BoatHowTo · video

What this video covers

Jan Attenstedt and Nigel Calder evaluate the feasibility of replacing a 20-year-old diesel engine with an electric propulsion system. Calder emphasizes that electric motors on displacement hulls face high, continuous loads at cruising speeds, which severely limits range compared to electric vehicles that benefit from lighter loads and regenerative braking. While electric propulsion excels for short-distance trips where the boat can plug into shore power, it remains inefficient for extended cruising. Adding a generator to extend range creates a complex system with multiple single-point failures that is generally less efficient than a direct-drive diesel installation. The high cost of the necessary battery bank further complicates the conversion.Watch Electric propulsion is best suited for sailors who primarily use their engines to leave and return to a dock, rather than for those requiring long-range motoring capabilities.

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