Safety, Speed, Size, Cost, and Convenience
Remember the old joke about the three most important conditions for Real Estate? Location, location, location!
Well it's obvious that on a Catamaran, YOU are the location. So what about the three most important conditions for a Cat? How do Safety, Speed, and Accommodation sound?
And what about throwing in two bonuses such as Cost and Convenience?
Voila! Meet the Catamaran with Moonwave Hybrid technology (video 1) which was recently acquired by Torqueedo corporation and repackaged as Torqueedo's Deep Blue hybrid
(video 2)!
All the benefits of a fat cat without any of the cons!
So Why Electric Propulsion?
There are many advantages, but if you are just looking for the economic benefits, here are four:
1. Maintenance costs are lower (No serviceable parts)
2. Less time lost to engine maintenance (No serviceable parts, 80,000 hours expected life)
3. No Fuel Costs after Installation (No fossil fuels on board)
4. Lower Insurance Premiums (No fossil fuels on board)
When you are out on the sea, you want to be self-sufficient as much as possible. You don't want to have to go out of your way to purchase ever more expensive fuel. We are lucky to live in our times because we actually have a very realistic alternative. Right now, the purchase price of an electric motor is only slightly higher than that of a comparable diesel engine. But, and this is important, an electric motor has no moving parts that can break down and need maintenance, including lubrication and replacement every few hundred or thousand kilometers.
Most traditional sailors still swear by diesel engines and might even think it is cheaper or faster. However, they are paying every day for their engine, regardless whether they use it or not. Also keep in mind, that a diesel engine needs to be operated 10 minutes or so every month or even more often to keep it in good working order.
Most fires on board of boats are caused by fuel in the tank, in the engine or while cooking. When all installations run on electricity, the danger of fire is greatly diminished. Some insurance companies will be happy to pass the savings on to you. Inquire with your insurance company and get a quote for a boat/yacht that does not use fuel (they might be a little surprised...)
The bottom line is that you will improve safety on board, save thousands of dollars on running and maintenance costs every year, save on time of having to put your costly boat in the docks and on insurance. So you will have a better and safer time, while laughing all the way to the bank.
Look in the list below for an even more comprehensive overview of the benefits of electricity over diesel.
Electric sailboat auxiliary systems are cost-effective, yet clean, green, and quiet!
Advantages of electric auxiliary systems
Clean…
• No trips to the gas dock
• No oil and grease in the bilge, or fumes when underway
• Environmentally friendly (no noise or exhaust in your wake)
Instant power, improved maneuverability…
• Instant On; No warm-up time
• No shifting, no grinding of gears while trying to wiggle out of a tight docking situation
• Powerful– motor supplies full torque from one RPM to top speed
• “Electric sail” with a small power boost when the wind is light, and no stalling when tacking
Quiet…
• Have a relaxed, quiet cruise around the marina or lake
• Hear the water lapping the hull and the rolling swish of the wake
• No need to raise your voice to be heard by your crew (and everyone else in the harbor)
The right choice for many serious cruisers
• Generates power when under sail (regeneration)
• Extend battery range with regeneration, solar, and wind
• Motorsailing takes on a whole new meaning
• Never worry about fuel supplies, clogged fuel systems, or engine maintenance
Green
• No burning of fossil fuel, eliminates flammable or explosive fuel on board
• Generates power reserves while under sail
• Add a wind generator or solar panels for additional reserve generation capacity
Great for racers…
• Total system weight can be as low as 120 kg
• No warm up time, no engine stalls, no maintenance
• Get to the start line with minimum hassle, in minimum time
Excellent for the weekend sailor…
• Perfect for lake sailors; plenty of power and range to get out to sail
• Enough range for weekend sailors to motor home, if the wind dies
Moored boats (off grid)
• Regenerate power when sailing
• Add a wind generator or solar panels for supplementary regeneration of power reserves
• Regenerate power (for free) while on a mooring or at anchor thanks to tidal ebb and flow
• No need to carry fuel, engine parts or tools back and forth to your boat
Insurance and Safety
The absence of flammable fuel means that there is little risk of fire or explosions. Insurance companies can thereby offer much lower premiums.
This site basically shows three ways of generating electricity:
In general, that should satisfy all of your energy demands. However, if you feel you need more, we recommend you purchase a diesel generator (or a gas-powered generator). It's even better if it is small enough and portable so you can use it on the beach or on your private island - just kidding.
DISCLAIMER:
By using a generator you will probably forfeit the benefits of a significant insurance discount!!!
Real-Life Examples
In the video on the right, the guy uses ingenuity to install an electric motor.
This is a 1.5HP Leeson 24V DC Electric motor ordered from the internet ($360 plus shipping).
He paid the local junk man $20 for the broken outboard.
Solarwave 46 is the first oceangoing yacht which powers the propulsion as well as all household appliances exclusively by solar. This includes induction cooktops, stove, microwave, grill, freezers and fridges, air-conditioning, washing-machine, watermaker, even the dinghy-motor is solar-charged. No fuel and no gas, but with plenty of noiseless and fumeless luxury.
With this unique concept of a fully self sufficient energy-supply, the Solaryacht started a rigorous 5 years sea trial in January 2010. It travelled throughout Europe by river, sailed the dangerous Black-Sea, the stormy Aegean and the Med. This experience of more than 140 weeks was also enjoyed by hundreds of guests and visiting journalists. The functionality and sea-capability of this yacht were fully scrutinised and passed with flying colours.
More Information about what is so good about electric engines.
Outboard and inboard motor manufacturer