Boat Tests

Mar.Co E-Motion 36 Video Test: out-of-the-ordinary performance

Mar.Co has been producing top-level boats for a full 50 years, built to perfection and featuring truly legendary hulls. Among them stands out the Mar.Co E-Motion 36, a stunning cabin maxi-RIB with loads of space and jaw-dropping performance. We tested it in Marina di Varazze alongside its cousin, the R-Evolution X36, and in this video, we show you everything this incredible inflatable is capable of.

Mar.Co E-Motion 36 Sea Trial

We begin our test of the Mar.Co E-Motion 36 cruising at minimum speed — 600 rpm and just under 4 knots. The sea is choppy, but we accelerate and the response is immediate: at just 11 knots the wake breaks, and at 16 knots the boat is already gliding smoothly over the water. We’re cruising at 2,300 rpm with a total fuel consumption of just 59 liters per hour — impressively low considering there are three 400-horsepower Mercury engines at the stern, for a total of 1,200 hp.

We push a bit further to see how the Mar.Co E-Motion 36 handles at 25 knots, one of its most typical cruising speeds. We reach 3,100 rpm and burn only 23 gallons per hour — not bad at all for this kind of hull and power setup. This boat can maintain cruising speed with remarkably low fuel consumption.

Now it’s time to see how the E-Motion 36 handles a series of tight turns — so without slowing down, we go full right at 28 knots. The maxi-RIB draws a perfect circular route; it feels like we’re riding on rails. We counter-steer left and the sensations are identical — the hull stays glued to the water. We can even accelerate mid-turn and the boat doesn’t move an inch off course; the only thing that increases is the centrifugal force. We cross our own wake, but the hull doesn’t flinch.

This maxi-RIB makes you want to go faster, so we push the throttle all the way down to see how it behaves at higher speeds. 30 knots, 35 — full throttle. The engine sound is insane, and we quickly hit 56.4 knots, the Mar.Co E-Motion 36’s top speed. Even at full speed, it handles beautifully. We slow back to around 40 knots to test a wide, fast turn — a critical stress point for many hulls. But our maxi-RIB, turning at 44 knots with a wide radius, stays firmly on the water, as you can see in the video. The performance is truly outstanding — the boat slices through the waves effortlessly, despite being a generously sized cabin model.

The Mar.Co E-Motion 36 allows us to cruise without any major issues despite the rough sea, all while consuming relatively little fuel: the combined fuel consumption of the three Mercury Verado 400s is just 41 gallons per hour — which is excellent for cruising at 40 knots. At that speed, we could easily cover the route from La Spezia to Capraia in just an hour and a half.

With the Mar.Co E-Motion 36, you have a wide range of cruising speeds at your disposal — 20 knots, 25, 30, and even 40 — all with outstanding performance. This makes it a truly versatile boat that, depending on sea conditions, can get you to your destination quickly and in total comfort.

The Mar.Co E-Motion 36 in detail

The Mar.Co E-Motion 36 is just under 11 meters long, but thanks to its certified length being under 10 meters, it can optionally be registered as a pleasure craft without requiring full yacht registration. The cockpit is covered by a large, enveloping hardtop, which can even be extended with a shade cloth supported by carbon poles to provide full coverage of the entire cockpit area.

The helm station is equipped with everything you need for navigation and onboard automation. It features a large main display, a smaller screen showing navigation and engine data, the now-essential joystick, bow and stern thrusters, throttle controls conveniently positioned within easy reach, VHF radio, and the onboard Hi-Fi system. The aft platform of the Mar.Co E-Motion 36 is absolutely massive, utilizing the full 3.60-meter beam — further extended by the bracket — to create what is essentially a full-fledged beach club. From here, two convenient side openings provide easy access to the outdoor dinette and the large sofa, which comfortably seats 6 to 8 people. The large retractable electric table allows for open-air meals in comfort, shaded by the canopy.

Access to the foredeck of the Mar.Co E-Motion 36 is via comfortable side decks, which are also equipped with sturdy and practical handrails. The foredeck not only offers a massive sunbathing area at the bow, but also significantly increases the interior volume: the forward cabin is impressively spacious, featuring a queen-size bed with plenty of depth and, most importantly, excellent headroom above the cushions — allowing you to sleep with your head facing forward.

The interior layout is completed by a large bathroom with a separate shower stall. With this setup, a couple can easily enjoy medium to long-range cruising in complete comfort. In conclusion, the Mar.Co E-Motion 36 is a maxi-RIB unlike any other, miles ahead in terms of construction quality and the exceptional attention to detail that defines every part of the boat. It’s incredibly easy to handle, making it perfect for family or friends’ cruising, as well as for exciting offshore outings.

Technical Specs

LOA

10.70 m (* LH 9.98 m)

Max Beam

3.60 m

Tube Diamater

50-64 cm

Dry Weight

3,200 kg

Compartments

7

Water Tank Capacity

270 l

Fuel Tank Capacity

765 l

Max Power

2×600 HP

Max Passengers Capacity

16

Luca D'Ambrosio

Editor-in-chief, boat tester and journalist. Luca began sailing at an early age with his father then as an adult discovered sailing regattas and offshore racing. He has been working in publishing for more than 30 years and continues to sail incessantly, especially aboard the editorial staff's boat, an old lady of the seas that he has completely rebuilt and which serves excellently as a "mobile laboratory" for The International Yachting Media.

Recent Posts

ICE 70 Suite: the evolution of the 70 that redefines luxury sailing

There comes a moment when cruising stops being just sailing and becomes a true experience.…

23 hours ago

Beneteau at the Paris Nautic Show 2025: the strength of a group, the excellence of Wellcraft

The atmosphere in Paris at the end of November comes alive with the spirit of…

2 days ago

Honda Marine Europe at METSTRADE 2025 with a renewed V6 and 4-cylinder lineup

After a year of growth and major innovations, Honda Marine Europe returns to METSTRADE 2025…

3 days ago

Absolute 70 Fly, the video test: 70 feet of pure emotion

We’re in Varazze, in the heart of the Ligurian Riviera, to test a true gem…

4 days ago

Gagliotta Lobster 53, video test: Neapolitan elegance tames the sea

For over seventy years, the name Gagliotta has been a symbol of excellence in building…

5 days ago

Stoppani, the endurance test inside The International Yachting Media’s Test Center as told by Gianluca Sansonna

The true efficiency of a boat begins below the waterline, where the hull and coatings…

7 days ago