Electric boats are becoming more and more popular by the day, and the X Shore Eelex 8000 is one of the most promising models we’ve seen yet. Designed and built in Nykoping, Sweden, the Eelex 8000 posts performance figures few all-electric boats have been able to come close to: top speed is over 30 knots, and range is over 100 nautical miles when operated at slower cruising speeds.
X Shore Eelex 8000 Design
The Eelex 8000 has a shape and look unlike the boats produced by most major U.S. builders but somewhat familiar to those who have been shopping modern European boats. The bow is nearly plumb and has an unusual flat “hammerhead” surface up top, the broken sheerline is flat forward of the console before taking a jagged dive amidships, and the transom is angled slightly aft. X Shore describes it as “minimalistic,” which seems accurate. The fiberglass and carbon fiber hull is designed to run with a dedicated liquid-cooled 175 kW electric inboard driving a single-screw straight-shaft. While many other recent fossil-fuel-free craft designs are intended to pair up with an electric outboard, Eelex instead maintains full control of the entire powertrain package.
The layout of the boat is modular in nature, and is based around a center console design topsides. Beyond being a center console, however, the rest of the boat is semi-customizable thanks to a modular layout. X Shore says they can deliver fishing, social, watersports, and diving designs, and furniture like forward sunpads and aft dinettes are optional.
X Shore Eelex 8000 Cruising Features
Equipped for socializing the Eelex 8000 has a pair of facing sofas aft with the table in the middle, capping off an otherwise open transom design. The unit can convert into a sunpad and a second sunpad can be added forward of the console. An unusual perk is that the aft seating enjoys some level of sun protection from the carbon fiber hard top, which is mounted unusually far aft as compared to most center consoles. Rather than being integrated with the helm console its supports grow out of the leaning post. It’s an interesting deviation from the norm and still provides the helm with complete protection, as well. When outfitted for watersports the top also has an elevated tow bit.
Yes, we did say watersports. One of the advantages electric motors enjoy over gasoline-powered propulsion is the ability to provide full torque right off the bat. The Eelex 8000 will jump out of the hole quickly and smoothly, so pulling skiers is no problem. And one of the furniture options includes an aft-facing seat behind the leaning post, so there’s a comfy place for your spotter to watch the action.
X Shore Eelex 8000 Fishing Features
Starting with the center console design, obviously one of the most popular among anglers, the Eelex 8000 can be rigged with fishing in mind. In fact, one of the boats we saw on display at the 2022 Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show was primed for the job, with an aft cockpit unit incorporating a rigging station, livewell, tackle stowage, and five rodholders across the back. The boat also has two large stowage compartments integrated into the two-level foredeck which could serve as fishboxes.
X Shore Eelex 8000 Performance
As is true of most electric boats, performance is up to snuff but the big limiting factor is range. With a top speed in the mid-30-mph range the boat has some pep, especially for a straight-shaft inboard. X Shore doesn’t specify range at this speed, but does say that cruising in the low 20s the batteries will keep chugging along for around two hours. The extended 115-mile (100 nautical-mile) range is attained by keeping the throttles low, and cruising in the six- to eight-mph speed range. Power comes via a pair of Kreisel lithium batteries that pack away 126 kWh of juice.
X Shore Eelex 8000 Specifications
Length Overall: 26’2”
Beam: 8’6”
Weight: 5,730
Draft: 2’6”
Max HP: NA
Fuel Capacity: 126 kWh
While range (at planning speeds) remains the big drawback to electric boats, X Shore takes a lot of the usual guesswork and stress out of the equation. They developed predictive software for the boat that includes route planning taking speed and range into account. If you exceed a trip’s expected parameters, when charge level drops to 10-percent the boat enters a “limp” mode for maximum efficiency, extending range to be sure you make it back to the dock.
Electric boats are bound to continue growing in the marine marketplace, and the Eelex 8000 takes a big step in the right direction while providing an adaptable platform for multiple activities. And setting all these thing aside, we haven’t even mentioned the biggest bonus — you’ll get to enjoy the pleasure of running a boat with no engine noise or exhaust, reduced vibrations, and vastly reduced maintenance as compared to internal combustion engines.
See X Shore Eelex 8000 boats for sale on Boat Trader.