DISCOVER THE UNMATCHED CRAFTSMANSHIP OF THE RIVA EL-ISEO YACHT
The Riva El-Iseo is the Italian boatbuilder's first full-electric yacht, a 27-foot runabout that carries the heritage of a brand founded in 1842 on the shores of Lake Iseo into the fully electric era. Launched at Boot Dusseldorf 2024, the El-Iseo is named after the very lake where Riva was born, and it translates that history into a boat that can reach 40 knots, hold Category B ocean certification and recharge from 20 to 80 percent in just over one hour.
Electric Powertrain: Motorsport Technology at Sea
The El-Iseo is built around a Parker Hannifin GVM310 AC electric motor delivering 250 kW continuous and 300 kW peak output, powered by two sealed, liquid-cooled 800V battery banks totalling 150 kWh. That battery architecture was developed in partnership with motorsport specialists, giving the system the thermal management necessary for high-power marine use. Three driving modes structure the energy budget: Adagio (ECO mode, up to 5 knots, range extending to ten hours), Andante (standard cruise at 25 knots) and Allegro (sport mode, top speed of 40 knots).
The practical range runs to around 25 nautical miles at full planing speed, or approximately 50 nautical miles at a more relaxed throttle setting. Usable range for a day on the water around a lake or coastal inlet is entirely realistic, and fast charging makes a midday stop a viable refresh. As Yachts International confirmed, the El-Iseo is the only electric boat in Europe certified Category B by Italian classification body RINA, meaning it is approved to handle Force 8 gale conditions and seas up to 13 feet, far beyond the calm lake use the name might imply.
Interior and Craftsmanship
Inside the El-Iseo, Riva's commitment to luxury is expressed through materials rather than complexity. Plush seating, exquisite wood finishes and a sophisticated dashboard carry the house style that has made Riva runabouts collector objects since the Aquarama era. An infotainment system integrates GPS and audio-video control via iPad, and the cabin provides sleeping accommodation for short voyages, fully air-conditioned for comfort in any weather. The cockpit layout is open and sociable, with the electric drivetrain removing the noise and vibration that would otherwise intrude on conversation.
Riva's official El-Iseo page describes the boat as the opening chapter of a new E-Luxury segment, where Italian aesthetics and performance engineering meet zero-emission propulsion. The boat's sleek lines descend directly from the classic Iseo model, but the hull, systems and certification are all purpose-built for electric operation at sea.
Photo: RIVA YACHT
Luxury Watercraft Worth Discovering
The Riva El-Iseo belongs to a category of watercraft where design legacy and modern engineering converge. TheArsenale carries Italian performance yachts including the Canados Gladiator 431 performance yacht and the SAY29 runabout yacht, alongside electric watercraft like the Beau Lake Electric Runabout. The full boats and watercraft collection covers everything from luxury speedboats to superyachts for those who take the water seriously.
