Electric inboard. Information sources.

DoubleEnder

DoubleEnder

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I’m interested in electric inboard power units, potentially for a small yacht - say 2 1/2 tons displacement. I’m aware that there are significant constraints on range and autonomy with this arrangement, that’s not the question.

I wonder if there are any good information sources, magazines, websites etc that focus on this area. I really wish I’d gone to Dusseldorf, but didn’t. There are a lot of manufacturers out there, and a while range if system solutions. I’d like to try to inform myself a little

any ideas?
Thank you
 
gdallas said:
I’m interested in electric inboard power units, potentially for a small yacht - say 2 1/2 tons displacement. I’m aware that there are significant constraints on range and autonomy with this arrangement, that’s not the question.

I wonder if there are any good information sources, magazines, websites etc that focus on this area. I really wish I’d gone to Dusseldorf, but didn’t. There are a lot of manufacturers out there, and a while range if system solutions. I’d like to try to inform myself a little

any ideas?
Thank you
Click to expand...
electric inboards for yachts Take your pick!
 
Some useful information on the Electric Boat Association website.
Copy and paste into a Search engine.
 
gdallas said:
I’m interested in electric inboard power units, potentially for a small yacht - say 2 1/2 tons displacement. I’m aware that there are significant constraints on range and autonomy with this arrangement, that’s not the question.

I wonder if there are any good information sources, magazines, websites etc that focus on this area. I really wish I’d gone to Dusseldorf, but didn’t. There are a lot of manufacturers out there, and a while range if system solutions. I’d like to try to inform myself a little

any ideas?
Thank you
Click to expand...
Not sure where you are based but Nestaway Boats did a conversion of their 25 or 26 foot Sadler using an ePropulsion drive.

May depend on whether shaft drive (often easier to fit the drive) or saildrive type (can be more pricey but some have sophisticated variable geometry props - necessary for decent sailing and power regeneration).

Also, check you can get insurance. Some insurers don’t seem to be prepared to insure Lithium Ion batteries used for electric propulsion systems unless factory fitted (or at least professionally fitted).
 
Worth looking at the Cornish Crabbers installations using Pod drives.

As dunedin says the choice of drive type depends to an extent on the hull shape and there is not a lot of information about shaft drives in the smaller sizes except in small motorboats, perhaps because there seem to be no "packages" offered commercially and it is the preserve of DIY marrying up motors to existing transmissions. On the other hand there is alot of development in pod drives because first there is spinoff from outboards and second it is much easier to make an easily installed package just like a saildrive using a diesel.

What sort of boat are you thinking if?
 
If (a big if) I do anything about this it will be shaft drive and a prop in the rudder aperture of a full keel. This is probably not a great hull shape for electric drive but I’m trying to inform myself. thanks for the Sadler idea I will look at that.
 
gdallas said:
If (a big if) I do anything about this it will be shaft drive and a prop in the rudder aperture of a full keel. This is probably not a great hull shape for electric drive but I’m trying to inform myself. thanks for the Sadler idea I will look at that.
Click to expand...
Most of the expertise for low power electric propulsion with shaft drive is centred on the Thames for the numerous launches (also used on the Broads and Lakes) The links here might be useful electricboatassociation.org/suppliers-directory/

Not aware of anybody doing similar for sailing boats simply because there is no demand from new boats. The small number of "traditional" hulled sailing boats built do fine with either outboards or in the larger sizes little Yanmars and Betas. So converting an existing boat is DIY. More activity in the US and there are one or two manufacturers producing low (sub 5kw) motors such as Bell but would guess the uptake at this level is low, not just the cost of installation but the difficulty (and cost) of fitting sufficient battery power for useful range
 
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