Sailing Doodles · video

What this video covers

The owner of an Island SPIRIT 525 catamaran conducts sea trials to resolve motor vibrations and autopilot malfunctions before taking final possession of the vessel.Watch Technicians realign the port-side electric motor and the Python drive system to address a resonance issue that caused a "wah-wah" vibration at cruising speeds of 550–600 RPM.6:07 While the starboard motor remains silent, the port motor shows significant improvement after the realignment.8:27 The crew also replaces the autopilot unit and performs dockside calibrations to ensure proper steering function.3:37

The vessel features a 65-kilowatt liquid-cooled electric propulsion system and a 25-kilowatt-hour Roy Powell lithium house bank, which the owner plans to expand to 40 kilowatt hours.9:50 The electrical system includes 5,000 watts of solar capacity and an EV-style shore power inlet, with provisions to install an isolation transformer for future compatibility with North American 110-volt split-phase power.10:23 The propulsion batteries are distributed across the hulls to balance weight, with waterproof covers protecting the connections.15:29

More from Sailing Doodles

Our Boat Broke Down… So We Made the Best of Koh Samui!Aug 2026They’re Making Me Leave ThailandAug 2026My Visa Was Expiring… So We Sailed to Koh SamuiAug 2026The Truth About Koh Tao, ThailandJul 2026

From Sailing Doodles — see the channel’s boat, crew, and every analysed video.

The Sailing Directory Newsletter

One email with the fleet's best finds — the moments, boats, and stories worth your watch time. Enter your own address to get your own copy.