Electric Boats at Hiswa Te Water
This was my first time attending Hiswa Te Water which is the largest in-water boat show in the Netherlands, and I was pleasantly surprised at the sheer number of different fully electric boat models to choose from. I counted at least 20 different boats featuring electric and battery as their sole propulsion option, and there were several companies that only offered electric models.
Attending this show reinforced just how regional boat design often is, as many of the offerings were perfect for cruising the canals that criss cross the dutch countryside and through many of the cities. These boats are perfect for this environment, as most have a very low air draft enabling them to get under low bridges, as well as a shallow draft with propellers shrouded or protected by the keel to transit much of the bog and marsh like channels. As Amsterdam is set to ban petrol boats in 2027, forward looking customers wanting to cruise the city canals have asked for electric options, and boat builders responded with many hybrid and fully electric systems.
Interestingly the price points of the many boats at the show likely reflected the larger industry trend of slower boat sales, and in response affordable options abounded and prices were prominently displayed at many of the presentations. Below are some of the stand out options at the show, followed by a complete list of electric boats and propulsion companies represented at the show.
3D Printed Boats
There were two examples of 3D printed boat hulls present, and while the example from Wato Sloeps was definitely a prototype, the offering from Van Plaggen was a good example of the power of this technology. The boat presented had been a concept only two months earlier, and was printed and completed in time for the show.
The boat itself is quite large at 9 meters, and can comfortably fit a number of people on board. Fitted with a Combi 10kw motor and 10kWh of batteries, it makes for a very fun canal cruiser with the ability to take a good sized group of people. The finish of its 3D printed hull material is not yet comparable to the finish of a fiber glass boat, but the team at Van Plaggen are still refining the process and no doubt will be able to produce a similar look very soon.
Van Baerdt ‘Plastic’ Boat
Electric boat builder Van Baerdt had two electric models with vastly different hull materials. One was a fine example of aluminum craftsmanship, and the other was made of HDPE which is essentially a high strength plastic composite. This means the entire boat is recyclable, and because of this it won last year’s Hiswa electric boat of the year award.
Solar Powered Boat House
One of the biggest electric boat displays was from the company De Stille Boot, which means “the silent boat” in Dutch. They had no less than 4 different electric boats, with a couple of beautiful painted aluminum boats from electric boat builder Qrafter, and one from Timeless Yachts designed to look good in any decade.
The most interesting display however, was their floating solar powered boat house, called Smart Dock. This aluminum structure, smartly finished in vertical wood facade and flexiteak flooring is fitted with 5400 watts of solar power, with big windows a remote garage door, enabling charging for an electric boat just about anywhere.
Stickl Yachts
Stickl Yachts is a long time electric boat builder from Hungary, with more than 15 years of selling only electric boats. They started off with electric sail boats, and evolved to building electric cabin cruisers for lake Balaton, and eventually expanding into Austria and Germany. They had two models present, the Excellence 820, and E Spirit 730, both of which feature ample seating and table area, a wet bar, and a cabin with a head option.
Kaebon Carbon Speed Boat
German boat builder Kaebon was present giving test rides on their EB Eine carbon hulled speed boat powered by a torqueedo cruise 12.0. The entire build philosophy centers on lightness and driver comfort, and with the helm position near the stern of the boat the bow takes most of the punishment at higher speeds enabling a smooth ride for the operator. We went out for a quick sea trial, and with the hull shaped for performance the boat felt agile and quick, and overall gives the experience a high fun factor.
Rim Drive Motors
Dutch company Santos Boats had a pair of 5.5 meter boats both utilizing a 5 kw Rim Drive pod motor. This unique motor features both the stator and rotor spinning in the outer ‘rim’, and containing propeller blades in the center which creates an efficient shrouded prop motor with excellent cooling properties. These boats also contain a 31.2 kWh battery operating at 48v, and this whole package is offered at €32,000 euros, enabling an affordable and fun option for families wanting a fun little cruiser.
Goldenship Electric RIB
Electrifying one of my favorite platforms was Marine Sustainable Engines showcasing a 6.4 meter Goldenship RIB powered by an 84 kw Electrine outboard motor. I was also able to test this boat, and can report that the motor could plane the boat quite easily, and quickly reach its top speed of 28 kts. With its 63 kWh battery the boat felt stable and agile, and with its power consumption it is capable of about 22 nautical miles on plane. With current battery energy density this is about the standard range for all planing electric boats, however this boat is able to cover the distance using only 63 kWh’s which is an achievement likely owed to the RIB’s lightweight design. Interestingly, the range calculations show the same distance whether cruising at 18 kts or at full speed of 28 kts.
‘Rough’ Electric Work Boat
Another boat with a high cool factor and also the most fun to say is the electric work boat Ruygh 21, pronounced ‘row-ghh’. Built by the Ruys Jachtbouw shipyard, its made from marine grade aluminum and decked with wide cedar planks, and features a sturdy tow bar behind the helm console with solid cleats at the bow and stern.
It also comes with a detachable helm cabin for extra protection from the elements. It’s powered by a 30 kw Bellmarine motor and 43.2 kWh battery at 144v.
More Electric Options
It was great to see so many electric boats in one place as at least locally here in the Netherlands the demand seems to be growing for electric propulsion, and local manufacturers are responding with some great options. We are likely to see more and more of these silent cruisers every year.
Electric Boat Models Present
Eagle Boats – Eagle 25T. Hiswa E Boat of the Year 25m, combi propulsion
Van Plaggen – 3D printed with Combi 10kw, 10kWh Accu LiFePo4
Isloep – Rapida
Wato – 3d printed, tohatsu
Santos Boats – all electric, Santos One, 5kw Rim Drive, with 31 kWh 48v
Spirit Tenders Nauta Spirit – Yamaha Harmo
Van Baerdt – E800 10kw green marine motor, 28 kWh and Docker e65 (hdpe plastic)
Stickl Yachts – Excellence 820, Espirit 730. Making only electric boats for 15 years.
Timeless 25e Tender
Qrafter 600, cruiser 680
Molabo Highfield
Kaebon EB Eins, torqueedo 12kw
EFloot Electric Longboat
Goldenship Aura 640 Marine Sustainable Engines
Ruygh 21, Bellmarine, Roem 720
Xshore 1
Motor Companies Represented
