As we enter De Spaanjerd marina in Belgium, one boat catches the eye even from a distance. It’s a rainy, grey day; everything looks rather dreary – except for the Wia 350. Its extraordinary yet striking design immediately grabs your attention. The boat has little in common with classic lines and colours. This was a clear advantage for the boat’s designers: they were given free rein, which is evident to the observer in certain aspects of the design.
The test drive
The weather is set to get even worse, so we’re starting our test straight away with a trial run. The 350 glides quietly out of the slipway. No clatter from the diesel engine, no cloud of exhaust fumes; instead, you can hear almost nothing but the water lapping against the hull. “Isn’t that lovely?”, comments Stefan Naust, who distributes the shipyard’s models in Germany, amongst other places, on the feel of the ride. The Hungarian shipyard Wia has consistently opted for electric propulsion in its new 10.70-metre cruiser for inland waterways and sheltered coastal waters. And the concept works surprisingly well.
The test boat is fitted with two optional 10-kW electric motors from Bellmarine instead of the standard single 20-kW drive. When engaging the gear, that familiar sensation is initially missing: there is no perceptible engagement, no pressure point and no discernible neutral position, apart from the fact that the lever points upwards at a 90-degree angle. It is simply pushed forwards without any resistance, and the boat sets off. This feels unusual at first, but is a feature of this system and is the case on all boats fitted with Bellmarine, the shipyard explains. After a short period of getting used to it, however, it works without any problems. When it comes to sailing itself, the Wia 350 once again scores highly.
It responds smoothly to small steering movements and remains easy to control even in tight harbours. The powerful bow thruster has plenty of power in reserve to manoeuvre this six-tonne vessel smoothly, even in stronger winds, or to moor alongside. The test also showed that even small crews should have no trouble handling the boat. A stern thruster is available as an option, but we do not consider it necessary.
Unexpected features of the Wia 350
The boat’s handling in rough water was a particularly pleasant surprise. During the test, a thundercloud passed over the area, building up short, sharp waves around 40 to 60 centimetres high. That’s exactly the sort of thing you’d normally want to avoid with an electric boat, especially when it’s cruising at a maximum speed of 6.5 knots. The Wia, however, handled it with surprising ease. The hull cuts smoothly through the water; the boat remains easy to control and is not nearly as susceptible to wind as one might expect given its high superstructure, and it kept spray largely off the deck. We hadn’t expected that, and it’s thoroughly impressive.
Up to around 3.5 knots, the Wia runs pleasantly smoothly. Only at around 900 revolutions per minute and about four knots does a slight vibration occur, which was noticeable during the test. Above and below this range, the vibration disappears again. This may be due to fouling on the hull or the propeller. Overall, however, the sailing experience remains relaxed and pleasantly quiet. After all, that is precisely one of the greatest attractions of this model. Instead of engine noise, the sound of the water dominates whilst underway. The noise level never exceeded 60 decibels. By way of comparison, this is roughly equivalent to the patter of normal rain. Many boats with internal combustion engines reach this level at just 1,000 revolutions per minute.
But of course: the Wia isn’t a boat for owners who want to travel fast. Its cruising speed is more on the leisurely side, with a top speed of around 13 kilometres per hour. That said, the range fits the concept perfectly. With the standard 40-kWh battery, you can cover around 32 nautical miles on a single charge at five knots. If you travel faster, the range is naturally reduced significantly. At full throttle, you’re left with just eleven nautical miles. However, this is perfectly adequate for typical inland waters, where there isn’t too much current, or for a trip to go for a swim on your local lake. If you need more capacity, you can increase it. The upgrade then also includes lithium iron phosphate batteries, or LiFePO4 for short. If trips in coastal waters are planned, this is possible with the CE Category C classification. The Wia can therefore easily handle short coastal journeys.
Electric boat with plenty of space
Beneath its fixed hardtop, the Wia 350 offers a surprising amount of space. The large windows make the saloon feel bright and open, and there is just under two metres of headroom. The boat feels more spacious inside than its external dimensions would suggest. The seating area in the cockpit can be converted into an additional sunbathing area, whilst wide sliding doors and large windows ensure plenty of air and light on board.
The layout below deck is the only traditional feature on board. The owner’s cabin is located in the bow and has a sleeping area measuring 1.60 by 1.92 metres. The mid-cabin is also generously sized at 1.46 by 2.07 metres. The headroom is ample too: 1.81 metres at the bow, 1.82 metres amidships and just under 1.98 metres in the saloon ensure that you don’t have to constantly duck your head whilst on board. The beds are comfortably upholstered, and plenty of cupboard space has been provided; there is more than enough.
Notable features on board the Wia 350
The galley is modern and functional in design, albeit on the small side. A large fridge, a Corian worktop and plenty of storage space are also on board. The build quality is good. Here and there, you’ll find a few gaps that aren’t a perfect fit, but that’s not a major issue, and other, sometimes larger manufacturers aren’t any better in this respect. If we were to use school grades, this would be a solid 2 to 3+. The wiring and the routing of hoses are also in keeping with this standard. Whilst we’re on the subject of quality, the fittings are worth mentioning. It’s generally striking that Wia keeps the basic fittings comparatively comprehensive. Many items that incur an extra charge with other manufacturers are already included as standard by the Hungarian shipyard. The list of options also remains, on the whole, reasonably priced. Even desirable extras such as solar panels, air conditioning or larger Garmin displays are still within a reasonable price range.
That said, the Wia isn’t entirely without its flaws as far as we’re concerned. The steps leading down to the lower deck are quite small, at just 17 centimetres deep, and require a bit of care when stepping onto the boat. The wet room also suffers from the familiar compromise found in many compact cruisers: when you take a shower, you practically flood the entire toilet area. A curtain or a glass panel could help solve this problem. The fresh-water connection, on the other hand, is a practical solution: the hose remains permanently connected to the boat and the shore supply, so there is always plenty of water available and an extra filter can be fitted in between. Stefan Naust tells us: “In Hungary, this is standard practice, and every owner leaves their boat moored not only at the power supply but also in the water.” Technically, the Wia is equipped with modern features. Garmin navigation, a touchscreen, an electric windlass, a Fusion sound system and a bow thruster are all part of the standard specification. If you wish, you can also configure the boat with solar panels, a flybridge helm station or even a 225-kW Evoy propulsion system. With the latter, however, the price tag is in a completely different league.
On deck, the Wia also offers generous sunbathing areas. At the bow, the sunbathing area measures 2.30 by 1.60 metres, whilst at the stern it is as large as 2.40 by 1.60 metres. This makes the boat not only ideal for travelling, but also perfect as a floating terrace for relaxing summer days. To make anchoring easier, an electric windlass is fitted to the test boat.
Where is the Wia 350 used?
Ultimately, the big question any potential owner needs to ask themselves is quite simple: how do I intend to use the boat? Am I looking to cover long distances at the highest possible speed, or am I more interested in relaxed day trips? Those who need greater range can fit the Wia 350 with a 60-kWh battery. This provides roughly 50 per cent more range. In figures, that works out at about 17 nautical miles at full throttle and around 55 nautical miles at a leisurely speed of around 900 revolutions per minute. In practice, this is more than enough for most people on a typical day out on the water. However, for those who regularly wish to cover very long distances of 80 or 100 nautical miles a day, an electric boat of this type is probably not yet the right solution. The cruising area is also a key factor. We wouldn’t choose this boat for a long Baltic Sea cruise, but we would for a lake in Berlin or a Dutch canal, for example. Of course, your home marina should have a good charging infrastructure. If everything fits, you won’t have to keep going back and forth between charging points.
BOOTE rating
In our test, the Wia 350 demonstrates just how relaxing electric boating can be. The design is clearly geared towards leisurely cruising in inland and coastal waters, and it impresses in precisely these settings with its quiet propulsion, good manoeuvrability and surprisingly robust performance.
Design and Concept
Electric concept
exceptional design
Range
Driving and steering
Manoeuvrability
Responsiveness
Housing and build quality
Standing heights
neat finish
The steps leading down are relatively narrow
The bathroom gets flooded when I have a shower
Equipment and Technology
high standard
Good motors with decent build quality and wiring
Technical Specifications
- CE design category: C / 8
- Total length: 10.70 m
- Width: 3.40 m
- Draught: 0.74 m
- Clearance height: 3.25 m
- Weight: 6,000 kg
- Minimum engine capacity: 20 kW
- Max. engine capacity: 225 kW
- Fuel tank without a water tank: 100 l
- Waste tank: 100 l
- Hot water: 50 l
- Batteries: 833 Ah
- Berths: 2 + 2
- Kilograms per kW: 300.00
- Test boat sales: beautifulboats.eu
- Shipyard: elektromosyacht.hu
The engine
- Manufacturer: Bellmarine
- Type: DriveMaster 10.0
- Quantity: 2
- Performance: 10 kW
- Full-load speed: 1,500 rpm
- Voltage: 48 volts
- Torque: 63 Nm
- Fuel: Electricity
Rear dimensions
- Length: 2.30 m
- Width: 2.00 m
Running deck
- Width: 0.36 m high
- Railing: 0.50 m
- Surface: Artificial teak
Measurement results
| Rotational speed | Speed kn | Speed km/h | Power consumption (kW) | Range (sm) | Range (km) | Sound level dB(A) |
| 500 | 2.1 | 3.8 | 1 | 70 | 129 | 38 |
| 700 | 3.2 | 5.9 | 2.2 | 49 | 91 | 47 |
| 900 | 4.1 | 7.6 | 3.8 | 37 | 68 | 50 |
| 1,000 | 4.6 | 8.5 | 5.2 | 30 | 56 | 48 |
| 1,100 | 4.8 | 8.9 | 7.0 | 23 | 43 | 53 |
| 1,200 | 5.3 | 9.8 | 8.8 | 20 | 38 | 56 |
| 1,300 | 5.5 | 10.2 | 10.6 | 18 | 33 | 57 |
| 1,400* | 5.9 | 11.0 | 13.0 | 16 | 29 | 57 |
| 1,500 | 6.5 | 12.0 | 18.0 | 12 | 23 | 58 |
| 1,600 | 6.7 | 12.4 | 20.0 | 11 | 21 | 60 |
Sound pressure
At a cruising speed of 1,200 revolutions per minute and 5.3 knots, the boat is very quiet. A mere 56 decibels were recorded at the helm – one of the greatest advantages of an electric boat.
Manoeuvring aids
The standard bow thruster helps when manoeuvring in the harbour. A stern thruster is available as an option.
Engine upgrade
The list of options also includes an Evoy outboard propulsion system. This package comprises a 225-kW motor and a battery pack with a capacity of 138 kWh. The option costs around 180,000 euros and, in our view, is not recommended on economic grounds.
Standard equipment
The standard equipment is comprehensive and designed to allow you to set off straight away – something that is by no means standard these days.
Standard equipment
Electric toilet · Hot water boiler · Double bed · 220-volt socket · Non-slip decking · USB-A/USB-C ports · LED position lights · 9-inch Garmin chartplotter · 10-kg anchor · 10-metre anchor chain · Fusion sound system
Construction method
The Wia’s hull is hand-laminated and consists of glass-fibre-reinforced composite material with a protective gelcoat layer. It has been specially optimised for electric propulsion and designed as a semi-planing hull.
Price and specifications
Price: from €265,000
Surcharge for comfort features
- Automatic trimming system: n. m.
- Electric anchor winch: incl.
- Bow thruster: incl.
- Synthetic teak decking: €9,250
- Soft top: incl.
- VHF radio: incl.
- Autopilot: incl.
- Chart plotter: incl.
- Charger: incl.
- Land connection: incl.
- 230-volt socket: incl.
- Heating: incl.
- Pressurised water system: incl.
- Hot-water boiler: incl.
- Shower and toilet cubicle: incl.
- Outdoor shower: €700
- Special offer price: €274,950
Alternatives on the market
Greenline 33
The Greenline 33 is also a boat for design enthusiasts and is, in a sense, the forerunner of modern electric boats. It is also a boat for serious long-distance cruisers. Price: approx. €170,000
Delphia 10 Top Lounge
The Delphia 10 is one of the boats that comes very close to the Wia 350. It offers more interior space but is slightly less eye-catching in the harbour and out at sea. Price: €302,974
X Shore 1
Having recently emerged from insolvency and with a new shipyard owner, the X Shore is also worth considering as an alternative. It looks completely different, but is aimed at the same target group. Price: €133,900
ADVERTISEMENT
Insure a Wia 350 from 1,674.20 euros a year* – third-party liability and comprehensive cover. Many options available: protect your crew with passenger accident insurance. Get a quote and take out a policy online: Yachting24.de * Offer from Yachting24 valid for a sum insured of 320,000 euros (at current market value), excess of 1,100 euros, third-party liability cover of 8 million euros
Jan-Ole Puls
Editor Test & Technology
