The best electric tenders for your superyacht

The C-8 is the latest hydrofoil electric tender from Swedish company Candela. By combining some of the most exciting innovations of recent years, the 8.5 metre tender uses the company’s newly developed C-POD direct-drive pod motor, which allows it to cruise for a range of 50 nautical miles at a speed of 22 knots, flying to top speeds of 30 knots while remaining emissions-free. The advanced model can be recharged in just two hours and can be used in all weather conditions thanks to an in-build flight controller that will automatically adjust the foils to keep the boat steady.

Navier’s first all-electric hydrofoil performance watercraft came via a collaboration between them and Paul Bieker of America’s Cup. The tender has a range of 75 nautical miles under an electric propulsion system which is 90% more efficient than a traditional vessel of its size. With its hydrofoils, the Navier 27 can zip over four feet waves that would otherwise cause problems. At just over 8 metres, the vessel will be the longest range electric boat in the world when it launches during the Fort Lauderdale Boat Show in 2022.

An electric RIB with "supercharged potential", the 6.3m Pulse 63 is developed by RS Electric Boats in collaboration with design studio Design Unlimited. The standout feature of the Pulse 63 is its efficient hull shape which reduces drag and enables quick acceleration. Made from recycled bottles, natural flax fibre and wood, the unique hull allows the tender to fly at a top speed of 23 knots. The tender’s 46kw Hyperdrive battery pack meanwhile provides 400v of power which has a full charge time of eight hours. 

This luxury 100% electric day boat features a 140kWh battery pack with cells designed for military use and axial flow motors used in the aviation sector. Measuring 7.9 metres, the tech-enhanced day boat is constructed from durable materials and powered by a completely electric powertrain. The boat’s system integration features a digital control and monitoring network, as well as mobile connectivity, allowing owners to see the charging level from home. With a top speed of 25-30 knots, the Lanéva electric tender has a range of 40-45 nautical miles at a cruising speed of 15 knots.

The 2021 edition of the Eelex 8000 electric tender boasts a number of techie new features. An X Shore smartwatch and app allows the driver to unlock or turn the boat remotely, and, if by some chance you find yourself overboard, the boat will automatically come to a stop. In terms of design, the tender features an impressive loading capacity of 2500kg, giving owners the option to transport multiple passengers or heavy equipment, while a stepped hull protects guests from wind and spray, as well as reducing energy consumption by 35 per cent. With two battery choices and a full charge taking between eight and 12 hours, the Eelex 8000 has a 100 nautical mile range and speeds of up to 40 knots.

US-based company Hodgdon is producing all-electric models of their elegant Venetian line of tenders: the 10.5-metre forward helm version and the 12-metre aft helm limousine model. Both boats are powered by Vita Power V3 and V4 fully electric powertrains producing 295 horsepower and 590 horsepower, driving them at speeds of 20 to 30 knots for the 10.5-metre version and 25 to 34 knots for the 12-metre limo model.

Although it has conventional engines to take it to 40 knots, the sleek Rush 39 dayboat features integrated generators so it consumes 25 per cent less fuel, and it can run silently on battery power for up to 10 hours. Electric/hybrid drive is also an option. It’s built using environmentally sustainable processes and materials such as hemp, recycled PET and bio-resins and hard-wearing modified softwood on deck and in the interiors.

Slick, minimal and quiet, the Z2R is the brainchild of boatbuilder Piotr Zin who founded Zin Boats in Seattle, Washington. Zin decided the next boat he would build would be efficient and emission-free. The first born all-carbon Z2R is a 20-footer powered by Torqeedo and BMW i3 batteries. It’s minimalist in weight, appearance and amenities – if you want light, you can’t load the boat, but it is appealing as a fast (top speed is around 30 knots), fun boat that turns heads. The petite dimensions, low freeboard, light weight and fast-charging electric batteries (on either 110V or 220V power) make it a tempting yacht tender.

Currently the world's fastest e-boat, the SAY 29E is powered to a top speed of 48 knots by a 360kW Kreisel electric engine. Other features on board the 8.85 metre tender include a wavecutter bow and capacity for six passengers in suspension seats. A comfortable below deck area is even equipped with a sleeping area.

Designed and engineered in-house, the 8.04 metre fully electric, carbon fibre DutchCraft 25 tender features a modular deck design and can be used as a guest shuttle for up to 12 people. When the deck is cleared however, there is enough space to transport a range of equipment, such as a land vehicle or up to eight dive sets. The DutchCraft 25 has a 75 minute cruising time at 32 knots or six hours at six knots.