repower sailboat with electric motor

Propulsion Systems for Monohull

The silence of an Oceanvolt electric propulsion is a skipper's dream.  Whether quietly maneuvering through a harbor or motor-sailing on low-wind days to create your own apparent wind, our electric solutions will enhance and extend your sailing enjoyment. 

Oceanvolt offers Hybrid or Electric systems as a power & propulsion option in partnership with many leading monohull boat builders - adding new partners continuously. We also offer repowering solutions for converting away from legacy diesel engines – removing the diesel engine, fuel tanks and exhaust system - cleaning up greasy, smelly engine compartments and freeing up both weight and space below deck.

Oceanvolt systems are scaled and configured to achieve maximum efficiency - taking into consideration boat length, beam and displacement as well as system weight and placement within the boat.  Range, beyond battery capacity, is extended through hydro generation while sailing above 6kn.  This can be complemented with either a portable AC generator or a DC generator (in larger boats or for long distance cruising).

All Oceanvolt systems are engineered to operate at 48 volts for passenger safety and ease of repair. Oceanvolt systems are extremely low maintenance and do not require winterizing (no annual engine maintenance/storage costs).

system & price examples

Owner testimonials.

Electric Beneteau Oceanis 40.1 “Moritz”

Maxi Dolphin MD55

RM Yachts RM 1180

• Spirit 1.0 Plus
• Spirit 1.0 Evo
• Pod Drive Evo
• E-Series Battery
• G102-100 Battery
• Find a Dealer
• Have a Dealer Contact Me
• Product Registration

• Support Center: FAQ & Guide
• Video Tutorial
• Download Center
• Performance Bulletins

Electric Sailboat Motor: Range, Cost, Best Kits for Conversion

Today, owning a completely green sailboat has been made possible with electric sailboat motors.

Imagine cruising with the silence of an electric sailboat motor and the ease of use with a simple press on the start button. What’s better is there are no exhaust fumes at all with significantly less maintenance.

It’s so appealing that a lot of sailing liveaboards have made their electric sailboat motor conversion.

However, some sailors are still on the fence, worrying about the range and price of the electric sailboat motor.

If you are one of them, you are in the right place!

This post will guide you through every aspect you need to know about electric sailboat motors to help you make an informed decision.

Besides, you will get professional insights on how to make the electric sailboat motor conversion for your own boat and learn the best electric sailboat motors (with honest reviews).

Table of contents:

• Electric Sailboat Motors: Confusion Explained

Electric Sailboat Motor or Combustion Motor

• Electric Yacht Motor Conversion: Two Solutions
• How to Size an Electric Sailboat Motor

Best Electric Sailboat Motors (with Reviews)

Electric Sailboat Motor: Confusion Explained

Can you go cruising with an electric sailboat motor? Can you put an electric motor on a sailboat? Are there any limitations?

Whether electric sailboat motors are a good fit for your boat is not a YES or NO question. Here we will explain your top worries with statistics and facts. That way, you can make a wise decision according to your situation.

You may hear some complaints about the batteries and range of the electric propulsion.

However, their experience may not suit electric sailboat motors.

In fact, even small electric engines work pretty well in many sailboats. That’s because most of the time, the wind can power the boat, and the motor is just used for docking or in rare times when there is no wind.

Therefore, it makes more sense to learn electric sailboat motor performance in real-world applications.

Here is a test report of a 3 HP electric sailboat motor on an RS21 racing sailboat:

As you can see, the small electric sailboat motor can run at 5.5 mph top speed for one hour continuously.

And there is a big difference in terms of range vs speed for electric sailboat motors:

If you lower the speed, the range and runtime can be greatly extended. The slower you go, the further you’ll get. For example, if you cut your speed in half, the electric sailboat motor can last 7 hours and go 20 miles within one charge.

That’s pretty sufficient if you use the electric yacht motor mostly for docking or as an auxiliary engine.

Faster top speed (and more range) is available with higher power electric sailboat motors depending on your specific requirements. Contact a specialist to design your electric sailboat motor solutions.

Also, don’t forget to get the electric sailboat motor with regeneration (See recommendations below).

That’s to say, when there is a lot of wind and you’re moving rapidly via your sails, they regenerate and store electric power on the batteries to keep you moving at other times. Solar recharging is also a plus.

Essentially, the range depends on how many batteries you have, so it’s not a limitation of electric sailboat motors but energy and batteries.

If you are still worried, you can offset this by getting a diesel generator, which is more efficient than a diesel engine. And it is a range extender when you need it, but for 90% of your motoring that you don’t need the range, you can rely on the electric sailboat motor.

Some of you might be concerned about the extra weight of the batteries.

In fact, an electric sailboat motor with lithium batteries weighs less than a diesel engine, particularly if you include the fuel weight.

If you want a lightweight electric sailboat motor solution, make sure you get one with LiFePO4 batteries . Compared with other marine batteries, they are more compact in design with much less weight and higher energy density.

Some more advanced electric motors for small sailboats (such as Spirit 1.0 Evo) feature an integrated lightweight battery. So you don’t need to worry about the complex wiring to hook it up or extra space to store the battery.

This is a huge plus if you want to use the electric sailboat motor on a tender or dinghy.

Here is also a chart that collects the weight of some popular electric sailboat motors for your reference:

For many people, another big problem with electric sailboat motors is the cost.

It’s true that a gasoline outboard with similar power is a lot cheaper to buy. However, the electric sailboat motor eventually wins in long-term operating cost. That’s especially the case if you are going to do a lot of motoring.

Electric sailboat motors save on fuel and maintenance costs, which can build up to a large amount over time.

Here is a chart that compares the cost of a 3HP electric sailboat motor (coming with a built-in battery) with its combustion counterpart:

That’s to say, you will cover the price difference for electric yacht motors eventually as long as you use it long enough. Click to check the details of the calculation .

What makes the electric sailboat motor even more worthwhile is it saves you a lot of hassles, especially for sailors who only use the engine in and out of the harbor. Dealing with the maintenance of the gas outboard for a 10 minute motor out of and into the harbor is disproportionate and painful.

*The higher horsepower electric sailboat motor may be different in terms of the cost calculation. Check out the outboard motor pricelist by HP for more information.

As you may have already noticed, electric propulsion has already been widely used in the marine industry:

It’s quiet while motoring, clean to handle, environmentally friendly, with less maintenance and operation costs.

The electric sailboat motors are easier to use with dramatically fewer moving parts to break and no worries about being a diesel mechanic to deal with the hard pulling start. You can have it always on, so it is ready whenever you need it.

And it makes even more sense in sailing applications:

You don’t really need to motor much if your plan is to actually sail. If you are completely becalmed, you will probably just need to motor at 2 knots to keep making way, which is easy for electric sailboat motors.

If you mostly use the motor to get into and out of the harbor, the electric sailboat motor also works great for you.

You can always charge up at the dock, motor out of the marina (or even motor to your sailing area or race start), then hoist the sails and when you’re through, the batteries are charged again.

The electric sailboat motor is also useful as a backup (kicker) motor in case your system goes down. That’s why you can see people pushing a lot of big boats with small electric motors. (Click to learn more information about kicker motors .)

Personally, it’s really nice to have an electric auxiliary in the boat – no smelly, messy diesel and motor oil to deal with, a much simpler system with less maintenance, and much, much quieter operation.

However, powerboats tend to have much higher requirements in terms of both power output and runtime. In that case, an electric sailboat motor can be hard to satisfy your needs.

How Do You Size an Electric Motor for a Sailboat?

As a rule of thumb, you will need approximately 1 HP per 550 lb of the displacement of your boat.

Generally speaking, a 3 HP electric sailboat motor can push a sailboat up to 25 ft and a 9.9 HP motor is sufficient for a 30 ft sailboat to motor at a satisfying speed.

However, bear in mind the horsepower you need always depends on your needs and applications.

It’s better to check the data from real-world tests to decide whether the electric sailboat motor is suitable for your specific needs.

For example, the 9.9 HP electric sailboat motor Navy 6.0 allows you to go at 6.9 mph (11.1 kph) on a 30 ft sailboat, and the range can be extended to 46.4 miles if you decrease your speed to 2.9 mph (4.6 kph).

Click to see more test reports with other electric motor and sailboat combinations, and find the electric sailboat motor that suits you best.

If you are still not sure about the size of the electric sailboat motor for you, feel free to leave us a comment and we will get back to you ASAP with professional suggestions.

Electric Sailboat Motor Conversion

Basically, there are two ways for you to convert your sailboat to a clean and quiet electric drive system:

You can either convert your current vessel to electric or buy an engineless yacht and install an electric sailboat motor on your own.

#1. Repower Your Sailboat with Electric Motor

If you decide to replace the diesel engine with an electric motor, you will need to do a lot of preparations:

The DIY approach requires an electric sailboat motor kit (including motor and controller), batteries, a good level of mechanical ability and basic electrical knowledge, as well as some common tools such as a voltmeter.

You will need to take the old engine out for the new electric sailboat motor installation. It’s not an easy task that involves removing the engine mounts and the drive shaft (dealing with the numerous hoses and cables), taking out the engine, exhaust system, fuel tank, and its attendant tubes, etc.

Remember to balance the boat to avoid listing during the electric sailboat motor conversion.

Then in with the new electric sailboat motor. The installation process can be straightforward if you choose the electric sailboat motor kit wisely (See steps below). Furthermore, you can set up solar charging for your electric sailboat motor with solar panels and charger.

Many sailors have recorded their electric sailboat motor conversion process and experience. Be sure to check them out to get some inspiration. For example, Ed Phillips has documented everything which can serve as a guide for newbies to get started.

Mind you there can be a whole heap that can go wrong in designing and maintaining the electric sailboat motor systems. You really need to be totally on top of it if you want decent performance or reliability.

If you are not that technically inclined, it’s better to talk to a specialist first to discuss your plan for a smooth electric sailboat motor conversion.

#2. Install an Electric Motor in a Sailboat

If you own an enginless sailboat, the electric sailboat motor conversion is much easier for you.

All you need to do is to find a reliable electric sailboat motor and install it in simple steps. The whole process can be easily done, even for beginners. Here we take the popular 6 HP electric sailboat motor Navy 3.0 as an example to show you the installation process:

• Step 1 : Rotate the clamps or use the screws to fix the outboard onto the sailboat.
• Step 2: Mount the steering system in the proper position.
• Step 3: Install the tiller on the electric sailboat motor.
• Step 4: Connect the batteries to the electric sailboat motor system.

Click to check the video tutorial that guides you through each step of the installation.

If you are worried about aesthetic issues and want higher horsepower options, an electric inboard motor can be a better suit for your sailboat. If you prefer an inboard motor for your sailboat, contact our OEM team to get an electric propulsion solution tailored to your needs.

Note : You might find some electric trolling motors rated by #s of thrust on the market. Actually, those electric trolling motors for sailboats can only provide limited speed and range. If you are heading into the wind, the trolling motors for sailboats are definitely not an ideal solution.

Once you’ve evaluated if electric sailboat motors are right for you, there are a lot of options for electric systems.

Here are some popular electric sailboat motors with positive reviews from customers worldwide. Fast charger is available for all the models recommended to reduce your charging stress.

#1. 3 HP Spirit 1.0 Evo

If you are looking for an electric motor for a small sailboat, be sure to check out the ePropulsion Spirit 1.0 Evo. It’s suitable for large daysailers or small cruising sailboats under 25 ft.

With the Spirit 1.0 Evo electric sailboat motor, you can go 5.5 mph (8.8 kph) at top speed on the 21 ft RS21 sailing boat, or troll for 20 hours continuously at 2.2 mph (3.5 kph) according to our test .

This electric sailboat motor with regeneration allows you to recover energy from the prop while under sail. It will start to generate power automatically when the sailing speed reaches 2 knots.

As an electric auxiliary sailboat motor, it can also be easily installed on your tender boats or yacht dinghies since it’s portable and easy to transport (with a lightweight integrated battery).

Features You Will Love:

• Come with the industry-first hydrogeneration capability
• Direct-drive technology makes it maintenance-free
• Portable with a 1276Wh large integrated lithium battery for long range
• Safety wristband keeps you safe in case of MOB
• Digital operation keeps you informed of the battery status

Spirit 1.0 Evo Electric Sailboat Motor Reviews:

“Great weekend with my 17′ sailboat powered by the Spirit Evo. This is great. Quiet and reliable. Went at 3/4 throttle for about 1.5hrs when taking it back to boat ramp.” – Robert Taylor

“Very happy with our Spirit Plus. Pushing our Kolibri 560 a 750 Kg sailboat, with ease. Doing about 5.8 km/h at 500W.” – Frank van Asten

#2. 6HP/9.9 HP Navy Evo Series

If you want a little more juice on the electric sailboat motor, check out the ePropulsion Navy Series. It offers 6 HP and 9.9 HP models for your selection and it provides sufficient power for sailboats up to 30 ft.

According to our test , the 6 HP electric motor Navy 3.0 can push the Catalina 25 sailboat (25 ft) at 6 mph (9.6 kph) top speed, while the Olga 33 sailboat (33 ft) can go at 7.5 mph (12 kph) with the 9.9 HP Navy 6.0 motor.

The Navy series electric sailboat motor also comes with regeneration features which can be recharged with hydrogeneration, wind turbine, and solar panel.

• Four controls to fit your sailboat installation and your boating style
• Accompany LiFePO4 batteries (need separate purchase) are more energy efficient
• Digital display offers real-time monitoring of the power and battery
• Magnetic kill switch and safety wristband keep you safe on the boat
• Electric start saves you trouble pulling the cord to start

Navy Series Electric Sailboat Motor Reviews:

“I have a Navy 3.0 with E80 on a Catalina 25 sailboat. It is working well. Currently I am using about 4% battery to go in/out of the marina by boat.” – Aaron Young

“Just finished my 8 weeks sailing journey in the Baltic Sea. The two Navy 3 outboards provide enough power for my 33ft catamaran. The 400W solar panels provided enough energy for engines and all other energy consumed on board with 2-6 persons. The two Navy Batteries provide power for engines and all other on-board electric devices. I never had to use shore power, so totally self-sufficient electric system.” – Martin Hildebrand

Recent Posts

ePropulsion Teams Up with Vision Marine Technologies to Unveil and Propel the Phantom Plastic Boat

ePropulsion Launches New Business Unit – ePropulsion Commercial

Outboard Motor Battery: What Size Do I Need & What’s Best for My Boat?

Join the discussion cancel reply.

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Notify me via e-mail if anyone answers my comment.

This site uses cookies to personalize your experience and analyze site traffic. By clicking accept or continuing browsing the site, you are agreeing to our use of cookies. See our Privacy Policy here .

View the Serial Number

• 2024 BOAT BUYERS GUIDE
• Email Newsletters
• Boat of the Year
• 2024 Freshwater Boat and Gear Buyers Guide
• 2024 Boat Buyers Guide
• 2024 Water Sports Boat Buyers Guide
• 2024 Pontoon Boat Buyers Guide
• Cruising Boats
• Pontoon Boats
• Fishing Boats
• Personal Watercraft
• Water Sports
• Boat Walkthroughs
• What To Look For
• Watersports Favorites Spring 2022
• Boating Lab
• Boating Safety
• Ultimate Boating Giveaway

Things to Consider When Repowering With Electric Motors

• By Capt. Vincent Daniello
• August 7, 2023

Much reporting focuses on reasons why one might choose electric marine power. The issues of range, speed, noise levels, winterizing and ethanol challenges, lake restrictions, environmental concerns and more all must be resolved on an individual basis. Little gets said about how a boater choosing to repower with electric actually gets that accomplished. Is it DIY? And if not, how does it get done?

Are you considering repowering with electric? Here’s a look at what it takes to cut the fuel line and plug in.

How Fast, How Far and How Long?

Electric propulsion can provide speed, range and runtime, but not all at once. An electric boat, motor and battery combination might top 25 mph for an hour. The same boat can also travel more than 50 miles at 6 mph, or longer still at slower speed. That makes the first step in going electric determining how far, in miles, you want to go fast, and how long, in hours, you need to go slow. Then match a motor and batteries to suit.

Portable Propulsion (DIY)

For small boats pushed to modest speeds, small, light options from ePropulsion , Torqeedo and Elco —equivalent to 3 hp gas outboards—easily clamp onto a transom yet store within a lazarette without worry of spilled gas. Most go for about an hour at full throttle, or 90 minutes at cruising speed, from one integrated or small external battery. These range from $2,500 to $3,500 for the motor, battery and charger.

Hardwired ­Horsepower (DIY or Dealer)

Elco, Torqeedo, ePropulsion and Flux offer motors equivalent to gas outboards from 5 hp to 25 hp. These typically connect to fixed battery banks mounted aboard. Most companies offer self-installation packages that call upon basic mechanical skills. All facilitate turnkey installation through dealer networks. Flux eliminates DIY installation, partly because its outboards utilize higher voltages than ­others in this ­horsepower range. 

These midsize motors tend to work best for bigger boats at slower speeds. Elco, for example, says its EP-20 can push a 24-foot pontoon boat about 8 mph for two hours, while the same charge provides more than 10 hours of battery life at 5 mph; the cost is around $11,500. Just be sure to choose adequate power to dock in a breeze and then back off the throttle to extend range.

Planing Power (Dealer, Some DIY)

Elco, Torqeedo and Flux offer motors comparable to ICE outboards from 30 hp through 100 hp. Most utilize twice the operating volts compared to companies’ smaller outboards, with those added volts providing more short-term power, which is needed for the few high-load moments while boats climb fully onto plane. Only Elco facilitates DIY installation within this power range, even offering pre-made cables, equipment and accessories. The complete package propelling Rock Proof’s ePro 1760R , a boat we tested in Boating ’s March 2023 issue, utilizes Elco’s EP-50 and 20 kWh of lithium batteries; it sells for about $22,500.

Inboard Options (Dealer, Some DIY)

While Elco has offered modern electric-­propelled launches since 1987 and inboard repower options since 2009, its newest inboard motors are one-third smaller and half the weight of previous models, illustrating industry trends. Torqeedo and, recently, ePropulsion also offer powerful, light inboard motors for either repower or OEM installation. Most are intended to operate at modest speed, although Torqeedo offers three models operating at higher rpm for planing boats—its largest replaces 135 hp ICE engines while weighing one-third of a comparable ICE inboard motor and transmission (195 pounds plus batteries versus 567 pounds for a 135 hp MerCruiser 3.0 bobtail). A ­complete system with batteries that can run 50 minutes at full throttle costs about $120,000.

Read Next: Going Electric to Repower an Antique Boat

Electric motors ranging from 5 hp to 25 hp typically operate at 24 or 48 volts. This provides the broadest battery choices to balance size, weight, range and cost. All Elco and many Torqeedo motors accommodate any brand or battery type that meets specifications, adding flexibility. Absorbed glass mat (AGM) batteries , for instance, save considerable dollars compared to lithium for slow-speed boats. Larger motors, particularly when boats approach planing speed, require lithium batteries, which are half the weight yet provide higher continuous output compared to AGM.

• More: August/September 2023 , Boats , elco , electric boats , Engines , torqeedo

Boat Test: 2024 EdgeWater 208CC Watchman

Boat Test: 2024 Stingray 23 OSX

Boat Test: 2024 Grady-White 231 Coastal ­Explorer

Boat Test: 2024 Hurricane SunDeck 2600 OB

Boat Test: 2024 Brabus Shadow 1200 ­Sun-Top

Inflatable Water Mats for Boaters

Boat Test: 2024 Monterey Elite 30

• Digital Edition
• Customer Service
• Privacy Policy
• Terms of Use
• Cruising World
• Sailing World
• Salt Water Sportsman
• Sport Fishing
• Wakeboarding

Many products featured on this site were editorially chosen. Boating may receive financial compensation for products purchased through this site.

Copyright © 2024 Boating Firecrown . All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited.

• Forum Listing
• Marketplace
• Advanced Search
• About The Boat
• Gear & Maintenance
• SailNet is a forum community dedicated to Sailing enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about sailing, modifications, classifieds, troubleshooting, repairs, reviews, maintenance, and more!

Repowering with an electric engine?

• Add to quote

My engine is getting old and was wondering if anyone has installed an inboard electric engine or considered doing so. I have a Cal 34 mkii and was interested in getting opinions on recharge times with solar and wind?  

We considered it. Hard. The deciding factor was that it couldn't get recharged enough to give us the range we need. (moving this to the Electric forum)  

Not actually sure how to move it to the electric forum  

Are electric motors ready to replace diesels? - Ocean Navigator - September 2011  

I do not know about an inboard.. but I know the replacement outboard for my Sea Sprite will be a torqeedo  

Yea, the big issue is capacity. A gallon of diesel is equal to about a thousand pounds of batteries. So you get a few hours of range at best unless you put in a LOT of batteries. I would love it if it was practical. I sail on a boat with a dozen huge deep cycles and electric motor, it is nice to have instant on power, though surprisingly noisy. They normally sail on and off the dock anyway. (32 foot wooden boat) But it is only sailed very locally so you are not out of range of the batteries. It was done for ecological reasons, not cost, and they are wiling to live with the limitations. If all you want to do is get on and off a mooring, it can work. But if you are one to use the motor to maintain any schedule when the wind drops then it is likely not for you. Not bad if you are wiling to sit still in a calm waiting for the wind to come back, or in an area with very regular winds.  

miatapaul said: Yea, the big issue is capacity. A gallon of diesel is equal to about a thousand pounds of batteries. So you get a few hours of range at best unless you put in a LOT of batteries. I would love it if it was practical. I sail on a boat with a dozen huge deep cycles and electric motor, it is nice to have instant on power, though surprisingly noisy. They normally sail on and off the dock anyway. (32 foot wooden boat) But it is only sailed very locally so you are not out of range of the batteries. It was done for ecological reasons, not cost, and they are wiling to live with the limitations. How much does a keel weigh ? I can not see why a good boat engineer like Bob the grump is not looking at some ideas ? The engine could be made submersible and would not care how much pitch or roll was going on. The oil in the oil pan would not be sloshing with the low pressure light flashing. No thru hull for the cooling water or waste gas. fuel vents. and fill. holes. Boats do not need holes. What a plan for a blue water boat ? No fuel sloshing around the dirt in the bottom of the tank. The engine pulling in this dirt and stopping just when it is needed the most. I see possibility for the future ? Change the limitations ? Good day, Lou Click to expand...

How long would it take to recharge with 1000 watts of solar panels or wind turbine or both. They are rechargeable just wondering what kind of time frame are we talking about?  

How big is the bank? What voltage is the bank? What type of chemistry? What depth of discharge for each cycle?  

According to CaptainRahnn's profile his boat is a 34' Cal. Where does one install 1000 watts of solar on a 34' boat I wonder?  

It would be pretty expensive to be a pioneer at this - especially to end up with a propulsion system with a very limited range and the problems of re-charging. I recently discussed this with the owner of an electric drive company at a boat show and he agreed that if not either plugging in at night at the marina or carrying a generator it makes little sense at this time. Range and re-charging will have to be improved quite a bit for it to make sense for a cruiser.  

When you're speaking of energy, there's just no such thing as a free lunch. As others have pointed out, nothing beats the energy density of diesel. If you read or watch the blogs of long range cruisers, you can glean that even if you had every square inch of deck covered with solar cells, it is very common to not have enough sunlight to charge a normal house bank. Chuck and Laura Rose have frequently had to run their diesel to charge the bank enough to run their watermaker, if nothing else, because they went many days at a time without sufficient solar power. With current technology, about the best one could do is to have a huge battery bank of batteries coupled with a dedicated high-output generator, to perform the bulk charging as efficiently as possible. More systems, more chances to fail, not to mention expense.  

I hear and understand all of what has been said. I needed an engine for my Catalina-22 I thought long and hard about an electric outboard engine. In the end I purchased a 6hp gas engine. I still like the idea of electric and its day may come. Maybe a hybrid will be the answer. Today is not the future. I am still looking at and toying with ideas to move with alterative energy. I would have just bought a motor boat if ideas, adventure and dreams were not part of my agenda. Good day, Lou  

Lou452 said: I am still looking at and toying with ideas to move with alterative energy. I would have just bought a motor boat if ideas, adventure and dreams were not part of my agenda. Good day, Lou Click to expand...

here are stats i got from Electric Yacht, 5kw motor on C&C 27. if keep speed to 3 kts, these have great range Flooded AGM LiFePo4 200 ah 200 ah 200 ah Kts Hrs Nm Hrs Nm Hrs Nm 3.0 16.6 50 16.5 49 16.5 49 3.8 7.0 26 7.6 29 8.0 30 4.8 3.0 14 3.5 17 3.8 18 5.4 1.8 10 2.2 12 2.5 14  

Is that running your batteries down to there full capacity (often how numbers like this are stated when trying to sell a system), if so then you will be replacing the batteries a couple times a year. You don't want to take them down past 50% capacity. And at 3 knots you will have to have some pretty good patience, and no head winds, or wave action to go through. I think that is what will kill the range really fast.  

50nm is great range? You can easily sail farther than that in a day. I think that the practicality of an electric motor for a sailboat depends on how you use the boat. I do a lot of cruising on vacation time, so I do need to get home on schedule. I can easily sail 70nm in a 12 hour day and do 1-2 week cruising vacations. I need to know that if I leave in a period of strong wind that I can motor back if necessary. That doesn't mean motoring at 3 knots (half of my normal cruising speed) or on short days. If I were not going back to work and sailing around the world without a schedule it would be easy to operate motorless or with a short capacity electric motor. As someone with regular employment and fixed vacation schedules I don't see any option other than diesel or gasoline that is practical. If I sailed on a lake or only used the boat for short day sails then electric would be a great option.  

Stats at 80% Depth of Discharge I have been discussing with those that have done this, and they are happy. Battery life is multiple years, not months. Maintenance considerably less. Of course, it depends on your application. I need to get out of marina, motor in the calm, otherwise i'm sailing. I have shore power for recharge. That's why when the Atomic 4 finally gives in, I'm switching  

The Zen 24 looks like a nice daysailer/weekender and seems very well built and equipped. But the electric propulsion is an $10,680 option without batteries. You would still need to plug in to charge any appreciable amount. The Yanmar diesel at $11,100 is a much better value and will give a much longer range under power at lower cost. Nice boat but nothing new really.  

Attachments

Thanks Maine Sail Good research and questions. I will try to get more info from vendors and those that have gone electric. BTW, yes you are correct about 48V assumption. Are you the famous Main Sail that did the great job on Stuffing Box maintenance photos? A cult hero in various forums  

I disagree slightly about price...my numbers(im still considering electric) come to around $4.5k for a pretty decent mid 30s sailboat electric motor 10kwatt continuos, 15 or max... this includes everything... having said that I still have the issue of regen and how to charge while on the hook and solar and wind arent enough unless I only use the engine maybe 30 minutes a day max... which when cruising windy areas or trades is perfectly reasonable now if I were a charter boat, docking and unloading all the time and on schedule eletric would be a no go for ME.... I still dream of doing it... here was my list of goodies to buy: electric motorsport 10kw kit $1650 ready to use or the diy kit was around 1k. batteries $800 for 4-8 batteries cheap or good ones(trojans) assorted mounts and fabrication $200 chain and gear kit custom made down here about $100 extra panels and a custom wind genny another $500 or so and shipping down here is about $600! since I already bought a portable generator thats off the list. its small but plenty to recharge a small 4 bank battery setup on the hook... thats if not going below 80 percent battery capacity...if I go lower I would have to have a big ass 5kw generator and those are too loud to be on the hook for sure those are my thoughts I have an outboard to enjoy for now  

Bear in mind batteries have to be replaced every few years, at a far greater cost than the cost of running a diesel for that long.  

Agree 100%. And also if planning to charge with solar remember the bank for an electric inboard is likely 48 volts. It takes a lot of panels to get a 48 volt bank charged, or a lot of time.  

yup...great points as always... one good thing is volt steppers and shore side chargers have come down in price considerably over the years  

there is a ct41 that has been repowered to electric only...uses a beautiful big lithium ion battery bank...his declared price he paid was in excess of 30000usd. yes more than thirty thousand us dollars. he can motor at 7 kts, down hill, and 1.8 kts uphill. there was seen in barra de navidad a 34ish ft sloop with torqueedo power.. they used torqueedo t1003s to propel their boat then used the removable motor to propel their dink. they loved it. their cost was under 2000usdollars.  

zeehag said: there was seen in barra de navidad a 34ish ft sloop with torqueedo power.. they used torqueedo t1003s to propel their boat then used the removable motor to propel their dink. they loved it. their cost was under 2000usdollars. Click to expand...

the problem with the solar cell chaging part is the connectors..mine no longer function, yet the plug in for 120 works fine... someone had to rewire their solar charger for it and that made it work..i still need that done.  

Wooden boat magazine did a spread last year about an antique launch that they converted to hybrid. The electric motor was the only one that would fit without changing the boat. They found someplace else to put the generator. Some catamarans do the same thing so they only need one big generator rather than two diesels and a generator. The advantage of the hybrid is you can design in whatever range and power you want by changing the size of the components and still have the cool factor of silent running and torque control of an electric motor. It is guaranteed to cost more as the engine and generator cancel each other out but you still need to buy extra batteries and electric motors and lots of control stuff. For a premium setup it would be really cool and have the benefit of having lots of extra power available as long as the generator was not needed for propulsion. Hair drier, microwave, washer and dryer etc. But most of these threads the OP included are looking for something cheaper than diesel replacement and usually on a smaller boat. So no.  

Motor sailers are a poor compromise - they are very average sail boats and even less than average power boats. IMHO, a hybird power plant is the motor sailer of engines.  

An argument could be made that instead that the hybrid power plant could actually, if designed properly, deliver on the advantages of of both electric and ICE while mostly eliminating the disadvantages. Most reports give very high marks to electric drive for, torque, control and sound. In fact just about all the advantages are on the side of electric for propulsion with one exception. That exception is that power storage in the form or batteries is insufficient. If you add an Internal Combustion Engine ICE generator that has enough power to drive the motor at whatever percent you feel necessary then you have the range of diesel plus the torque and control of electric. Along with this design you get some nice added features: 1. The diesel generator can be run at the optimum rpm for maximum life and fuel efficiency. No more idling glazing or running a 80 HP engine to produce 40 HP for days at at time. 2. The engine can be located in the ideal location for weight location and sound control. 3. If the boat is sailing or running off the batteries and you turn on the generator you have a lot of power to run accessories like a dryer, scuba compressor or any other power hungry device you can now have. But while feasible and super cool if setup right it will not be cheap and probably makes the most sense for a bigger boat especially a larger catamarans where it can even be cost effective for reasons mentioned above.  

If the boat is big enough, say 60' or larger, a hybrid could make sense. But not for all the reasons you mention. The best location for weight is above the keel. Not everyone likes an engine or generator there, particularly in a smaller boat. The ideal location for sound is aft away from the main living area. And as you have said it is expensive compared to a standard engine installation.  

Agreed not for the cruisers, but I have done it on my Oday 28, gets me in and out of my club no problems. Basically zero transmission losses, no warm up time, full reverse to full forward as fast as you can rotate the throttle. Depth of discharge never an issue, while day sailing I recover to full SOC by the time I'm ready to come back to the dock via prop generating while under sail. Definitely has limitations if you're not on the dock each night, or if fighting tidal or river currents etc..... But I'm just n Lake Ontario, docked each night and "plugged in" still 2-3 days for short duration outings and to anchor etc....I have no troubles. No solar 48v bank (8xGC2) same set since 2008 DualPRo Quad bank Professional Series charger Very clean, no smell & very minimal noise On weight it was basically a trade off for me, batteries in tray where old engine was, boat balanced the same.  

ODay e-pod said: Depth of discharge never an issue, while day sailing I recover to full SOC by the time I'm ready to come back to the dock via prop generating while under sail. No solar 48v bank (8xGC2) same set since 2008 DualPRo Quad bank Professional Series charger Very clean, no smell & very minimal noise On weight it was basically a trade off for me, batteries in tray where old engine was, boat balanced the same. Click to expand...

nice! and jealous!  

• ?            
• 176.4K members

Top Contributors this Month

• Center Consoles
• Dual Consoles
• Motoryachts
• Sport Cruisers
• Tenders & Ribs
• U.S. Atlantic
• Engine Buyers Guide
• Electronics
• Digital Edition

How To Have Effortless Repower: Electric Boat Propulsion

Repower option with vetus e-line air electric boat propulsion, also read: repowering an old boat, subscribe here for weekly updates.

Experience the Best: New Center Console Boats of 2024

Can the bull market keep running like this.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Receive our Newsletter

Recommended

Southport 33 DC

Sebago Maleah Two Eye

Don't miss it

Marine Generator Maintenance: Helpful Tips You Need To Prevent Issues

Slow Down Ahead. How Much Will They Cut?

View From the Pilothouse – September 2024

Explore 4 of the Best US Boating Destinations: Michigan, Maine, and More!

End-of-Season Boat Maintenance: Winter Prep is Crucial to Ensure Peace of Mind

The Pursuit OS 405 Review: Reliable Comfort and Performance for Fishing and Cruising

• Terms Of Service
• Privacy Policy

1591 E. Atlantic Blvd, 2nd Floor Pompano Beach, FL 33060 Office: +1 (954) 522-5515 Fax: +1 (954) 522-2260 Contact us: [email protected]

© 2024 Southern Boating Media

The Pros, Cons, and Future of Electric Yachts and Sailboats

• By Sail Greener
• Last updated: April 27, 2022

Sail Greener is supported by our readers. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

If you sail you likely spend considerable time—and money—cleaning, fixing, and worrying about your diesel or gas engine. When it comes to safety, your backup propulsion is as important as your sails. Can you rely on electric motors for safety? What are the pros and cons of buying an electric sailboat?   

Diesel engines are reliable, but they pollute. Diesel (and gas) engines emit greenhouse gasses and exhaust that includes particulate matter and carcinogens that are a risk to human health. 

Until recently, alternatives to marine diesel engines were limited. Boat owners could carry out their own repower projects or purchase expensive commercial electric motors. Storage capacity was a problem.

Fortunately, the winds are shifting and there are now numerous high quality and economically competitive alternatives to traditional marine engines. In this article we describe the pros and cons of purchasing a new motor or repowering an existing engine. We also describe the market for marine electric propulsion systems and identify leading boat builders, manufacturers, and installers.

Why do we need electric sailboats?

The climate is warming and we continue to pump greenhouse gasses into the atmosphere at a torrid pace. Transport emissions, including road, rail, air and marine transportation, account for nearly a quarter of global CO 2 emissions. 1 https://www.ipcc.ch/report/ar5/wg3/transport/ According to the United Nation’s International Maritime Organization , marine traffic accounts for nearly 3% of the world's CO ­­­ 2 emissions.

While emissions from recreational boaters are less than those from shipping and fishing fleets, they are still considerable. According to an estimate from electricmotoryachts.com , if just 5% of the roughly 13 million registered boats in the United States today repowered with electric, boaters would eliminate an estimated 1 billion pounds of CO 2 emissions. Scaled across boaters around the world, the potential for boaters to meaningfully reduce greenhouse gas emissions is significant.

Exposure to diesel emissions also poses health risks. The smallest particulate matter can contribute to heart attacks, strokes, and lung disease. High exposure to small particulates can impair brain development in children. The International Agency for Research on Cancer , part of the World Health Organization (WHO), classifies diesel engine exhaust as carcinogenic to humans.   

Is there a market for marine electric propulsion?

Global concern over climate is leading to a revolution in how we produce and use renewable energy. This is particularly true in the transportation sector. Sales of electric cars in 2019 increased 40%. In 2020, Tesla motors alone produced almost 500,000 new electric vehicles. This helped to propel Elon Musk to become the world’s wealthiest person. Electric vehicle penetration is still just about 3% but growing dramatically 2 https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/automotive-and-assembly/our-insights/mckinsey-electric-vehicle-index-europe-cushions-a-global-plunge-in-ev-sales# A key factor driving this growth, according to the European Patent Office (EPO) and the International Energy Agency, is innovation in rechargeable lithium-ion batteries and other storage technology. Batteries now account for nearly 90% of all patenting activity in the area of electricity storage. Between 2005 and 2018, patenting activity in batteries and related electricity storage technologies grew four times faster than the average of all technology fields. 3 https://www.iea.org/reports/innovation-in-batteries-and-electricity-storage

It is clear we are reaching a tipping point for electric automobiles and trucks 4 https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/jan/22/electric-vehicles-close-to-tipping-point-of-mass-adoption . Is the marine sector also experiencing an electric revolution?

The market for marine electric propulsion systems is lagging what is happening with cars and trucks. However, the potential for growth in this sector is extraordinary. In an article published in Yachting World, Christoph Ballin, CEO of electric motor manufacturer Torqueedo, estimated that only about 1.3% of marine propulsion systems are electric. 5 https://www.yachtingworld.com/features/future-yachting-smart-technology-126136 According to an article published in 2017 by IDTechEx there are over 100 manufacturers of electric boats and ships with an estimate of more than $20 billion in global sales by 2027 for non-military boats. According to the IDTechEx report, recreational boats are the largest—and fastest—growing electric marine market by sales.

The growth potential is enormous considering the size of the recreation economy. In the United States alone, in 2019 outdoor recreation generated US$ 788 billion dollars in output. 6 https://boatingindustry.com/news/2020/11/12/orr-provides-breakdown-of-latest-recreation-economy-data/  An estimated $37 billion of this came from retail sales of boats, engines, accessories and marine services. According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Outdoor Recreation Satellite Account (ORSA) data, Boating and fishing was the largest conventional activity for the nation as a whole, adding  US$ 23.6 billion to the economy. This was the largest conventional activity in 30 states and the District of Columbia and the second largest activity in 11 states. 7 https://boatingindustry.com/news/2020/11/12/orr-provides-breakdown-of-latest-recreation-economy-data/

Pros and Cons of Electric Motors for Boats

What are the pros and cons of electric motors for sailing?

Pros of electric propulsion

• Less noise : Electric motors are quieter than diesel engines and nearly vibration free.
• Lower long-term cost : Motors last a long time and require no fuel. You need batteries and electricity, but the sun and wind can recharge your batteries. You won't need to constantly change engine fluids, filters, or worry about leaks or old tanks.
• Cleaner and healthier: You won't end up with an oily mess in the engine room and bilge
• No emissions, no exhaust : Passengers and crew won't be exposed to hazardous fumes and particulates. You won't be spewing out carbon pollution.
• Instant power: Electric motors can go from zero to full torque instantaneously. Motors do not need to wait for engines to warm up.
• Weight and storage : Electric propulsion systems are typically less heavy than equivalent diesel systems. OceanPlanetEnergy.com estimates that electric propulsion systems are typically 1/3 the weight of diesel systems. This depends, however, on the weight of your battery bank.
• Easier maintenance and lower costs: Electric motors are simpler and easier to maintain than diesel generators. OceanPlanetEnergy.com estimates that maintenance costs could be 1/20 of the maintenance costs of a diesel engine in the first decade, even less over time because of electric propulsion systems use far fewer moving parts.
• Increased reliability and safety : Fewer moving parts translates into fewer breakdown which means which means more safety.
• Regeneration:   Batteries can be recharged while sailing using, solar, wind, and hydro generation systems.  For example, at sailing speeds over 6 knots Oceanvolt systems are reportedly able to generate significant power for recharging the battery bank.
• Improved maneuverability: Electric motors have high torque at low RPM, which can make maneuvering in tight spaces like marinas more precise. Electric motors can switch from forward to backward instantaneously.

Cons of electric propulsion

• Range anxiety: Depending on your battery bank and ability to recharge, you may have less range with an electric motor compared to a diesel engine.
• Cost: Electric motors can be expensive relative to combustion engines, but costs are plummeting.
• Lack of familiarity : Sailors familiar with traditional engines may not feel prepared or comfortable to switch to a new form of power.
• Fires: There can be a small risk of fires from batterie with improper maintenance, but this is also true with internal combustion engines.
• Charging time: Recharging batteries can take time, but charging times are changing quickly. Tesla V3 Superchargers support peak rates of up to 250kW per car, which translates to about 75 miles of charge in 5 minutes for a Model 3 and charge at rates of up to 1,000 miles per hour 8 https://www.tesla.com/blog/introducing-v3-supercharging . In January 2021 the Israeli company StoreDot announced new “exreme-fast-charging” lithium-ion batteries that could charge a car battery capable of 100 miles of charge in 5 minutes.   It will only be a matter of time before similar speed and capacity is available for boaters.

Industry Leaders

Who are industry leaders in the electric sailboat space?

Electric propulsion companies

Numerous companies produce electric and hybrid propulsion systems for the marine sector. Some of the best known and highest quality brands that provide electric propulsion systems for yachts and sailboats include:

• Elco Motor : Elco is one of the industry leaders in this field. The company has been around for more than 125 years and now produces a wide range of outboard and inboard electric and hybrid propulsion systems. 
• OceanVolt : The Finnish company is one of the industry leaders in electric propulsion. The company produces a wide range of electric propulsion systems for monohulls and multihulls. The company has provided cutting-edge electric propulsion systems for Vendée Globe racers, including Alex Thompson’s Hugo Boss and Conrad Colman in 2017, and other racers like French Olympic sailor Damien Seguin.
• Torqeedo : When Torqeedo was founded in 2004, concepts like “clean tech” and “electromobility” were just a glimmer in Mother Earth’s eye.  One of the pioneers in the modern marine electric propulsion sector, Torqeedo is now one of the market leaders. The company offers outboard and inboard electric motors and hybrid drive systems ranging from 0.5 km to 100 kw in addition to diverse accessories from lithium batteries and solar charging equipment to smartphone apps.
• Aquamot : This German company produces in-house electric propulsion systems for electric for boats and ships, including motors, batteries, and chargers.
• Kraeutler Elektromotoren produces a wide range of industrial, ship drive, and boat motors, including drive units for motor and sailing boats.

Electric sailboat manufacturers

Who builds sailboats with electric motors?

Electric propulsion is going mainstream. Dozens of boat builders are building electric-only boats (like SoelYachts.com and Silent-Yachts.com ). Some traditional yacht builders now offer electric propulsion options—and this will likely grow to include all major manufacturers in coming years. Examples of leading yacht manufacturers that include electric propulsion options include:   

• Arcona Yachts : A leading builder of high quality yachts from Sweden, Arcona is starting to offer high quality zero-emission models, such as the Arcona 415 .
• Alva Yachts : The German luxury electric yacht brand has designed both mult-hull (non-sail) and monohul (sail) boats. The company’s 25-m Ocean Sail 82 was designed with a hybrid propulsion system and a high capacity battery bank.
• Baltic Yachts : The Finish producer of luxury yachts and a world leaders in advanced composite yacht building in 2020 selected Oceanvolt for the company’s 68-foot Café Racer manufactured in Finland. The Javier Jaudenes designed boat is just over 20 meters long and 5.5 meters wide. 
• In 2001 Elan Yachts and Oceanvolt agreed to partner to build a full range of electric-powered yachts ranging from the luxurious GT6 to the the sporty E-Line performance cruisers.
• Hanse Yachts : The world’s third largest boat builder, Hanse produces the Hanse 315, which includes an electric rudder-drive option.
• Salona Yachts : A Croatian boatbuilder, Salona builds the Salona 46, a fast, comfortable, and luxurious electric yacht and winner of the Best Green Boat Award at the  Newport International Boat Show . 
• Sunreef Yachts Eco :   A manufacturer of luxury bespoke multihulls, Sunreef Yachts Eco catamarans are equipped with composite-integrated solar panel systems and lightweight batteries for energy efficiency and environmentally-conscious luxury cruising.
• Wally : The Dutch yacht builder produces, among its many other models, the 11.35 meter Wallynano MKII, which relies on an OceanVolt electric propulsion system
• Zen Yachts : A new company established in 2021, Zen builds what it claims is the world's first series production catamaran equipped with a wingsail.

Electric conversion companies

Who can help me convert my sailboat to electric propulsion?

A growing number of companies are dedicated to helping boat builders and individuals convert their yachts. These companies may provide design and support options for advanced battery systems, solar and wind systems, hydrogenation, and overall system design. Some of these companies produce their own electric motors and systems. Leading companies in the field include:

• OceanPlanet Energy : This company includes some of the giants of the industry. Bruce Schwab was the first American to officially finish the Vendee Globe. Nigel Calder is one of the best known sailing technology writers, including his must-read classic, Boatowner’s Mechanical and Electrical Manual. The company provides energy storage, charging, and monitoring systems; system design and consulting.
• Electric Yacht : The Minnesota, USA-based company with the eponymous name supports sailors interested in electric propulsion systems. The company helps boaters design and size system and provides motor kits, batteries, chargers, and other components. The company provides examples of conversion projects on its website.
• e Marine Systems specializes in distributing solar panels, wind generators, electric propulsion drives, inverters, and energy storage systems. The company is located in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA.
• Naval DC produces both “pure” solar and hybrid electric systems ranging from 10 kW to 1 MW. The company provides lithium battery solutions, data and monitoring systems, electric propulsion, and matched propeller systems.

Yacht dealers

A small but growing number of yacht dealers offer new and used electric boats. Green Yacht Sales is an example of a small company that supports the sale of electric yachts and systems from diverse manufacturers.

Global clearinghouses, like YachtWorld and Boat Trader , now provide options to filter searches for electric propulsion sailboats.

Battery technology and companies

Until recently, the amount of energy batteries could store was limited. The cost of buying a new battery bank was prohibitive for most sailors. Today, however, costs are dropping and batteries provide more charge. Range anxiety remains one of the biggest reasons sailors don’t want to swap out polluting diesel engines for quieter and cleaner all-electric systems. However, this concern will soon be obsolete.

There are many high quality marine battery suppliers. Some of the major players in the LiPO market include:

• ChargeEx Lithium Ion Batteries
• Dakota Lithium
• Dragonfly Energy
• Victron Energy

Successful Examples

Okay, this all sounds good in theory, but is it really possible to throw out your old engine and install a new motor? Here are a few examples of individuals and companies making the switch to electric yachts.

As with many disruptive technologies, it is easier for wealthy individuals to pay more—often much more—for tomorrow’s technology today. That said, these Super Early Adopters are a harbinger of things to come. These individuals may be risk takers but they are also typically really smart and forward-thinking.

Swedish billionaire Niklas Zennstrom is one example of a pioneering “mogul” in the electric yacht world. The founder of Skype and former Time Magazine 100 Most Influential People awardee, in 2018 Zennstrom’s team launched Rán VII. Yachtingworld described the boat as “…so angular it calls to mind Darth Vader or a Stealth bomber.”

Zennstrom shared his views on the future of electric racing in a CNN article in 2018:

“Having gone through the design, build and initial test cycle there is no doubt to me that the future for racing yachts is electric propulsion. It's lighter, less drag, quieter, and most importantly it is environmentally friendly.”

Do-it-yourselfers have been converting electric sailboats for years. The mainstream boating magazines and the media are increasingly showcasing the stories of these sailors retrofitting their boats. A few examples of well-publicized electric yacht conversion stories include:

• In 2019 Yachting World wrote an article, “How hybrid sailing yachts finally became a feasible option.”
• Dufour 382: According to an article in Yachting World , the owners Alcyone , a Dufour built in 2016, was retrofitted with an Oceanvolt SD15 saildrive moto r.

The future of electric sailboats

We are facing a climate emergency and the world is mobilizing to reduce emissions of greenhouse gasses. A growing number of boat builders, engine and battery producers, service companies, and individuals are addressing this need by building and retrofitting emission-free sailboats.  We are still in the early stages of this transformation, but change is coming quickly.

Some of the major challenges—and opportunities—for catalyzing this transition in coming years include:

• Battery storage, charging, and cost: The pace of technology change in the battery sector is dizzying. The amount of charge, the time to charge, and the price per kilowatt of battery storage systems are all improving.  Superchargers are already widespread on land. How long will it take for marine supercharging stations to fill the world’s marinas?
• Overcoming tradition : Sailors who have used the same technology for decades may hesitate to switch to new technology. Sailors used to heavy yachts and small batteries may look with skepticism on this new technology. Range anxiety is very real in the middle of the ocean. 
• Cost : As with any new technology, early adopters may have to pay more. The cost of electric propulsion, solar and wind power, and battery storage are dropping quickly. Cost will soon be less of a concern and may become a clear benefit.
• Retrofits: Many boats still sailing form 1960s and 1970s so 50 years of old boats locked in. But this is also an opportunity for individuals and companies who are willing and able to take this space
• Manufacturing: making boats expensive and companies may not want to take risks. But new companies are emerging, and the major yacht companies now coming out with electric options (examples).

We are at the dawn of a new age of sailing. With each passing month electric propulsion technology is improving. Motors are getting better, batteries and solar panels are getting cheaper, and electric sailboats are starting to become mainstream.

Finding more information

If you want to learn more about healthy products, check out The Sail Greener Guide to Healthy Sailing . If you want to learn more about who is working to conserve the ocean, see our list of The Best Ocean Conservation Organizations for Sailors .

• Sail Greener
• Originally Published: February 26, 2022

Table of Contents

• climate , diesel engine , electric motor , environment , sailboat , yacht

Like this post? Share with friends and colleagues!

Related articles.

Climate Change and the Future of Sailing

Earth’s climate and oceans are changing. What does human-induced climate change mean for the future of sailing?

Green Boat Shows 2022

What major international boat shows promote green events or themes? Check out our calendar of 2022 International Boat Shows to find out!

Quiz #1: Ultimate Sailing Logo Quiz

Sail Greener Quiz #1: Ultimate Sailing Logo Quiz

Electric Yachts for 2022

A growing number of boat builders are joining the electric yacht revolution. What are some of the best eco-friendly sailboats and catamarans for 2022?

Best Yacht Charter and Boat Share Companies for Sustainable Sailing

Looking for the best yacht charter, boat share, or boat rental company that has eco options? What is the size and growth potential of the green yacht charter market? Check out the latest on eco yacht charters.

The Sail Greener Guide to Toxic Products and Health

Hazardous chemicals and compounds are used to build and maintain sailboats. Learn how you can use non-toxic alternatives to reduce your exposure to toxic substances and risks to your health and the health of the environment.

The Best Ocean Conservation Organizations for 2022

Are you concerned about the the world’s oceans and want to help? Check out the Sail Greener guide to the world’s best ocean conservations organizations!

Recent News: Boats and Gear

Orcas attack The Ocean Race

(June 22, 2023; Day 8) – As the final leg of The Ocean Race passed along the western shore of Europe before turning in to

This Sleek 80-Foot Electric Catamaran Uses Solar Power to Cruise With Infinite Range

The zero-emissions multihull sports an innovative solar skin that continuously generates power at sea….click HERE to read the rest of the article from the ORIGINAL

Exhibitors and Events at Electric Boat Show Milan 2023

The second Electric Boat Show is taking place at the Idroscalo in Milan this weekend and has a wide range of electric boat exhibitors and

Historic sailing ship starts first cargo service across Europe

De Tukker, the first ship operated by Dutch sustainable shipping company Ecoclipper, has set sail on the firm’s maiden voyage — 111 years after it

Francis Joyon “The great way to limit your carbon footprint is to have a very small budget”

On the occasion of Francis Joyon’s stopover in the city of Marseille, we went to meet him to discuss The Arch project and his vision

An art contest to invent the sailing ship of the future

The association Windship launches a contest for children to imagine the sailing ship of the future. A great opportunity for sailors, artists and inventors to

World tour for model boat inspiring citizen science against environmental pollution

A model sailing boat which represents a key part of a project working to banish single use plastics has embarked on a global tour that

Torqeedo more than doubles warranty to 5 years on Travel electric outboards

Torqeedo announced today that it is introducing a new, industry-leading warranty that more than doubles the existing warranty from two (2) to five (5) years

Solar panel: how to choose the right one for your boat?

More and more harbors are forbidding the use of electricity when you are not on board, for reasons of economy, ecology and safety. So how

Life in ocean’s twilight zone ‘could disappear’ amid warming seas

Less food is falling to dimly lit waters, home to specially adapted marine life – but emissions cuts would stem decline Life in the ocean’s

Oceanvolt Servoprop, now available for large boats

Distributed by e-Nav Systems, the Oceanvolt electric motorization solutions are completed with a complete propulsion system available for sailboats up to 70 feet or 25

Spirit Yachts goes all-electric for Southampton Boat Show

Yacht designer and builder Spirit Yachts will be displaying two electric drive sailing yachts at this year’s Southampton International Boat Show from 16-25 September 2022.

More News...

An updating news feed on the latest about sustainable sailing. Check out the following topics: - Boats and Gear News - Products and Apparel News - Oceans and Environment News - Charter and Travel News CHECK THE LATEST NEWS...

Looking for book recommendations for maintaining your boat, ocean science and conservation, adventure, and other good reads? BROWSE BOOKS...

Current Weather!

Need to high quality weather data for wind, sun, tide, and more? Check out the latest with our detailed global weather map VIEW CURRENT WEATHER!...

So many videos, so little time. We do the work to put useful green sailing videos in one location. CHECK OUT THE VIDEOS...

More Resources

A curated list of helpful web pages and links to keep you learning about Sailing Greener.

Sign up for FREE email updates

Boats & gear news, products & apparel news, from seahorse earrings to jellyfish brooches: this ocean-inspired high jewelry is swimming in style, bendy solar panels are just as good as regular ones, societal cost of ‘forever chemicals’ about $17.5tn across global economy – report, seajet, a range of antifouling products for a cleaner and more eco-responsible hull, first sustainable and recyclable optimist launched, charter & travel news, hawaii fires: a visual guide to the explosive blaze that razed lahaina, ‘huge’ coral bleaching unfolding across central america prompts fears of global tragedy, biden administration’s gulf of mexico offshore wind sale on the horizon, clean me a river: southeast asia chokes on mekong plastic pollution, florida rocked by home insurance crisis: ‘i may have to sell up and move’, archipelago, a finnish haven of peace and nature in the baltic sea, oceans & environment news, noaa confirms june was earth’s hottest on record, much of greenland’s ice could melt even if world doesn’t get warmer, deep-sea mining spurs fish to vacate mining sites, study finds, protecting marine life also helps people nearby, study says, norway moves to open its waters to deep-sea mining, un adopts historic high seas treaty.

  ⋅  Privacy Policy

  ⋅  Terms and Conditions

  ⋅  Disclaimer

Signup for free updates!

Get notified about new articles

By clicking the button you agree to the  Privacy Policy  and  Terms and Conditions

Subscribe to the Sail Greener Newsletter

Get notified about new articles 

Privacy Overview

Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.

Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.

Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.

Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.

Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.

Expert installation of electric sailboat motors in vessels from 22 to 66 feet

Quiet, reliable, clean.

For less than the cost of a diesel repower, enjoy the benefits of electric sailing.

Low maintenance.

Forget the diesel smells and noise. Forget all the fluids, filters and maintenance. Electric is always there for you with quiet dependability. We are authorized installers for Electric Yacht systems.

Renewable solutions.

Charge at the dock and enjoy a long range of electric motoring, or extend your range with solar, wind turbine and/or generator solutions. In addition, our motors are designed to regenerate power via prop rotation while you are under sail!

Take a demo sail with us today. Team Electric Blue

Coconut Grove, Florida (939) 630-5957 (786) 543-3412 [email protected]

Visit our Popular Forums

• Monohull Sailboats
• Multihull Sailboats
• Powered Boats
• General Sailing
• Antares Yachts
• Fountaine Pajot
• Lagoon Catamarans

Cruising Business

• Boat Classifieds
• General Classifieds
• Crew Positions
• Commercial Posts
• Vendor Spotlight

Life Aboard a Boat

• Provisioning: Food & Drink
• Families, Kids, & Pets Afloat
• Recreation, Entertainment, & Fun
• Boat Ownership & Making a Living
• Liveaboard's Forum

Seamanship, Navigation & Boat Handling

• Seamanship & Boat Handling
• Training, Licensing, & Certification
• Health, Safety, & Related Gear
• Rules of the Road, Regulations, & Red Tape

Engineering & Systems

• Const. / Maint. / Refit
• Product / Service Reviews
• Electronics: Comms / AV
• Electrical: Batts / Gen / Solar
• Lithium Power Systems
• Engines & Propulsion
• Propellers & Drive Systems
• Plumbing / Fixtures
• Deck Hdw: Rigging / Sails
• Aux. Equipment & Dinghy
• Anchoring & Mooring

Photo Categories

• Member Galleries
• Life Onboard
• Sailing in the Wind
• Power Boats
• Cruising Destinations
• Maint. & Boat Building
• Marine Life
• Scuba Diving & Divers
• General Photos

Recent Photos

Listing Categories

• African Cats
• view more »
• Crew Wanted
• Crew Available
• Enhance Your Account
• Meet the Mods
• Meet the Advisors
• Signup for The Daily Cruiser Email

> > Please support our sponsors and let them know you heard about their products on Cruisers Forums. 22-08-2014, 15:13   so far, a recent shows I've got some "fixins" to do, most notably a re-power. Must remove my 42 HP inboard (originally came with a 10HP in '77). I know EVERYONE has an opinion so please don't debate the pros and cons, but I've decided for my needs to go with the extra space and lack of and in my for a transom bracket and option. I am however debating vs Gas vs new LEHR ones, at about 9.9HP equivalent in one or a twin setup with two. New gas Suzuki and Hondas w. 5-6 yr warranty go about $3360 to $4260 based on 10-15hp models. I can craigslist a stronger older one too for way less. I REALLY WANT TO GO as it has been a green eco dream of mine: Electric I know of ELCO, Torqeedo and Minn Kota as options. Thus far I see Torqeedo's 4.0 is strong but I hear it may have issues and Minn Kota is dead silent but I may need a twin setup to match the of the Torqeedo. Elco has an electric inboard too and just came out with a 9.9. . I seem to be at the mercy of Youtube for limited electric info and Ebay for pricing (why don't manufacturers list prices??). One needs the bank to support the electric, but it is hard to find info for my questions: 1. Are the engines married to the same manufacturers ? For example can I bank with Interstate for a Torqeedo or do I need a $3k Torqeedo battery? 2. How many are needed and at what strength? Same is true of Torqeedo's roll up panel and controller. How does one an electric setup or know where to put the batteries for weight distribution? 3. About the battery bank requirements- Can I also use them for my house bank or do I need a separate one? I cant imagine 14 batteries on a 32 foot ... then again I will free up 300-400 pounds upon of the inboard. Alberto may be my go to guy very soon to see how he did his conversion. LASTLY, Lehr Outboards... any experienced voices here? Thanks!! 05-10-2014, 10:45   panel/wind setup and or ? What company is a good way to go? I'm looking at Elco, ASMO (The Thoosa line), Torqeedo and Oceanvolt. 05-10-2014, 11:10   Boat: Solar 40ft Cat :) . It does need to be configured properly, this takes some calculating. 05-10-2014, 15:29   Boat: Island Packet 38 isn't real viable, yet. But if you had a lot of to throw at the problem, or some good mechanical skills, I'm sure you could do a lot, learn to accept the limitations and live within them But as I understand it there just aren't ready made solutions yet. 10-10-2014, 08:49   Boat: S2 6.9 24 with an electric as well- I'm not looking from serious crossings as of yet, but I want to be able to sail through the without having my gas lines freeze. I am looking into a system that generates with a solar panel, maybe a windmill if I can that. What is the precise reason that electric engines are not ready for cruising purposes yet? Is it ? Or is it scarcity of / mechanics? Sent from my using Cruisers Sailing Forum 10-10-2014, 15:53   Boat: Bayfield 29 Cutter - Rumiko , but it requires you being fine with the limitations. As I have before, I recommend going to the Yahoo electric boat forum It is full of lots of good information, there are at least four good companies that can supply full kits, and many others that can help with a option. The forum is full of helpful and knowledgeable people. Dan 10-10-2014, 16:38   Boat: We have a problem... A serious addiction issue. method other than fossil fuels that contains enough to be meaningful on a long trip. Renewables (solar and wind) can help, but you hit a charge rate limitation for the batteries quickly, or need even larger battery banks (or not quite ready for prime time battery chemistry). It is absolutely possible, but the limitations placed on the boat are such that most people aren't willing to make the switch. 01-11-2014, 19:12   Boat: Bruce Roberts 44 Ofshore largely determines the practicality of electric drive. For just and maneuvering, it is perfect, with many advantages over internal combustion. For sustained long distance motoring, not so good at all. It can be done, but barely. For instance, in calm I can do about 2.4kt with 10 amps coming out of the batteries. Call it a kilowatt. That's pretty slow. I can go a lot faster, but the power demand goes up faster than the speed. But let's say for a 27 foot 7600lb boat this is the minimum usable power level. Now, you might think okay, I just need a kilowatt of to power the indefinitely. Unfortunately you would probably actually need more like 4kw of to keep the prop turning around the clock, maybe more, and this is in a sunny area. That's an awful lot of . More than the hypothetical 27 foot cruiser can carry, actually. Add a ? A 500w contribution from a gen would be a big help. But 500w would call for about an 8 foot diameter turbine blade set. Half the diameter would give you 1/4 the power. A hybrid system can make a lot of sense. Yes, it is somewhat inefficient to run a or gas to generate electricity to charge batteries to power a motor to turn a prop. But if you get an average of 10a into the batteries from renewable energy, or even half that, then your economy has improved even over a direct coupling of engine to prop. Some days your solar and energy harvesting will be much greater, some days less. Some days may allow running on renewable energy only. Other times, the engine is the backup dependable power source that keeps the boat moving. A purpose built pure solar boat is of course possible and has been done. But even with sound engineering and a big budget, speed is like watching dry, and a lot of design compromises have to be made at the expense of well, lots of stuff. One for of renewable energy is very practical for pushing the boat under nearly any conditions. That is wind on . So that puts us right back where we started... A sailboat with electric auxiliary . the bank from the prop when sailing at high speeds is doable if you have several days of between use of the motor. A large spread of solar can do the trick, if the motor is not used. A built as a solar sailer could carry an awful lot of panels. A small generator could put a charge on the bank in the absence of significant solar or regen charging. So, an is practical on a cruiser, but not practical for cruising. If you motor a lot, diesel is still king. For motoring out of a calm, maybe. For maneuvering only, electric is perfect. Yes, you could do away with the dedicated house bank, but I wouldnt. In fact, a backup 48v bank would be a good idea. Normal 12v loads can be taken from the bank via a dc/dc converter. Redundant isolated power sources are a darn good idea, whether it is a 48v bank and a 12v house bank, or 2 48v banks which is preferable. 01-11-2014, 19:37   Boat: 47' Olympic Adventure 02-11-2014, 07:25   Boat: Bruce Roberts 44 Ofshore . Mike makes good use of his electric drive by having a flexible system and being resourceful. A great read, for anyone thinking about going electric. He combines wind, solar, a portable generator, sail, batteries, and motor in a cost effective way and while he doesn't eliminate fossil use entirely, he does make minimum use of it while still getting where he wants to go. 13-11-2014, 09:08   Boat: Bruce Roberts 44 Ofshore to get run time, multiplied by speed to get nm. For instance at 1a I should be able to draw for 100 hours, giving 100nm range at the 1 amp setting. At 20 amps I should be able to run for 5 hours at 3.3kt giving a range of 16.5nm. 1a 1kt 2.5a 1.4kt 5a 1.9kt 10a 2.5kt 15a 2.9kt 20a 3.3kt 25a 3.6kt 30a 3.8kt 35a 4.1kt 40a 4.3kt 45a 4.5kt 50a 4.6kt 55a 4.7kt Two things I really need to do. First, I underestimated the need for a quality high . 15 amps is NOT enough for a 220ah bank. I need at least a 30a , preferably one that can deliver an equalizing charge, which is 62 volts for a 48v bank. The charger came with the Kelly controller and the voltages are too low and not adjustable. I probably should build a charger that I can configure to my needs and preferences but it is a daunting . Second, the control setup is awkward. I have an on/off switch, a fwd/n/rev switch, a recent pot, and a throttle pot. I don't intend to sail the boat any more so I can eliminate the regen. I want to have only the power on/off switch, and a knob for throttle and reverse/neutral/fwd. Pointer straight up for neutral, to the left for reverse power, to the right for forward. Further for faster, less for slower. I will probably use an arduino for processing the signal from a 10k pot using the 5v control voltage from the controller, with the midpoint being converted to 0 throttle, 0v to full reverse, 5v to full forward. The knob control will be more intuitive and easier/faster to operate. Since I will have an arduino board in the , maybe it would be cool to also have a 2 line LCD display right on the , showing battery volts and state of charge percentage, amps into the controller, and prop . What I got now is just an analog shunt ammeter and analog voltmeter jumpered in, laying loose on top of the . Difficult to read and inconvenient. For now, I will mount them on a piece of , along with a digital hall effect tachometer that I haven't installed yet. I will mount that on a box of some sort so the connections aren't exposed. But a 2 line display presenting the data right there on the throttle box will be super. I tried to get the configuration program for the Kelly controller to run on my , running , but no joy. In Wine the app tries to start but says it can't find the controller. I tried all sorts of things and I can't get it to go. That is one of the things that absolutely sucks about the Kelly controller. The tech guys want US to use the operating system that THEY use. They don't understand the American that the customer either gets it his way or gets it elsewhere. They are zero help on this, and other issues. They also label meters only in a percentage of configured current and voltage parameters, not volts and amps, and so the data from the supplied meters is ambiguous and basically useless. They defend this stupidity by claiming they would have to write a separate configuration for each size of controller. In fact they only need to change certain constants in a configuration file for each controller but they think they know it all and I am just some retard who doesn't understand that the vendor makes the rules and the customer shuts the hell up and takes what he is given. And they are mad at me for not ordering my motor through them. Bottom line, if you use the Kelly controller, don't expect much useful technical assistance from them, make sure you have a windows or Mac computer, and don't waste your on their kit. Buy controller, fuse, contactor, diodes and resistor, and heat sink, put it together yourself. I am waiting for Sevcon to get their act together and make a line of controllers that can be configured on a proper or Android computer, without paying $200 for a special programmer doodad. That's pretty ignorant and stupid, as well. I only get a max of about 60 amps or a bit less of current. I think it is hitting a speed limit in the controller. The original 12" folding prop doesn't seem to be loading the motor enough to develop peak power. I will be replacing it with a fixed next year. Possibly it would have been better to not use a reduction with this 4201 motor, which is meant to be ran slower than the similar 0907, but I didn't want to have to diddle around with a thrust bearing when I could just mount right up to a Baldor reduction . But the prop ought to give me the full 5kw power from this motor and controller. Another thing I want to re-think is the motor mount system. I will build a framework that does not need adjusting, and the motor faceplate will have separate adjustments for side to side, yaw, fore and aft, , and height. Also I will make it slightly wider to accommodate the 10kw size Motenergy motors. The idea is for the design to be more or less universal for all originally equipped with Atomic 4 or Universal Diesel motors, using the Motenergy electric motors. Mounting the properly is probably the most intimidating part of a full electric . This is why a full turnkey system or a professional is worth several thousand dollars more. Well, and the engineering. With an open source mount easily built with no welding out of mild angle iron and 1/8" sheet, a DIY setup for 25 to 35 foot is a lot more feasible for a lot less technically inclined owners. The only machine shop type needed would be a cheapo drill press from Harbor Freight, to drill accurate holes in 1/4" for 3/8" bolts. And a saber saw. No other power tools needed. If there is enough interest, next year after I redo the mount and control box, I might make an Instructible tutorial on a generic setup for a small sailboat with a Motenergy or compatible motor. Maybe an open source kinda thing that can adapt to new technologies and sources as time goes by, with an eye toward keeping it but also easy for regular folks to do. To reiterate, I got my parts from: Kelly, for controller kit including inadequate charger, useless meters, nice mounting plate, contactor, and fuse with KBL48301X 48v 300a peak, 100a continuous controller. I recommend thinking carefully about going with a Sevcon controller, though. Neither one is perfect. They don't care what we want. Electricmotorsports for Motenergy 0201014201 BLDC 5kw motor. It was cheap so I got a spare, too. Later, after initially planning on direct drive, I also got a 2:1 Baldor enclosed from these guys. Sams Club, for batteries. 8 GC2 6v golf cart batteries, for 48v and 220ah. McMaster-Carr, for shaft, couplings, angle iron and sheet steel, and other bits and pieces. Home Depot, for stainless bolts and , and for my . Also 2/0 cable for connecting batteries, controller, and motor. shack, for parts for control box. Ebay, for meters, digital tach, digital volt/amp meter, (still in transit) Alternate cheap source for motor and controller is Golden Motor, but they couldn't beat the I paid for Kelly/Motenergy setup. For kits, look at Thunderstruck or Electricmotorsports. Thunderstruck also has a nice open belt reduction gear. , Thread Tools Rate This Thread : Posting Rules post new threads post replies post attachments edit your posts is are code is are are are Similar Threads Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post GrowleyMonster Engines and Propulsion Systems 4 09-04-2014 18:27 Immanuel General Sailing Forum 4 07-05-2012 09:24 Microship Engines and Propulsion Systems 8 02-10-2011 15:12 - - - - - - - Privacy Guaranteed - your email is never shared with anyone, opt out any time. Repowering with an Elco Electric Motor Quick Shopping Links Electric Outboard Motors Electric Outboard Motor 5 HP Electric Outboard Motor 9.9 HP Electric Outboard Motor 14 HP Electric Outboard Motor 20 HP Electric Outboard Motor 30 HP Electric Outboard Motor 50 HP Electric Inboard Motors Electric Inboard Motor 6 HP Electric Inboard Motor 12 HP Electric Inboard Motor 20 HP Electric Inboard Motor 40 HP Electric Inboard Motor 70 HP Electric Inboard Motor 100 HP Electric Inboard Motor 200 HP Battery Chargers NOCO GEN 2 Deep Cycle Battery Charger NOCO GEN 3 Deep Cycle Battery Charger NOCO GEN 4 Deep Cycle Battery Charger NOCO GX2440 Lithium Battery Charger NOCO GX4820 Lithium Battery Charger EV- AGM / Lithium Battery Charger Electric Boat Motor Batteries & Accessories Elco Classic Launches Elco in the News Customer Stories Press Releases Get Updates Benefits of Going Green Our Technology Frequently Asked Questions Honoring Heroes Tell us about your boat Dealer Application Dealer Log-In Return Policy © 2024 Elco Motor Yachts. All Rights Reserved. Sitemap. Privacy Overview Strictly Necessary Cookies This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful. Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings. If you disable this cookie, we will not be able to save your preferences. This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again. Forums New posts Unanswered threads Register Top Posts Email What's new New posts New Posts (legacy) Latest activity New media Media New media New comments Boat Info Downloads Weekly Quiz Topic FAQ 10000boatnames.com Classifieds Sell Your Boat Used Gear for Sale Parts General Marine Parts Hunter Beneteau Catalina MacGregor Oday Help Terms of Use Monday Mail Subscribe Monday Mail Unsubscribe Electric Re-power Thread starter WestIslandJohnny Start date Sep 8, 2014 Oday Owner Forums Ask An Oday Owner WestIslandJohnny Wondering if anyone out there has done an engine re-power from OMC Saildrive to electric (Electric Yacht, specifically) on a similar O'Day to my 27. I've weighed the options and I think my situation is a great candidate for an electric re-power. I don't really want to spend any more time trying to get the old saildrive running (two attempts thus far pulling the motor completely out), and I'm not a huge fan of diesel fumes. I will mostly be sailing Buzzards Bay, Vineyard Sound and maybe Narragansett Bay occaisionally. Bottom line is that battery capacity and solar charging technology have made it seem more of a viable option now. Anybody having experience with electrics, conversion to electric, or just general comments on the technology would be welcome. I'm really just trying to see if there are any major "gotchas" involved with the conversion process. Thanks in advance!   WestIslandJohnny said: Wondering if anyone out there has done an engine re-power from OMC Saildrive to electric (Electric Yacht, specifically) on a similar O'Day to my 27. I've weighed the options and I think my situation is a great candidate for an electric re-power. I don't really want to spend any more time trying to get the old saildrive running (two attempts thus far pulling the motor completely out), and I'm not a huge fan of diesel fumes. I will mostly be sailing Buzzards Bay, Vineyard Sound and maybe Narragansett Bay occaisionally. Bottom line is that battery capacity and solar charging technology have made it seem more of a viable option now. Anybody having experience with electrics, conversion to electric, or just general comments on the technology would be welcome. I'm really just trying to see if there are any major "gotchas" involved with the conversion process. Thanks in advance! Click to expand 25yearslater Hey Johnny. There is quite the debate about this going on at the ask all sailors forum. http://forums.oday.sailboatowners.com/showthread.php?t=165653 I looked at it as an option but decided to keep the A4 a while longer. I believe Volvo Penta makes a saildrive unit that your boat might be a good candidate for. The tides and currents in your area might be asking a bit much from an electric.   A nice 15hp Mars brushed motor would work nicely. I bought one for my conversion, then ended up with a nearly outboard, so I never finished it. Let me know if you are interested.   Physically, the conversion can be made. If you use your motor as a true auxiliary to maneuver in/out of mooring fields, occasional extra power for emergencies, then it can work for you. People who feel they need to motor for long periods of time will not be happy since battery charge is limited. The battery energy can go out quickly like a firehose, but it refills slowly like through a straw. I have been using a Torqeedo Cruise 2.0 on my Capri-22 for the past four seasons. The last three seasons have been on a mooring with no shore power. The batteries were recharged with solar panels originally off the stern, but now mounted on the foredeck (flexible, walk on-able panels). Since I am a day sailor who goes out once or twice a week, the batteries always fully recharge even when I draw them down past the 50% level. The debate on http://forums.oday.sailboatowners.co...d.php?t=165653 does bring out many of the limitations. The nay-sayers are voicing their opinion strongly. Mostly, you have to determine how you want to use the motor. The less you use it, the more sense it makes to do the conversion with today's technology. If you need to motor longer distances, then it makes more sense to stick with a gas or diesel engine. I have been very happy with my setup. It meets my needs and desires to use only wind and solar power for my recreational sailing.   This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register. By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies. Accept Learn more… Registered members Current visitors Search forums Follow along with the video below to see how to install our site as a web app on your home screen. Note: This feature may not be available in some browsers. Have you tried out dark mode?! Scroll to the bottom of any page to find a sun or moon icon to turn dark mode on or off! Solar Systems Sailboat conversion from 14 hp Diesel to 10 Kw 48V electric motor Thread starter Thread starter keimor85 Start date Start date Feb 16, 2021 Feb 16, 2021 Hi All, I'm new to the forum. Have been reading many of the threads on here to educate myself and looking for any guidance. So here is my story. I'm converting my 1979 Cape Dory 30 sailboat from a 14 hp diesel to a 10Kw 48V electric motor (the motor is ordered). I was planning on just using 8 105 Ah 12V batteries in a 4S2P configuration to yield 48V and 210 Ah but @ 60% this would only give me 126 usable Ah with a cost of around $2600. Buying LiFe 105 Ah 12V or 24V would cost may thousands more so that is out of the equation. So now I'm looking at building my own battery with the 3.2V LiFe cells. I'm specifically looking at the Xuba 280Ah cells but the article that was attached to one of the threads say that going with cells over 200Ah for a marine application is not a good idea. I also saw some 200 Ah cell for a very good price as well but they are from Jidian Technology so looking for any feed back on them as well. I have many more question but this is a good start. Looking forward to your replies.   Im also thinking of doing conversion of my small 7m semidisplacement powerboat it was diesel 80hp and I'm also thinking about 10 kW electric and go with displacement speeds .and probably go with 16s3p 280ah cells .which electric motor you order ?   gearboxlabs So thoughts... Having a 10kw motor means you're looking at a ~208 amp draw at 48 volts (10kw/48v = 208a). With that, you'd draw down a 200Ah 48V battery in about 45 minutes of operation, or about 65 minutes for the 280Ah pack. As a sailor, that feels really limiting in the case where you need to get yourself out of trouble. What is your planned use for your boat with this electrical system?   I went with the QuietTotque 10 Sport   "Having a 10kw motor means you're looking at a ~208 amp draw at 48 volts (10kw/48v = 208a). With that, you'd draw down a 200Ah 48V battery in about 45 minutes of operation, or about 65 minutes for the 280Ah pack. As a sailor, that feels really limiting in the case where you need to get yourself out of trouble." I always try to stay out of trouble. Good planning and diligently watching conditions pays off. Having a boat that can sail around the world also helps. I even sail my 30 ft 10,000 lb boat for 8 week with no motor one year. Yes, you are correct but no sailor ever runs their diesel at max RPMs as no Tesla owner ever runs in ludecrist mode for very long besacue the battery will die in minutes or possibly the driver. As an example my diesel redlined at 2750 but the rule of thumb is run a diesel at ~75% or 2050 with would push my boat at 4.5-5 kms depending on current and relative wind direction. So to push my boat to hull speed (6.5 kms) it would use about 180Ah but if you look at the speed to power consumption curve I will only use about 60 A at 4.5-5 kts. Drop the speed to 3 kts and it only draws 20 A Which means I could run about 10 hours or 30 km. Throw in the solar again and it just increases the hours and distance. What is your planned use for your boat with this electrical system? The bottom line is I'm a sailor and the mechanical propulsion is an auxiliary. Last season I logged about 3,000Km less then 30 of those Km were motoring. On an average day I will run the electric motor 10-15 minutes at 5 kms which will use 15-20 Ah. My solar system with array 1 will provide about 32 Ah per day on average if I add the array 2 the average daily Ah will increase to 52. Also my electronic, stereo, etc... will consume about 10-15 Ah per day. So I will see if array 1 will be sufficient or if I need to add array 2. I will update in the spring.   MisterSandals Participation medalist. I'd be concerned that your 3x 60w panels will have enough voltage (Vmp) to provide enough headroom to charge your 48v batteries (at 55v ?). I guess the question is, is your 63v based on Voc or Vmp? Some math (use scratch pad for me): 180w / 55v = 3.27a 19ah / 3.27a = 5.8h per day of solar Does that correspond to this?: How many "solar hours" of sun do I get per day throughout the entire day at a city near me? 280w / 55v = 5.1a 32ah / 5.1a = 6.27h per day of solar (is this array in a sunnier location?) 280ah / (19 + 32) = 5.49 days to fully charge your batteries operating at 100% efficiency.   I believe that the solar panel manufacturer used 5.5 hr per day to come up with the average Ah per day per panel. Yes, I agree on the three panel array (array 2) only being a at 63V is problematic. The solar panel manufacturer is looking to see if they can up the voltage on each panel. If they are unsuccessful then I will try to add a forth panel to bring the voltage up to 84V. Per my statements above I will never fully discharge the batteries. As stated on average I will consume 20-30 Ah so it will charge in a day or less. Lots of good comments but no one has chimed in on my two original questions: 1. Does any one have any input on not exceeding 200Ah cells in a marine application? 2. Does anyone have any knowledge on reputation of Jidian Technology? I'll add a third question as well: 3. Can anyone recommend a good BMS 48V for marine applications?   for my 48v build i am going to be going with these for bms but also getting chunky 280ah batteries https://www.amazon.com/DALY-LiFePO4-Protection-Balance-Temperature/dp/B08LD4VY57   keimor85 said: I'm converting my 1979 Cape Dory 30 sailboat from a 14 hp diesel to a 10Kw 48V electric motor (the motor is ordered) ... the article that was attached to one of the threads say that going with cells over 200Ah for a marine application is not a good idea. Click to expand... keimor85 said: I will update in the spring. Click to expand... Feb 17, 2021 gearboxlabs said: you'd draw down a 200Ah 48V battery in about 45 minutes of operation, or about 65 minutes for the 280Ah pack. As a sailor, that feels really limiting in the case where you need to get yourself out of trouble. Click to expand... gearboxlabs said: I'm personally not ready to give up the diesel inboard, but I am planning on doing my own FLA -> LiFePO4 conversion this year in my Cal 36. Click to expand... but for range extension I plan a 5kw diesel generator Click to expand... I'm personally not ready to give up the diesel inboard Click to expand... Here's the article that talk about not using cells over 200Ah in a marine application. Lithium battery systems | Nordkyn Design Caution it is a lot of information but very informative.   keimor85 said: I have been there for several years. My diesel was sill running very well with the exception that I was starting to get raw water into the oil last summer. I eliminated all of the simple root causes and finally determined that the water jacket must have finally started to rust through. So I changed the oil every month until I hauled out in early Nov and made the decision to go electric. I'm starting to strip the boat of all diesel gear. Click to expand... keimor85 said: I know of three people that added the diesel or gas generators, two of them have never used it and the other used it once. Click to expand... It's all about setting up our boats for how and where we use them. What is right for one person may be wrong for another. I sail primarily in Nantucket sound where there is always wind. The most common forecast in the summer is 10-15 gusting 20 or 25. In the spring and fall it's more like 15-20 gusting 25-30. I sailed 166 days last season and only had to motor in one time. There was still a couple of kts of wind and I was ghosting along at about 1 kt but decided to motor. The furthest I would ever have to motor would be from Nantucket to my home port on Cape Cod which is about 23 miles.   Solar Enthusiast solarbot said: Legacy 12 volt subsystem. Nearly all of the existing 12 volt subsystem is going to stay: starter motor, cabin lights, electronics, etc. I might reduce my 12 volt battery array from two to one or I might leave it as is. The main change is the solar charging system, it becomes 48 volts. So I need to charge the 12 volt system from the 48 volt system. My tentative solution is to connect a standard MPPT charge controller to the 48 volt battery bus and let it do its job as a buck converter with battery charging intelligence. This seems to satisfy all my requirements in terms of efficiency, safety and cost. If anybody out there has a better idea I would love to hear about it. Click to expand... doug said: I looked at using an MPPT converter to charge a 12V battery from a 48V battery, but I ended up getting a voltage & current limited DC-DC converter and it works well. I have a diode on the output to prevent backwards current from the 12V battery when the DC-DC converter is in standby, though I'm not entirely sure I need it, but for now this is the safe option. It charges in constant current mode up to the set current, then when it reaches the set voltage, it switches over to constant voltage mode. I believe you could operate 2 or more in parallel if you wanted a faster charge rate (I recommend diodes for each). I also have a boost converter from the same manufacturer to charge the 48V from the 12V and that works for the rare occasions where I want that. The diode is critical in this direction though. Click to expand... solarbot said: Thanks, that's basically the other option I considered, but I thought my electrical engineering skills too weak at this point to determine how it would behave in a fully charged state. You provided me with some ammunition to investigate that further. What made you decide against an MPPT converter? Click to expand... doug said: The MPPT would need some sort of current limiting feature so as to not destroy itself... Click to expand... solarbot said: I see I'm going to need to learn a whole lot more about electronics to make this call correctly. Click to expand... MisterSandals said: Its actually a fairly common feature of some SCC's. You simply enter a value for the max charging amps and you're done. You just need to make sure you buy an SCC with that ability if you need that functionality. I have a Victron 100/30 and can set it with a bluetooth app in about 15 seconds. Click to expand... Similar threads Jul 27, 2024 Aug 7, 2024 General Discussion and Brainstorming Jul 12, 2024 Sep 9, 2024 Feb 1, 2024 Beginners Corner and Safety Check Forum Listing Marketplace Advanced Search EV Conversions and Builds Non Road Going Vehicles Repowering a 55' sailboat Add to quote Former motor: 120 HP diesel engine (substantially more power than needed, even at hull speed). Length: 55’ (49’ at waterline) Beam: 16’ (14-15 ft at waterline) Hull speed: 9.4 knots (calculated, and seems about right from experience) Prop: 24” diameter, feathering, with adjustable pitch (currently 24”, I believe) Transmission: 2.57 reduction (inline gear reduction), also acting as thrust bearing (I believe) Moorage: Washington state (but need to move from Columbia River to Puget Sound) Electric motor primarily for moving in and out of marina Mostly day sailing, but with occasional trips to Hawaii / South Pacific Potentially add a 5kw diesel generator for continuous motoring at 4 knots (calculated guess) I’m planning on keeping the feathering prop, as I don’t intend to attempt regen until I’m beyond day sailing and will be taking her to Hawaii or the South Pacific. I can’t figure out how to get enough power running at 48V Ideally a 5:1 reduction would allow the motor to run at higher speeds and I could use the entire motor range at existing 24” prop pitch (but I have the existing 2.57 reduction) Minimum” recommended” OK range (from Propeller Handbook, Dave Gerr), (0.65 pitch ratio), but could go as low as 13” with additional efficiency loss) Assumes 45% slip (calculated based on Propeller Handbook, not measured) 100Ah & 144V = 14.4kW Alternatively, buy a used Nissan Leaf battery and tear it apart. (Same 14.4kW assuming batteries are only at 60% - but extra work and an extra hundred pounds or so. Savings is substantial, though. Price goes from $7-8,000 for batteries to around $1500.) At 4 knots approx. 2.5 hours of runtime = 10 nautical miles At 9 knots approx. 20 minutes of runtime = 3 nautical miles Anything above 4 knots will take > 5kW and will use battery Anything below 4 knots will charge battery 24” pitch at 4 knots requires 1100 motor RPM (9.4 knots = 2700 RPM) 18” pitch at 4 knots requires 1500 motor RPM (9.4 knots = 3600 RPM) 14” pitch at 4 knots requires 2000 motor RPM (9.4 knots = 4600 RPM) Hype-9: 1000 – 6000 RPM AC-51: 1000 – 6000 RPM My Dad, Uncle and Grandpa bought the hull and custom built the boat. It’s beautiful! I took over the boat a few years back. I’d like to repower the boat partially to make it easier for me (I’m more comfortable with electric motors than diesel), and partially to add sweat equity into the boat in order to share in the family effort to build the boat. One of my sons will also be joining me in the effort. It’s in the Columbia River now, and I’ll need to move it out the mouth of the Columbia, then up and around the Olympic mountain range, and into Puget Sound. I have a slip for her in the southern part of the Sound. Although likely use is day sailing for the next few years (once or twice a month), eventually I’d like to take her to Hawaii, and beyond. But that will likely be several years from now. It would give me closer to the full range of the motor (4600 RPM at hull speed vs effective top range of 6000 RPM for the engine) I’d lose a little efficiency of a higher pitch, but wouldn’t have to buy another inline gear reduction, or figure out how to do a belt system or the like. It just seems simpler, and the gear reducer is attached to the driveshaft already. Can I put that many in series (45 – 48 cells) to get 14.4kW hours at 144V? If so, do I need to use any special connector bars since I’ll be pulling 500 Amps, or are the thick copper ones they ship with sufficient? Should I buy them on Alibaba for less than $5,000 for 50 batteries or get them from someplace a more traditional store (EV West, Stealth EV, etc )? Should I go with an OEM battery and just rip it apart? Which BMS should I use? I’m thinking the Orion BMS2, but they are expensive. ( Comparison | Orion Li-Ion Battery Management System ) Netgain Hyper-9 - AC / Large Motor Kits :: Netgain HyPer 9 :: HyPer 9 IS (Integrated System) HPEVS AC50/51 - AC-50 72-108 Volt 650 Amp Kit HPEVS AC34/35 - AC-34 48 Volt 650 Amp Kit Or should I do something completely different? I’m not wanting to use a brushed motor, and would like something more plug and play than doing my own build from a forklift motor. I’m comfortable with working with electronics and electricity, but for this build I’m looking for more simplicity. By my calculations I can push the boat approx. 4 knots with 5kw. I don’t have any idea on a charging system. At all. Oh, my. What am I missing? When I started writing this thread I felt like I knew a lot more than I feel like I do now! :-O You have given this a lot of thought. I am a marine systems tech, who sailed away from Victoria, BC, in 2011. Made it as far as New Zealand, before running out of money. Now planning to sell the boat, and return to Canada. I am at the hypothetical stage, of planning a car conversion, when I get back. (And maybe a boat conversion farther in the future) Either the Hyper9, or AC50 would work. I like the Hyper9, mostly because they have a matched controller, and the higher voltage adds to efficiency. I think keeping your gearbox is a good choice, for your application. What is your current engine's cruising RPM? If it is a Lehman or Nissan, I'm guessing around 1800 RPM. 24" pitch sounds like a lot, but I am used to smaller boats. I would suggest getting the batteries and charging system figured out first, followed by removing the diesel, and fitting the motor. Worry about the prop after the boat is moving under electric power. As it is a feathering prop, you can adjust the pitch after you get a sense of the performance and have real world RPM to base things off. Prop calculations are complicated, requiring assumptions that affect the result, but may not be accurate. Most 'prop guys' can tell from experience, what the pitch should be, from the basic boat stats. Knowing your actual motor RPM and your target RPM, should allow you to get the correct pitch, without too much trouble. Check out Will Prouse on Youtube, DIY Solar Power. He reviews a lot of different lithium iron phosphate battery manufacturer's products, often cracking open the case, to inspect the internals. He also discusses battery management systems. If you are considering a battery pack, from a salvaged EV, take a look at Damien Mcguire's Youtube channel, EVBMW. He gets into the fine details of hacking and repurposing EV systems. My general impression is that putting together a propulsion system with something like a Hyper9 and lithium iron phosphate batteries is expensive, but reasonably straight-forward. Using a system from a salvaged EV can be pretty inexpensive, but tends to be complicated, especially for those of us without knowledge of CAN bus. I'm not sure a diesel generator is going to have the benifit that you expect. 5kW converts to an equivalent of about 6.7 horsepower. 5kW won't move your boat at 4 knots. Your 120hp diesel is equivalent to a 90kW Hyper9. If you are running it easy, just over half power, at 50kW (67hp), you will need 50kW hours of capacity, for every hour of range that you want. I can't see a battery pack of less than 150kW hours being practical. And that brings us back to the question of new, or salvaged batteries.   ?             544.2K posts 90.7K members Top Contributors this Month ACTIVE STORM TRACKER Hurricane and Tropical Storm Information Learn more Service Locator Angler Endorsement Boat Towing Coverage Mechanical Breakdown Insurance Requirements in Mexico Agreed Hull Value Actual Cash Value Liability Only Insurance Payment Options Claims Information Towing Service Agreement Membership Plans Boat Show Tickets BoatUS Boats For Sale Membership Payment Options Consumer Affairs Boat Documentation Requirements Installation Instructions Shipping & Handling Information Contact Boat Lettering End User Agreement Frequently Asked Questions Vessel Documentation BoatUS Foundation Government Affairs Powercruisers Buying & Selling Advice Maintenance Tow Vehicles Make & Create Makeovers & Refitting Accessories Electronics Skills, Tips, Tools Spring Preparation Winterization Boaters’ Rights Environment & Clean Water Boat Safety Navigational Hazards Personal Safety Batteries & Onboard Power Motors, Engines, Propulsion Books & Movies Cockpit Confessions Communication & Etiquette Contests & Sweepstakes Colleges & Tech Schools Food, Drink, Entertainment New To Boating Travel & Destinations Watersports Anchors & Anchoring Boat Handling ← Technology Repowering Your Boat: What You Need To Know Advertisement There are many considerations when starting a repower project, including some that are unrelated to the performance requirements of your boat. These five below, should give you a good starting point from which to plan your shopping list. Transom Limitations: Space and Weight The physical limitations of your transom will dictate how much horsepower and weight you can put back there. While modern four-strokes are getting close to their two-stroke counterparts in weight, they still will add to the load at the stern. If you were not running the maximum-rated horsepower in your previous set up, you may have some wiggle room, and be able to absorb some extra weight without impacting seaworthiness. It's a good idea to check with your boatbuilder what the design limitations were before you start shopping. Weight considerations could limit you to DI two-stroke technology. Space is more of an issue if you are running twins (or more) because some of the high-horsepower modern four-strokes need more width between the engines, but not always. Honda, for example, designed their four-strokes to fit the standard footprint for easy repowers. In addition, with the increased horsepower ratings available today, you may wish to switch from twins to a single outboard configuration. For example, swapping twin-150s for a single 300-hp motor, in theory, will reduce both weight and drag, which should increase fuel economy without sacrificing performance. However, boatbuilders caution that the increased power and torque of these modern, power-dense outboards can be too much for transoms that weren't designed for it. A safe bet is to limit horsepower to the highest horsepower single engine configuration offered as original equipment. The boatbuilder should be able to go into greater detail. Rigging: Time To Upgrade To Electronic Controls? This is your chance to simplify your dash and clean up the console, as well as consider adding joystick control, if you are running twins. If you've got a large multifunction display, you may also wish to network it to your outboard(s) to allow it to display engine data. To do so, you need to look for an outboard that supports NMEA standard data outputs or one that offers a "gateway" converter that changes proprietary outputs into a data stream that your chartplotter can use. Converting to joystick control will also require hydraulic steering, and a specialized command bus to talk to the joystick. How you intend to use your outboard? If you do a lot of trolling or low speed operation, you may benefit from an outboard that makes use of fuel saving tactics like stratified combustion. If you run offshore or through an inlet to go fishing, you may benefit from electronic throttle controls combined with an outboard with instantaneous mid-range punch. Maintenance Schedules Scheduled maintenance intervals have a big impact on the cost of ownership during the life of the outboard. In general, DI two-strokes will have longer intervals between scheduled services because they lack mechanically-controlled drive trains that need adjustment every 500 to 1,000 hours. Although recently Mercury unveiled a 150-hp four-stroke that should not require valve adjustments at all during it's lifetime. Four strokes also need regular oil changes. But annual oil changes should be weighed against the operating cost of burning oil in a DI two-stroke. Electrical Demand The amperage output of most outboards has increased over the years, but if you run an electric trolling motor all day, or a suite of electronics while drifting or slow-trolling, the alternator on your outboard better be able to keep up. Check not only the rated amperage output, but also make a note of what the output is a low rpm, where it could half of what it is a cruising speeds. Related Articles The truth about ceramic coatings for boats. Our editor investigates the marketing claims of consumer-grade ceramic coatings. Fine-Tune Your Side Scan Fishfinder Take your side-scanning fishfinder off auto mode, and you’ll be spotting your prey from afar in no time DIY Boat Foam Decking Closed-cell foam flooring helps make boating more comfortable. Here’s how to install it on your vessel Click to explore related articles Michael Vatalaro Contributor, BoatUS Magazine Michael Vatalaro is the former executive editor of BoatUS Magazine. He has a Pursuit center console, which he uses in the Chesapeake Bay. BoatUS Magazine Is A Benefit Of BoatUS Membership Membership Benefits Include: Subscription to the print version of BoatUS Magazine 4% back on purchases from West Marine stores or online at WestMarine.com Discounts on fuel, transient slips, repairs and more at over 1,200 businesses Deals on cruises, charters, car rentals, hotel stays and more… All for only $25/year! We use cookies to enhance your visit to our website and to improve your experience. By continuing to use our website, you’re agreeing to our cookie policy. 183 COMMENTS Oceanvolt Oceanvolt offers Hybrid or Electric systems as a power & propulsion option in partnership with many leading monohull boat builders - adding new partners continuously. We also offer repowering solutions for converting away from legacy diesel engines - removing the diesel engine, fuel tanks and exhaust system - cleaning up greasy, smelly engine compartments and freeing up both weight and space ... Electric Sailboat Motor: Range, Cost, Best Kits for Conversion The era of electric sailboat motors is here. Looking for a conversion or a new electric motor for your sailboat/yacht? This post explains everything to help you make a wise choice. Repowering with and electric engine? The new Gunboat G4 cat will have electric ring-drive 2 6kw motors that are capable of regenerating electricity. They use LIon batts and mount about 1kw of photovoltaics on the boat. Gunboat will also offer a generator option to keep the batteries topped off. It will be a foiler. Things to Consider When Repowering With Electric Motors Learn how to repower your sailboat with electric motors from different companies and battery types. Compare speed, range, runtime and installation methods for various horsepower and voltage levels. Repowering with an electric engine? But the electric propulsion is an $10,680 option without batteries. You would still need to plug in to charge any appreciable amount. The Yanmar diesel at $11,100 is a much better value and will give a much longer range under power at lower cost. Nice boat but nothing new really. Electric Motors for Sailboats Powerful, Quality Electric Sailboat Motors. Get back to boating as it should beClean, Green & Quiet. FAQ Frequently Asked Questions regarding electric and hybrid electric motors, replacing diesel engines with electric, electric conversion formulas, and more. How To Have Effortless Repower: Electric Boat Propulsion Explore VETUS E-LINE AIR electric propulsion for boats, offering efficient, sustainable repower options for small tenders and sailboats. The Pros, Cons, and Future of Electric Yachts and Sailboats Looking to repower an old sailboat or purchase a new electric yacht? Learn about the pros, cons, and future of electric yachts and sailboats. Home Expert installation of electric sailboat motors in vessels from 22 to 66 feet Quiet, reliable, clean. For less than the cost of a diesel repower, enjoy the benefits of electric sailing. Take a demo sail with us today. Team Electric Blue Coconut Grove, Florida(939) 630-5957(786) 543-3412 [email protected] Electric Engines on Sailboats: A Complete Guide! Absolutely everything you need to know about electric motors on sailboats is right here, in this episode where we have an in-depth discussion with Dan and Ki... Electric Repower (and more!)- Options? Similar Threads Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post Electric repower for Cal 2-27 GrowleyMonster Engines and Propulsion Systems 4 09-04-2014 18:27 repower or two repower Immanuel General Sailing Forum 4 07-05-2012 09:24 Electric Repower Cost Analysis - Value of Yanmars Microship Engines and Propulsion Systems 8 02-10-2011 15:12 Advertise Here Recent Discussions Electric Sailboat Conversion Project 48V 10kW BLDC Motor Ep75 After a year, a rundown on the Golden Motor 48V 10KW BLDC electric motor sailboat conversion Sailboat Power - Experiences, Solar and Tech, Victron Energy Episode 39 In this episode, we have created a "proof of concept" motor for our 34' Irwin Citation Sailboat and bench tested the components needed to get us off the dock... Repowering with an Elco Electric Motor Repowering with an Elco Electric Motor You have expressed an interest in applying ELCO electric propulsion to a boat by contacting us for information on suitability and cost, regarding a particular vessel you have in mind. Electric Yacht Electric Yacht Offers a complete package designed to make an electric repower as easy and straight forward as possible: uses state of the art permanent magnet ac (PMAC) motors and vector motor controllers, maximizing efficiency across the entire operating envelope.offers adjustable regeneration that can be optimized to your boat, propeller and sailing conditions. The QuietTorque™ 10.0 is ... Electric Re-power Wondering if anyone out there has done an engine re-power from OMC Saildrive to electric (Electric Yacht, specifically) on a similar O'Day to my 27. I've weighed the options and I think my situation is a great candidate for an electric re-power. I don't really want to spend any more time trying to get the old saildrive running (two attempts thus far pulling the motor completely out), and I'm ... Sailboat conversion from 14 hp Diesel to 10 Kw 48V electric motor So here is my story. I'm converting my 1979 Cape Dory 30 sailboat from a 14 hp diesel to a 10Kw 48V electric motor (the motor is ordered). I was planning on just using 8 105 Ah 12V batteries in a 4S2P configuration to yield 48V and 210 Ah but @ 60% this would only give me 126 usable Ah with a cost of around $2600. Repowering a 55' sailboat I'd like to repower the boat partially to make it easier for me (I'm more comfortable with electric motors than diesel), and partially to add sweat equity into the boat in order to share in the family effort to build the boat. Diesel to Electric Sailboat Re-Power, Part One: Installation In Part One, Jack Wilken of Seattle Boat Works describes the systems and layout of the new electric power system that has replaced the diesel engine. This is all in the old engine compartment ... Repowering Your Boat: What You Need To Know There are many considerations when starting a repower project, including some that are unrelated to the performance requirements of your boat. 7 Reasons To Repower Your Boat With Mercury Repowering is a lot faster and easier than many people think. And that's just one reason to consider repowering your boat. Here are some more, along with expert advice from Mercury. 1. Convenience: You Can Repower Many Types of Boats. If a boat's transom and hull are in safe, operable condition, it can probably be repowered. catamaran gulet motorboat powerboat riverboat trimaran yacht