Boat Test: 2025 Lancer Craft/Elco Electric Legacy

When the brushless, permanent magnet electric motor engages, the boat just goes. Capt. Vincent Daniello Visit Lancer Craft Find a Lancer Craft Dealer Overview

The new Electric Legacy, a collaboration between Lancer Craft and Elco, combines rich mahogany looks with 100 percent fiberglass construction, electric-power performance, and impressive run time and range from solid-state batteries. 

The Elco EP-250’s 1.9-to-1 reduction facilitates a larger prop that aids performance, acceleration and efficiency. Capt. Vincent Daniello Engine

Compare the Legacy to Lancer Craft’s Elite model, which is built on the same hull and powered by a 365 hp 5.3L Ilmor V-8 gas engine. Estimates put gasoline cruising range at three to four times farther.

We tested the Legacy, the first with Elco’s EP-250 electric motor, an hour into its initial sea trial. Our top speed equaled 33.9 mph. (After some tweaks, Elco reports 35.7 mph.) Hole-shot tests made clear the EP-250’s quick acceleration. When the brushless, permanent magnet electric motor engages, the boat just goes. Power steering eases the Legacy effortlessly into turns, and the ­one-piece rimless windscreen leaves ­vision unobscured. While we never hit choppy water, the boat’s sharp entry, 14-degree deadrise, and narrow beam should all conspire to deliver a reasonable ride in chop.

Luxurious bench seating offers a comfortable ride. Capt. Vincent Daniello Interior and Accessories

Lancer Craft imprints mahogany grain onto fiberglass to form the boat’s outer ­laminate. Crisp white seams mimic planked decks. Its deep-gloss woodgrain look mirrors the faux transoms now common on sport-fishing yachts—and for the same reason: to replace high-maintenance varnish with wash-and-wax convenience.

Attention to detail is found throughout. Capt. Vincent Daniello

The boat’s classic lines are equally striking. Along the ample deck edge, glistening stainless-­steel highlights the sheerline as it rises from the bow, crests near the helm, and then flows into a graceful S-curve toward the stern. The aft deck slims to meet the tumblehome hullsides and raked transom, where those curves play in light, shadow, and watery reflections of wake and sky. Polished chrome bejewels the deck, and wide mahogany planks appear to flow from the deck edge to form the cockpit sides and dash, where the steering wheel is the only real, once-living wood aboard. Two rows of bench seats—their soft vinyl textured in diamond-weave stitching and accented with red and blue piping—accommodate six adults in luxury.

With the Electric Legacy, and in collaboration with Elco, Lancer Craft welcomes boat buyers seeking classic runabout style, modern convenience and  the latest electric technology.

Faux wood emulates rich, full-grained mahogany but doesn’t add weight, environmental impact or maintenance. Capt. Vincent Daniello How We Tested

• Motor: Elco EP-250 186 kW/250 hp
• Drive/Prop: Inboard/14″ x 16″ 3-blade bronze
• Gear Ratio:1.9:1 Battery Capacity: 96 kW Crew Weight: 450 lb.

High Points

• The Elco EP-250’s 1.9-to-1 reduction facilitates a larger prop that aids performance, acceleration and efficiency.
• Faux wood emulates rich, full-grained mahogany but doesn’t add weight, environmental impact or maintenance. 
• Besides woodgrain, Lancer Craft offers boats in a variety of gelcoat colors.

Low Point

• Electric propulsion is quiet, but our test boat requires some tweaking to mitigate the 103 decibels we recorded in one very narrow rpm range (4,500).

Toughest Competitor

The decidedly unclassic XShore 1 is a 21-foot-by-8-foot-6-inch runabout with a 125 kW motor ($168,000 well-equipped). Prefer gas IC power? Lancer Craft’s Elite runs $164,749 (base price with a 365 hp Ilmor inboard); shipping ($1,800) and trailer ($7,500) are extra. 

Pricing and Specs Price:$254,000 (with test power)LOA:20’0″Beam:6’4″Draft (max):1’8″Displacement (approx.):2,527 lb.Transom Deadrise:14 degreesBridge Clearance:5’0″Battery Capacity:96 kWMax Horsepower:365 (gas; Elite model)Available Power:Single Elco EP-250 (186 kW/250 hp) electric inboard; single 365 hp Ilmor gasoline inboard Speed, Efficiency, Operation Lancer Craft/Elco Electric Legacy Certified Test Results Boating Magazine Contact Lancer Craft

Lancer Craft – North Webster, Indiana; lancercraft.com

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