Rahul Somvanshi
Govind Tekale
Arc Boat Company’s new electric boat, the Arc Coast, brings significant changes to the boating experience at $168,000. This 24-foot center console boat offers a fresh solution for common boating challenges – from noisy engines that drown out conversation to the constant smell of gas fumes.
The numbers tell an interesting story. The boat’s 400-horsepower electric motor and 226 kWh battery pack deliver speeds up to 50 mph – matching the performance of traditional gas boats. The battery system, shared with the Arc Sport model, provides enough power for 4-5 hours of use with overnight charging.
The boat’s practical design addresses long-standing boating frustrations. “People love center consoles, but the experience hasn’t improved,” notes Mitch Lee, Arc’s CEO. “The Arc Coast is what you get when you start from scratch: quiet and powerful electric performance, powered by advanced software, and free from many of the headaches common with today’s gas boats.”
The most noticeable change sits at the back of the boat. Unlike traditional designs with bulky outboard motors blocking access to the water, the Arc Coast’s electric motor stays hidden inside the hull as an integrated sterndrive. This opens up the entire back of the boat for swimming and relaxing. The full-beam swim platform with an auto-extending swim step makes it easier for everyone to climb in and out of the water.
At the captain’s chair, gone are the confusing arrays of gauges that can overwhelm boaters. Instead, two touchscreens handle everything from navigation to entertainment – creating a streamlined helm with intuitive controls. The boat receives over-the-air software updates, adding new features and refining performance over time.
For fishing trips, the Arc Coast comes equipped with essential features: a livewell keeps bait fresh, insulated fishboxes store the day’s catch, and multiple rod stands keep fishing gear organized. The open layout gives up to ten people plenty of room to move around, whether they’re casting lines or just enjoying time together.
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The switch to electric power brings practical benefits beyond environmental concerns. With fewer moving parts than gas engines, maintenance needs drop significantly. The sealed electric system also handles saltwater conditions well, demonstrating Arc’s focus on durability in marine environments.
The $168,000 price tag, while lower than Arc’s previous models ($300,000 for the Arc One and $268,000 for the Arc Sport), still positions it in the premium market segment. The boat represents Arc’s most accessible model yet, though early adopters will need to consider factors related to electric boat ownership.
Arc’s approach stands out by redesigning the entire boat around its electric power system, rather than simply adding an electric motor to an existing design. This complete rethinking of boat architecture aims to deliver better reliability and performance – critical factors for anyone investing in their first boat or upgrading from a gas model.
Looking at the actual timeline, Arc plans to start delivering these boats to customers in early 2026. While the technology shows promise in addressing long-standing boating frustrations, success will ultimately depend on how well it serves customers in real-world conditions – from fishing trips to social gatherings at the sandbar.
This boat represents more than just a new model launch. It shows how electric power could solve practical problems that have complicated boating for decades. As the boating industry faces growing pressure to reduce emissions and noise pollution, the Arc Coast offers a glimpse of how traditional boating activities might adapt to modern expectations.
