Electric yachts - the future?

[Geoff]

As long as they also make a 4hp one for Queenslanders.

[Ozzie]

Sorry mate that was a reference to the 6 hp Mariner “sail drive “ *outboard. Rectifier, 4 stroke, right pitch prop good gear all round but weighs more than Ayres Rock for my use.

If I were a betting man I’d buy one chain it on the back and make book on how long it would stay there in my mooring area. I’ve checked with the authorities and apparently running 20K volts through the carry handle is illegal

Maybe legal in Qld Geoff


*edit. This is a “Sail Pro” not Sail Drive.. memory failure

[Peter T]

Gee Geoff I fail to see why that's illegal mate. Sounds like a great idea to me

[Geoff]

Hi Ozzie

Put me down for a redback on it being gone inside a week.

[Ozzie]

[Andrew]

How about an inboard electric drive for moored boats, ?they couldn't flog that! The Investigators keel shape looks like theres room to hang a prop shaft under the hull.

But then they might nick the solar panels instead, unless they're riveted on..

[Andrew]

Agree Andrew. I’ll keep s schlepping the Mariner about

The beauty of an electric rig is enticing but so was a jet pack 70 years ago . Stilll not available at Aldi .

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-02-25/ ... g/13178910

“Cars of the future: The hype, the high hopes, and the sobering reality.”
This article on today’s ABC web site talks to the issues I’ve raised earlier.

Too true Ozzie, won't hold my breath either. Its not going to change in a hurry, forces beyond our control are at work.

[Peter T]

How about the inboard electric motor converting into a generator when you are sailing? The water passing the prop turns the motor / generator generating power. Add solar and wind and away we go. Quite possible and they wouldn't know what to steal first.

[Andrew]

How about the inboard electric motor converting into a generator when you are sailing? The water passing the prop turns the motor / generator generating power. Add solar and wind and away we go. Quite possible and they wouldn't know what to steal first.

It's possible to re-generate off a prop and that would be an ideal situation to have. not sure how many Amps output with only 4-5 knots boat speed tho. Solar could be far better than wind power, at least its silent, safe and could also form a sun canopy.

[Ozzie]

https://www.boatus.com/expert-advice/ex ... ainability

While checking some old links to dump into the new “links” thread I came across “boatus.com” again (added it) and began sorting through the newer articles. Here is a converted diesel to solar auxiliary set up for a 30’ keeler. Doable, but not cheap and done with domestic gear rather than marine grade. Great execution, and I’m not knocking the gents involved by any means but main takeaway from the article is the area of solar panels needed. The cabin mounted ones would somewhat limit your operating it as a sailboat. All in all a very informative read on the subject and quite well explained even to the electrically challenged like me.

With the passage into normality of the LED and the iWatch it’s not too far off I suppose that the main limit on the viability of these systems, the evolution of the battery will eventually make it commonplace too.