Review: X Shore Eelex 8000 — A Practical All-Electric 26-Foot Center Console

Over the past 30 years I’ve operated many electric-powered boats: some hybrids that paired a diesel engine with battery banks and electric motors for slow, efficient cruising, and several fully electric 20- to 30-foot launches. Over time I grew skeptical. Electric ranges often felt unpredictable and disappointing, hybrid switching systems seemed cobbled together, and cruising at 6 to 8 knots was something I preferred to do in a diesel displacement trawler. My skepticism earned me a nickname at Soundings—the “fossil fuel curmudgeon.”

That view began to shift at the 2021 Newport International Boat Show. Patrick DeSocio, head of North American sales for X Shore, invited me to see the Eelex 8000, a 26-foot, all-electric center console making its U.S. debut. The boat’s olive-green finish and modern Scandinavian styling drew a crowd at Bowen’s Wharf, and an identical demo boat was waiting at the docks with Will Greene, X Shore North America’s head of operations and logistics, aboard.

When we eased away from the dock Greene tapped a virtual toggle on the 24-inch Garmin MFD labeled “Power of Silence.” That activated software that optimizes battery and motor functions. The display also offered “Cruiser” and “Speedster” modes—software-driven settings that tune performance and can be updated over the air. The large screen also showed speed, depth, motor rpm and range alongside the usual chartplotter functions, giving the helm a very Tesla-like feel.

Greene wore an optional Garmin smartwatch (about $3,200) that integrates with the MFD and acts as a man-overboard device, cutting the motor if the wearer goes into the water. It’s an expensive option, but it’s polished and useful.

Clear of the harbor, Greene selected “Speedster” and cracked the throttle. The instant surge of torque was impressive and unexpected—one of the most striking aspects of electric propulsion. We hit just over 30 knots, where the indicated range dropped quickly to about 28 nautical miles. That may sound limited, but it’s enough to run fast hops—Newport to Block Island and back with a short top-up ashore, for example. At a conservative 6-knot cruise the Eelex can show 80 to 100 nautical miles of range, which suits owners who use the boat for short port-to-port trips, dock-and-dine outings, and nearshore exploration.

The Eelex includes an adapter cord that accepts 15-, 30- or 50-amp, 125-volt shorepower. With 30-amp service the batteries charge from empty to full in roughly 6 to 10 hours, according to DeSocio. X Shore also offers a higher-power “supercharge” capability that, when the appropriate marina pedestal is available, can bring batteries from zero to full in about 90 minutes. DeSocio says they are working with marinas to expand that infrastructure—an evolution he compares to how Tesla’s charging network developed.

I took the helm and found the Eelex comfortably sliced through Narragansett Bay chop. It felt responsive and enjoyable to ride. To test it in a practical scenario, I worked with DeSocio to run the Eelex 8000 from the U.S. Powerboat Show in Annapolis to a popular crab house nearby—a typical dock-and-dine outing most day-boat owners would take.

At the Annapolis show the boat drew plenty of attention. Beyond the prominent “100% Electric” graphics, the Eelex’s minimalist Swedish lines clearly stood out. Leaving the harbor in the 6-knot zone the range indicator showed about 85 nautical miles. Once we accelerated to 25 knots in “Cruiser” mode the displayed range dropped to around 40 nautical miles. That readout fluctuates depending on load, temperature, average speed and battery draw: slower speeds extend range, while higher speeds shorten it. At slow throttle there was some prop noise, but without a combustion engine the overall experience was quiet and pleasant.

The hull is molded in a female tool using carbon fiber, e-glass, Divinycell core and vinylester resin. X Shore offers sustainable-material options, such as woven flax fiber instead of e-glass, though none of the hulls have been built that way yet. The deck and toerails use cork, which feels durable and is easy to maintain.

Out of the factory with two lithium-ion batteries, console and carbon-fiber hardtop the Eelex weighs about 5,730 pounds, similar to many comparable center consoles with outboards. The battery packs sit under the aft cockpit and total 126 kWh, weighing roughly 1,200 pounds. The batteries are made by Kreisel and are immersed in a stabilized, non-conductive cooling fluid that runs through a heat exchanger cooled by seawater. Aside from winterizing the cooling pump, the batteries are essentially maintenance-free and are designed to last the life of the boat.

About 15 minutes after leaving Annapolis Harbor we entered Mill Creek at 6 knots with about 55 nautical miles of range indicated; the readout rose to 62 nautical miles while tied at Cantler’s for lunch. Docking a single-screw boat like the Eelex is eased by a powerful bow thruster that makes slips and tight maneuvers straightforward.

At Cantler’s we enjoyed steamed hard crabs and crab cakes—classic Maryland fare—while the Eelex drew admiring glances from other boaters. DeSocio explained the boat’s modular design: stainless rails running the length of the deck accept interchangeable tables, chairs and lounge modules that slide in or out depending on the owner’s intended use. That flexibility turns the aft cockpit into a dining area or a wide, open deck in minutes.

After lunch we slipped down Mill Creek at 6 knots, and after clearing the no-wake zone Greene punched the throttle. The instant torque surprised several onlookers in a nearby Whaler the same way it had surprised me back in Newport. We returned to the show docks at roughly 25 knots until entering the harbor’s no-wake zone, arriving with the range indicator showing about 48 nautical miles—enough residual capacity for another short hop without recharging. Our outing consumed roughly 40 nautical miles of range at an average of 20 knots.

So how did my view change? When DeSocio asked, I didn’t hesitate: “I’m a believer.” The Eelex 8000 converted a longtime diesel enthusiast into someone who appreciates the performance, refinement and practical use cases of a well-executed all-electric platform.

This article was originally published in the March 2022 issue.