Camden prepares to host electric boating showcase
The first Electric WaterCraft Forum will take place on 22 and 23 October 2026 at Lyman-Morse in Camden, Maine. Organisers have revealed eight electric boats that will help delegates compare different propulsion systems and vessel types.
The programme is intended to provide practical demonstrations alongside discussion of electrification. It will be possible to inspect installations rather than relying only on specifications or marketing presentations.
Historic craft meets new propulsion
Among the announced examples is Freya, a 22-foot Faye & Bowen torpedo launch dating from 1907 and now fitted with an eight-kilowatt steerable rim-drive pod. Its inclusion illustrates how electric machinery can be considered in heritage craft.
The line-up also includes a 24-foot aluminium workboat powered by a Flux Marine FM 115 outboard. These vessels serve different purposes, so comparing them by motor power alone would be misleading.
Small cruisers and sailing boats join
Solar Sal is a 24-foot cuddy cruiser powered by a Torqeedo Cruise 3.0 motor, while Isobel is a 26-foot-six-inch runabout using a RAD 40 outboard. A C. W. Paine-designed Pisces 21 daysailer will demonstrate an electric inboard arrangement.
The organisers have also announced Auk, a Point Comfort 23 fitted with a Torqeedo Cruise 12.0 motor. These choices highlight the range of hulls and duties being investigated for electric power.
Pontoons and tenders round out the display
An inflatable catamaran-style tender is expected to show a wireless controller with two five-horsepower Momentum U2 outboards. An 18-foot NorthStar pontoon will demonstrate an ePropulsion X12 motor with electric steering and additional joystick control.
Manoeuvring systems and ergonomics matter as much as headline speed for boats used around marinas. The event may reveal useful differences in installation, but the announcement does not include independently verified range figures for each boat.
What owners should ask during demonstrations
Battery capacity, recharging access, time underway, servicing and emergency arrangements are key considerations for electric-boat buyers. An installation suitable for a short harbour trip may not meet the needs of a longer coastal passage.
Forum organisers expect on-water opportunities, subject to their event arrangements. Interested owners should verify demonstrations and access directly rather than assume every vessel can be trialled by every visitor.