Plugboats: Inflatable houseboat pioneer launches new model
Apr 10, 2025
By Jeff Butler
Hovercraft, the Slovenian company that created the popular Electricat inflatable houseboat, has launched a new model that incorporates all the learning and customer feedback from the past five years.
The Electricat 16 name reflects its size – 16 square metres (175 square feet) of deck space – that can accommodate up to 10 people for fun on the water, with 6 m² (65 sq ft) of space on the roof that can be used for sunbathing or removable solar powers to charge the electric motor’s battery. The salon area has over 2 m (6’ 6”) of head room.
Inflatable houseboat fits into SUV.
For a family or group of friends looking to get away for a day, this is a great solution. The entire unit (less motor and battery) folds up and weighs only 170 kg (375 lb) with the heaviest part being 50 kg (110 lb). Two people can easily load it into a car (uninflated!) Once you get to the lake it inflates in a few minutes, the parts zip together and all you need to add is the motor, food and drinks, a cooler and some beach towels.
It is a houseboat, so obviously not designed for speed, but you can get to your favourite swimming spot or just cruise along the shore at up to 4 knots (4.5 mph / 7kmh) with a 1kW (≈ 1.5 hp) electric outboard and up to 7 knots (8 mph / 12km/h with a 3kW (≈ 4.5 hp) unit.
For a smaller group or a family, the Electricat 16 converts to an on-water tent in minutes for overnighting. Windows and doors zip on to enclose the salon, and you already have a giant air mattress underneath you.
While I haven’t been on an Electricat, I have seen and inspected them up close them on land at various boat shows and have to say they look like a convenient and affordable way for a family or friends to spend quality time on the water.
Their light weight and the way they are used also makes them a great match for electric motors. No one is looking to break a speed record on a houseboat, the Electricat is much more like a pontoon experience – with the added bonus of an upper sundeck – where you are able to enjoy time together without the noise, smell and environmental impact of burning gasoline.
The Electricat 16 is available in Canada from Navigator Boats in Toronto.
Jeff Butler is based in Toronto and is the Editor/Publisher of plugboats.com, the international website covering everything electric boats and boating. He is also President of the Electric Boat Association of Canada.
