Marine

Modular, connected e-boat slips into US waters like an electric eel

Modular, connected e-boat slips into US waters like an electric eel
The Eelex comes powered by a 302-hp electric motor
The Eelex comes powered by a 302-hp electric motor
View 22 Images
The Eelex 8000 has a clean, simple shape inspired by the electric eel
1/22
The Eelex 8000 has a clean, simple shape inspired by the electric eel
The Eelex comes powered by a 302-hp electric motor
2/22
The Eelex comes powered by a 302-hp electric motor
The X Shore Eelex 8000 has a cruising speed of 25 knots
3/22
The X Shore Eelex 8000 has a cruising speed of 25 knots
No (local) emissions and no rumbling gas engine, the X Shore Eelex 8000 is designed for a cleaner, quieter ride
4/22
No (local) emissions and no rumbling gas engine, the X Shore Eelex 8000 is designed for a cleaner, quieter ride
X Shore steers toward American shores
5/22
X Shore steers toward American shores
The X Shore Eelex 8000 cuts silently through the fog
6/22
The X Shore Eelex 8000 cuts silently through the fog
In addition to making for upper deck seating, the carbon fiber roof can work like a car roof in carrying bikes or small watercraft
7/22
In addition to making for upper deck seating, the carbon fiber roof can work like a car roof in carrying bikes or small watercraft
Under-step storage
8/22
Under-step storage
X Shore pays homage to the electric eel that inspired its boat
9/22
X Shore pays homage to the electric eel that inspired its boat
X Shore is a Swedish brand founded five years ago
10/22
X Shore is a Swedish brand founded five years ago
The dual 60-kWh lithium battery packs
11/22
The dual 60-kWh lithium battery packs
Taking the wheel
12/22
Taking the wheel
The 24-in Garmin touchscreen serves as the user interface
13/22
The 24-in Garmin touchscreen serves as the user interface
The X Shore Eelex 8000 charges in as little as an hour
14/22
The X Shore Eelex 8000 charges in as little as an hour
Cool boxes
15/22
Cool boxes
At the bow
16/22
At the bow
The Eelex 8000 also includes premium speakers
17/22
The Eelex 8000 also includes premium speakers
Dropping anchor
18/22
Dropping anchor
X Shore Eelex 8000 helm station
19/22
X Shore Eelex 8000 helm station
Swimming ladder
20/22
Swimming ladder
The Eelex 8000 tops out at 35 knots
21/22
The Eelex 8000 tops out at 35 knots
X Shore makes its US debut at this week's Palm Beach International Boat Show
22/22
X Shore makes its US debut at this week's Palm Beach International Boat Show
View gallery - 22 images

Founded in 2016, Swedish boat company X Shore seeks to effect movement toward a more sustainable boat industry. Today, it brings that movement across the Atlantic, launching its 26-ft (8-m) Eelex 8000 for American seafarers who like the idea of a 302-hp pure-electric boat inspired by the natural form of an electric eel. A modular layout makes the Eelex something of a versatile electric SUV of the seas, allowing owners to shuttle mountain bikes, surfboards and kayaks (or people) across the water. And the boat should only improve over time, as X Shore leverages over-the-air updates to fine-tune performance and broaden autonomous capabilities.

X Shore uses this week's Palm Beach International Boat Show to make its US debut. The 302-hp Eelex 8000 it's showing has a top speed of 35 knots (65 km/h) and a cruising speed of 25 knots (46 km/h). The dual-60-kWh lithium-ion batteries mounted below deck combine for a range up to 100 miles (161 km), charging in as few as one to two hours with a supercharger or five to eight hours with a three-phase power plug.

The dual 60-kWh lithium battery packs
The dual 60-kWh lithium battery packs

Sustainability isn't merely about motive power, so X Shore also works it into the Eelex's construction, where teak gets replaced with cork and flax fiber and recycled plastic feature in the hull. Even the Earth-toned color selections of "moss," "sandy" and "coffee" complement Mother Nature rather than battling against her.

When it comes to styling, X Shore turns heads by virtue of its minimalist simplicity, in true Scandinavian fashion. The hull of the Eelex 8000 may not immediately bring to mind long, writhing creatures of the sea, but X Shore explains that the boat's robust bow and streamlined body were directly inspired by the South American electric eel. And much like an eel swimming deep below the water's surface, the Eelex 8000 cruises around stealthily, without muffling the soothing murmurs of wind and sea.

The Eelex 8000 also includes premium speakers
The Eelex 8000 also includes premium speakers

Step aboard, and the Eelex 8000 remains as clean, simple and functional as it looks from afar. The helm station stands straight and slim, looking something like a podium below the sleek carbon fiber roof. It keeps the helmsman informed and engaged with a 24-in Garmin marine touchscreen. Cool boxes behind the helm keep beverages close at hand, while integrated storage compartments in the bow steps keep charging equipment and other provisions protected. A swimming ladder deploys from below the stern deck.

The highlight of the Eelex deck comes in its modular design. A series of rails and struts allows owners to easily rearrange and remove furniture, letting the boat quickly shift from sporting endeavors like fishing or diving, to simple cruising, to passenger or gear shuttling. X Shore also assures that the carbon fiber roof can support the likes of bikes, kayaks or canoes.

In addition to making for upper deck seating, the carbon fiber roof can work like a car roof in carrying bikes or small watercraft
In addition to making for upper deck seating, the carbon fiber roof can work like a car roof in carrying bikes or small watercraft

A connected software platform promises to keep the Eelex at the top of its game for years to come. At launch, that means capabilities such as Garmin smartwatch remote activation and overboard detection, mobile alerts and remote security. The platform analyzes 150 data points per second to track and optimize motor and battery performance, relaying the secure, anonymous data to X Shore so it can develop more focused, user-centric over-the-air (OTA) software updates. X Shore already has its sights on future autonomous OTA upgrades, such as self-docking.

X Shore is a Swedish brand founded five years ago
X Shore is a Swedish brand founded five years ago

The Eelex 8000 is available now for US order at a starting price of US$329,000. The Palm Beach show started today and runs through Sunday. X Shore can be found at booth "Land 1114."

Source: X Shore

View gallery - 22 images
4 comments
4 comments
Username
"bikes, kayaks or canoes" How about solar panels. Boats sit at dock and at anchor sometimes for days on end. Regardless, 330k for a 26 foot tender is absurd.
CAVUMark
$329k seems like a lot of money.
Hasler
Only US$329,000 for a range up to 100 miles. Possibly less in a headwind or in rough seas. Not that anyone underestimates the weather!!
Aross
No Solar or wind charging capability. From what I see $29K would be a reasonable price. What is the $300K for???