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Take an inside look at a pioneering ELECTRIC sailboat! | You can sail on Guarapiranga too!
October 28, 2023 · 14 min · 24K views · Guarapiranga Reservoir
What this video covers
A Cal 9.2 sailboat operating on the Guarapiranga Reservoir in São Paulo, Brazil, serves as a test platform for a 48-volt electric propulsion system.1:36 The vessel, used by a local nautical school, replaced a 150-kilogram diesel engine with an electric motor to improve reliability and reduce maintenance.2:42 The electric setup provides immediate torque and allows the boat to reach 6.8 knots, surpassing the 5-knot speed previously achieved with the diesel engine.2:42 The system utilizes three 105-ampere batteries, offering an estimated range of 45 nautical miles at maximum power, though consumption increases exponentially at higher speeds.5:51 Installation requires precise alignment of the motor and propeller shafts, but the system eliminates common diesel issues like fuel contamination and filter maintenance.7:49 The motor requires only periodic bearing lubrication every 500 hours.3:39 The project demonstrates that electric propulsion can integrate with existing sailboat designs to provide a quiet, low-maintenance alternative for coastal and inland sailing.
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