Electric boat without a licence: which models stay below 7.5 kW? Leines and MY-Electroboat compared
Licence-free electric boats from about €21,000: 8 models from Leines and MY-Electroboat with motor, battery, price and where no licence is needed.
A new electric boat you may drive in Germany without a licence starts at about €21,000 (MY-Basso, 4 people) or €29,800 (Leines 540, 5 people), both including German VAT. The two Bavarian yards build open day boats from 4.70 to 8.20 m with motors from 0.4 to 7.5 kW. In the UK, private pleasure craft need no licence at all (RYA). On Lake Constance, in Austria and in Switzerland, the stronger versions need one.
Which licence-free electric boats do Leines and MY-Electroboat build?
Leines Boote is based in Grassau on the Chiemsee, MY-Electroboat in Raisting on the Ammersee. Both build only electric boats and sell directly from the yard. Leines delivers to Germany, Austria and Switzerland, further afield on request (Leines). MY also sells in Austria through PEHN Bootsbau on the Attersee (PEHN). Neither yard lists prices in pounds or a UK dealer. This table only shows models available with no more than 7.5 kW.
| Model | Length | People | Motor | Battery | Top speed | Price from |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MY-Basso | 4.70 m | 4 | 0.4 kW (standard) or 1.6 kW Torqeedo Travel XP | 1.4 kWh | approx. 7 / 14 km/h | approx. €21,000 incl. VAT (MY) |
| Leines 540 | 5.40 m | 5 | 1.8 kW Aquamot | 4.8 kWh AGM* | 9–11 km/h | €29,800 incl. VAT (Leines) |
| Leines 560 | 5.60 m | 5 | 1.8 / 2.2 kW Aquamot, 4.3 kW with lithium | 4.8–6.2 kWh AGM* | 10–13 km/h | €32,900 incl. VAT (Leines) |
| MY-Tramonto | 5.55 m | 5 | 1.1 / 4.3 / 6 kW Torqeedo | 20 kWh lithium | approx. 10 / 19 km/h | approx. €36,900, VAT not stated (MY) |
| Leines 595 | 5.95 m | 5 | 1.8 / 2.2 kW Aquamot, 4.3 kW with lithium | 4.8–6.2 kWh AGM* | 10–13 km/h | €35,900 incl. VAT (Leines) |
| MY-Junior | 5.94 m | 5 | 1.1 / 4.3 / 6 kW | 20 kWh | approx. 12 / 15 / 19 km/h | approx. €46,000 incl. VAT (MY) |
| Leines 670 | 6.70 m | 6 | 2.2 / 4.3 / 7.5 kW Aquamot | 6.2–19.2 kWh AGM* | depends on motor | €55,650 incl. VAT with 2.2 kW** (Leines) |
| Leines 820 | 8.20 m | 8 | 4.3 / 7.5 kW Aquamot | 12.5–19.2 kWh AGM* | 10–16 km/h | €82,650 incl. VAT with 4.3 kW** (Leines) |
\* Leines only states the batteries in volts and amp hours. We calculated the kWh from these. \\ For the 670 and the 820, the price on the model page (from €49,900 and €74,900) does not include a motor. According to the price list, motor and batteries cost an extra €5,750 (2.2 kW), €7,750 (4.3 kW) or €13,000 (7.5 kW). We added up the total ourselves.
MY gives its prices as ranges: the Basso costs approx. €21,000 to €40,000, the Tramonto approx. €36,900 to €80,000, the Junior approx. €46,000 to €88,000. MY states the 20 kWh for Tramonto and Junior without linking it to a motor or battery option. The price range suggests several battery sizes. The Junior is also available with up to 10 kW on request, and then it is no longer licence-free (MY).
Where can you drive these boats without a licence?
In the UK, anywhere: there is no licence requirement for private pleasure craft (RYA). On German federal waterways, every version up to 7.5 kW is licence-free (§ 5 SpFV). On Lake Constance and in Austria the limit is 4.4 kW (Lake Constance Shipping Regulations, RIS), in Switzerland 6 kW (Swiss Inland Navigation Ordinance).
| Model and motor | Germany (7.5 kW) | Lake Constance (4.4 kW) | Austria (below 4.4 kW) | Switzerland (6 kW) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MY-Basso · 0.4 / 1.6 kW | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| MY-Tramonto, MY-Junior · 1.1 / 4.3 kW | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| MY-Tramonto, MY-Junior · 6 kW | yes | no | no | yes |
| Leines 540, 560, 595 · 1.8 / 2.2 / 4.3 kW | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Leines 670 · 2.2 / 4.3 kW, Leines 820 · 4.3 kW | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Leines 670, 820 · 7.5 kW | yes | no | no | no |
One catch remains: both yards only state “x kW” without saying whether that is continuous or peak power. In Germany, continuous power is what counts (§ 5 SpFV), and Torqeedo states the input power of its motors. Ask for written confirmation of the continuous power before you buy, especially for versions just below a limit. UK waterways have their own requirements: every boat on Canal & River Trust waters needs a boat licence, which is a fee, not a driving licence (CRT). Many Alpine lakes have their own, stricter rules, such as the 2 kW shore zone on Lake Constance. See electric-only lakes and all limits in our guide electric boat without a licence. The kW slider on our home page shows at once where your motor is licence-free.
How long does a licence-free electric boat run?
Several hours. Leines quotes up to 8 hours for the 540, 560 and 595 and up to 10 hours for the 820, explicitly as a “non-binding guide value” depending on motor, battery, load and driving style (Leines). For the 670, Leines only gives figures in its quote. MY only states a range for the Tramonto: at least 40 km in standard trim, without a speed (MY). Neither yard gives a charging time.
The biggest technical difference is the battery. Leines fits AGM lead-acid batteries as standard; lithium is only available with the 4.3 kW motor (560 and 595, €6,400 extra) or from 11 kW (Leines). The MY-Tramonto runs on lithium-ion (MY). Our charging map for electric boats shows where you can charge on the way.
What else sets the boats apart?
- Weight: The MY-Basso weighs approx. 145 kg, the Tramonto from approx. 280 kg, the Junior approx. 370 kg. Leines boats weigh 350 to 450 kg (540), 480 to 520 kg (560, 595), from 1,150 kg (670) and approx. 2,000 kg (820) (MY, Leines). For a trailer and a slipway, that is a big difference.
- Motor: MY uses Torqeedo motors, as a pod under the hull or as an outboard. Leines fits Aquamot under-hull motors.
- CE category: MY states D (sheltered waters); the Tramonto is also available in C for 4 people. Leines only mentions “CE certification” without a category.
- Tests: We found no magazine test of any of these models.
Sources and image rights
- Images
- Leyla M / Pexels (conditions)
- Checked
- 27 October 2026 by Andreas Lakeberg
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Legal notice. This article is a general summary of regulations and is not legal advice. Only the linked laws and regulations in their current version and the responsible authority are binding, for example the navigation authority, the local council or the lake operator. Information checked: 27 October 2026.
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