CES 2026: Electrifying Waves – eFoils, EV Boats, and Marine Propulsion

📅 CES X Electric Marine Sector

CES 2026: Electric marine shows up in three forms—eFoil speed, electric “kickers,” and full-EV wake boats

CES isn’t a boat show, but this year it functioned like a “future boating” showroom. The electric-marine story was clear: (1) eFoils keep getting faster and more premium, (2) mainstream boat brands are normalizing electric auxiliary propulsion inside real fishing packages, and (3) EV wake boats are pushing electrification as a performance upgrade, not a compromise.

CES 2026 delivered a tight snapshot of where electric marine is actually gaining traction with consumers. The most important signal wasn’t one new product—it was the product mix on display. We saw electric propulsion presented as fun (eFoils), as practical (electric kicker + trolling motor on mainstream hulls), and as the headline act (battery-electric wake boats).

Here’s a list of select electric-marine products showcased at CES 2026 (Jan 6–9, Las Vegas).

• Fliteboard x Mercury Racing: FLITE RACE eFoil (global launch at CES) — A new “competition” eFoil platform developed with Mercury Racing, marketed as reaching up to 34 mph (55 km/h).

• Mercury Avator 35e electric outboard (shown as a kicker/auxiliary at CES) — Displayed on a Lund Crossover XS alongside a Mercury Racing 150R and a Lowrance Recon trolling motor—basically, a mainstream fishing package that treats electric propulsion as standard toolkit, not a novelty.

• Lowrance Recon trolling motor (electric positioning/control layer) — Also part of the Lund CES package; it’s not “new,” but it’s a strong signal of where electrification is already essential: boat control, stealth, and precision.

• Arc Sport (all-electric wake boat) — Featured in CES-week coverage as a “clean wake” bet that watersports buyers will move when the experience stays premium. Arc lists 500 hp and a 232 kWh battery for the Arc Sport.

• Voltaic Marine AEW24 (electric watersports platform debuting at CES) — Voltaic explicitly positioned AEW24 as a production-intent platform and confirmed its CES footprint, with pre-orders open and deliveries targeted for end of 2026.

CES 2026 reinforced that electric marine is becoming a portfolio, not a single category. The near-term growth looks less like “everyone buys full-electric boats tomorrow” and more like: high-margin electric toys (eFoils) + electric auxiliary propulsion inside conventional ownership + a few headline EV boat brands trying to prove that battery-first can win in watersports.

🏄🏾‍♂️ Fliteboard RACE

At CES 2026, Fliteboard RACE debuted as a purpose-built, high-performance eFoil aimed squarely at advanced and competitive riders. Developed by Fliteboard in collaboration with Mercury Racing, the board carries a headline figure: a rated top speed of up to 34 mph (about 55 km/h). The launch formed part of a broader electrification and autonomy showcase from Brunswick, but RACE stood out for its performance-first brief.

The package blends hardware with training tools. An updated simulator lets riders experience foil dynamics and throttle response off the water, helping shorten the learning curve at higher speeds. On the board, optional RACE handles add control under load, while a Fliteboard × Mercury Racing impeller is designed to improve jet efficiency and deliver more consistent acceleration. Together, these elements target stability at speed and repeatable runs suited to structured training or time-trial formats.

For private owners, the appeal extends beyond outright pace. At the top end of the envelope, eFoils demand careful energy management, where setup choices directly affect range and ride time. Fliteboard’s ecosystem of swappable batteries and wings allows riders to tune for distance or short, high-intensity sprint sessions. The simulator keeps practice accessible when water time is limited.

Positioned alongside AI helms and electric propulsion platforms, Fliteboard RACE reflects a wider shift. Techniques from simulation and hydrodynamic optimization are filtering into consumer watersports, turning what was once experimental into modular systems with clear upgrade paths. High-speed electric foiling is no longer a novelty—it’s becoming a disciplined performance category.

Explore Fliteboard RACE: https://fliteboard.com/

⚓️ Oceanvolt Electric Propulsion

Oceanvolt is a Finnish marine tech company that’s been pioneering electric and hybrid propulsion systems for sailboats and other vessels. Based in Helsinki, Oceanvolt’s systems replace traditional diesel engines with quiet, emission-free electric drives optimized for cruising, coastal sailing and full-electric passage making.

Oceanvolt’s core philosophy centers on sustainability, performance, and simplicity. Its electric systems run at 48 volts for safety and ease of installation, deliver instant torque with silent, vibration-free operation, and dramatically reduce a boat’s environmental footprint by eliminating noise, fumes and fossil fuels from propulsion.

A standout feature across the range is hydrogeneration — converting the motion of the boat under sail into electrical energy via the propeller. This lets sailors recharge batteries while cruising, reducing reliance on shore charging or generators and extending overall range.

Oceanvolt offers modular electric propulsion options that suit a broad range of sailboats and multihulls — from compact coastal cruisers to larger charter or commercial vessels.

SD Saildrives (6–15 kW)

Electric saildrive motors designed for silent, efficient propulsion in monohulls and multihulls:

• SD6 / SD8 / SD10 / SD15 variants

  • Continuous power: 6 kW to 12 kW

  • Peak power: 6 kW to 15 kW

  • Shaft speed: ~1140 rpm

  • Equivalent installation HP: ~12–30 hp

  • Weight: ~42–47 kg depending on model

  • Suitable for boat lengths up to roughly 15 m (49 ft)

• Folding propeller design simplifies installation and reduces drag.

These units are often used as direct diesel replacements or in new electric launches, offering precise low-speed control and quiet manoeuvring.

ServoProp Saildrives (10–25 kW)

Oceanvolt’s ServoProp models add a variable-pitch propeller that boosts efficiency and regeneration output:

• Continuous/peak power up to 12–15 kW on smaller ServoProps, with larger ServoProp 25 available for vessels up to ~70 ft.

• Motor weight ~65 kg on 10–15 kW units.

• The variable pitch blades enable both optimized thrust under power and higher regeneration performance — up to several kilowatts of charging while sailing.

ServoProp’s hydrogeneration can significantly extend practical cruising range by replenishing batteries simply through the flow of water past the prop while under sail.

AXC Shaft Drive Motors (12–45 kW)

For larger displacement or multihull boats, Oceanvolt’s AXC series shaft drives offer scalable power:

• Configurations from 12 kW up to 45 kW peak

• Modular design with integrated controller and high torque ratings

• Liquid-cooled options, ideal for heavier cruising sailboats and hybrid installations.

These units work well as primary propulsion on bigger boats or as part of hybrid systems paired with generators for extended range.

Performance features and onboard integration

Across its electric and hybrid range, Oceanvolt systems deliver:

• Silent, zero-emission propulsion with instant electric torque

• Hydrogeneration capability to recharge batteries while sailing

• Remote Support Interface (RSI) for system monitoring and diagnostics

• Integration with solar panels, battery banks, and boat energy management systems

• Low maintenance and reduced long-term operating costs compared with diesel propulsion.

Because batteries and electric drives are lighter and more compact than diesel engines, many sailors also benefit from improved boat balance and more usable interior space.

Oceanvolt’s electric propulsion lineup is widely used in cruising yachts, racing sailboats, multihulls and even commercial vessels, helping accelerate the shift toward cleaner, quieter boating around the world.

Explore Oceanvolt’s full systems and configurator to tailor the right electric propulsion setup for your boat: https://oceanvolt.com/

⚙️ Social Media Post of the Week

Big week for Voltaic Marine AEW24 - exhibiting at CES. Congratulations.