Electric drive, Sailing Uma

It's certain that motoring from one marina to another would be difficult with battery powered electric but who wants to do that? I like sailing off my mooring and back in the traditional way but I do have to use the motor when day sailing. It's a delight when the motor goes off and we start using the wind. A great sense of achievement getting from A to B using only wind power even if it takes longer. Mrs Moron used to grumble when our speed dropped below 2kn!
 
Likewise, I too enjoy sailing off the mooring, and if the day can be achieved without use of the Iron Jib, I consider it a great success. The silence when it is finally turned off is a great relief to all.

However, when the day does not turn out as planned, and by lunchtime I am only 1/3rd of the way I expected to be, and the forecast is worse than I hoped for and I really need to get into port before the nasty balck stuff arrives, that old donk is my backup ... I *could* just ride it out and have a night out at sea in the rough stuff, but I prefer not to. Turn on the (annoying) donk and motor to port, assisted by the sails if at all possible.

Having the batteries flat an hour later would not be my idea of "fun".
 
I think people forget just how unreliable marine engines were just a few decades ago, and how quickly they've improved in efficiency and reliability.
Electric power for boating is in its infancy, but it's the future. After all, it's just to power the auxiliary, not our primary means of drive - isn't it?!
 
Red Panda said:
I think people forget just how unreliable marine engines were just a few decades ago, and how quickly they've improved in efficiency and reliability.
Electric power for boating is in its infancy, but it's the future. After all, it's just to power the auxiliary, not our primary means of drive - isn't it?!
Click to expand...
"a few decades"!!!
My 2QM15 is 40 years old and purrs like a kitten ;-)
 
As a retired person, I'm sure an electric auxiliary would suit me. In the past I've given it some thought and considered a couple of things not mentioned here.
On my Etap 22i I had an outboard for the tender which was stored on a bracket on the transom. This could be lowered into the water if needed.
Water powered generation, recharging batteries whilst sailing seems better to me. When I read the term hybrid, that's one thing I think of, similar to regenerative braking.
I was told by a friend who worked for years with generators that the large ones had turbos that were used to generate extra power, as the F1 cars do. I'm sure that could come soon.
One benefit of a electric/hydrocarbon hybrid is that the motor can be run a fixed revs, which is more efficient. It doesn't make the system as efficient as a normal motor but helps. I'd be interested to know how efficient diesel/electric trains are.
Allan
 
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For those who are interested in engine stuff more posted by team UMa from onboard the grey funnel line. Thought it showed the navy in a good light all in all even if lots of stair shots involved.
 
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