How Much Are Electric Boats?
How much does an electric boat cost? Well, the price varies from $1,000 to over $4 million, which can be a lot heftier than an electric car. The price of a new electric boat will depend on its type, size, and capability.
The prices of all-electric canoes or kayaks range between $1,000 and $5,000. Jon boats can be purchased for approximately $5,000 to $10,000.
The prices of small electric runabouts and skiffs range between $10,000 and $20,000.
Electric monohull cruisers, ideal for slow-speed entertaining and enjoying sundowners on the lake, range in price from $60,000 to $75,000.
Sport Cruisers range in price from $120,000 to $175,000, while ocean-capable center console boats cost as much as $300,000. Luxury catamarans will cost $1,000,000 to more than $5,000,000.
Key Takeaways
- Electric motors are suitable for several types of boats but unsuitable for boats requiring high power, high speed, or long distances (unless recharged from a solar system.)
- Electric motors are more reliable and cheaper to maintain and run, especially in the long run.
- Finance schemes are available for electric motors. No federal or state assistance is available for private buyers switching to solar.
🚤 Types Of Electric Boats
There are still no electric outboard motors suitable for power boats requiring high levels of torque or high speed.
Most owners requiring these characteristics will generally choose a 200hp or more (450hp) powerplant. No viable electric motor or batteries can provide this level of sustained power.
That being said, it’s only a matter of time before this hurdle is solved by the industry. In the meantime, here are the most powerful electric outboards currently on the market today.
Several types of boats are suitable for electric propulsion systems. The boats that are suited to be powered by electric motors are listed below.
Small Electric Boats
Small boats are ideally suited to be powered by electric motors. The most suitable small boat types include:
- Kayaks
- Canoes
- Jon Boats
- Runabouts
- Skiffs
Mid-Size Electric Boats
| Suitable ✅ | Unsuitable ❌ |
|---|---|
| Electric Pontoon Boats | Bowriders |
| Cruisers | Ski Boats |
| Sports Cruisers | Speed Boats |
| Center Console Boats | Deck Boats |
| Cabin Cruisers (depends on size and hull shape; deeper V increases friction) |
Large Electric Boats (Catamarans)
Large boats with efficient hull shapes are a very good platform for adding electric power.
The large hull size provides space for the batteries, and the superstructure provides space for a solar power charging system. Boats that fall into this category are:
- Catamarans
- Motor Yachts
💲 Prices For Each Type Of Electric Boat
The price of different models of electric boats varies considerably.
At the lower end of the market (canoes, kayaks, Jon boats, and skiffs) compare favorably with their equivalent gas-powered models’ cousins; however, above this, electric propulsion adds significantly to the cost.
The following lists a sample of electric boats’ prices ranging from canoes to luxurious 70-foot catamarans.
Sample Of Canoe Prices
| Man | Model | Length | Price | Hull | Electric Motor | Motor Power | Year |
| Old Town | 106 Sportsman | 11ft | $3,000 | Various | Minn Kota | 45lbs | 2022 |
| Old Town | Sportsman Autopilot | 12ft | $4,000 | Various | Minn Kota | 45lbs | 2022 |
| Old Town | Sportsman Autopilot | 13ft | $4,500 | Various | Minn Kota | 45lbs | 2022 |
Sample Of Kayak Prices
| Man | Model | Length | Price | Hull | Electric Motor | Motor Power | Year |
| Ascend | 133X Yak-Power | 13ft | $1,080 | Various | Owner choice | 3hp | 2022 |
Sample Of Jon Boat Prices
| Man | Model | Length | Price | Hull | Electric Motor | Motor Power | Year |
| Duranautic | DN1436 | 14ft | $4,867 | Aluminum | Minn Kota | 55lbs | 2023 |
Sample Of Skiff Prices
| Man | Model | Length | Price | Hull | Electric Motor | Motor Power | Year |
| Duranautic | DNB14RS | 14ft | $10,966 | Aluminum | EPropulsion | 5hp | 2023 |
Sample Of Runabout Boat Prices
| Man | Model | Length | Price | Hull | Electric Motor | Motor Power | Year |
| Duffy | South Coast | 18ft | $20,000 | Fiberglass | Electric Stern Drive | TBA | 2008 |
Sample Of Center Console Boat Prices
| Man | Model | Length | Price | Hull | Electric Motor | Motor Power | Year |
| X Shore | Eelex 8000 | 26ft | $305,560 | Various | Electric Inboard | 225kW | 2023 |
Sample Of Cruisers Prices
| Man | Model | Length | Price | Hull | Electric Motor | Motor Power | Year |
| Duffy | Bay Island 22 | 22ft | $65,000 | Fiberglass | Electric Stern Drive | 3.5hp | 2021 |
| Duffy | Sun Cruiser | 22ft | $69,197 | Fiberglass | Electric Stern Drive | TBA | 2022 |
Sample Of Sports Cruiser Prices
| Man | Model | Length | Price | Hull | Electric Motor | Motor Power | Year |
| Nova Luxe | Faro 5 | 16ft | $130,000 | Wood | RIM | 30kW | 2023 |
| X Shore | X Shore 1 | 21ft | $139,000 | Fiberglass | TBA | 125kW | 2023 |
Sample Of Pontoon Prices
| Man | Model | Length | Price | Hull | Electric Motor | Motor Power | Year |
| Bennington | 168 SL Electric | 17ft | $21,067 | Aluminum | Minn Kota E Drive | 4hp | 2023 |
| Crest | CURRENT | 21ft | $39,497 | Aluminum | EPropulsion | 9.9hp | 2023 |
| Crest | CURRENT | 20ft | $42,500 | Aluminum | Minn Kota E-Drive (with backup gas motor) | 4hp | 2023 |
Sample Of Catamaran Prices
| Man | Model | Length | Price | Hull | Electric Motor | Motor Power | Year |
| Solliner | Solar Electric Cat21′ | 21ft | $60,000 | Fiberglass | Torqeedo | 2,4 Or 6KW | 2022 |
| Fountaine | Pajot MY 37 | 36ft | $1,300,000 | Fiberglass | Torqeedo | 80hp | 2022 |
| Leopard | 53 | 53ft | $2,300,000 | Fiberglass | Torqeedo | 80hp | 2023 |
| Heliotrope | NL 70 | 79ft | $3,900,000 | Composite | UQM | 250kW | 2021 |
| Fountaine | Power 67 | 67ft | $4,100,000 | Fiberglass | Torqeedo | 100hp | 2022 |
🎓 Suggested Article: The power of electric boat motors is explained by converting horsepower to kilowatts.
Cost Considerations
The factors which must be considered when calculating a boat’s costs are listed below.
Initial Purchase Price
At the lower end of the market, prices compare favorably with the equivalent gas-powered engines.
When the electric power rating increases, the costs diverge, and the electric motors become more expensive than their gas-powered cousins.
Operating Costs
In contrast, the operating costs of an electric motor are substantially lower, and even if the batteries need shore power to recharge, this is still cheaper than gas and oil.
It must still be remembered that batteries are needed to power the electric motor, and these have a finite life varying from two to ten years, depending on the type of battery.
Maintenance Costs
Electric outboard motors do not have any components required by a gas power motor, which reduces maintenance costs. The following components are omitted.
| System | Omitted Components |
|---|---|
| The Fuel System | Gas tank; Fuel lines; Fuel filters; Carburetor or fuel injection |
| The Power Unit | Cylinder; Cylinder head; Pistons; Spark plugs; Ignition systems; Crankshafts; Valves; Oil seals |
| The Gearbox | Water Pump; Impellers; Oil seals; Clutch dog |
Electric motors with the power unit at the bottom of the lower unit:
- No lower unit.
- No drive shaft (connecting the motor to the drive shaft in the lower unit).
Because the number of moving parts has been cut and no ancillary systems are needed to keep the motor going, lifetime maintenance costs are significantly lower than a conventional gas-powered motor.
We have a whole article on the lifespans of electric outboard motors if you want to dive deeper into the topic.
💰 Funding options
The funding options for electric motors are listed below.
Financing Options For Electric Boats
The funding options available to electric boat owners are as follows:
- Cash payment.
- Unsecured personal loan
- Secured installment loan, which is often arranged under the manufacturers’ auspices.
Grants And Other Financial Assistance Programs
Several grants and financial assistance programs exist for commercial operators switching over to electric motor power.
There are also grants from Homeland Security providing safety training.
There are no grants available to private individuals converting to electric-powered motors.
👍 Cost-Saving Measures For Electric Boat Owners
The most effective cost-saving measures are to ensure that the battery stays healthy.
- Keep the battery dry.
- Trickle charge the battery when not in use.
- Ensure that the battery is never discharged below its Depth Of Discharge limit.
- Maintain the motor in accordance with the manufacturer’s guidelines.
