Electric motors for yachts?

[earlybird]

[QUOTE

The real point of diesel-electric set ups is that they give a very convenient way to link a running engine to a big stationary load in order to get it moving e.g railway trains.[/QUOTE]

It's hardly a yacht, but Calmac gave public tours of their then new ferry "Bute". It has diesel electric propulsion. The centrally positioned diesel drives a generator set, which in turn drives 4 (IIRC) motor/propellor units positioned at each "corner" of the ship. I seem to remember that these units could be rotated on a vertical axis, to act as side thrusters. This of course eliminates the need for awkward mechanical drive trains, and presumably allows fairly simple control systems.

 

[Bobobolinsky]

For those of an "oily" disposition, the big oilfield support vessels, Tharos et al were similar. Spectacular when they accelerated. I was on a rig when the OIM wanted to impress the investors. He called up a fire exersize, the support vessel lifted up her skirts (all 5000tonnes) and sprinted across the field. When she got within 250metres she wound up her fire pumps. The streams of firewater hit the rig and tore railings lights and signs off the side. I just love it when a plan goes to **** ;->

Robin