What Hydrolift does

Hydrolift is a Norwegian designer and manufacturer of high-performance boats and vessels, headquartered at Mosseveien 53 in Fredrikstad, Norway. The company operates as a subsidiary of Eker Group, the Norwegian innovation conglomerate owned and chaired by industrial designer Bård Eker. Hydrolift serves two customer bases: private leisure owners through its X-Series and Signature Series boats, and professional maritime operators through its PRO-Series, which supplies search-and-rescue (SAR), firefighting, patrol, and superyacht-tender vessels. All boats are designed, developed, and built to order at the Fredrikstad facility and distributed globally through an authorized dealer network spanning Norway, Australia, Czech Republic, Germany, Greece, Malta, Sweden, Spain, Switzerland, and Turkey, with direct enterprise sales for government and large-customer professional contracts.

The product portfolio is organized around a modular vessel platform architecture. Hulls use vacuum-infused vinylester and fiberglass-sandwich composite construction with two-stepped deep-V configurations engineered for seaworthiness and 50+ knot cruising. The P-42 platform has been in service since 2016 and the newer P-45 platform underpins the SAR (Smart Saver), FireFighter, and forthcoming tender/chaser variants, sharing common components to reduce training, maintenance, and lifecycle cost. Hydrolift integrates technologies from the broader Eker Group ecosystem, including Hyke Sense PRO 360-degree situational awareness on the P45 Smart Saver, Kongsberg Maritime dynamic positioning on the P45 FireFighter, and powertrains from Volvo Penta and Mercury. The brand carries heritage assets such as a UIM Class 1 World Powerboat Championship pedigree (encoded in its trademarked "racing-R" logo), a Norwegian DOGA design award for the S-28, and a Powerboat of the Year nomination.

Hydrolift generates revenue primarily through one-time sales of made-to-order vessels; pricing is quote-based, with a publicly disclosed X-22 starting at approximately 1.11M NOK (~$105k) and configured examples reaching ~1.24M NOK, while professional and Signature Series units are priced on request. A secondary revenue stream comes from the in-house service and aftermarket department, which supports re-powering, upgrades, and maintenance on legacy and current boats. Named enterprise and government customers include the Norwegian Sea Rescue Society, which has received seven Hydrolift rescue vessels including the P45-based RS 175 Wilhelm Wilhelmsen co-funded by the Tom Wilhelmsen Foundation, and Red Sea Global in Saudi Arabia, which has ordered two P45 FireFighter vessels for fire protection at The Red Sea tourism destination.

Name

Hydrolift

Legal name

Hydrolift AS

Website

https://hydrolift.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2001

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Hydrolift is a Norwegian designer and manufacturer of high-performance modular boats serving private leisure owners (X-Series and Signature Series) and professional maritime operators (PRO-Series), distributed globally through dealers and direct enterprise sales for SAR, firefighting, patrol, and superyacht-tender applications.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Fredrikstad

HQ country

Norway

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Boat and Vessel Sales: Hydrolift generates primary revenue through the sale of high-performance leisure boats (X-Series, Signature Series) and professional vessels (PRO-Series). Each boat is made to order with customization options. Professional vessels include SAR, firefighting, patrol, and tender configurations.
2. Service and Aftermarket: Dedicated service and aftermarket department provides support for existing customers including troubleshooting, guidance, re-powering, and upgrades for older engines and classic models. Factory, Harbour, and Sea Acceptance Tests ensure quality before delivery.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels11 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Hydrolift designs, develops, and manufactures high-performance boats and vessels made-to-order at its Fredrikstad, Norway facility using vacuum-infused vinylester and fiberglass-sandwich composite construction. The portfolio covers leisure boats (X-Series including X-22, X-26 S, X-27 SUV, X-28 DC, X-32 S, X-32 DC, and upcoming X-42), professional vessels (PRO-Series based on modular P-42 and P-45 platforms for search and rescue, fire response, patrol, and tender applications), and a Signature Series of premium collector models. All vessels undergo Factory, Harbour, and Sea Acceptance Tests before delivery.

Product overview

Hydrolift is a Norwegian boat manufacturer that designs, develops, and manufactures high-performance boats and vessels. The product portfolio consists of three main sub-brands: the X-Series (refined leisure boats including X-22, X-26 S, X-27 SUV, X-28 DC, X-32 S, X-32 DC, and upcoming X-42 and X-45 models), the PRO-Series (professional vessels for search and rescue, fire response, patrol, and tender operations based on modular P-42 and P-45 platforms), and the Signature Series (premium high-performance and luxury models including C-33 Cab, C-32 SUN RR, C-31, C-28 Cab, C-27 Cab, S-28, S-25 SUN, S-24, S-24 SUN, C-24, and SX-22). The company also offers fully customizable 45-50 ft tenders and chasers. All boats are made to order and manufactured at the company's facilities in Fredrikstad, Norway, incorporating racing heritage with Scandinavian precision.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• X-Series: High-performance leisure boats combining speed, control and functional comfort with flexible layouts and generous social spaces.
• PRO-Series
• Signature Series

Products and services

• Hydrolift X-22

Quantifiable outcome

• Up to 100+ mph top speed on C-32 RR with twin Ilmore 725 HP V10 engines
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability2 records

Feature7 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered major, flagship and core.

• Nash Marine SalesmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 5 August 2024Nash Marine Sales, Sydney's premier boat brokerage, became an authorized dealer for Hydrolift pleasure boats. The partnership brings X-Series models (X-22, X-26 S, X-32 S, X-32 DC) to the Australian market, with presence at Sydney International Boat Show.
• Red Sea GlobalflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 February 2024Red Sea Global, a visionary developer wholly owned by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF), ordered two Hydrolift P45 FireFighter models for fire protection at The Red Sea luxury regenerative tourism destination. This represents a significant prestige contract for Hydrolift's professional division.
• Norwegian Sea Rescue Society (Redningsselskapet)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 January 2024Hydrolift developed the P45 SAR platform in close collaboration with the Norwegian Sea Rescue Society. The partnership has yielded seven rescue boats actively patrolling the Norwegian coastline. RS 175 Wilhelm Wilhelmsen represents the seventh vessel and first P45 platform delivery, serving as a testing ground for greener rescue fleet technologies.
• Eker DesigncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEker Design, part of Eker Group, collaborates closely with Hydrolift on all boat designs including modular platforms, working to achieve optimal engineering and efficient production through CNC machining and composite material optimization.
• HykecoreTechnology or IntegrationHyke, an Eker Group company, provides the Hyke Sense PRO 360-degree awareness system installed on P45 SAR vessels. This technology uses multiple sensors for continuous environmental awareness with SMART SEARCH application optimized for search and rescue operations.
• Kongsberg MaritimemajorTechnology or IntegrationKongsberg Maritime provides Dynamic Positioning (DP) technology and S28-3/CA water-jet propulsion for Hydrolift P45 FireFighter vessels. The DP technology ensures stability during firefighting assignments while water-jets provide maneuverability.
• Volvo PentamajorTechnology or IntegrationVolvo Penta D11 725 engines power the P45 FireFighter. Hydrolift also utilizes Volvo Penta D8 MH engines as optional power for P45 SAR vessels.
• Eker GroupflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerHydrolift is part of Eker Group, Norway's leading innovation powerhouse with 35+ years of product development. Eker Group owns and manages Hydrolift along with Hyke, EpiGuard, Eker Design, and Eker Performance brands.
• MercurymajorTechnology or IntegrationMercury provides outboard engines including the 300R V8 for X-Series boats and V12 outboard engines for the upcoming X-42 model.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Windy Boats: Scandinavian builder of high-performance offshore motorboats and sport cruisers with overlapping displacement and deep-V hull expertise. Direct geographic and product-line competitor to Hydrolift's X-Series in the premium Scandinavian leisure segment.
• Cigarette Racing Team: American high-performance powerboat manufacturer known for offshore racing pedigree and ultra-premium positioning (with Mercedes-AMG collaborations). Compares to Hydrolift on racing heritage, premium pricing, and high-speed luxury day-boat positioning.
• Axopar Boats: Finnish manufacturer of modular, high-performance day cruisers and adventure boats in the 22-45 ft range with global dealer distribution. Closely aligned with Hydrolift's X-Series positioning in size, modular platform philosophy, and target buyer (demanding private owners seeking performance + versatility).
• Nor-Tech Boats: US builder of high-performance offshore and centre-console powerboats targeting demanding private owners. Comparable to Hydrolift in pursuit of premium performance positioning, custom build options, and racing-DNA brand heritage.
• Safe Boats International: US manufacturer of aluminum patrol, SAR, and firefighting vessels for government and law-enforcement clients. Direct competitor in the PRO-Series search-and-rescue and patrol vessel category.
• Ribcraft / Ribco Professional Boats: Greek manufacturer of professional RIBs for SAR, coast guard, and military use. Comparable in professional maritime vessel category targeting similar government buyers across the Mediterranean.

Broad incumbents

• Princess Yachts: British luxury motor yacht manufacturer producing a wide range of flybridge and sport yachts from 35-130 ft. Overlaps with Hydrolift in the premium performance day-boat segment and serves similar high-net-worth private owners, but at substantially larger scale and broader portfolio.
• Chris-Craft Boats: Established American luxury runabout and day-cruiser builder with broader model range and larger dealer network. Comparable to Hydrolift's X-Series on premium leisure positioning and brand-led marketing, but operates at significantly greater scale.

Emerging players

• De Antonio Yachts: Spanish builder of stylish, high-performance day cruisers and superyacht tenders with strong Mediterranean distribution. Overlaps with Hydrolift's X-Series and 45-50 ft tender expansion plans.
• Technohull Greece: Greek performance RIB and day-cruiser builder with strong superyacht-tender DNA. Comparable in high-speed hull technology, customisable platforms, and Mediterranean dealer presence to Hydrolift's PRO-Series and Tenders & Chasers offerings.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/hydroliftboats
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/hydrolift-as
• Xx.com/hydroliftboats
• Instagraminstagram.com/hydrolift

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Hydrolift