Diesel or electric pod drive

[nestawayboats]

As suggested it is possible to fit a pod drive, but the Nestaway installation which is the most basic level cost nearly £10k of which almost 50% was the battery. However that was for a much bigger and heavier boat so you might not need such a large motor or capacity battery. another reference point is the Cornish Shrimper 21 which comes with the option of a Yanmar 1GM or a pod drive (the base boat has an outboard). The pod option is almost twice the price of the Yanmar.

Rationally, though an older 22' must be really something special to justify spending the sort of money required for a modern inboard installation of either kind.

Sorry I'm late to this party but the Cornish Crabbers price list I'm looking at says (for the Shrimper 21) an electric pod drive installation is £1200 more than the inboard diesel option. In the context of a £50k boat, barely relevant (less than a sprayhood for example), and if you don't do your own servicing that would actually pay off fairly quickly (electric installations of this type need minimal if any servicing).

An absolutely direct comparison based on cost only is not really possible. The diesel will always win if you want ultimate range, the electric may win if you apportion any value to quiet, vibration-free, and fume-free, motoring. Which in turn opens up a new world of electrically-assisted light airs sailing, because it's pleasant.

Ian, Nestaway Boats Ltd