Electrika 2025 – A Small Show with Big Insights
This year we had the pleasure of attending the second Electrika Boat Show, a specialist event dedicated entirely to electric boating. While it is a smaller show compared with some of the larger festivals in the waterways calendar, its focus on electric narrowboats made it an incredibly valuable day for us.
Why Electrika Matters to Us
As future continuous cruisers, we are keen to design a boat that is both comfortable and sustainable. The shift toward electric propulsion is becoming a serious option for the inland waterways, and Electrika provided a unique opportunity to gather the latest information, see technology in action, and speak directly with experts in the field.
Unlike more general boat shows, where electric solutions are just one feature among many, Electrika is entirely centred on the subject. That means every exhibitor, every talk, and every demonstration was directly relevant to the questions we are asking ourselves about our own build.
Seminars and Learning
One of the highlights of the day was the programme of seminars, which we attended enthusiastically. These sessions proved extremely useful, especially around technical topics such as:
Electric Engine Sizes: Understanding what is truly needed for narrowboats, and how to match power requirements to cruising patterns.
Torque Limits: How torque output differs between systems, and what that means for handling and efficiency on the cut.
Propeller Sizing: A surprisingly complex subject, but one that has a major impact on performance and battery life when paired with electric motors.
Hearing these discussions from those at the forefront of electric boating gave us far more clarity than reading brochures or spec sheets ever could.
Key Takeaways
Even though the show itself was compact, the information density was immense. We came away with:
A clearer picture of which electric propulsion setups might suit a full-time liveaboard lifestyle.
A stronger understanding of how to balance performance with efficiency.
Ideas for integrating electric systems with sustainable power sources, such as solar and smart battery management.
A Step Closer to Our Goal
Electrika may not have the scale of the Southampton Boat Show or Crick, but its specialised focus makes it an event that punches well above its weight. For us, it offered a wealth of information that will help shape the future design of our own narrowboat – ensuring it is not only stylish and comfortable but also forward-thinking in how it uses power.