Electric boat veteran WIA Yachts expands line with 520 Hardtop

May 7, 2026 Jeff Butler 0 Comments WIA

Founded in 2009 on the shores of one of Europe’s largest fossil-fuel-free lakes, WIA Yachts now has a line of seven all-electric models, the latest being the Hardtop version of their popular WIA 520.

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It all started when a marina came up for sale on Hungary’s Lake Balaton. Central Europe’s largest lake (75 x 14 km / 50 x 10 mi), it is also known ‘the Hungarian Sea’ and has been a popular recreation spot for hundreds of years. It was one of the first European lakes to ban combustion motors for environmental reasons when boat traffic increased dramatically after World War II and into the 1970s.

The marina opportunity was perfect for lawyer and advertising executive András Viszkei, who had been looking for a way to get out of those hectic industries and do something that involved two things he had been passionate about all his life: water and boats.

WIA Yachts first model was 7m / 23 ft

He and his family invested significant time and money into the property, adding a restaurant and hotel and expanding it to hold over 200 boats. Because of the fossil fuel restrictions those were almost exclusively sailboats, but Viszkei saw a rising demand for power boats. Electric seemed the perfect way to satisfy the market while building something he loved that would also help protect the water.

WIA Yachts 230 CC (7 metre) model out on a lake — WIA”s first electric boats were 7 metre models, similar to their current 230 CC

In 2009, though, there were very few electric boat motors to be found. At the beginning WIA used motors and batteries adapted from forklifts and golf carts. That was fine for their first boats, which were 7 metres long, and the precursor of the current 230 CC model. People tried them, liked them, and WIA learned and grew – along with the number of electric motor and battery suppliers in the world.

In 2013 WIA purchased an abandoned factory building, introduced a 34 foot model and the business developed into what it is today with capacity to build 15 all-electric boats per year. They include the 230, 330 ( 10m), 350 (10.5m), their best seller – the 14 metre 450 in Cabriole or Hardtop – and now the Open and Hardtop 520 (16.1m).

I had a chance to see the WIA 520 at Boot Dusseldorf and chat with András’ son Bence, who literally grew up with the company and is now Director Of Sales and Business Development.

See Plugboats Guide to Electric Exhibitors: Boot Dusseldorf 2026

The original 520 Open has been popular for a lot of reasons, one of them being the size. The 15 foot beam (4.7m) helps provide a lot of living and relaxing space.

The Hardtop really takes advantage of that space by adding the benefit of a convertible galley / salon that can be open when the weather is perfect, then partially or fully enclosed for cooler or warmer times – with air conditioning available for hot days.

The boat can be configured a few ways to provide comfortable beds for up to 6 people along with central kitchen/galley island that has everything needed for three or four days on board without overwhelming the area.

A floating home

The driving philosophy is to give the sense of a floating home where you can spend time on the water with friends and family in surroundings akin to a welcoming living room.

The central salon and galley area opens up front to a very large lounging area and aft to an area that can be used for dining or just watching the world go by. It’s here where the no-noise no-noxious-smoke-and-fumes benefits of electric propulsion can be really appreciated.

What makes relaxing there even more attractive are hull walls that open out to provide two extra platforms – sort of ‘hull wings’ – for sunning, swimming, or just dangling your feet in the water.

As the popularity and user base of WIA owners have grown, it has become more important for the builder to offer a propulsion system made by a global brand with a wide network of service partners. Fortunately that is much more possible now than it was in 2009!

The company has chosen ePropulsion, one of the world’s leading electric motor brands, to outfit the 520 with two of their 40 kiloWatt I-40 inboard motors. That makes for a total of 80 kW available (110 hp) and they are coupled with a standard battery pack of 160 kiloWatthours of energy storage that can be added to if desired.

ePropulsion I-40 electric inboards

For inland waters, lakes and coastal cruising, the 100 kilometres (54 Nm / 62 mi) is usually more than enough for most boaters and can be done without worrying at all about the battery charge. The range can be lengthened by reducing the speed, which fits well with the 520 because the design – both in terms of propulsion and living space – is to allow everyone onboard to enjoy leisurely cruising to the utmost.

The configuration I toured at Dusseldorf had a large owner’s cabin with lots of head space. I am 190 cm (6’ 3”) tall and I was able to stand in the cabin without feeling cramped in the least. I said to Bence that it feels like the boat was almost built around a bedroom, rather than having a sleeping cabin that fits in wherever possible.

That cabin also has a spacious attached bathroom. There is still room in the remainder of the lower deck for another guest cabin (and bathroom) for family or guests. The size of the owner’s cabin and head are reduced somewhat in the three cabin configuration..

“We wanted to create a boat that feels like home” says Bence, “even if it’s for a only a few days. I think the height makes a big difference. The people on board often don’t realize it, but that is what helps create that home atmosphere, the atmosphere of a very nice apartment. The floor area is not larger, but everything just feels bigger, easier, more relaxing.”

Green Ribbon Regatta

The launch of the WIA 450 is another step for this company that started out with the idea of building some small electric boats on an inland lake. The demand for their products continues to grow, and the boats can now be seen all over Europe not just on lakes, but on canals and along sea coasts.

Meanwhile, back on Balaton, the BCYC marina where it all started continues to thrive and will hold its 11th annual Green Ribbon Regatta this July 16 – 19. The event now attracts hundreds of green boaters from the Lake and beyond and is large enough to have races in a number of categories.

The weekend not only tests the abilities of the navigators and the battery packs and drivetrains of the boats – but also demonstrates how these mature and reliable high-performance technologies serve environmentally conscious sailing on ‘the Hungarian Sea’.

WIA Yachts website Balaton Green Ribbon Regatta