How I got insurance for my DIY eBoat

Jamie Marley

Qualified marine electrician Jamie Marley shares how he finally managed to insure his home-built electric power catamaran

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There are places blessed with such beautiful coastal waters that not owning a boat to enjoy them should be considered madness!

And having an electric engine means you can cruise in almost silence.

My journey into electric boat ownership began in 2016 when I inherited money from my late nan.

I wanted to invest in something that would build lasting memories for my family, so I purchased an early Picton Cobra 6m RIB and embarked on a project to repair and restore it.

I planned to fit it with a Deep Blue 80hp electric propulsion system from Torqeedo. Despite the RIB’s pedigree,

An eBoat being driven by a man wearing a lifejacket

Replacing your lead acid batteries with lithium ones yourself can make it difficult to find insurance cover. Credit: Jamie Marley

I found no insurer willing to cover it. Energised by our experiences with the RIB, I knew if I wanted to go further, I needed to make a jump towards efficiency.

After 18 years of marriage, two children, and my first mid-life crisis, I set out to build a fully electric power catamaran.

This eBoat cat was designed for cruising around Christchurch, Dorset, visiting the Isle of Wight, Studland Bay and other fun spots.

I commissioned a local boatbuilder to create a 6m power catamaran hull, adapted to house 120kWh of lithium-iron batteries.

eBoat battle begins

Completed during the Covid lockdown, the catamaran was a perfect project to keep me busy.

After a year of hard work, the launch day for Ohm’s Law was set.

Having invested a significant sum, I wanted to insure my new vessel before it hit the water.

However, the hull was unbranded, and I built the outboard drives, lithium-iron battery banks and systems myself, replacing the Mariner petrol outboard engines with Nissan Leaf electric motors.

Unsurprisingly, insurers were hesitant to cover an “electric power catamaran”.

Several insurers required a surveyor’s report before considering coverage.

An old petrol engine and a new Leaf electric engine for an eBoat

eBoat build: On the left, the old Mariner petrol outboard engine, which Jamie replaced with a Nissan Leaf electric motor, right. Credit: Jamie Marley

Alan Cartright, chief engineer at Mecal, conducted a thorough inspection and approved the eBoat cat with a few mandatory safety equipment additions.

Ecstatic, I sent the report to insurers but received unanimous rejections.

Unable to insure my investment, I faced another challenge: my mooring application required marine insurance.

I attempted to get third-party-only insurance, but it was a pipe dream.

Accepting these facts, I continued building memories with Ohm’s Law, clocking up sea miles and hours of use.

Each year, I reconnected with marine insurers. Pantaenius, known for insuring electric boats in Europe, was one of them.

In 2023, I tried their web quotation tool, but it didn’t accept my electric power catamaran.

After calling to discuss the issue further, I learned the insurer was reluctant to provide cover for electric power catamarans in the UK.

Insurance brick wall for my eBoat

However, it was then suggested I speak to Mike Wimbridge at Pantaenius.

Mike eagerly took on the challenge, but despite his efforts, he couldn’t convince the underwriters to insure Ohm’s Law.

Another year passed without insurance.

A chance meeting with Mike at the 2024 Düsseldorf Boat Show turned the tide.

Tesla batteries being built for an eBoat cat

The battery box with Tesla modules which Jamie built himself. Credit: Jamie Marley

On hearing I was still uninsured, Mike encouraged me to contact him afterwards. To my surprise, he quickly came back with a reasonable quotation.

Finally, Ohm’s Law was insured!

Having experienced how daunting the world of electric boat insurance can be, I asked Pantaenius to shed light on the complexities of insuring an electric boat.

There are a number of pressing issues to consider and I would highly recommend that any current and prospective electric boat owners receive some expert advice.

What to consider

Mike Wimbridge clarified that when it comes to insuring electric boats, the most common challenge owners face is ignorance.

In an increasingly digitised world, the opportunity to discuss insurance requirements with a human being is becoming rare.

This often results in a frustrating “computer says no” response, which I have encountered a lot.

There are specific concerns as well as misconceptions about electric boats that also make insurers hesitant to provide coverage.

Additionally, Pantaenius has found that the sensationalism of the risks associated with electric propulsion and batteries by some parts of the media has created a skewed perception which does not help.

It’s important that marine insurers recognise there are many forms of electric boats, and each should be evaluated on its own merits.

Similarly, not all lithium batteries are the same, and understanding these differences is vital.

The underwriting process for electric boats differs from that of traditional combustion engine boats in several ways.

Mike clarified that professionally-built boats generally do not pose a problem for insurers.

However, retrofitting batteries, especially lithium ones, can be of concern if the work is carried out by amateurs.

Changing to lithium batteries is not as simple as swapping out the old ones; it requires a comprehensive review of the battery system, which must be conducted by a qualified professional.

Pantaenius advises that policyholders should inform their insurers before making any significant changes to their boat’s propulsion or electrical systems.

As the electric boating landscape continues to evolve, it is good to see that insurance companies are adapting their strategies and policies to support this growing market.

Ensuring that innovative and environmentally-friendly boating solutions receive appropriate insurance coverage is crucial for a sustainable future as this exciting era of marine transportation continues to evolve.

Lesson learned: Never stop asking questions and try to contact a human being if you are struggling to get a positive response from your insurer.

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