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There are several exciting boats on the market. Here are just a few that operate solely on battery power
X Shore 1
The Swedish manufacturer X Shore, launched in 2016, prices its 21-foot X Shore 1 center-console to attract electric boating converts in hopes they step up to X Shore’s more powerful, better appointed Eelex 8000. The boat’s simple layout includes seating for five and a forward cabin that sleeps two. Power comes from two Kreisel KBP 63 Li-ion battery packs (waterproof to IP67 and IP6K9K) with a total battery capacity of 126 kWh (about 170 hp equivalent). Kreisel batteries are reported to have LiCoMn2O4 chemistry with immersion cooling in the battery connected to an external cooling system using dielectric fluid that is supplied to the cells. The company says this assists in minimizing the potential for thermal runaway. Paired with a 125 kWh electric motor, the system powers the X Shore 1 to a 20-knot cruising speed (30-knot top end). At cruising speed, a full charge should provide autonomy of 50 nautical miles, according to the manufacturer.
$139,000 (X SHORE 1), $295,000 (EELEX 8000) | xshore.com
If you like this, also consider: Frauscher Electric Boats, Chris-Craft Launch 25 GTe
Princecraft Brio Series
For those who like to take life easy, pontoon boats are a good fit for electric propulsion. Princecraft’s Brio line of 17- to 21-footers is powered by your choice of five different electric lithium motors from either Mercury Avator (which come with an integrated rechargeable Li-ion nickel manganese cobalt (NMC) battery) or from Torqeedo Cruise (requiring a 24-volt Li-ion nickel cobalt aluminum (NCA) or 48-volt high-performance Li-ion NMC battery said to be waterproof to IP67). Depending on the motor you select, top speed is 5.2 mph for the Brio e17 versus 8.2 mph for the 21-foot Brio. Running at 50% power, autonomy estimates range from about 2 to 3.5 hours on a charge. Seating capacity ranges from seven to nine. Brio’s simple integrated displays show battery voltage, battery charge, speed, remaining range at current speed, and input power consumption.
$23,154–$27,550 | princecraft.com
If you like this, also consider: Crest Current, Godfrey Mighty G, Wired 23-R
Veer X13
For a nifty second boat, the Veer 13 is a simple, rugged multitool for fishing, swimming, and exploring skinny water. The 13-foot foam-filled, rotomolded polyethylene hull from Lund has a narrow 4-foot beam and seats two. Priced at $11,995 with 9.9-hp Mercury gas outboard, the Veer was designed to pair with Mercury Marine’s Avator series of 7.5-, 20-, and 35-hp equivalent electric outboards. That pairing won Veer an Innovation Award at the 2023 Minneapolis Boat Show in the Fishing Boat category. Avator motors feature a quickly detachable modular lithium-ion NMC battery (IP67 waterproof rating) that drops into the top of the housing. A Power Center charging port enables charging at home. On tiller models, the power status display is integrated with the outboard.
Starting at $14,778 (with Mercury Avator 7.5) | veerboats.com
If you like this, also consider: Old Town Sportsman 106 powered by Minn Kota
Duffy Sun Cruiser 22
They’ve been an iconic boat in Southern California harbors since the 1970s when Duffy Electric Boats pioneered electric recreational boating. Ranging from 18 to 22 feet, Duffy’s classic harbor/sunset cruisers are plush, canopied launches known for easy maneuverability from the patented Duffy power rudder. The Sun Cruiser’s 9-foot, 3-inch beam opens room for up to 12 passengers. The simple Power Rudder propulsion system is driven by a 48-volt electric motor fueled by a bank of 16 6-volt deep-cycle lead-acid batteries. The range is 6.5 hours at 6 mph (top speed), or 12.5 hours at cruising speed. We include the Duffy here because its electronics are relatively simple, making it a good boat to convert to LiFePO4.
$68,900 | duffydayboats.com
If you like this, also consider: Vision Marine Volt 180