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As electric cars become mainstream it’s only natural for sailors and boatbuilders to eye solutions that work the same way on the water. To date, only 2 percent of boats worldwide are powered by electric or hybrid propulsion, but e-mobility is expected to grow by 50 percent over the next two decades, which will likely result in electric-powered boats in the charter market as well.
Today there are multiple players in electrification. Germany’s Torqeedo launched its small electric outboard technology in 2005 and then expanded into high-voltage systems for inboard use. The company’s Deep Blue 25kW and 100kW inboard motor applications have also been combined with saildrives in various power and sailboats. At this year’s Miami boat show, Torqeedo launched a 50kW version, which is paired with a folding propeller and a regeneration feature that produces power when you sail at speeds as low as 6 knots.
Swedish engine manufacturer Volvo Penta is also experimenting with electric motors installed inline between their diesels and IPS pods. As part of this effort, they’ve been working with Fountaine Pajot production catamarans on driving a Lucia 40 sailing cat. Meanwhile, Dutch bow and stern-thruster manufacturer Vetus has developed inboard electric motors for small powerboats, and the Finnish company OceanVolt is now powering a number of J/Boats and Alerion daysailers…
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