo also sell battery solutions, giving you a plug-and-play electric outboard for any boat.

To get your prop spinning, you’ll need both the outboard and the battery pack.

The Cruise 6.0 is a 9.9 horsepower equivalent that will set you back just under $5,000. The 48-volt battery pack is another $5,000, and you’ll need a charger and a few other bits. One battery will give you just under an hour of run-time at full throttle, but luckily, you can stack the batteries to get more capacity and range. Alternatively, you can build your battery bank if you’re handy. Torqeedo sells the cables to connect to the motor.

The Cruise 6.0 is available with tiller steering (T) or remote control (R) or as a fixed-pod model. There are also 6, 20, and 25 horsepower replacements in the Cruise lineup.

• Rated power watts: 6,000 watts
• Propulsive power watts: 3,504 watts
• Horsepower equivalent: 9.9 hp power output, 15 hp thrust
• Weight: 47 pounds (21.3 kg) motor, 80.5 pounds (36.5 kg) each battery
• Battery Torqeedo: 48-5000, sold separately, 5,000 Wh lithium each
• Advertised range: 7 knots (13 kph) for 1 hour, 40 min @ 50% power on a heavy 10-foot jon boat
• Waterproof rating: IP67 battery, motor not listed

Radpropulsion.com

Rad Propulsion Rad 40

Where to buy Rad Propulsion Rad 40:

Rad Propulsion is a UK-based startup that has made something very impressive in the Rad 40 electric outboard motor. This is a 55-horsepower-equivalent outboard with a unique low-profile design. Its look reminds one of the new Rotax S150 outboard marketed to provide larger swim platform areas.

The product is still in testing, but Rad expects the outboards to be perfect for power catamarans (using two motors), large RIBs, and motor launches. Rad does not build the battery systems, but they work with suppliers to assemble complete systems.

What’s great about the Rad 40 is the 180-degree swivel system along with the ability to integrate into existing power systems, unlike other options that only interoperate with proprietary batteries.

• Rated power watts: 40,000 watts
• Propulsive power: Not listed
• Horsepower equivalent: 55 hp
• Weight: 100 kg engine only
• Battery size: 63,000 Wh
• Advertised range: Not listed
• Waterproof rating: Not listed

Haswing Ultima 3.0

Where to buy Haswing Ultima 3.0:

A quiet competitor in the small electric outboard market is the Haswing Ultima 3.0. Like the Torqeedo Travel and ePropulsion Spirit series, this motor is a 3-horsepower-class motor with a built-in battery pack . It’s aimed to power dinghies and small fishing boats, with an emphasis on being portable and easy to set up. The motor can be tilted up to operate in any depth of water.

That adjustability means this motor is ideal for use with different small boats.

The Ultima features a sleeker look than earlier models, with a low-profile vertical battery pack and a telescoping tiller handle. The motor rotates 360 degrees, and the tiller handle folds 180 degrees for easy maneuvering, transport, and storage. Built-in, replaceable anodes make it suitable for fresh or saltwater environments.

• Rated power watts: 1030 watts
• Horsepower equivalent: 4 hp
• Weight: 35 pounds (15.9 kg)
• Battery size: 29.6V, 30 Ah lithium

Temofrance.com

Where to buy TEMO 1000:

The TEMO 1000 is a 1 kW portable outboard with a low-profile and unique design. It’s an alternative to the Torqeedo Travel, ePropulsion Spirit, and Mercury Avator.

This is very low profile, with just a drive leg. The battery is a 15-pound (7 kg) lithium cartridge that gets inserted into the slim shaft. The tiller gets pulled out of the shaft and lowered down into the normal driving position. If you take your motor on and off your dinghy, or you just need to store it in the smallest place possible, the TEMO 1000 is an attractive design. This motor looks perfect for small boats, maxing out at 1.5 tons. So great for sailboats, especially beach cats and performance trimarans.

• Rated power watts: 1100 watts
• Propulsive power: 480 watts
• Horsepower equivalent: 3.5 hp
• Weight: 33 pounds total (11 lbs removable battery)
• Battery size: 740 Wh lithium (max 1hr or 2hrs one half power)

Epropulsion.com

Emarineinc.com

ePropulsion Spirit 1.0 Evo

Where to buy ePropulsion Spirit 1.0 Evo:

Epropulsion has been competing with Torqeedo for quite a few years now with their 1kW outboard, to the point that there are about the same number of each make out on the water. The two motors are very similar; the Torqeedo Travel 1103C and ePropulsion Spirit 1.0 have similar sizes, performance specs, and designs. It’s hard to recommend one over the other, as they both get good reviews from owners worldwide.

The Spirit Evo electric outboards have one feature that sets them apart—they have built-in hydrogenerative capabilities. If you’re looking for a sailboat motor, the ePropulsion is a no-brainer. Let the prop spin and get some recharging while you’re out sailing . The Evo also has safety wristbands instead of the standard magnetic kill switch. If these two features aren’t important to you, the slightly less expensive Spirit 1.0 Plus is the motor for you.

One other difference between Torqeedo and ePropulsion is the basic design. Where Torqeedo motors break down into three pieces (drive leg, tiller, battery), ePropulsion Spirit outboards only break down into two (drive leg, battery). In other words, the tiller is not removable but folds to make the package easier to store and carry.

• Rated power watts: 1,000 watts
• Propulsive power watts: Not listed
• Horsepower equivalent: 3 hp
• Weight: 44 pounds total with battery (24.9 motor/19.2 battery)
• Battery: 1276 Wh lithium-ion polymer
• Advertised range: 5.3 mph, 13.3 miles, 2:30 @ 50% on a 12-foot aluminum jon boat

Elcomotoryachts.com

Elco EP-14 Electric Outboard

Where to buy Elco EP-14 Electric Outboard:

Elco is probably the company you’ve never heard of, yet it has been in the electric boat business for the longest. Long before it was chic, Elco was making electric launches. 2023 marks their 130th year of making electric boats.

Today, the company makes both outboard and inboard electric motor options. They have outboards in every size, from 5 to 50 horsepower. They also have inboard options up to 200 HP!

Elco’s motors aren’t as sexy as some of the new designs. In fact, from the outside, they’re almost indistinguishable from gas outboards, complete with cast aluminum lower units. And, unlike newer companies, they do not make a battery pack or charging solutions.

There’s a lot to like about the Elco outboard motors, but they are hardly cutting-edge. The next few years will see quite a few new electric outboards in the 10 to 20 horsepower range, and chances are the new designs will have features that blow this Elco out of the water. But you can buy a bulletproof Elco motor today, mount it on your RIB, and go fast.

• Rated power watts: 6,240 watts
• Horsepower equivalent: 14 hp
• Weight: 85 pounds (motor only)
• Battery size: User-supplied, recommended 48 volts, 200 ah

Purewatercraft.com

Pure Watercraft Pure Outboard

Where to buy Pure Watercraft Pure Outboard:

Pure Watercraft is taking the business of making electric outboards and flipping it on its head. The company is making a great powerplant, complete with stackable battery packs, and installing the kit on completed boats and selling them. Pure Watercraft should be on your list if you’re looking for an electric pontoon or RIB.

The very interesting Pure Pontoon demonstrates a proof of concept for these electric motors.

The Pure Outboard is very svelt and low-profile compared to other options. It looks good on the back of any boat, and you can imagine it powering any vessel, from fishing boats to small runabouts. With twins, you’ve got the equivalent of 100 horsepower to play with.

• Rated power watts: 25,000 watts
• Horsepower equivalent: 50 hp
• Weight: 112 pounds, engine only
• Battery size Stackable: each battery 350 volts, 9.6 kWh, and 118 pounds
• Waterproof rating: IPX7 (motor and battery packs)

Visionmarinetechnologies.com

Vision E Motion Electric Powertrain 180

Where to buy Vision E Motion Electric Powertrain 180:

We’re in the early days of electric-powered boats. At the moment, it’s anyone’s guess which companies will be around in five or ten years—or even which technologies will become hits. This is especially true when it comes to high-powered boats. With a motor boat, you are no longer making an electric scooter but a full-fledged electric car.

Vision Marine Technologies is one of those companies whose future looks bright. This startup hails from Quebec, Canada and the company has two product lines: complete electric boats and electric outboards. Their boats are simple launches; most are sold with ePropulsion power packages. Nothing very interesting to report there, unfortunately.

The Vision E Motion electric powertrain, however, looks to have the potential to be a game changer. The system is built to power a 180-horsepower equivalent outboard motor, making it the most powerful electric boat motor yet. The challenge with a package like this is scale—you simply need a very powerful motor to get that much power, and such a powerful motor takes an enormous battery bank. This system is built on a 70 kWh battery bank that achieves overnight recharges with a standard 220-volt, 30-amp marine shore power connection.

Sadly, the system will not be for sale to individuals and will only be available as OEM equipment.

• Rated power watts: Not listed
• Horsepower equivalent: 180 hp
• Weight: Not listed
• Battery size: 70,000 Wh
• Advertised range: 70 miles at 20 mph, or 3.5 hours

Defender.com

Westmarine.com

Mercury Avator 7.5e

Where to buy Mercury Avator 7.5e:

The new Mercury electric outboard, the Avator 7.5e, is a first for the company. Its 3.5-hp equivalent makes it a good choice for slow-moving jon boats, skiffs, dinghies, and perhaps small sailboats. One of the first boats being marketed with this motor is the new Veer V13 microskiff.

The Avator looks slightly different from other 1 kW outboards we’ve seen. It’s got a traditional-looking outboard cowl that is distinctly a Mercury. To get the battery out for charging, you lift the cowl and lift it out. Unlike Torqeedo and ePropulsion, removing the battery does not make the engine smaller or more portable. It does shave down the weight you have to carry, though. You can also remove the transom bracket to shave off a few pounds.

The specs of this Mercury electric outboard look great, especially compared to other 1 kW motors. The really interesting thing, however, is Mercury’s future Avator models. They’re already promised a 20e and 35e, which will be 5 and 9.9 horsepower equivalents.

• Rated power watts: 916 watts
• Propulsive power: 750 watts
• Weight: 60 pounds (43 lbs engine, 17 lbs battery)
• Battery size : 1,000 Wh lithium-ion
• Advertised range: 1 hour at 100%
• Waterproof rating: Battery IP67, motor not listed

Torqeedo Ultralight 403AC

Where to buy Torqeedo Ultralight 403AC:

Torqueedo is best known for their 3-horsepower equivalent Travel 1103C outboard, but they make a range of smaller motors for fishing kayaks and similar very small craft.  

The Ultralight comes in two sizes, 1 and 3 horsepower. But for a kayak, the 1 horsepower model is more than sufficient. At slow trolling speeds, the 915 Wh battery pack will last 24 hours; at full throttle, you eat it up in just over two, but you’ll be cruising at a neck-breaking 5 knots (9.3 kph).

The design of the Ultralight is perfect for mounting at the stern of most fishing kayaks. It has cable steering attachments and a kick-up design to protect the drive leg in shallow water and when beaching.

• Rated power watts: 400 watts
• Propulsive power: 180 watts
• Horsepower equivalent: 1 hp
• Weight: 11.0 kg
• Battery: 915 Wh lithium
• Advertised range: 3.2 knots, 38 nm, 11.8 hours (6 kph, 71 km) @ 50% power on a fishing kayak
• Waterproof rating: IP67

Related Reviews

Read full review

Electric Outboard Buyer’s Guide

Boating means something a little different to every boater. For some, it’s a chance to enjoy the peace and quiet of being on the water. For some, it’s simple transportation, getting from Point A to Point B as painlessly as possible. And for others, getting on the water means quenching their need for speed—be it on a jet ski (like the Taiga Orca electric) or maybe a Lamborghini Boat.

Sifly has used their electric propulsion system developed for their efoils and attached it to a mini-cat PWC, illustrating that there are some very interesting projects in the works out there.

Not all of these boaters will happily fit into an electric future, just as not all automobile owners now drive Teslas. But electric outboards are here, and what they offer is astounding compared to the alternative.

Currently, the best case for an electric motor is made at the small end of the scale . Battery technology currently allows for a very practical three-horsepower-equivalent motor. These 1 kW outboards have been around for over a decade and have proven reliable—even preferable to their gas counterparts .

But there are some promising, power options, like the Evoy Storm on the Axopar below.

These motors cost more than gas motors of the same size but require no maintenance or fuel. And there are many other benefits. For example, they are smaller and lighter, easier to transport and store, and lack the fickle carburetors that are always clogging on gas outboards of this size.

However, outboards larger than five horsepower are still prohibitively expensive for most and rare to see in the wild. Several companies are producing them, but the battery and charging technologies needed to keep them running are only now catching up.

Luckily, many new companies are tackling the problem every year , and you’ll likely see electric boats zipping around shoresides everywhere within the next decade.

How Much Power Is Enough for an Electric Boat Motor?

Electric boat motors do not produce horsepower, at least not measured like gasoline engines. Instead, their power output is measured in watts. This makes it a little cryptic for the layperson to figure out what they’re looking at when comparing a 1 kW outboard versus, say, a 9.9 horsepower gasoline outboard.

Most manufacturers will provide an equivalent horsepower number, but these are just for comparison purposes. Depending on how the motor is geared and propped, it might produce more torque than a gas outboard and perform better than you’d expect with a similar-sized gas outboard. Due to all these variables, horsepower equivalents are tricky.

Here’s a table of horsepower-to-watt equivalents. From a math standpoint, you find horsepower by dividing watts by 745.

Converting horsepower to watts to see how electric power translates into traditional power.

Unfortunately, manufacturers’ ratings aren’t very clear in watts, either. There is a difference between how many watts of electricity you can put into a motor and how many are converted to move the boat. That efficiency sets some motor manufacturers apart and can make two competing 1 kW motors act very differently in the real world.

Output is usually measured in “propulsive watts” or sometimes by measuring the push of static thrust in pounds .

It’s Not the Motor, It’s the Battery

The motor gets you moving, but the battery bank keeps it running . In gasoline terms, your battery is your fuel tank. It determines how long you can keep the prop spinning. The phenomenon known as range anxiety for drivers learning the limits of their electric cars counts on the water too.

In terms of technology, the trick is not in the outboard motor itself—similar to cars—it’s in the battery. Electric motors have been around for a long time, and making one into an outboard isn’t a big deal. What is a big deal is having a battery that can run it for any time while taking the high power draw you need to go fast.

Various lithium battery technologies are up for the challenge, but it’s a developing technology.

Automobiles have only just gotten competitive with gas. But it’s important to remember that an outboard motor is often driven at 80-90 percent power for long periods, while cars typically only run at 30 or 40 percent while on the highway. That’s a big difference in what the battery has to be able to provide.

For electric outboards up to 3 horsepower (1 kW class electric outboards), the battery is sometimes integrated into the motor–like the Torqeedo –to make an easily portable package. This also gives the consumer an easy-to-understand cost of installation. You pay one price and get everything you need.

Anything more powerful requires an external battery bank mounted somewhere else in the boat. This is the same situation as with gasoline outboards. Portable models have small, built-in fuel tanks, while large gas guzzlers have tanks built into the boat.

But building a battery bank in the boat is no trivial matter . You need space to mount it and the capacity to hold the weight of it. Then you ask, how many volts does the motor operate off of, how many amp-hours of capacity do you need for the range you require, and which battery chemistry is most appropriate? Once you have decided on the batteries, you must build in their support systems—wiring to run the motors, charging controllers to top them off when at the dock, and monitoring and safety systems to ensure they are not under or overcharged.

You can spend much more on the battery system than the outboard itself . Lithium batteries are expensive. For example, both Torqeedo and ePropulsion sell their 1 kWh portable battery packs for about $1,000US. In other words, for the cost of the battery alone, you’ve already spent more than you would on a new gas outboard of the same size.

For example, Elco Motors suggest using 2 lithium batteries to power their inboard 20 horsepower motor. That’ll run $13,000, or there abouts in 2023.

Thankfully, battery technology is evolving quickly, and the prices are decreasing. New outboard manufacturers are tackling the problem by building and selling their own battery kits , as with Mercury Marine’s Avator 25e and 30e and the Pure Watercraft outboard system with stackable batteries. Other companies, like Torqeedo, are partnered with electric auto companies to marinize existing car batteries (in Torqeedo’s case, they use BMW i-series battery packs for their high-power Deep Blue installs).

Electric Boat Motor Charging

Where’s your nearest electric boat charging station? You’ll probably be looking for a while because they don’t exist yet.

One advantage that electric boat motors have over their automobile counterparts, however, is the presence of high-amperage power outlets. Nearly all marinas have options for 30, 50, or 100-amp shore power connections. For the makers of these boats, that presents an opportunity for fast chargers with existing infrastructure.

In essence, it’s easier for most boat owners to make their own electric boat charging station at their marina slip than for homeowners to do the same in their garages.

Advantages and Disadvantages Compared to Gas Outboards

Here’s a look at some pros and cons of going electric on your boat.

Advantages of Electric Outboard Motors

• Near silent operation
• Smooth operation with no vibration
• No fumes or smoke, zero direct emissions
• More torque and faster response than gas outboards
• Easier to start—push a button and go
• Portable models are lighter and easy to store and transport
• Many motors are modular, making them even smaller and lighter to carry
• Almost no maintenance is required for the motor
• Some brands have been in business for more than a decade with proven products
• Currently available from 1 to 80 horsepower, higher power models coming soon

Disadvantages of Electric Outboards

• Most exciting options are from new startups with no track record
• New technologies haven’t been thoroughly tested for marine life
• High-powered options are pre-order only
• High motor cost
• Extremely high battery cost
• Battery longevity concerns coupled with replacement cost
• Batteries of sufficient capacity for high-power applications are large and heavy
• Long recharge times and limited power for fast charging at docks—lack of electric boat charting station locations

Is An Electric Outboard Right For You?

Currently, high-powered electric outboards (anything more than about ten horsepower) are for early adopters only. There aren’t many options out there, and those are pricy.

However, if you’re in the market for a small, portable outboard, then 1 kW electric outboard motors have proven to be an outstanding alternative to gas. They run nearly silent, require next to no maintenance, produce zero direct emissions, and start with the push of a button. Plus, you’ll never have to clean another clogged carburetor again. Hallelujah!

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Haswing Motors Ultima 3 electric outboard motor: First look

• Electric boats
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Haswing Motors has been quietly making a range of small electric boat motors for some time now, from tiny trolling motors suitable for kayaks up to the Ultima 3 you see here.

The Haswing Ultima 3 electric outboard is suitable for boats up to 7m according to the manufacturer. The brushless DC motor produces 3hp (claimed to be equivalent to a 4hp petrol outboard), and it’s available in short and long shaft versions as well as the standard length.

Its detachable 30V, 1.03 kW 20.3AH LiPO battery charges in six hours on a mains charger and offers typical runtimes from three hours (on half throttle), up to 10 hours (on slow throttle).

Not only is the 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! Prices start from £1,570.

Article continues below…

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Our sister title Yachting Monthly recently reviewed the Haswing Ultima 3 as part of its best electric outboard motor group test and electric boats expert Emrhys Barrell had this to say:

“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.”

Read the full electric outboard motors group test on yachtingmonthly.com

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4 Best Electric Outboard Motors

Last Updated by

Daniel Wade

June 15, 2022

Taking a small dinghy with an electric outboard motor on your sailboat can provide a means of quick and reliable transportation.

While electric outboard motors can have difficulty moving full-size sailboats around, they are more than powerful enough to get a small dinghy going fast. While trolling motors are only good for slow speeds, an electric outboard motor can get a boat going fast as long as the boat is small enough.

Electric outboard motors can be a better choice than gas motors. As well as being powerful enough, they are lighter, more compact, and more reliable. You can count on motors from ePropulsion and Torquedo to last for a while.

If your sailboat is large enough, you should always take a dinghy with you. As well as being a potential lifesaver in an emergency, a dinghy is useful any time you need to drop anchor and make it to shore. A dinghy with a motor is cheap compared to a sailboat, so a sailor should always have a dinghy with them.

Table of contents

How fast can you go with an electric outboard motor?

If you are running a powerful motor on a small boat at full speed, you might be able to do 15 knots or better. Usually, you won't go that fast when you are in a dinghy and running an electric motor.

If you want to make it as far as possible, you will run the motor on much less than full power. Fifteen knots is what you might get if you are running a powerful 6000 watt motor on a small boat. Normal speeds are slower - you might move at less than five knots if you want to travel as many miles as possible before the battery dies.

How far can you make it in a dinghy with an electric motor?

Something like 20 miles is a rough, ballpark figure, although with some motors, you might be able to make it 70 miles at a slow speed. Don't take any risks when it comes to whether or not your battery will run out in the middle of the sea. Be on the safe side.

You will do much better if you run your motor at a slower speed. If you run your motor as fast as possible, you might make it only a fraction of the maximum distance before your battery runs out. Distances high above 20 miles are sometimes possible if you go slow, although it depends on the boat and the motor.

How is power measured for electric motors?

The power of an electric motor is usually measured in watts, not horsepower. Sometimes the power of an electric motor is given in horsepower, but usually in watts.

Boat motors vary greatly in how powerful they are. A motor that is only 10hp, 5hp, or 3hp is common even though outboard motors can be 20hp or more.

Usually, you can go more like 5 knots than 15 knots with an electric or gas motor. To go 15 knots, you might need something like a 100hp motor - this is too expensive and not what people are likely to put on a small dinghy.

What are the advantages of gas motors?

In the long run, electric motors can save you money because it costs less to keep them running. After the first few years, electric motors are the cheaper choice.

The maintenance cost per hour of use is much higher for petrol motors. After only a few hundred hours of use, a petrol motor's cost will exceed the cost of an electric motor.

One disadvantage of electric motors is that they run on batteries, which take time to charge. You will have to charge your batteries overnight, compared to quickly refueling a gas engine.

One way out of this problem is to use a solar charger. With a solar charger, you can charge your batteries anywhere as long as the sun is out.

Electric outboard motor advantages

As well as being effectively cheaper than gas motors, electric motors are much quieter. Compared to a gas engine, an electric motor is almost silent. You will hear almost nothing and will not scare fish away.

Electric motors are also much cleaner to deal with than gas motors. If you use an electric motor, you won't have to deal with engine grease. You can get engine grease on your boat and not just on your hands and clothes with a gas motor.

Gas motors also have exhaust fumes, so an electric motor is better for your health. Electric motors are also simpler than gas motors, so you won't have to repair them as often.

Is it possible to buy high powered electric outboard motors?

Yes, you can find an electric motor with a power equivalent to an 80 horsepower gas engine. Not many people put such powerful motors on their dinghies, though. Dinghies mostly have weaker motors, often less than five horsepower.

Is it easy to break a propeller if you hit something?

You can definitely do expensive damage to a propeller if it hits a rock. A small bump won't damage it - most propellers are made well and are reasonably durable. If your motor does not come with a propeller guard, you should buy one separately.

Are 3hp motors good enough for many boats, or are they too weak for most purposes?

If you are using a small dinghy that weighs less than two tons, and do not intend to go very fast, a 3hp motor is good enough. You can go much faster than trolling speed with only a 3hp motor if your craft is small enough. For a small sailboat that weighs more like six tons than one or two tons, a 10hp motor may be enough.

Best electric outboard motors

Make sure you buy a high-quality motor because these are not tiny investments. You can lose more than a little money if you buy a shoddy product that does not have a good warranty. Put a bit of time into verifying the reliability of whatever you purchase.

1) ePropulsion Spirit 1.0 Plus

If you are fine with a fairly weak 3HP motor, the Spirit 1.0 Plus is a great product with few disadvantages. The Spirit 1.0 Plus from ePropulsion is built to last, uses power efficiently, and doesn't cost a fortune.

At full speed, the Spirit will only last for about 90 minutes on a single battery. With a 12 foot boat, you can go about 9 km/h - not bad for a relatively low power engine. You also do not need to run the boat on full power to approach your boat's maximum speed.

If you run the Spirit on 1/4 power, you can keep it going for 6 or 8 hours. Batteries are fairly heavy, but you can keep the motor running for a long time if you bring extra batteries. The motor can save you in a dangerous situation and is great for non-emergency uses as well.

Another advantage of the Spirit is that the battery floats, so it won't sink if you drop it in the water. The Spirit is also light, even with the powerful battery it comes with. The digital display that shows how much battery power you have left is accurate.

Like other electric boat motors, the Spirit is more environmentally friendly and healthier than a gas engine. Gas engines have fuel leakage and fumes; an electric motor avoids these problems. The Spirit even comes with a 180W solar panel to charge it, although this is not the only or the fastest way of charging the battery.

The motor even has a remote control, so you can steer it and adjust the speed with a console. If the Spirit has a disadvantage, it is that the range on a single battery is unimpressive. You can make it a little more than 20 miles, but many other electric motors let you go farther on a single battery.

2) ePropulsion Navy 6.0

If you are looking for something longer lasting than and more powerful than the Spirit 1.0 Plus, ePropulsion also offers the more powerful Navy 6.0 . The Navy 6.0 is equivalent to a 10Hp engine, so it won't struggle to move a relatively big boat.

The range on the Navy 6.0 is impressive. The battery is powerful enough that you can travel 40 miles before having to recharge. If you want to bring more than one battery, the Navy 6.0 can be compatible with other companies' batteries.

The Navy 6.0 also has a propeller that will stop immediately if it hits anything. This can save your engine from damage if the propeller hits a rock or anything else. There is also an emergency stop kill switch to

The Navy 6.0 works just as well in freshwater as in saltwater. It is advantageous to have an electric motor on a lake because there are laws against gas motors in some lakes.

3) Torquedo Travel 1003

One thing that makes the Torquedo Travel stand out is its onboard GPS computer, which can calculate how far you can travel before the battery runs out. The computer will continuously update how far you can travel based on how much battery power is left, how fast you are going, and how much power you are using.

While the Torquedo Travel can run for 10 or 11 hours on a full charge, it can only move a small boat at 1.5 or 2 knots for that long. If you run the engine at half throttle, it will last for 3.5 hours at 3 knots. If you travel faster, the battery runs out very fast - it will only last half an hour at 5 knots.

If you want a solar charger for the motor, you can buy it separately from the company. It is costly, but the solar panels do work well and give you a way to charge the battery at sea.

The Torquedo Travel is also a small and light motor that does not take up much room. Without the battery, it weighs only 8.9 kilograms. You can easily remove and store the engine.

Another useful feature is the kill switch that allows you to stop the motor immediately in an emergency. You can also use the engine/battery as a power source for electronics through a USB.

The Torquedo is a reliable engine backed by a two-year warranty. It is equivalent only to a 3HP engine, so it is not powerful enough for everyone.

4) Torquedo Cruise 4.0 T

The Torquedo Cruise is the best choice if you want a more powerful alternative to the Torquedo Travel. The Torquedo Cruise electric outboard motor is equivalent to an 8HP gas engine. If you need a motor for a boat that weighs three or four tons instead of one or two tons, get the Cruise instead of the Travel.

The Torquedo Cruise will stay completely waterproof for a long time and not develop small leaks quickly. Small leaks can ruin some of the cheaper engines on the market. The Torquedo Cruise is also very corrosion resistant, so you can use it in saltwater for a long time without damage.

The Torquedo Cruise has the same onboard GPS computer, emergency off switch, and two-year warranty as the Torquedo Travel does. The only disadvantage compared to the Torquedo Travel is the higher price. Not everyone needs a more powerful motor, but it is an excellent engine if you do.

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I've personally had thousands of questions about sailing and sailboats over the years. As I learn and experience sailing, and the community, I share the answers that work and make sense to me, here on Life of Sailing.

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Practical Boat Owner

• Digital edition

Best electric outboard motors: 9 of the best options on the market

• Jake Kavanagh
• June 9, 2021

Electric outboard motors (where the motor is outside the hull) fall into three distinct categories, with some overlap: standard electric outboard, rim drives and pod drives, writes Jake Kavanagh

Portable electric outboards have no trouble moving even quite large hulls with relatively little power. This is an ePropulsion 1kW unit pushing a day sailer quite happily. Photo: Bill Doster

The electric motor is either sealed in an underwater casing, or housed above the waterline under a cowling, as in a standard petrol outboard . Keeping the motor below the water helps with cooling and makes an already quiet engine virtually silent. The downside to electric outboard motors is that they are more vulnerable to water ingress if the seals get damaged.

Above the waterline the electric outboard engine is easier to access, but the transmission is via a gearbox rather than direct drive so there will be some efficiency loss and a little more noise. However, this configuration allows much larger electric outboard motors to be installed as no submersible casing is required.

Our pick of the best electric outboard motors

4.5hp equivalent Mitek electric outboard looks much like a petrol engine

Mitek: 2.6-20hp electric outboard motors

Italian-based Mitek makes a series of outboards where the drive is enclosed under a cowling and the power is fed in from a separate battery bank.

“Our outboard sales are focused on the portable market, from 2.6hp up to the newest 15hp and 20hp,” says sales manager Silvia Peduto.

“Mitek outboards look familiar on the outside with a classic ultra-tested construction, but the inside is a completely different story. We have efficiency above 90%, a high and constant torque and lighter weight.

“The status of the motor and batteries is digitally under control on your phone. I would say that real innovation lies in higher efficiency and simplicity. All our products are designed to simplify our lives without compromising our ecosystem.”

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Torqeedo has borrowed from big ship technology and placed a ‘swirl energy enhancer’ onto the boss of the propeller. This captures an extra 5% energy from the displaced water, extending battery range

Torqeedo Travel

The German-made Torqeedo 1103 Travel typifies a design where the motor unit is submerged. This 1kW motor is roughly equal to a 2hp petrol outboard, but with the obvious limitations of range. The 1103 nomenclature refers to the 1100W battery, which is detachable and weighs 17kg (37lb).

Torqeedo was arguably the pioneer of lightweight electric outboards but is now facing some stiff competition. As such, it has been refining existing models and producing new ones, with the redesigned 603 model (left) out in 2021. Both motors are IP67 waterproof, meaning you can immerse them to 1m for 30 minutes and they’ll still work just fine.

The control handle contains a built-in GPS and has an LCD display showing charge state, speed, estimated range and energy draw. The new generation of motors are exceptionally quiet, as earlier models were known for a distinctive whine. Now, thanks to new technology, the motor is described as ‘little more than a human whisper’ when under way.

e’dyn is producing outboard motors from 2kW to 11kW in power

e’dyn: 2.6hp-8hp electric outboard motors

A co-operation between Slovenian-based Podkrižnik and Italian-based e-concept, e’dyn is a good example of futuristic design and lightweight construction. The motor is housed conventionally under a cowling and fed from a separate battery bank.

A new ‘Free Time’ line of 2kW, 4kW and 6kW models will be available from 2021. e’dyn is also upgrading its popular 11kW model with a new communications protocol and a 25kW version will be available shortly. As with most modern outboards, energy management is a priority.

“We saw lack of customisable options in our old design so we are working on more open protocol-based systems that are user friendly,” said project manager Tomaž Murko.

“In the future there will definitely be significant improvement in battery chemistry and power management. With our new systems we will be able to replace old technologies or make small optimizations such as communication signals without a problem”.

TEMO 450 electric outboard motor

The latest option on the market is the TEMO 450 electric outboard, which we recently got a chance to test.

Marine technical editor Fox Morgan said: “I like the low-profile design, the speed of mounting and dismounting, the ease of carrying and stowing and the speed it charges.”

You can read their full review of the 2hp TEMO electric outboard online now.

Best rim drive electric outboard motors

Developed from commercial shipping applications, the rim drive uses the outer part of the tunnel as the stator, and the inner section as the rotor. Basically, this gives just a single moving part, with all the electrical components ‘potted’ in resin to be completely watertight.

Some designs even have inward-pointing blades, which allow ropes and nets to pass harmlessly through the central void without fouling.

RAD Propulsion’s 40kW RAD2

RAD Propulsion

Although a relatively new start-up, the team at UK-based RAD Propulsion has a long history in ‘extreme’ marine equipment. With skills gleaned in autonomous vessels, advanced composites and deep-sea submersibles, the result is a lightweight rim motor that will soon be available in a useful selection of outputs.

The RAD designs are all fully sealed, ruggedly-built in metal and composite and feature advanced electronic protocols that have the ability to ‘learn’ from the motor’s performance.

Energy data is downloaded to RAD HQ for refining the operational parameters as part of an ongoing development programme.

The first model is the 2kW RAD2 and will be followed by the RAD1 designed for paddle boards and kayaks. A larger 40kW RAD40 (pictured) version is due for launch at the end of 2021.

HY-Generation’s first model is the 6kW RIM6

HY-Generation

The French company HY-Generation is also exploring the versatility of the rim drive and has made two breakthroughs which, it says, has greatly increased the unit’s efficiency. The first is to introduce a hydrodynamic ‘stall’ into the tunnel to eliminate some of the vortex restrictions associated with high-speed running and reverse.

The result is an improvement in range claimed to be around 35%. The second is with the blade design, which can now pivot freely depending on loading and speed.

This variable pitch is also said to reduce energy consumption and is the principle behind more conventional e-propellers such as Brunton’s Eco Star. The company’s first model is the 6kW RIM6 (pictured) which weighs in at just 12kg (26lb).

Vetus E-POD

Netherlands-based Vetus has developed the E-POD (pictured), a rim drive with a central hub which they say has been thoroughly tested in the ‘bicycle-filled’ canals around Amsterdam and has escaped without damage. “The propeller itself is the rotor of the permanent magnet motor.

Because there are no gears, transmission or shaft, the truly direct drive is extremely efficient,” says Vetus’s Jan van Dijk. “We have calculated efficiency of up to 95%.

“Another huge advantage is there are no rotating parts onboard of the boat, meaning no vibration. Having minimal machinery inside the hull also optimises the available boat space. Having the whole system designed in a ring and tunnel also minimises cavitation.”

Best pod drive electric outboard motors

A development of the electric outboard, the submersible motor is either fixed to a mounting under the hull, or to a steerable through-hull shaft. Some can even be mounted on the rudder to act as a directional thruster. The power cable is usually fed down through the pod’s control shaft or attachment flange for protection.

Seadrive ‘puller’ unit

Norwegian-based start-up Seadrive began with the premise of a steerable ‘puller’ (pictured right) or ‘pusher’ pod capable of efficient regeneration. Most striking is the swept shape of the propeller, which spins efficiently when sail-milling. The control unit has also been set to optimise the energy produced.

The Seadrive unit is also rotatable for directed thrust and can be turned through 180° so the propeller is facing forwards (or rearwards on ‘pullers’), opposing its usual drive orientation.

This greatly improves the auto-rotation speed, something already used by companies such as ZF on their steerable re-gen saildrives.

The DeepSpeed pod drive from Sealence

Italian company Sealence has developed a pod drive with some closely guarded technology within its ‘aircraft jet engine’ style cowling.

The drive compresses and ejects water electrically and is designed to run from a generator, although it can also be battery fed.

Originally intended for fast ferries and large yachts, the DeepSpeed model is also available in much smaller units for leisure craft.

ePropulsion’s EVO

ePropulsion

ePropulsion has taken its outboard motor technology and developed it as the EVO range of pods. The big advantage of this design is it also produces significant hydro-regeneration, but no loading is placed on the prop until a suitable speed is achieved.

The company is using advanced electronic protocols to maximise battery efficiency with mobile phone apps to keep tabs on range, energy consumption and speed. The EVO is offered in three units: 1kW, 3kW and 6kW.

Read Ali Wood’s review of the 2hp ePropulsion electric outboard motor

Can you build your own electric outboard motor?

It’s not easy, but a couple of intrepid boaters have had some success creating DIY electric outboard motors .

One impressive example is PBO reader Olly Epsom who explained to us back in 2018 how (and why!) he built his own 1kW electric outboard motor for under £600.

What about inboard electric boat motors?

In addition to all the above, there are plenty of options for converting your boat to run off inboard electric motors these days.

Jake Kavanagh recently spoke to four boat owners who’d converted to electric power and explained how it can be done, right the way up to a 46fter powered by twin 10kW (13.4hp) Oceanvolt Servoprop electric saildrive units.

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ePropulsion Launches X40 Electric Outboard

• By Yachting Staff
• November 10, 2023

At the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show in October, ePropulsion premiered its X40 Electric Outboard.

ePropulsion says the X40 weighs 20 percent less than traditional motors while generating 40 kW of power, with 88.2 percent total powertrain efficiency. The design integrates electric steering, power trim and tilt, an electric control unit and a motor controller into a single unit.

The X40’s electric steering system eliminates the need for hydraulic components, and its built-in Connectivity Service offers real-time status, advanced monitoring, and reporting- and trip-tracking. Frequency resonance isolation and vibration-dampening technology are also part of the X40, for what ePropulsion says is less vibration than comparable outboards .

“We are always looking to innovate, not just to match what is available for standard internal combustion outboards but to move beyond their capabilities and provide real, enhanced performance while also providing a quiet, clean and powerful alternative for propulsion,” Danny Tao, CEO and co-founder of ePropulsion, stated in a press release.

How is the X40 built for the marine environment? It is reportedly IP67 waterproof with a minimum service life of 5,000 hours.

Take the next step: Go to epropulsion.com

• More: Electric , Electric Motors , Gear , outboards

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Yachting Monthly

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• Release date: September 14, 2023

Boating & Aviation

Frequency: Monthly Pages: 116 Publisher: Future Publishing Ltd Edition: Oct 01 2023

OverDrive Magazine Release date: September 14, 2023

• Formats OverDrive Magazine
• Languages English

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• Embracing the Future: The Rise of Electric Outboard Motors in the UK

The marine industry is experiencing a seismic shift with the increased popularity and technological advancements in electric outboard motors. As global attention shifts towards sustainable and environmentally friendly technologies, the UK’s boating sector is steering a significant course towards electric propulsion. This transition is not merely a trend but a reflection of heightened environmental awareness and evolving consumer preferences for greener alternatives. Electric outboard motors offer a silent, clean, and efficient alternative to traditional petrol-powered motors, marking a revolutionary step in recreational and commercial boating.

Understanding and Utilizing Electric Outboard Motors

Electric outboard motors are an innovative propulsion method that uses electricity stored in batteries to power a motor that drives the boat. This technology stands out for its efficiency and the absence of exhaust emissions, making it particularly appealing to environmentally conscious boaters. These motors are designed with simplicity in mind, featuring fewer moving parts than their combustion counterparts, which leads to reduced mechanical issues and less maintenance. The immediate torque delivery from electric motors ensures smooth and responsive handling, enhancing the boating experience with quiet operation and minimal vibration.

Benefits and Advancements in Electric Boating

The benefits of adopting electric outboard motors extend beyond environmental conservation. Users enjoy a quieter operation, which is especially beneficial for fishing enthusiasts who require stealth. Economically, while the upfront cost might be higher compared to traditional engines, the operational and maintenance savings are considerable. Electric motors require less routine maintenance and are cheaper to run, as electricity costs less than petrol. Additionally, the boating community is likely to see continued advancements in motor efficiencies and battery technologies, further enhancing the appeal of electric options.

Diverse Applications and Innovations

Electric outboard motors cater to a wide range of boating activities, from leisurely cruises on serene lakes to more rigorous maritime tasks like offshore fishing and speed boating. Innovations in this field are not slowing down; high-power electric outboard motors are becoming more common, offering robust performance that rivals traditional engines. For leisure activities, the market has seen a surge in motors that are optimized for quiet and enjoyable experiences, ideal for family outings and recreational fishing.

Read our top notch articles on topics such as sailing, sailing tips and destinations in our Magazine .

Check out our latest sailing content:

Choosing the Right Electric Outboard Motor

Selecting the ideal electric outboard motor involves evaluating several key factors, including the size and type of the boat, the typical water conditions, and specific boating needs. Prospective buyers should consider the power output, battery capacity, weight, and overall compatibility with their boat. It's also crucial to consider the infrastructure for charging these batteries, as accessibility to charging stations can influence decision-making.

Installation and Maintenance of Electric Motors

Installing an electric outboard motor might seem daunting, but it is relatively straightforward with the right tools and some basic knowledge of boat mechanics. Ensuring that the motor is properly mounted and that all electrical connections are secure and waterproof is crucial. Regular maintenance is minimal yet essential; it typically involves checking the battery and electrical systems to ensure everything is operating efficiently.

Predictions for the Future of Electric Boating

The future of boating is electric, with predictions pointing towards increased adoption as battery technology improves and environmental regulations tighten. The marine industry is expected to witness significant innovations, including enhanced battery capacities, more efficient motors, and integration with renewable energy sources like solar panels. Additionally, as governments worldwide begin to implement stricter environmental regulations, electric boats are likely to receive further support through incentives and subsidies.

Electric outboard motors signify a pivotal development in the pursuit of sustainable boating. With benefits ranging from environmental friendliness to reduced operating costs, and a broad array of applications from fishing to high-speed boating, electric motors are setting the standard for the future of the marine industry. As technology continues to advance and consumer awareness grows, the shift towards electric boating is expected to accelerate, offering a cleaner, quieter, and more efficient boating experience.

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Classic look hydrofoiling electric boat debuts in Moscow

A team in Russia has developed this sleek hydrofoiling electric boat with a retro-tech classic runabout look, both inside and out.

The boat is called the Molniya – Russian for ‘lightning’ – and uses fixed surface piercing (SP) foils rather than the retractable inverted-T fully submerged (FS) type on boats like the Candela 7 .

The Molniya prototype was built by Artem Markov and a small team he assembled in Moscow. Markov is a graduate of the Moscow Automobile and Road Construction Institute, where he was part of their Formula MADI electric car racing team that competed against other universities from around the world.

Hydrofoiling electric boat idea started in 2016

Like many other electric boat developers he is also a long time sailor and says “ I have never been able to understand what is the beauty of going on motor boats with a lot of vibration and noise. So, I decided I wanted to find a way to transfer the silence and comfort of a sailing yacht to a boat. The idea came to me in 2016, and from that moment I started working on the project .”

He is a big fan of the work that the team at Candela has been doing, and is well versed in their reasonings of why hydrofoiling is the way to reduce drag and increase efficiency and comfort. So he knew foiling was the way to go and began to design his dream boat.

It is one thing to know exactly what one wants, but b udget realities quite often make inventors adapt. So he found a classic fibreglass-and-aluminum hull and went to work redesigning and converting it. The team had to strengthen and reinforce the hull to handle the stresses from the front foils. At the stern of the boat they designed  protruding half-wings that would help lift the boat onto those front SP foils as it accelerated.

80kW motor mounted to stern drive unit 

That gives the 8.9 m • 29 ft boat a cruising speed of about 20 kts • 37 km/h and maximum speed of 36 kts • 66km/h. As for range, the Molniya can go for 135 Nautical miles at 5 kts, 17 Nm at 25 kts and 20 Nm at the top speed. 

For the battery, they have taken stock lithium-ion cells and developed the modules themselves. The size is 160kW and there are some creative and useful ideas incorporated into the charging and battery management systems. One is the ability to connect a warning system to a GPS route so if you are driving at a speed that is taking yo u beyond range of getting back to shore the motor will automatically slow down. When you do get back, a full 0-100% charge takes 3.5 hours and you can check status through SMS.

One of the intriguing things about the Molniya is that all of the electric boat technology has been incorporated into a striking overall retro look. The dashboard looks like it might have been taken from a 1950s luxury car catalogue, but of course the actual meters are all digital. The interior of the entire boat harkens back to an earlier day, appearing ready to whisk 6 passengers off to a swing era supper club.

From prototype to production

Having built and tested the prototype from an existing hull, the goal of Markov and the team is to move to production mode and use the materials he always envisioned in his dream boat. While the aluminum and fibreglass of the original have been useful for testing, speed and range will benefit from materials like much lighter carbon-kevlar.

The adapted stern drive was useful for proving the hydrofoiling electric boat concept, but all of the designers and engineers are keen to see the improved efficiency they will get from a motor, drive and battery system they have designed from scratch for the Molniya. As for the foils themselves, the production model will use lighter, thinner composites instead of stainless steel.

Obviously the spring and summer of 2020 has not provided the best opportunities to introduce the prototype at boat shows and stir up interest with consumers, the trade or investors. It seems, though that the Molniya is the type of boat that should appeal to peopl looking for the same thing Artem wanted for himself: a classic motor boat experience but one that is quiet, odour free…and smooth sailing.

You can find out more on the Molniya website, lightning-foil.com .

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Yachting Monthly

• Digital edition

Electric yacht: What are the options for going electric?

• Will Bruton
• July 17, 2020

The options for having an electric yacht or a hybrid-electric yacht are growing in popularity; we outline the current options for those making the switch

The Arcona 380Z is a standard production yacht that has been adapted for electric propulsion. Note the increased solar panel surface area with soft panels bonded to the sails. Credit: Jukka Pakainen

A modern electric yacht can come in all shapes and sizes, from the latest high-tech speed boats with recently developed high-performance electric engines, to a traditional tender with an electric outboard on the back. Increasingly yachts are going electric too as electric engines become increasingly capable of propelling boats weighing several tonnes, and with the rigging for sails, at a reasonable speed for an acceptable length of time. 

Since the invention of the marinised engine , there has never been the capacity to store enough fuel to cover significant distances in boats that are smaller than a tanker, with fuel capacity always being the limiting factor. As such the best way to cover long distances on a boat fit for a small number of passengers was, and remains, wind power. 

For all the many green attributes that using the power of wind offers, there is no escaping that for most, fossil fuels still represent some part of sailing – whether that be a diesel engine to motor in light winds, onto and off a mooring , or to generate power for onboard electronic systems. Even a small tender used to go from ship-to-shore is often fitted with an outboard motor.

Recent advances in electric power, however, have started to make electric propulsion a reasonable alternative to fossil fuel power. Range will always be an issue but that has long been true of a traditional diesel engine. Improvements in lithuim-ion battery performance is, and likely will continue to, increase range every year. 

Spirit Yachts 44e – the ‘e’ stands for electric

Additionally electric power and batteries offer the bonus of being able to be recharged via solar panels , a wind turbine or hydroelectric power – via a hydrogenerator mounted on the stern of a boat sailing. 

At first glance the electric yacht market could appear in its infancy, but like every revolution, the will of the people is driving forward technology that only a few years ago was seen as the stuff of fantasy.

The market has responded to demand, and battery and motor technology has come on leaps and bounds, driven in part by the rapid development of electric cars.

It may not be commonplace yet, but electric yachting is here, even available ‘off the shelf’, so is it time to get onboard?

The Spirit 111 is a bold hybrid yacht, promising 30 miles motoring under electric power alone. Credit: Ian Roman/Waterline Media

A cutting edge electric yacht

Like Formula One, it’s the cutting edge of electric yachting that trickles down into mainstream production in no time at all.

For Spirit Yachts, a builder defined by a unique blend of traditional and state-of-the-art, electric yachting has been driven by demanding clients that want their yachts to be at the cutting edge.

Spirit Yachts have now produced a number of projects aimed at the all electric luxury yacht market including the Spirit 44e electric yacht and a recent project, the Spirit 111, had all the hallmarks of a superyacht project and the team had to earn their keep delivering to brief.

Managing Director Nigel Stuart explained how it works.

‘The 111 combines several cutting-edge technologies to deliver a something that’s never really been done before. A lithium-ion powered electric drive system can be charged by hydrogenation and also two high-wattage diesel generators.

‘Each generator is 22kw, meaning they can pack a lot of power into the system in a short period of time, they don’t need to run for long to fully recharge.

‘The prop is both a means of drive and power generation, so no separate hydrogenerator is needed. She will be capable of motoring under electric alone for more than 30 miles.

‘When you take on a project that’s electric, it makes you think hard about efficiency so the air conditioning, water heaters and everything in the galley has also been carefully selected to use less power.

‘For her owner there is very little compromise and some major advantages.’

Whilst it’s a long way from the average cruising yacht, the trickle-down effect of projects like the Spirit 111 can’t be underestimated.

Calypso , a Contessa 32, was the yard’s first foray into electric-powered yachts. Credit: Jeremy Rogers

Traditional electric yacht

Jeremy Rogers’ yard in Lymington is the birthplace of the iconic Contessa designs and a veritable temple to long keeled , traditional craft.

Less well known is the yard’s interest in electric auxiliary engines, something they have been involved in for more than 10 years.

Their first project, the refit of a Contessa 32 called Calypso, was an experiment by the Rogers family to see what was possible.

‘ Calypso was a test bed in the technology’s infancy,’ explains Kit Rogers of this early electric boat.

‘Inevitably, we didn’t get it all right, but we learned a lot about the dos and don’ts of electric yachting. The end result was a hybrid. The more we did, the more interesting the project became.

‘It’s not just the obvious, silent peaceful propulsion; it’s also the things you take for granted about a cruising boat. For example, no gas, we didn’t need it because we had electric power.

The yard has also worked on an electric folkboat conversion for a foreign customer.

‘The client, first and foremost, loves to sail. He sees the electric as an auxiliary option, along with the rowing and is excited to own a boat that’s quietly different.

‘He’s looking for a more connected experience and an electric boat helps him achieve it. When you’ve been motoring in and out of marinas under chugging diesel engines for years, the electric motor is something of a revelation.

Arcona has installed solar sails on its latest 380Z electric yacht

Off-the-shelf electric yacht

Perhaps the biggest indication of the future of the electric boat is the willingness of production and semi-production builders to pin their flags to the mast and embrace it.

One of the first was Hanse, who developed a version of their 315 utilising a Torquedo electric pod system.

Providing around the same amount of power as a 10 horsepower diesel, a 4.4kWh lithium ion battery pack powers the system.

Arcona, Dufour, Elan and Delphia also have electric boat models and are each taking their own direction on entering the market.

Arcona’s 380Z (the ‘Z’ stands for ‘zero emission’) fully electric boat has solar panel covered sails, capitalising on the large surface area to top up batteries under sail.

In the multihull market, there is even more scope for solar, wind and hydrogenation due to the horizontal surface area available for solar charging.

What are the options for an electric yacht?

Pure electric.

Purely electric systems can be broadly divided into two categories, high and low voltage.

The latter is the simplest option in terms of how it works and requires less specialist knowledge to install.

Kit Rogers installed a 48v Ocean Volt system in his latest project and remarked on the experience.

‘The advantage of the low voltage system is its inherent lack of complexity. Whilst we’ve coupled it with lithium ion battery technology, it can also be wired up to conventional lead acid batteries. There are pros and cons to both. What surprises everyone is the size, it’s a tiny motor and is surrounded by lots of space where the engine would normally sit.’

High voltage systems are more advanced, and utilising lithium-ion technology, their capacity is improving year on year.

For larger yachts this is generally seen as a better option.

A partnership between BMW and Torqueedo has led to the development of the Deep Blue 315v high voltage battery.

Effectively the same unit as found in the BMWi3 electric cars now often seen on the high street, the system produces a lot of power and is being used on the Spirit 111 project as well as catamarans.

Electric hybrid

One big barrier to entry exists for most potential electric yacht buyers – range.

Even the most advanced set-ups are limited to a maximum of a few hours motoring at cruising speed.

‘The electric motors excel at two things in particular,’ explained Kit Rogers.

‘The first is as auxiliary power for getting in and out of marinas. The second is engaged at low power to very efficiently motor-sail in light airs. If you want to do more than that, at present, you need to add a way of packing in the charge into the battery quickly whilst at sea; which means a generator’ .

As with electric cars and as enthusiasm builds for the technology, a hybrid option, pairing a generator with an electric drive system, is already proving popular and is probably the most practical option for those planning to cruise any distance.

Using a large generator, charge can be quickly put into the system when needed.

Once under sail, the yacht’s propeller becomes a hydro generator, meaning that diesel power is not needed day-to-day.

Solar can also be used to add additional charging capacity.

‘When a fully integrated electric hybrid system is incorporated into a cruising yacht from the outset, its possibilities really become clear,’ explains John Arnold, UK manager at Torqeedo.

‘Sailing for days on end with no engine noise is entirely possible. There are other less obvious benefits too. Electric drives have no long rotating shaft, so can be used as pod drives as well, meaning the boat is far more manoeuvrable than even a yacht equipped with bow and stern thrusters.’

Spirit Yachts 44e

How much does it cost to convert a yacht to electric power?

The technology exists, but anyone seriously considering going electric will want to crunch the numbers.

In the case of taking out a traditional inboard diesel and replacing it with an electric system, it’s relatively easy to work this out.

However, unless you include an auxiliary generator, you will be limited to battery range alone.

For this reason, we’ve done a like for like comparison for a 35ft yacht engine refit, including the cost of a generator to make the system a practical hybrid.

Unsurprisingly, at the moment, there’s a big difference in cost, but at between three to six times the cost, it is gradually coming into the realms of possibility, and prices should continue to drop as technology develops and evolves.

Ocean Volt SD10 Motor system (including batteries, charger and 6kw generator): £30,825.16

Beta Marine Beta 20hp Marine Diesel: £4,100

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