Ideas for converting from diesel inboard to electric propulsion for a dayboat.

[Poignard]

I'm in Argyll and have a Rustler 24. In 2021 replaced a 2T Tohatsu with a Long Shaft E propulsion Spirit. I can sail on and off the Mooring and its purely used to get back if the Wind dies to nothing. It's side mounted with the leg being light to lift on to the bracket and then attach the Battery ( which floats accounding to the Blurb ....albeit I don't intend to try that out !).

On the Mooring I usually leave the Leg on Board and just take the battery back for charging.

Do you have a photo of that arrangement?

 

[skua164]

Do you have a photo of that arrangement?

Yes, but I havent ever managed to load a photo on here. If you send me an IM with an e mail address I will send it to you and maybe you could post it up.

 

[Sybarite]

I've just been to the Southampton Boat Show where I talked to a few electric propulsion system suppliers about whether and how I could convert my Tofinou 7 from inboard diesel to electric. As I see it there are three options:

• Replace the current Yanmar 1GM10 with an electric motor and stick with the existing shaft mounted prop.
• Go for a pod-type motor which would have to fit between the aft end of the keg and rudder. This offers the benefit of freeing up space in the cockpit currently occupied by the engine, but would place the prop much closer to the rudder than at present.
• Devise a way of mounting an electric electric outboard on the side of the boat, as one boat I saw on show had done, but I reckon this would be cumbersome and take up a lot of my limited storage space.

Does anyone have any experience of retrofitting an electric propulsion system in a day boat of this kind? The suppliers I spoke too were keen come up with a solution but I'm reluctant to be a guinea pig! Any advice on 'best practice' gratefully received.

How much diesel do you use in a season?
Compare the cost of this with a major transformation.

 

[Poignard]

Here is the photo of skua164's very neat outboard motor bracket:



It is easily detachable and when in use the o/b motor is locked in the fore and aft position and the boat is steered with the tiller.

 

[Bouba]

Advice No1. Get a BIG pot of money..

He might be able to do the conversion and still make a profit
Yanmar 1gm10 for sale - Engines for sale | Youboat UK

 

[Ningaloo]

I would suggest a pod would give benefits from regen if you sail fast enough. Electric installation will weigh much less than the diesel so maybe better performance?

But if the diesel works, there is a significant cost to switching. Not having the noise and vibration of a diesel is a nice to have bonus.

 

[Pete7]

Not cheap, but you might have a chat with Lynch Motors in Honiton.

Priced Case Studies - Lynch Marine

 

[LiftyK]

During COVID lockdown, these people epropulsion/thrust me/Northney,Hayling island,England,UK.\ gave a talk to the Parker and Seal Sailing Association on how they converted two boats to electric propulsion. One of these conversions was from a 27’ diesel inboard to an electric inboard. It was a really interesting talk and left me feeling that it was a great move and very practical. As they’ve done what you are looking to do you might make contact and benefit from their experience.

I’ve no connection with the business but simply enjoyed their story and enthusiasm. They did the conversions as regular boaters and enjoyed the results so much they started a business around it.

 

[dunedin]

Not cheap, but you might have a chat with Lynch Motors in Honiton.

Priced Case Studies - Lynch Marine

I would be very cautious of somebody who doesn’t quote the battery capacities in kWh. That is the basic unit for battery capacity, and battery capacity is the expensive bit.
Also, narrow boat installations are very simple and can be cheap - not least because (as in the example) a heavy lump of lead acid batteries is no issue in a steel barge which only needs to go at 6mph.
So probably good at their market, but not a direct crossiver to a performance sailing day boat.

There are useful examples of conversions. But whilst for a new build premium dayboat an electric drive installation probably makes great sense, very difficult to justify swapping out a working diesel engine - unless got some other driver (eg cost no object and want silent running; YouTube influencer getting free kit; supplier converting own boat for PR reasons).

 

[bignick]

the existing propulsion system will look like this..

Notwithstanding that the OP has said he’s going to wait until his existing engine needs replacing, when (if?) this happens it would make more sense to retain the shaft drive setup.

 

[Tranona]

Very similar to the Shrimper 21 that can be fitted with an electric pod drive. However best thing to do to improve the boat is to fit a feathering prop as they often do on Shrimpers and Swallow boats with inboards

 

[Frogmogman]

Very similar to the Shrimper 21 that can be fitted with an electric pod drive. However best thing to do to improve the boat is to fit a feathering prop as they often do on Shrimpers and Swallow boats with inboards

I dare say Andy has a mark on the shaft so as to make sure the prop is straight up and down behind the keel.