Known as the Avon eJet and granted its world debut at the Cannes Yachting Festival in September, this 100% electric tender is designed to solve many of the most pressing problems faced by yacht owners – not least, carrying fuel on board, changing oil, dealing with reliability issues and catering for costly maintenance schedules.

Avon eJet

Done well, electric propulsion makes a great deal of sense for tenders.



Having produced more than 200,000 tenders in its 60-year history, Avon is well placed to know what works and the eJet has reportedly performed very well in testing, both in terms of performance and reliability. It is equipped with the most advanced 80hp electric engine Torqeedo produces, alongside the latest generation of automotive battery, a 32kWh unit derived from the BMW i3 road car. The early testing suggests that the eJET is capable of a 90-minute range in “normal” use and a maximum speed of 26 knots. And while the boat will obviously be fully customisable, the ‘standard’ eJET also looks pretty well equipped…

It will come with what Avon describes as “connected capabilities”, enabling it to be maintained and upgraded via the Internet, with real-time location tracking and the ability to save trips, turn on lights from a distance and control those all-important battery levels remotely. True to its luxury background, it also features textured, carbon fibre style Hypalon fabric, plus high-grade Serge Ferrari upholstery with a hand-sewn quilted finish, and leather-wrapped handles like those used in the private aviation industry.

Dominique Heber-Suffrin, President of Zodiac Nautic Group, is plainly proud of the result: “Throughout its 120 years of history, Zodiac Nautic Group and its brands have collectively invented the inflatable boat, the RIB and the inflatable Jet tender. We’re always looking for what will come next in the boating industry and seek the best partners to make that happen. For our eJET concept, Torqeedo was a clear choice from the get go.”

Dr Christoph Ballin, Co-founder and CEO of Torqeedo (see Torqeedo upgrades: electric propulsion for 2017), added: “Avon’s eJET tender marks the arrival of clean and quiet electric mobility in the luxury tender segment. It’s a gorgeous product and we are proud to support it.” To find out more, visit Avon Marine or Torqeedo.

Written by: Alex Smith
Alex Smith is a journalist, copywriter and magazine editor with a long history in boating and a happy addiction to the water. He’s worked on boats, lived on boats, bought boats, sold boats and – when he’s not actually on board a boat – he can generally be found in his Folkestone office, tapping away at the computer and gazing out to sea.
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