This battery-powered electric boat, the 'Elektro Nautico 5550' was manufactured by the well-known German manufacturer Schuco, probably in the 1960s. It is made from plastic, with a lithographed tinplate deck and metal detailing, and has an electric motor in the hull. This is attached to a propeller, moving the boat through the water, and also rotates a radar mast on the roof of the cabin. The cabin can be removed to allow access to the electric motor and battery compartment. This particular boxed example is in very good condition.

Schuco is a very well-known manufacturer of mechanical tinplate toys. They initially produced ranges of clockwork figures and animals, and are best known for their toy cars. But they also produced toy motorcycles and aircraft, and a number of toy boats, of which this is a good example. Schuco started to replace clockwork mechanisms with electric motors in the 1950s, when they also started to use more plastic in their models. Schuco have a reputation for quality. Their models are extremely durable and well-made, and the designs, particularly those of the toy cars, can be extremely realistic. Their range of boats have a reputation for being beautifully shaped. Although based in Nuremberg, Schuco exported around the world, and was particularly popular in North America.