Going Green: switching to electric outboard motors

For Greek charter companies aiming to differentiate their fleets, electric outboards offer the perfect combination of guest comfort, operational savings, and sustainability. Upgrading your dinghies may seem like a small step—but it’s one that guests notice immediately and remember long after disembarkation.

For charter guests, the tender is often their first hands-on experience with the boat—so every detail counts. In today’s competitive Greek charter market, switching from petrol to electric outboard motors for your dinghies is one of the simplest upgrades that delivers immediate, visible value to guests, shows concern for sustainability, and can provide long-term savings for your business.

1. A Quieter, Cleaner Guest Experience
Electric outboards are virtually silent. No more noisy, smelly petrol engines interrupting a peaceful bay in the Cyclades or a sunset transfer in the Ionian. Guests love the smooth, effortless ride—especially families with young children.

2. Lower Operating Costs
Fuel costs for tenders add up fast, especially across a busy season. Electric motors eliminate fuel purchases for short tender runs and drastically reduce mechanical issues. With far fewer moving parts, maintenance becomes predictable and cheap.

3. Easy Charging on Charter Yachts
Modern yachts already have strong battery banks, solar support, and inverters. Electric outboards charge directly onboard without the hassle of jerry cans or petrol spills. A full night on the charger is usually enough for an entire day’s guest use.

4. A More Sustainable Brand Image
Environmental awareness is now a key factor for charter guests—especially Europeans. An electric tender sends a clear message that your fleet is modern, responsible, and aligned with Greece’s growing eco-tourism focus.

5. Increased Safety for Crew and Guests
No petrol means no fumes in lockers, no leaking jerry cans, and no fire risk during refueling. Electric units are safer to handle, lighter to mount, and ideal for less experienced guests who may use the tender independently.

6. Longer Component Life & Higher Reliability
Electric outboards tolerate daily charter abuse far better than small petrol engines. There’s no carburetor to clog, no fuel lines to degrade, and no cold-start issues—just push the button and go.

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We have heard many charter companies and boat owners considering switching to electric, but are unsure about how reliable they are, and what the clients would thik of them, So we asked Sail Ionian to share their experience with us - in our video Nick shares the ins and outs of of installing and using electric outboard motors.