Whenever Axopar launches new boats on the market, the scene takes a very close look. This was also the case at this year's trade fair in Cannes. In just a few years, the Finnish trendsetter has succeeded in turning a niche product into a mass product. Today, Axopar produces almost 1200 boats a year, making it one of the biggest players on the market.
Following the shipyard's acquisition of Norwegian electric motor manufacturer Evoy, it is only logical that Axopar now also offers electric drives. The first models developed specifically for this purpose bear the name AX/E and are available as 22-foot or 25-foot boats in various crossbow or T-top versions.
Many practical details on board
We drove the Axopar AX/E 25 Cross Top. The 8 metre boat has a covered cockpit and a small cabin under the foredeck. A sufficiently large double bed, a toilet with neighbouring washbasin in the cabin, another washbasin in the cockpit and a cool box positioned under the front seats ensure comfort on the day cruiser. Like all Axopars, the 25 Cross Top is full of small practical details such as cleverly arranged storage compartments, wall pockets, hidden compartments and cup holders. Nevertheless, it must be clearly stated that this 3-tonne boat is not a classic cabin cruiser, but a day boat with overnight accommodation. The designers clearly focussed on its use as an open sports boat, with the emphasis on sport. This means that there is more than enough seating and sunbathing space available on deck. Depending on the version, up to six people can easily be accommodated on the foredeck and in the cockpit.
But now we come to the real speciality of the Axopar AX/E 25, its drive system. The Evoy Storm bolted to the rear has a nominal output of 225 kW, corresponding to 300 hp. The peak power available for a short time (peak power) is even specified by the manufacturer as 450 kW, while the maximum torque is an impressive 550 Nm. Motorised in this way, the Axopar AX/E is in the same league as the Frauscher X Porsche Fantom Air or the Riva EL Iseo, for example, and, according to the manufacturer, reaches top speeds of more than 55 knots, i.e. 100 km/h.
Riding characteristics: Not for beginners
To say it straight away: During our test off Cannes, we had to deal with waves around 1 m to 1.5 m high, so reaching the 100 km/h mark with an 8 m boat was out of the question. Nevertheless, the handling characteristics and acceleration impressed even experienced drivers. The test report notes: "Not for beginners". To put it plainly: anyone who gives the Axopar and its Norwegian propulsion system free rein and demands the maximum 450 kW from the engine during kickdown should have experience with fast boats. The double-stepped V-hull with a 20-degree upturn proved to be helpful. It noticeably absorbed the shocks when entering the waves and allowed the boat to keep on track without any annoying hooking, even when making fast turns beyond the 40-kn limit. The hull reliably deflected splash water to the sides and only leaned moderately to one side. Overall, the e-boat benefits from the developers' experience with their petrol-powered big sisters, especially from the Brabus line.
At slow speed, the 8 m boat behaves like any sports boat and can be manoeuvred safely into any harbour corner, no matter how small, thanks to the bow thruster assistance. The turning circles without bow thruster assistance are around 1 ½ boat lengths to either side, and reversing in reverse was achieved within a few seconds, as is typical for outboards.
Good ergonomics in the cockpit
The driver and front passenger sit on very comfortable seats with sufficient lateral support. The steering wheel, gearstick and other controls are excellently positioned and the entire driving position is clearly laid out. The two touchscreen displays deserve a special mention. While the 10-inch display on the right is intended for navigation, the one on the left is reserved exclusively for system and engine monitoring. The device, known as "Next4Q", includes a 4G telephone connection so that remote diagnosis and maintenance by Axopar technicians is possible at any time - provided there is network coverage. In addition to standard values such as range, speed, temperatures or battery status, it is also used to operate the maintenance electronics.
Fun machine for advanced users
And what about the range? As with any e-boat, the utility value of the Axopar AX/E 25 stands and falls with its range. This is where the 126 kWh 800 V high-voltage battery comes into play. It is liquid-cooled and, according to the manufacturer, should withstand up to 3000 charging cycles without any problems. For comparison: electric car batteries also achieve 1000 to 3000 cycles. The charging time, which we have not tested, is specified by Axopar as 45 minutes on a DC quick charger. With a 22 kW AC charger, a charging process from 10 % to 80 % of the battery capacity should be completed in around four hours.
In practice, the battery power is sufficient for around 22 nm at a speed of 25 knots. If you "step on the gas" and push the Axopar to its limits, the fun is over after about 15 nm. Just for the sake of completeness: at a crawl speed of 5 kn, one battery charge is enough for an astonishing 60 nm - but who wants that?
Let's summarise: The Axopar AX/E 25 Crosstop is a fun machine for advanced boaters with a sustainability factor - at least locally. If you compare it with other boats in its class, you will notice that it offers a comparatively high utility value at a lower price due to its layout. At around 300,000 euros, this e-boat is of course no bargain, but similar boats are significantly more expensive.
Technical data Axopar AX/E 25 Cross Top
The boat
- Shipyard: Axopar / F
- TypeAX/E 25 Cross Top
- Length: 8 m
- Width: 2,23 m
- Draught: 0,85 m
- Weight: 2950 kg
- CE cat: C / 6 pers.
- Price test boat: approx. 300,000 euros
- Info and distribution: www.axopar.com/ www.bootepolch.de
The motor
- Manufacturer: Evoy
- Type: Storm
- Performance: 225 kW (450 kW peak)
The battery
- Capacity: 126 kWh
- Tension: 800 V
- Protection class: IP 67
- Cooling: Liquid
- Cycles: 3000
- Charging time (10 % - 80 %): DC fast charger 45 min, AC 22 kW charger 4 h
