The future of inland boating? Delphia 11 diesel and electric tested head to head | MBY

With Delphia committed to building only electric boats by 2024 its 11 Sedan is its first step towards a greener future. Motor Boat & Yachting Deputy Editor Jack Haines heads to the Netherlands for a back-to-back test with its diesel counterpart.
Delphia 11 specifications
LOA: 35ft 4in (10.8m)
Beam: 12ft 8in (3.85m)
Draught: 2ft 7in (0.8m)
Displacement: 6.8 tonnes
Battery capacity: 80kWh
Water capacity: 380 litres
Engines: Single Torqeedo DBi 1400 50kW / Single 150hp Yanmar 4LV
Top speed: 7.6 knots (electric) / 8.4 knots (diesel)
Cruising speed: 4.3 knots
Range: 43.8 miles (electric) / 550nm (diesel)
Noise: 62 d(B)A
RCD category: B for 10 people
Design: Tony Castro / Delphia
Starting price: €264,900 (ex. VAT)
Price as tested: €418,795 (ex. VAT)
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[@VincenzoValenti]

Silence, no maintenance needed, exceptional fuel economy... still pricey, but in the long run I think this could be a winner. In the next few years I hope we can start seeing ocean ready electric boats. My dream is a fully electric trawler yacht!

[@corail53]

It's a boat - there will be all the usual maintenance as normal. This is not a new concept in marine application at all. Also best of luck in a boating accident when those batteries get breached in salt water.

[@morri03]

Not possible with the poor energy density of batteries. Look at it this way. This boat can do just 40NM on a full charge. The batteries weigh 2400kg. That’s 2400l of diesel which would give the boat range of 1200NM if it used 2l / NM

[@VincenzoValenti]

@@corail53 not true. Electric motors have less elements compared to combustion motors, therefore require much less maintenance. This is 100% true for cars. In a boating accident you would have the same (or worse) issues should the tanks breach, therefore your argument is weak.

[@VincenzoValenti]

@@morri03 let's just start by saying that at least in Europe the average cruising person doesn't need thousands and thousands of NM of range, same as for cars. It's true that 40-50 NM is still too low, and I would feel much more comfortable with at least 3 times that amount, to begin with. It's also true that the charging time is still a joke, but this is already being solved with alternative solutions (i.e. battery replacement). The boating industry is still a few years behind but will get there. Personally I think the true revolution will happen once we will switch to non chemical based batteries (I.e. FES batteries).

[@morri03]

@@VincenzoValenti that 40nm is at 4 knots. At planing speeds it will be 10

[@darthkek1953]

I've always like the Greenline Hybrid series, they make sense.

[@oliewan8489]

I believe Greenline to be more interesting there, as it can recharge the motors as well with the solar panels.

[@darthkek1953]

@@oliewan8489 I don't think you don't get enough juice to run the engines from solar, but it can run hotel at a sunny harbour and you can keep alternating diesel (which recharges the batteries quickly) and then coast quietly for a couple of hours.

[@drew651]

@@darthkek1953 Unless you are going REALLY slow you are correct about power in vs out with solar. But, say you are out for a day at an anchorage you could charge a good chunk of the motor batteries. Where as this boat the solar will not charge the motor batteries, ever. Which seems like a very silly design flaw on their part.

[@sneaky_krait7271]

@@darthkek1953 Solar charges slowly over time, so let's say you use it on saturday and let it sit and charge for a week you are good to go again

[@jaymoroscak4784]

If you have a “shower room” of that size, why would you not have both a fixed nozzle and hand-held? Price doesn’t fit the inferior finishes.

[@charlienevergold3654]

I’d want at least a small 5kw gen to top off the main batteries in a pinch. What if you want to “boondock” and not go to a marina?

[@sharonbraselton3135]

Yes yiu gmdo

[@patrickjr11]

I like the fly bridge version. I can see them being really popular on The Thames as there are a lot of boats just used as day or weekend boats. really nice. and I am good with the performance and range as that would be perfect for river boats. very interesting video.

[@bennieknape4857]

Someone did a very good job of keeping that engine room tidy they did a really good job nice and clean everything look sharp.

[@johnmuzzarelli4741]

Its new

[@robertfrederick9061]

Is there any future plan to add a diesel genset to the "all electric" sedan version to extend its range. There was no mention about adding 48V solar panels to the sedan roof to add to propulsion power. This version seems very limited at 98Km from the 2 BMW lithium battery banks. Adding more batteries would be cost prohibitive & would make recharging the batteries a longer process. All electric propulsion is a commendable idea but there would have to be greater solar input or a backup genset to make it realistic & safe given the freeboard this sedan has. At essentially 500K it seems pricey for a 32 foot canal barge.

[@yanassi]

Wonderful, but i must wait to get a green boat with two berths. It’s simply too far beyond $200k. It’s good to see green boats finally showing fossil boat makers the value of tomorrow. Concerns: View forward quite limited. What’s it like on coastal waters?

[@C2K777]

Great review & it's always good to hear you guys being honest and pointing out faults/ possible improvements that could be looked at. IMHO the 2 bathroom layout on that size of boat it just pointless, especially, as there is no Day Heads/ En Suite functionality. I appreciate there are fit out options but to present them at a presser like that seems 'confusing'. Again just my own opinion but any potential buyer is going to look at the 2 bathroom layout and just roll their eyes when at least one of those isn't directly linked to the Master/ Owner cabin. I'm also not seeing fender storage anywhere. Where are they going whilst underway? I saw them pulled in but that's just blocking gangways. Yes the flybridge stairs were semi collapsible but even out I'd love to see you get the kids up and down those without a some 'bum boosting' & having to deal with them being nervous / scared. You'd need your children taken away from you before you let any under say 10 ( at a severe push) go down them alone making the fly version highly intensive for family use. The bbq/ hotplate/ wet bar option on the aft. Yes I'll concede that, mostly, it'll be used when tied up but with that deck width being so narrow and no space to place any bars then you'd never let anyone other than yourself down there at the same time especially if you were stern-too. No one is gonna expect MY / SY level R&D but if you're gonna present a new line extolling 'silent' / 'quiet' running then how did the prop resonance on 3 V 4 not get picked up in the design phase. Overall I see what they are trying to do but, again imho, they need to go away for another 6 months and i'm sorry to say this - put a bit more effort into what they're trying to sell. (( CLARIFICATION: I accept this was a presser and it was alluded to a few times that the line is not yet at final stage. It's common that at that point there are teething problems and refinements that could/ should be made. That said sales are already active in what I honestly don't see as a ready for market product. If people don't give honest feedback then how's a builder to know))

[@120Livi]

The electric range notwithstanding, what makes these "inland" specific boat? Looks like a nice boat for taking down the coast.

[@hugoandreae3785]

They are perfectly capable of coastal trips provided the conditions are reasonably calm and there isn’t too much wind or tide to overwhelm their modest speed capability. Wouldn’t be much fun in a blow though as the hull shape means it would roll and pitch around quite a bit.

[@adddude7524]

The small amount / inefficient spacing of solar panels and the fact that the drive battery can't be charged by solar is a bit uninspired. I know solar isn't as powerful as we all wish, but other companies actually make it work as an actually useful thing!

[@teamloony]

Great video and very exciting to see how the electrification of boating is coming along. One question - is full electric boating viable in the UK yet? I wonder what our infrastructure is like presently. 👍🏼

[@DoctorMangler]

It's never going to be viable. Take a look at solar boat races. Those are slow, covered 100% with solar and did I say slow? Plus it only charges 8 hours to max 10 hours on a sunny day, with 60% of that sun being far less than optimal. Yacht motors take 10k 15k and 20k watts to run, more than a house uses. There is simply not enough space to have solar propulsion. The solar on the yacht shown in this video will barely run the fridge. Note it says "diesel and electric". Without the diesel it's a rubber ducky.

[@huyo8167]

excellent. thank you for your hard work!

[@patrickjr11]

it has 4 connections on it so can handle 4 boats at a time.

[@michiganengineer8621]

It's obviously targeted more at the European/UK market rather than the States. As an inland boat, you said a range of about 40 miles at 4.3kts I believe? That would get you slightly less than halfway between Muskegon, Mi and Milwaukee, Wi (89.6 miles). That would be bad being stuck in the middle of Lake Michigan with no way to recharge the batteries. Replace the "poppers" on the cushions for the anchor locker with magnets, easy and quick removal and reattachment. For the target market it looks like it will be a good fit.

[@sharonbraselton3135]

But 3 times 3000 cycles 120 Moe's 8 t kn es 160 Mike's 320 Moe's 10 inesc400 mikecrange

[@Hojiii]

I'd like to see these electric boots combine a wind Turbine or even a flow Turbine to help increase range. Getting across the channel will make it hugely popular. I'd also like to see hardsided, insulates retractable covering for the cockpit for colder climate living.

[@drew651]

using a prop to drive a boat and then a turbine to generate power that slows the boat down is pointless.

[@Fundean]

Any chance you could share where you were boating? Looks amazing! Great video again…

[@jackhaines123]

Makkum, The Netherlands. It’s beautiful. 🇳🇱

[@jefflloyd394]

Amazing! I want the electric but also the flybridge and solar panels !?! Woodwork looks thin and cheap - cupboard doors and table. Mostly great though.

[@tigerlancer]

There are solar panels that once installed can be stepped on or sat on and it would not damage the solar panel's capability to generate electricity. Every boat company should line every square inch of their ships with solar panels to charge the batteries.

[@michelrodrigues110]

Not ready to convince the market, look the noise , nonsense to get noise diesel noise and vibration when going electric. Must adjust to a real better experience. The combo diesel electric is perfection to suppress the high cost of batteries. Thanks a lot for the video. Cheers

[@karatejoe5049]

Looks like a lot of space for more batteries.

[@tigerlancer]

Why are these new companies are coming out with electric models and old classic boat manufacturers like fountaine pajot, jeanneau and beneteau not coming out with any electrified versions of their classic models?

[@croopin]

Delphia is one of Beneteau Group brand.

[@nauticusyachting]

How could there possibly be 10,9kg of co2 emission with only a diesel usage of 4,6 liters ?

[@XPLOSIVization]

Beautiful electric boat, just a shame about the price, I'm going to wait a few years i think before i buy one, either second hand or when prices are reasonable

[@terrywalker1624]

Electric with flybridge seems best choice as a riverboat. But are there enough places to top up, say, along the Thames?

[@sharonbraselton4302]

wring t 😁elsa céll solid stàt batér 65 mioe ràñfré xvkks 61 mike bahiñaß 50 mié coykd mak oçéñ trip

[@pistonburner6448]

Of course there aren't, and even if there would be you can't rely on them. You need at least double the amount of 'necessary' chargers to be able to rely on them. Charging stations are incredibly unreliable. But they're a _fantastic_ opportunity for corruption so politicians love subsidizing them at extremely high cost (need to ensure enough 'profit' for all the corrupt parties involved, don't worry: there's always enough taxpayer money to go around!). Electric boats are one of the most ridiculous ideas ever. Only electric airplanes are a worse idea. Well, I don't mind what other people do with their money, it's just that this EV stuff is being forced on us AND we're being forced to pay trillions for their subsidies, their millions of charging stations, and the trillions it'll cost to rework the grid (in the UK the grid is owned by a multinational for-profit corporation which is purposefully misleadingly named to give the impression that it's publicly owned). And also this forced EV corrupt nonsense will actually INCREASE emissions, just like the Germans' massive environmental "Energiewende" project turned out to result in. They too said that they are certain to reduce emissions, that they are "good people", "experts" etc. and that any and everyone against their politics is a literal devil out to destroy the planet...

[@colinstewart173]

No there isn’t enough places on the Thames

[@stullesblog6692]

This is a great boat and I think it's long overdue for an electric boat to come out but unfortunately the price is ridiculously high.

[@drew651]

greenline makes a much better hybrid boat that is a bit less money.

[@johnlundgren5085]

Actually I think the price is right on point, I live in the United States and the price for me would be around 400 thousand dollars for a New boat, that's amazing. But I'm not sure I would be able to get along with your noise laws when it comes to Music. And that's something I'll add when I get it back here in the States lol

[@rioborzeli147]

Wish I can buy one now

[@khairulaz]

Price?

[@stupitdog9686]

You gave us a price for the electric boat - well expensive - but no prices for the diesel versions - it would be cool to have the comparison .........

[@primsolllineguy8689]

Love it, would not buy it however! On occasion in wind and chop you need some moderate speed. Perhaps in a few years it may get there.

[@duncanjames914]

It's a dollhouse in a hull. The interior spaces are ridiculously small for a boat of its size. This would be a great canal boat if they opened up the interior and made it better suited to a couples-only boat.

[@corail53]

Probably need that size for buoyancy to offset the weight of the massive batteries.

[@bennieknape4857]

Its a good idea I like it.

[@johnmuzzarelli4741]

Where do we mount the solar panels?

[@edaneo11]

How much is the electric sedan

[@denniscuya5908]

Thank you for your informative videos. Can you tell me what the dimensional restrictions on boats for navigating these waterways?

[@diegueteee]

they could hide those panels a bit

[@cassiocm]

That kind of infrastructure will arrive in the US by, say, 2050.

[@joviap1]

I do not know much about inland boating, but why would you buy a boat that limits you only to inland waterways? Only one engine, so there is no reduncy? I am a owner of a electric car and a 40' sportcruiser and there is no way current battery technology can cope with the constant heavy load on the engines that motor boating requires. Electric cars are possible because you only spend little time on load and when you brake you recover that kinetic energy. In a motor boat you loose all this energy in couple of meters to friction.

[@sharonbraselton3135]

Wring 40 mi I evrange

[@edithlemus3972]

What about if you get electrify schocked?

[@53glowe]

Stop putting your fingers in the power sockets would be a good start 👌

[@gerhardvanwaltsleben8944]

Lekker man lekker 🇿🇦

[@richborgo]

Why would you build an electric boat with no way to charge it on the fly? Why did they not link the solar system? very stupid.

[@corail53]

Solar would not be able to charge this efficiently enough.

[@ironichumorist]

not wild about how far back the helm is from the forward windscreen. it seem like you are peering through a letterbox looking forward. and maybe it is just me, but in my mind i want a boat so that I can be DISCONNECTED from infrastructure.

[@philipheebsh4201]

Who wouldn’t love to be passed by a sailboat?

[@donadon1264]

Waaw👍🏻👍👍🏻👍

[@timepstein274]

Great boat, but unfortunately many of the electric components are generations behind, such as the use of heavy and inefficient lead acid batteries for the low voltage systems instead of much lighter and smaller Lithium Ion. Also, the HVAC are very traditional and inefficient power drainers - they should be both heat pump based with more than 50% efficiency gains. Let's hope they quickly come out with a new version that is ground up designed for electric boating.

[@stevesmith866]

You talk about all the tech it has it to justify the price then proceed to show storage and toilets ,,,,,, where’s all this crazy tech? Is it the house batteries whatever that is?

[@clivestainlesssteelwomble7665]

The BMW Battery packs are not that good compared to BYD blades or even Nios swappable packs.. then theres CATLE s Na ion battery s cheaper lighter, safer more durable and already in their second incarnation. Electric motors should not be that expensive either as the theres plenty of crate motor auto motor suppliers emerging even giants like Ford can supply a massively powerful 450 hp and 600nm torquey efficient motor for $1500 ... To drive two output shafts, if i remember correct. Theres thousands of electrical commercial bus and truck motors already in production rated 150-250 hp a Nissan leaf motor produces 135hp all with massive torque ratings from being switched on and control levels from 1rpm up and thoroughly tested support and control systems. As you dont need a clutch or gear box you save wt, energy, noise and costs, servicing is virtually non existent for years just sealed bearings supporting one moving part. .. as for the drive coupling again Automotive industry technology is more than adequate and equally cheap. So that leaves the charge control electronics and marine instruments. 🤔 So the batteries cost how much...? The Marine propulsion industry is going to start working with the Automotive leads and E motor commercial specialist and start pricing accordingly...

[@Triggernlfrl]

With cheap stuff you get only troubles.... I drive a good example my self......

[@clivestainlesssteelwomble7665]

@@Triggernlfrl This is relative ...fleet vehicle's like buses have to run 24/7 in many cases. The other thing is at the moment CATLE, BYD and Nio are the worlds biggest producers and researchers. ..they make the cells that The rest of the world ends up using even for japanese companies and the likes of Tesla's and BMW ... Tesla 2nd hand drive s end up in a lot of electric retro conversions .. but these guys have been converting vehicles using aftermarket motors for nearly a decade now. And in this case we are talking a very modest motor spec that doesnt have to be all that wt. or size conscious given the application is basically similar to that of a single decker bus or med sized box truck. As drive is by a prop in water theirs also a natural degree of protective slip involved though if you've seen the latest Electric diesel tugs you might disagree 😁. If i remember the commercially derived bus Motors on the silent yatch's are guaranteed for something like 5 yrs. ..with minimal maintainance.

[@origin178]

Just like electric cars, it's no use having to immediately follow the technical specs with a list of excuses why a poor range is really just fine... really...don't worry. I can't wait for the day when the increased energy density of solid state batteries will give electric boats a more confidence-inspiring range and diesels can be forgotten, but we're not quite there yet... just a couple more years perhaps.

[@sophiedolman2230]

So, how long will it take to recharge? Ten hours down the canals of Europe, then how long to recharge to 100%. Based on car systems on a domestic charge, often 12-14 hours. Then compare to fuel consumption running time on a full tankful. Then, availability of refueling?? We are ploughing on with EV EB conversion without the suitable infrastructure

[@pistonburner6448]

Meanwhile biodiesel, bioethanol, biomethane all exist and make ICE engines far more environmentally friendly than EVs will ever be, costing a fraction of EVs. And don't cause everyone to become slaves of the Chinese Communist Party. You can safely buy any normal diesel or gasoline-powered boat and simply fill it up with the new carbon-neutral fuels when they finally become available. Those fuels already exist, they're already viable, their distribution system already exist, all that's holding them back is massive corruption and political parties using EVs as a tool to gain power. Biodiesel, biomethane, bioethanol have all been used in some parts of the world for years and years by hundreds of thousands of people in everyday life. Then there's the upcoming e-fuels which will be abundant, and especially environmentally friendly, and cost-effective. They help optimize renewable energy production, removing their problems with intermittent wind and sunshine and the need for expensive (and hard to permit) transmission lines. E-fuels can also be made at new nuclear plants using the reaction process super-effectively. BTW that electric propulsion system comes from Torqueedo, which is owned by Deutz, and those German 'elites' who own and run Deutz and Torqueedo are very friendly with politicians, have amassed massive amounts of subsidies all over Europe. Those electric motors don't even cost massive amounts just for customers at purchase, they also cost all taxpayers because corrupt elites and politicians need to make their millions somehow... Those luxury lifestyles don't pay for themselves. And they're actually allowed to market their products with straight up lies time and time again! They have the gall to directly lie by calling their products "emissions-free", and the ONLY "emissions-free" possibility! And the corrupt authorities fail to stop such blatant disinformation to consumers! They lie by omission, pretending that "carbon neutral" fuels like biodiesel, biomethane, bioethanol and e-fuels for ICEs don't exist. (Don't call me biased either, I own a Torqueedo electric outboard. And have owned an electric car for years, now switched to a more environmentally friendly ICE car.)

[@darthkek1953]

For the last 20 years new battery technology has been 2 years away. We don't have anything even remotely likely to hit the market in a couple of years. Ten years time, perhaps.

[@origin178]

@@darthkek1953 That's wrong. Look up Toyota's progress.

[@origin178]

@@sophiedolman2230 Newer battery technologies will be able to recharge far quicker than our current laptop-battery Lithium-Ion, and have a much longer lifetime. The problem with boats is that they need so much energy to move at speed they are not a great way to advertise electric power (with existing battery technology).

[@jamiemcneil9462]

I know math isn't for everyone, but it is quite simple to look at the numbers and understand that this boat is not capable of producing enough energy to be effective as a boat, for usage of any kind.

[@53glowe]

Did you not watch the video and the day trip the boat undertook which used 14% of battery. How is that not effective for usage of any kind 🤔

[@petermartin4675]

Only one top up point on pontoon ,not good.

[@colinstewart173]

Poor interior finish and the whole cabin layout just doesn’t seem right. What’s that large shower all about and then the other one with 2 heads exactly the same next to each other. It’s not like it’s a 6+ berth that needs 2 heads. £400k for a 32ft inland boat. Nah I think I’ll give it a miss thanks

[@bennieknape4857]

Its very nice. To much money but nice.

[@kevhodson544]

pointless virtue signalling for the wealthy ,40 miles/10 hours range for over 400K!!!! boating is all about freedom and adventure from everyday life, there will be people who buy these thinking they are green but in reality it's another woke project

[@sharonbraselton4302]

56 mioe rang whaker ¹3 6 dalon tank or whaek 11 3 falon 45 m8je ranfe liw small boat onfact ice eñergubf

[@sharonbraselton4302]

reqqgel silid stàte batery 56 míle eabge

[@kokomo9764]

Range and speed are unacceptable. Also, it is not an attractive boat.

[@DoctorMangler]

The biggest joke here is on the reporters. This boat will never be self sufficient, there simply isn't enough solar. It will always be full of diesel or it'll be parked and plugged in at the dock. There's barely enough solar there to run the refrigerator.

[@MrRebar15]

*Motor Boat & Yachting* Nope not my cup of tea, electric at this point in time is just *Virtue Signaling* until it can charge just as fast as a fill-up & go just as far not interested.

[@rumanuu]

Are you talking about all electric vehicles or just boats as you couldn't be more wrong about cars?

[@MrRebar15]

@@rumanuu BOTH

[@rumanuu]

@@MrRebar15 I got an electric car for company car tax reasons, I would not go back to petrol/diesel even if it saved money.

[@MrRebar15]

@@rumanuu That's OK to each their own, but for me until you can charge one as fast as a fill up, there a waste.

[@KimCJorgensen]

Forget it for now, or stick a proper genny in it which defeats the object except that you can get around in whisper quiteness, for a few miles. A friend of mine used to say; all boats are compromises as soon as you have laid the keel. Well, this is one too far.

[@sharonbraselton4302]

teksà cejs ⁵2 mioé eabg skad state add 65 mileceange

[@sharonbraselton4302]

sibd stàé xßhoéé 44 nm too 55 nm rabfe 61 miole ranree cruse idel 122 miie eange

[@pistonburner6448]

What language is that? Or is it an actual (terrestrial) language?

[@alessandrobacci2186]

We lost the sense of beauty!

[@blest5132]

😂

[@BredeKaasa]

Lithium batteris in a boat? IMO, that's not sane. «Mostly safe», but if they catch fire … watch tubes of lithium batteries burning if you haven't.

[@corail53]

Nothing about a boat is green. so that is a pointless argument to make on that front. These will be better for sound along riverways over diesel. Also quite tired of this weird (electric) is the future nonsense when it has been running boats and submarines for nearly 100 years. Hell we might as well go back to steam at this point.

[@sharonbraselton3135]

Wrkng it gren

[@aardvarkmindshank]

“No noise; nothing”. Proceeds to record a very irritating whine that would literally drive me insane.

[@ОлегЛаптев-к9е]

Me gusta mucho tu música y tus videos cortos. 👍 uno de Mirabellee.Uno Quiere compartir videos como el tuyon para conseguir el cariño que no tiene.

[@Neuteboom1980]

Electric is such a waste of time. The future is fossil.

[@sharonbraselton4302]

wrmg wre ñiyt futrr 😎e lobgvrangé baterß slídcstàté vaterß

[@sadenuttie2234]

🤣 🤡

[@maxmcgraw3571]

No thank you. Hands down I'll stick with Diesel... Or gasoline. I love liquid gold.

[@sharonbraselton3135]

Or natural gas ou t b ards

[@islandiron]

Nice boat, but I think I’d rather be rolling coal.

[@sharonbraselton4302]

stàr bateé 8⁸ nm rañge ir 99 mileß wày jes theñ 11² mile rwangé 100 nm rabfe