Do you have a hybrid propulsion system?

[alanbest91_56]

If you have a fully operational hybrid drive for your sail boat please let me know as I am doing some extensive research on cost, ease of installation and advantages it has given you.
Thank you
Alan

 

[pyrojames]

I use wind energy for propulsion, if that counts. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

 

[Kilter]

/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Tranona]

Hi Alan

Think you will find the answer to your question is nobody! There was a long article recently, I think in PBO which surveyed all the products on the market, but only one or two have actually been installed in a boat, with the exception of course of the Lagoon cats.

You MAY be able to get some sensible answers to possibilities if you do some desk research first and find out what other people have written about the subject - which is actually, I think, very little other than reviewing what technology is available. You might then be able to construct a meaningful questionnaire using a web based frame such as Survey Monkey.

However, do not expect much response. As you have seen from the posts here (even if some were a little unkind) the subject is a non-issue for Yachtsmen. I know that one or two people are playing with them like Nigel Calder, but he is just about as untypical as you can get and is doing it for his own reasons. No doubt if/when he gets it to work he will publish his findings.

Good luck with your research, but I fear you will have little empirical data simply because it does not exist!

 

[fireball]

That's just too much gas!

 

[mandlmaunder]

www.ossapowerlite.com
Try this , they seem to know what they are doing

 

[jhr]

There used to be a forumite called "Spark" who built his own boat (and she was a real thing of beauty, and testament to his skill with wood) which was powered, I think, by an electric engine with batteries charged from a petrol generator. Not a true hybrid, I suppose, but something close.

Sadly, he had a fire on board and the boat was totally destroyed - I think the petrol he carried on board was a primary cause of the conflagration - which must have been heart-breaking for him. There used to be a website about her but, on searching, it appears to be no more.

Not sure if he ever looks in here any more, but might be worth a PM?

 

[pyrojames]

On a more serious note, Nikki Perryman, colunmist in Classic Boat has installed an electric engine, run off batteries and regcharged with wind and solar. Not a hybrid as such by a "green" solution.

 

[alanbest91_56]

I have met Nigel when he gave a talk at the Excel show in January. Was very interesting but he did say that there weas a long way to go.

 

[Ariadne]

I think the cost is the sticking point, when I looked into this about 6 months ago it was going to be around £20-30K to reto fit into an older boat.

The technology has been around for years - its driving the QM II and nearly all harbour tugs.

More people would be interested if the price was the same as 'normal' re-engine or within 25% of it, but when its 3 or 4 times the price its a non starter.


I'd go with it if only for the noise factor and having 240 power when I want it. If you find somebody willing to give me a 75% grant and/or a company looking to do some serious sea trials, give me and install the thing for free, let me know.

 

[DownWest]

The idea of 230v. in a small boat with seawater gives me the
heebies.
A

 

[saltwater_gypsy]

I think Nigel is going for 110V or thereabouts so its not quite as lethal!!!

 

[pampas]

Try 3700 volts /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif supplying 7000 hp is a humid engine room!!!

 

[DRANNIE]

With an outboard powered 22footer the idea of a bolt on drive leg and small genny in the aft locker seems a great idea. Problem is supplying the 2,000 watts needed for a 9hp equivalent motor with 200kg of batteries. Its sadly not practical. For small trailer sailers whoever invents a bolt on drive pod which does not cavitate in the rough stuff and a outboard bracket mounted genny with no need for batteries, will get my cash.

 

[RAI]

I looked hard at the Fisher Panda hybrid solution when I re-engined. It was simply well over twice the price of a replacement diesel.

 

[nickcred]

Graham or Mark at Hybrid Marine are worth talking to. Pretty expert in their field.

Hybrid Marine

I met with them a few times when the business was starting off and remember the cost was around 6 or 8K i think and they were retrofitting as well as talking with Beta for the new build market

Nick