Electric Boats - Technical Information

This section will provide you with the specific technical information on a variety of different sizes and types boats including both commercially available and "one off" boats. In most cases it will include a description of the Batteries (number and type), Motor (h.p, and Voltage), Controller, prop and charging. Speed and range will also be included where ever possible. This should help you considerably with your own projects whether you are designing, building or buying. I recommend contacting sources for more information on the boats that approach the size weight and hull type of your own project. I've also added a table at the end of the page, for your convenience, which sumarizes the specs. and performance of a number of boats over a broad spectrum of size and type.

My sources include published information from the Web and printed books and periodicals. I welcome any additions or corrections to this section whether you manufacture, sell plans or have built a one off.

Small Converted Electric Boats

Traditional Maine Skiff (10 ft)
Reported in EBAA journal to be a fiberglass boat nicely trimmed in wood with a one hp inboard permanent magnet elecric motor (Dorran Scott). The motor is controlled with a Curtis PMC 1204 controller and uses a belt driven motor/shaft linkage. Two 105 Amp deepcycle batteries are employed. Top speed is about 4 knots.

Electric Stowe 16 ft canoe
This boat is 3 ft wide and the hull weighs about 65 lbs. Powered by a Sears diehard 30 lb (about 1/2 h.p.) thrust outboard with a 75 Ah 12 volt battery the speed was 3.6 knots for 1 1/2 hours. The same motor with a cut down model airplane propeller yeilded a 4.2 knots speed
A 24 volt Minn-Kota 65 lb thrust (about 1 h.p.) motor was used in conjuction with two 75 Ah 12 volt batteries. The prop was the standard prop which is about 11 inches in diameter with about a 3.5 pitch. The speed was 6.2 knots with a range of about 2 hours at full speed (this combination is very efficient at half speed and should have a range of about 4-5 hours). Both of the above power options are charged through battery removal. Click Here to Send Me Mail

Electric Bolger Gypsy 15 ft long. Homebuilt from plans
This boat is 4ft 4 inches wide and weighs about 150 lbs. Its powered by a Minnkota 65 lb thrust 24 volt outboard with energy supplied by two 105 Ah batteries. There was no charging system at the time but this could easily be charged using two small solar panels (about 20 amp each). The propeller was standard (about 11X3.5). The speed and range was 6.2 knots (measured by a knotstick) for about 3 hours.Click Here to Send Me Mail

Electric Bolger Gloucester Light Dory

This boat was built light with 5mm luan and weights in at about 70 lbs. Its powered by a 24 lb thrust Minn Kota 35 using one 12 volt car battery. The owner/builder and his son have enjoyed quietly motoring about the creeks and bays of south jersey.

Aluminum Utility Boat 14 ft
This boat is 68 inches wide, weighs about 260 lb and has wide transom and high sides. With a Minn-Kota 65 lb thrust 24 volt motor the speed obtained was about 4.3 knots. (I've included this to provide contrast with narrow easily driven hull types)

Canoe with pontoons 12 ft

This canoe is powered by two M65 motors with three deep cycle batteries. Top speed is reported to be about 4 mph and is cruised at about 2 mph. Electrically powered equipment includes running lights, head lights, a spot light and an amateur radio.

Sail Boats with Auxillary Electric Power

Windborn Sailboats (16, 19, 23, 27 and 35 foot Models Available)
These exciting new boats have resulted in a collaboration of Com-Pac Yachts and Elco. Elco provides the electric drives and associated equipment which consists of a field wound motor, side mounted throtlle with gauges, built in speed controller and battery chargers with sealed batteries located in the keel( 4 D$ batteries in the case of the 23 ft model. I don't yet have specific information on the size of the motors used, however the ELCO line up normally consists of motors from 2 - 8 hp.
The basic size specs for the boats are as follows:
16CB Model-LOA=16' 11 ", Beam=6', Draft=18" Board up, 40" board down,Displacement=1100 lbs
19/3 Model - LOA=20'1", Beam = 7', Draft=2', Displacement=2000 lbs
23/3 Model - LOA=23',11", Beam = 7"10", Draft=2'3", Displacement=3000lbs, Sail Area = 250 sq. ft.
27/2 Model - LOA=29' 11",Beam=9'6", Draft=3'6", Displacement=6000lbs, Sail Area=380 sq. ft.
35 ft Model - LOA = 36'9", Beam = 11'10", Draft = 4 ft., Displacement = 12,500 lbs., Sail Area = 579 sq. ft.
Hutchins Co, Inc. 1195 Kapp Dr. Clearwater, Fl. 34625 Try theWindborn Web site
Their E-Mail address is windborn@bmd.clis.com

Sailboat (14 ft) with Electric Motor
The owner wrote to say that he was very pleased with the quiet performance and run times of his 24 lb thrust Minn-Kota outboard. He uses a single deep cyle battery and has added running lights.

Sailboat (22 ft Catalina) with Electric Motor
EBAA Current reported that the owner was satisfied with his electric auxillary power using a 24 volt 65 pound thrust Minn-Kota. The performance is described as an easy 3-4 knots.

Ocean Going Sailboat prepared by Ecosys Netherlands This aproximately 26 ft sailboat was prepared with a 48 volt 6.6 hp motor, using 120 watts of solar panels installed vertically on the railing. They also prepared and tested a trimaran with a 5 hp motor and 429 watts of solar panels installed between and on the hulls.

The solar Sailor company (Austalilia) is working on a prototype to be used a ferrie for the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney.The boat is expected to be a solar/fossil fuel electric hybrid for windless days. Solar Sailor Company Web Page

Plans for Electric Boats

Solar Electric Launch 16 ft. (Plans available from Kerr Designs) - see solar electric section below

Solar Electric Skiff 15 ft (Plans available from Kerr Designs) - see solar electric section below

Lily - A 15 ft electric boat designed by Phil Bolger and Friends

This tack and tape style, flat bottomed, fiberglass covered, plywood boat is 15 ft 4 inches long, 4 ft 5 inches wide and draws 1 ft 11" with the motor down. The boat is powered by a 24 volt 1.1 hp submersible motor which is housed in a motor well. The electric power is supplied by 6 12 volt, 117 Ah category 27 batteries and they are charged by individual 12 volt 10 amp DC chargers which in turn are supplied by 115 V dockside AC house current.The boat weighs 1,287 lbs with a moderate load and 1500 lbs with 4 adults aboard. The range is said to be 8 hours or 30 nautical miles at the top speed of 3.8 knots. A range of 43 nautical miles is reported at a speed of 3 knots before reaching the 25% reserve limit recommended. Plans are available from Phil Bolger & Friends, P.O. Box 1209, Gloucester, MA 01930; fax 508-282-1349

Low Cost Comercial Electric Boats

One-Man Crow (cost about $675 without battery)
This 10 ft 8 inch by 38 inch boat is made of ABS-plastic. The boat draws about 12 inches and weights 75 lbs without the battery. The boat is powered by a .41hp 12 volt submersible permanent magnet motor which turns a 9X4 two blade propeller directly at 1,100 rpm. A 115Ah 12 volt battery supplies the power through a rheostat speed control. The speed and range are 4 mph for 3 hours.
Crow Boats Inc, P.O. Box 1557 Lumberton, NC 28358

WaterWheeler Electric (cost about $1300)
Expanded Polystyrene paddle wheel 91" X 64" catamaran style boat, weighing 134 lbs. The boat has capacity for up to 3 adults and 2 children. This boat is powered by peddling and a #28 lb thrust submersible motor mounted inboard with 5 foward speeds and two reverse speeds. The battery compartment has room for a 105 Ah battery. The motor can be retracted easily to reduce drag durring peddling
Made by: Leisure Life Limited, 4855 Broadmoor S.E. Grand Rapids, Mi 49412

Whisper 10 (about $2,875)
This 10 ft long by 51 inch wide electric boat is powered by twin 30 lb thrust Minn Kota motors and accomodates 2 people (375 lbs) and 50 lbs of gear.The recommended 115 amp hour batteries will provide up to 16 hours of running time(depending on which of 5 foward speeds is selected). Top speed is in 6 m.p.h. range. The Boat is sold by R&L Marine 32345 Chipola Trail Sorrento, FL 32776. Phone (352) 383-9152

Whisper (about $2,950)
This 18 ft. X 38 inch fiberglass canoe draws 12 inches and weights 105 pounds without batteries. The boat is powered by a 12 volt 0.45-h.p. permanent-magnet motor which turns a 9X4 two-blade propeller directly at 1100 rpm. The boat uses two 210 RAC 12 volt batteries which are controlled by a solid-state variable speed control. Speed and range are 3 mph for 15 hrs.
Electric-Ghost Canoes 7117 Bembe Beach Road Annapolis, MD 21403

Black River Companion (about $2,950) The 15 ft X 32 inch model has a two person capacity, draw 8 inches and weighs 105 lbs without batteries. The boats is made of select cedar and walnut and is powered by a submersible 0.5-h.p. permanent-magnet motor which turns at 1200 rpm and directly drives a 7X4 three-blade propeller. Two 135Ah 12 volt batteries an a solid state speed control are employed. Speed and range are 3.5 mph for 12 hours.
Black River Boats Route 1 Box 173 D Rose Hill, NC 28458 Black River Boats Web site

Mid Range Priced Electic Boats ($5,000 - $12,000)

ELDEBO Pontoon Boat (about $6,500) This 13 ft.X 72 inch plastic pontoon boat is powered by a 24 volt 5 spd submersible motor (installed inboard) and weighs about 635 lbs. The motor is powere by two 105 Ah batteries which are charged by an onboard 20 amp charger. This boat seats up to 6 (Total capacity 800lbs) and operates at speeds up to 5 knots for 5 hours.
Made by: Leisure Life Limited, 4855 Broadmoor S.E. Grand Rapids, Mi 49412

Duffy 14 Run-A-Bout(about $6495) Duffy 17 Run-a-bout(about$11,495)
The Duffy 17 is 17' 0" long on deck, 6' 8" wide, and draws 1'10''. The boat weighs 1200 lbs and accomodates 8 adults. The motor is rated at 5 hp and is controlled with an electronic controller. Six 220 ah 6 volt batteries are employed The prop is 15 inches in diameter and a 1 inch stainless shaft is used The boat has a top speed of 6.5 mph with a range of 5 hours at top speed (10 hrs at a 4 mph cruising speed).
Duffy Electric Boat Co. 670 West 17th,Str., Costa Mesa, Ca 92627 Duffy Boats Website
E-mail Address: mail@duffyboats.com

Traditional Type Commercially Built Launches

Elco Serenity 14 (about $8,000) This 14 ft. long by 4 ft. wide launch is built of fiberglass and weights 390 lbs with batteries. It's powered by a 24 volt o.5 hp inboard permanent magnet motor which is linked to the shaft by V drive . Two 105 AH group 31 sealed batteries are used and speed is controlled by a pulse modulated speed controller. An onboard charger is provided . The cruising speed and range are 4.7 mph and 50 miles. The top speed is 5.3 mph
Elco 261 Upper N. Road, Highland, NY 12528
ELCO Web site

Budsin Lightning Bug (about $9,350) This 15 foot by 4 foot 2 inch cold molded white cedar boat draws 13 inches and weighs 300 lbs.It is powered by a 24 volt 0.5 hp inboard 1,125-rpm permanent-magnet motor which directly drives a 9X4 three-blade propeller. Two 115-Ak 12 volt bateries are used and speed is controlled by a solid state variable speed device. An onboard charger is provided. The speed and range are 3.5 mph for 5 hours.
Budsin Woodcraft P.O. Box 279, Marshallberg, NC 28553 Budsin Woodcraft Web site

Electra Craft 16 (about $11,995) This 16 ft by 6 ft 8 in fiberglass boatdraws 20 inches and weights 1,650 lbs.The boat is powered by a 36 volt 3-h.p. permanent-magnet motor turning at 2,150 rpm, and spinning an 11X8 three blade propeller through a reduction drive. The energy is stored in 6 220 Ah 6 volt batteries and delivered through a solid state variable speed controller. The boat has a onboard charger. The speed and range are 5.7 mph for 8 hrs.
Electra Craft 31265-B La Baya Dr. Westlake Village,CA 91382
Electracraft Web Site

Duffy 16($12,495)
This 15' 6" by 8' 6" boat is powered by a 36 volt 5 hp motor. Six 220-AH 6 volt batteries are controlled with a solid state controller. The Speed and Range are 4 mph for 10 hours (with 6 batteries 12 batteries are available). Top speed is 6 mph.
Duffy Electric Boat Co. 670 West 17th,Str., Costa Mesa, Ca 92627
E-mail Address: mail@duffyboats.com

Duffy 18 - (about $14,995)
This 18 ft by 6 ft 6 inch fiberglass boat is powered by a 36 volt 5-h.p. inboard electric motor. Six 220-AH 6 volt batteries are controlled with a solid state controller. The speed and range are 4 mph for 10 hours(with 6 batteries 12 batteries are available) Top spd. is 6.2 MPH
Built by Duffield Electric Boat Company, CA

Duffy 21 - (about $19,000) This 21 ft by 7 ft. 4 inch boat draws 1 ft. 10 inches and is powered by a 36 volt 5 HP electric motor. Six 220-AH 6 volt batteries are controlled with a solid state controller. The speed and range are 4 MPH for 9 hrs(with 6 batteries 12 batteries are available) the top speed is 6.5 MPH
Duffy Electric Boat Co. 670 West 17th,Str., Costa Mesa, Ca 92627
E-mail Address: mail@duffyboats.com

Beckman Rose 20 (about $13,950) This 20 ft by 4 ft. 4 inch fiberglass boat draws 20 inches is and weighs 1,000 lbs(hull). Its powered by a 36 volt 1.5-h.p. field-wound motor turning at 2,800 rpm, spinning a 20X30 three blade propeller through a 10:1 reduction. The power is stored in six 220-Ah 6 volt batteries and delivered by a solid state variable speed control. An onboard charger is fitted. The speed and range are 4 mph for 6 hours.
Beckmann Ltd. P.O. Box 97 Wakefield, RI 02280-0097 Walter Beckman,s Web site

Elco Serenity 18 (about $28,000)
This classic shaped fiberglass boat is 18 ft. 6 inches long by 7 ft. wide and draws 18 inches of water.This model has canvas covered decks with oak coaming, sheerstrake and rubrails and a teak sole. The power is provided by a 36 volt field wound two HP electric motor. Six 420 AH sealed lead acid batteries are employed and a built in battery charger is provided.The controler is described as a 36 volt 100A compact pulse width modulation electronic controller. The Propeller shaft is V belt driven. The cruising speed and range are 5.3 mph for 50 miles.
Elco 261 Upper N. Road, Highland, NY 12528
ELCO Web site

Elco Classic 18 (about $48,000)
This classic shaped fiberglass boat is 18 ft. 6 inches long by 7 ft. wide and draws 18 inches of water.This model has Mahogany decks with oak cover boards, coaming, sheerstrake and rubrails and a teak sole.Additional mahagany trim is also included in this model. The power is provided by a 36 volt field wound two HP electric motor. Six 420 AH sealed lead acid batteries are employed and a built in battery charger is provided.The controler is described as a 36 volt 100A compact pulse width modulation electronic controller. The Propeller shaft is V belt driven. The cruising speed and range are 5.3 mph for 50 miles.
Elco 261 Upper N. Road, Highland, NY 12528
ELCO Web site

Elco Serenity 24 (about $38,000)
This classic shaped fiberglass boat is 24 ft. long by 7 ft. 2 inches wide and draws 24 inches of water.This model has Canvas covered decks with oak , coaming, sheerstrake and rubrails and a teak sole. The power is provided by a 36 volt field wound four HP electric motor. Six 440 AH sealed lead acid batteries are employed and a built in battery charger is provided.The controler is described as a 36 volt 100A compact pulse width modulation electronic controller. The Propeller shaft is V belt driven. The cruising speed and range are 5.3 mph for 50 miles.Top speed is 6.8 mph
Elco 261 Upper N. Road, Highland, NY 12528
ELCO Web site

Elco Classic 24 (about $58,000)
This classic shaped fiberglass boat is 24 ft. long by 7 ft. 2 inches wide and draws 24 inches of water.This model has Mahogany decks Benches with oak , coaming, sheerstrake and rubrails and a teak sole. The power is provided by a 36 volt field wound four HP electric motor. Six 440 AH sealed lead acid batteries are employed and a built in battery charger is provided.The controler is described as a 36 volt 100A compact pulse width modulation electronic controller. The Propeller shaft is V belt driven. The cruising speed and range are 5.3 mph for 50 miles.Top speed is 6.8 mph
Elco 261 Upper N. Road, Highland, NY 12528
ELCO Web site

Elco Serenity 30 (about $48,000)
This classic shaped fiberglass electric launch is 30 ft long, 6 ft. 6 inches wide, draws 27 inches and weighs 5000lbs. This model has canvas decks, oak coaming, sheerstrake and rubrails and a teak sole.The power is provided by a 48-volt 4-h.p. inboard electric motor. Eight 440 AH batteries are employed and a built in battery charger is provided.The controler is described as a 48 volt 100A compact pulse width modulation electronic controller. The Propeller shaft is V belt driven. Cruising Speed and range are 6.5 mph for 50 miles. Top speed is 7.8 MPH
Elco 261 Upper N. Road, Highland, NY 12528 ELCO Web site

Elco Classic 30 (about $68,000)
This classic shaped fiberglass electric launch is 30 ft long, 6 ft. 6 inches wide, draws 27 inches and weighs 5000lbs. This model has Mahogany seats and other trim as well as oak coaming, sheerstrake and rubrails and a teak sole.The power is provided by a 48-volt 4-h.p. inboard electric motor. Eight 8D heavy duty, deep cycle 440 AH batteries are employed and a built in charger is supplied. The controler is described as a 48 volt 100A compact pulse width modulation electronic controller. Cruising Speed and range are 6.5 mph for 50 miles. The propeller shaft is V belt driven. Top speed is 7.8 MPH
Elco 261 Upper N. Road, Highland, NY 12528 ELCO Web site

Other Larger Electric Boats

The Duffy Party Cat (16 -$13,995) This 15 ft. 6 inch catamaran style hull draws 2 ft 1 inch of water and weights 1100 lbs. The boat is powered by a 36 volt 5 hp electric motor. The boat seats 10 adults and has a cruising range and speed of 4 mph for 10 hours (with 6 -220 AH 6 volt batteries-available with twelve). The top speed is 6.2 mph
Duffy Electric Boat Co.

The Duffy Cat 18 (about $15,995) This 17 ft long by 8 ft 6 inch wide catamaran seats 10 adults. The boat draws 22 inches, weights 2000 lbs, and is powered by a 36 volt 5 hp electric motor, driving a 15 inch diameter prop. The cruising range and speed are 4 MPH for 10 hrs (with 6 220AH 6 volt batteries - available with 12 batteries ) The top speed is 6.6 MPH
Duffy Electric Boat Co.

The Duffy Sportcat 18 ($ about $15,995) This 17 ft. 10 inches long by 8 ft 6 inches wide catamaran draws 1 ft. 10 inches of water and weighs 2000 lbs. The catamaran seats 10 adults and is powered by a 36 volt, 5 HP electric motor driving a 15 inch diameter prop. The cruising speed and range are 4 MPH for 10 hrs (with 6 - 220 AH 6 volt batteries . The top spd is 6.2 MPH

Hunter Cabin Cruiser Conversion. This 30 ft, 1950 model gas powered cruiser was converted to electric power recently. The boat is powered by a GE 11 hp motor and drives a 15 X 13 prop through a 6:1 reduction drive. The power is stored in 24 Trojan T'105's. The charging is done overnight. The boat goes at about 4 knots for 10 hrs. This 40 nautical mile range is reduced to about 30 miles in 2 ft swells. The curtis controller allows somewhat higher speeds at a reduced run time. The owner, Leni Goldberg can be reached at warbucks@starlinknet.net or write to Leni at 1811 Hi Point St. Los Angeles, CA 90035

The Ray Electric Explorer (about $14,000)
This 21 ft by 5 ft 6 inch fiberglass boat is powered by a above water 3.5 -h.p. outboard electric motor. The boat draws 16 inches and weighs 1,200 lbs. The boat is powered by an above-water outboard which uses a 48 volt 3.5-h.p. field-wound motor operating at up to 3100 rpm. The motor spins a 121/2X10 two blade propeller through a 3:1 reduction gear. Electrical power is provided by eight 235-Ah 6-volt batteries and delivered through a solid state speed control(Pulse Width Modulated).An onboard charger is prvided. The speed and range are 7.5 mph for 8 hours.
Ray Electric 908 N.E. 24th lane, Unit 6, Cape Coral, FL 33909-2915

Electric Propulsion River Taxi (clickfor large image)
This boat measures 26 ft in length by 10 ft in width. The 36 volt electric propulsion system was designed and constructed by Elco. It consists of two 4 HP, 1600 RPM direct drive motors mounted inboard with straight U joint shafts through the hull. The props are 12 inch diameter with a 6 inch pitch The boat hull and motors weigh 3200 lbs. The batteries weigh 2900 lbs (18 batteries-six parrallel sets of three 12 Volt 225 AH units). The tested payload was 5570 lbs. The boat was extensively tested over a simulated river tour route of 1.85 miles in length. The boat was able to exceed the design requirement of 15 trips per day between charges.
This information was provided by the Southwest Research Institute of San Antonio, Texas
Southwest Research Institute Web site

Moli-Wynn Electric Canoe

This 39 ft Hawaiian Outrigger Canoe is powered by a single Minn Kota 70 lb thrust 24 volt submersible outboard. The boat seats 6 passengers, uses two series 27 deepcycle batteries and attains a 6 mph top speed and is said to have a cruising range of 5 hours. The boat is used for 25, 45 and 90 minute tours. Morro Bay Electric Boat Tours

Electric Passenger Catamaran
This 60 ft. long by 14 ft. wide catamaran is powered by two Ray Outboard Electric Motors. This boat is used to carry passengers (about 60) in Austin Texas. Information Thanks to Capital Cruises, Austin Texas,US

The "White Fleet" Launches of Konigsee Bavaria. This fleet has been in continuous operation since 1910 and now numbers 21 vessels. The boats are 61 ft. long, have a capacity for 95 seated passengers and are powered by a 12 HP electric motor. The battery bank consists of 10- 6 cell units of 800 AH capacity each. The boat makes 6 or 7 round trips down the lake each day and charges the battery bank overnight.

The Duffy Voyager. This 62 ft "one of a kinf" ocean going boat has a 34" hull with stabilizing sponsons which bring the total beam to 19 ft. The boat is powered by a 28 HP electric motor (at 72 volts) which drives a 19" three blade prop through a 2.6:1 right angle gear reduction drive. The energy is supplied by 48 130AH batteries. The boat weighs 5,339 lbs with batteries and passengers. The bare hull weight is 836 lbs. The top speed is 25 knots. The range is 100 miles at the cruising speed of 13 knots.Duffy Voyager

Hybrid Power Electric Boats

Charger 40 - A 40 ft boat with electric/solar/diesel power
This 40 foot overall length boat measures 32 feet 6 inches on the waterline, has a beam of 10 foot 6 inches and draws 2 feet 6 inches. The boat weighs 9,000 lbs. and has power options ranging from 19 to 48 hp. The boat is said to do 12 knots for 50 miles on the batteries. With the diesel engine charging the batteries the range extends to 800 miles on one tank of fuel. The boat is also equipted with solar panels. Clearwater Electric Boats - 17 Palmer Lane, Riverside, Ct 06878 Phone (800)398 2016

Narrow Boat with TELCO Hybrid System - 53 foot long
The boat is a 12 Tonne steel hulled narrow boat. This system allows the boat operator to readily switch from the main engine to electric (and the reverse) using the same (pre-existing) shaft and propellor.The electric motor is rated at 4 Kw (about 5 hp) and is supplied by a 36 volt 525 Ah battery pack. The speed was 3-4 mph and the range is expected to be about 6 to 8 hours drawing abouit 70-80 amps at 36 volts. The charging is presently from a shore line, although the batteries could be charged by the Diesel engine alternator. This is from an atricle published on the Web by the EBA of UK.

MOG Canal Boat (prototype) 30 ft Long($160,000)
This houseboat is 11 feet 6 inches wide, draws 24 inches and weighs 11,000 lbs. It's powered by twin inboard 48 volt 5-h.p. field-wound motors turning a pair of 12X11 three blade propellers directly at 1,600 rpm. The power is stored in two banks of eight 200Ah 6 volt batteries. The motor controllers are solid state. The boat is equiped with a 4.5-kW onboard generator and 1.5 kW of photovoltaics.
George McNeir III MOG Canal Boats, P.O.Box 1003, Wrightsville Beach, NC 28480-1003

Diesel Electric 27 ft fiberglass River Cruiser Shown at London Boat Show
(From an HLF Diesel Electric Drive listing). This boat has an 800cc Mitsubisi Motor in an acoustic cocoon driving a 380V 3 phase 12.5 kw alternater. The electric motor on the prop shaft is rated at 7.5 kw

Hybrid Electric Speed Boat
Replica roadsters builds this 14 ft boat and claims it will do 50 mpg. The boat carries 2-4 passengers and has a 6'8" beam employs a jet drive, and uses a joystick for steering. The boat has no batteries (except for starting I assume), but instead relies on the continuous operation of the generator at a constant speed. Consequently, it is reported to use about half the fuel of a conventional gas powered boat. The generator produces about 100 hp at 2000 rpm/ 480 volts and supplies current to AC permanent magnet motors. The selling price is said to be less than $20,000.Replica Roadsters, Torrance, CA

Solar Electric Boats

Solifleur -15 km (about 49 ft) long passenger carrying boat
This may be the first passenger carrying boat which is powered exclussively (more or less) by solar power. The glassbottom boat is fiberglass powered by a 24 volt lynch motor through a saildrive and is used on the Lake of Neuchatel in Switzerland. The 24 volt battery supply is rated at 460 Ah. The boat can achieve speeds of 5.4 kts (or up to 2.7 knots by direct solar power. The 500 watt solar array consists of 8 flexible monocrystalline modules mounted on the canvas canopy cover. The boat produces more energy than it uses which is tapped into a main connection when the boat is at rest and hauled on a "rail slip". This is from an article available on the UK Electric boating association site. The article was originally written by Theodor Schmidt of Steffisburg, Switzerland.

Solar Electric Launch 16 foot (Plans Available)
This boat is 4 ft 6" wide, draws about 20 inches and weighs about 350 lbs. Its powered by a 42 lb thrust Minn-Kota outboard installed in a motor tube. The current is supplied by two 105 Ah 12 volt batteries which are charged by a single 20 watt solar panel installed on the rear deck. The prop is a cut down (and milled out) 6 pitch nylon model airplane propeller of about 9 inches diameter. The speed and range are about 4.9 knots for about 4-5 hours. The solar panel will recharge about 1 1/2 hours of use per week (this has been ample for our usage). Click Here to Send Me Mail

Solar electric conversion of Boston Whaler. This 16 ft boat has two Siemens M-55's along the sides. The charge is stored in 6 volt golf cart batteries. The 12 volt panels are in series to provide 24 volts to the 4 series wired 6 volt batteries. The motors are stock 24 volt 65 lb thrust Minn-Kota submersible motors.

Solar Conversion of a commercially available electric boat: The "Spincraft Explorer". This two seater is 10 ft 2 " long by 4 ft 10" in beam, weighing 235 lbs without the batterry, passenges or solar panel. Its powered by an installed trolling motor with the controlls located between the two passenger seats. It's powered by one or two lead-acid batteries (currently one 12 volt battery). One 33 watt solar panel (with a charge controller) is employed and is said to provide about 40% of the required energy. The maximum speed is said to be 6 mph. The boat is by Spincraft Electric Boats Ltd.,108-2595 Blackwell St., Ottawa, ON Canada K1B 4E4. The Solar Conversion was by Darryl McMahon of ON, Canada

Global Greencat Solar/Electric Powered Catamaran
This boat is expected to circumnavigate starting sometime early in 1997. The boat is built of plywood with epoxy saturation technique and measures 45 ft long, 23 ft. beam, 2ft. 2inch draft. The boat weights 1000 Kg bare and 2500 kg loaded. There will be up to 58 sq. M of solar panels with an outputs of over 6000 watts. There will be 24-28 75 amp/hour gel batteries. There will be two outboard electric motors generating 120 lbs cruising thrust. An additional two motors will be used for back-up and emergency thrust of up to 240 lbs. The cruising speed is expected to be 5-7 knots. Cruising speed in clouds is expected to be 3 to 5 knots. Maximum speed is expected to be about 10 knots. Contact this group at http:www.greencat.co.uk/

Solar Electric Driven Excursion Vessel Project
This is a joint project between the Delft University of Technology Netherlands) and industry to build a large excursion vessel for the Nature Society of Friesland. Presently the site contains a photo artists rendering of the proposed boat and the results of testing to verify the electrical system design. A web serch list of solar electric boats is also provided
The Solar Boat Project Server
The Solar Electric Passenger Boat

Solar Electric Skiff (15 foot) (Plans Available)
This boat is about 4 foot 6 inches wide and weights about 200 lbs. Its powered by a 24 volt 65 lb thrust Minn-Kota outboard installed on either the transom or in an optional motor well. Two 105 Ah 12 volt batteries provide power and are charged by two 20 watt solar panels. Either two charge controllers or two on/off switches are installed between the solar panels and the batteries. The standard Minnkota Propeller is used.Click Here to Send Me Mail

Racing Electric Boats

V-N-Verse II. This University of Michigan, first place winner in the Solar splash sprint competition acheived +30 mph under the rules of this contest. The boat is 11 ft long, 3 ft wide and weights 450 lb including a 150 lb driver. The boat is propelled by two 4 hp motors driving surface piercing propellers. Three 12 volt batteries are used and solar panels are employed during the endurance/solar race. The construction is inverse V. Basically it's a W shaped bottom forming catamaran type hulls.

Incat039 - Competitor in 1996 Advanced Technology Boat Race, Canberra, Australia
This boat is a catamaran of bout 6 X 2 1/2 meters with a solar array of about the same size raised off the deck and capable of pivoting. The boat was powered by swiss made outboards. Incat was able to achieve 3 and 4 knots on solar panel alone in heavy cloud cover. The boat can achieve 8 knots on a sunny day while still charging the batteries somewhat. The top speed demonstrated in this race was reported to be 12 knots (the boat was driven at a low current, consequently, it was capable of higher speeds). The solar panel consisted of 3 X 140 V 3.3A strings totalling 1368 solar cells capable of a maximum solar output of 2.2 kw.

Spirit of Icarus - Won the prize last year for the most innovative entry in the International Advanced technology Boat Race held in Canberra Australlia. This boat is an 8 meter long (about 26 ft) monohull lifeboat powered by a 1.12 KW motor. Ebergy is supplied by Ten 6 volt batteries which are charged by four solar panels on fiberglass wings which can be adjusted to face the sun at optimum angles. The boat has reached speeds up to 6 knots

Hydroplane Racing boats 144 volt. These have 12 automotive type batteries. Draw up to 800 amps and use 36 to 48 volt ratedindustrial DC or aircraft starter motors. They produce up to about 155 hp, and accelerate to about 70 mph in 300 ft. They have a range up to 3 miles per charge.

Hydroplane Racing Boats 48 volts. They use 4 batteries ant motors rated for 12 to 30 volts. They produce about 20 hp.

Table of Technical Electric Power Specifications

The following table should be useful in determining what others have done in the past for a variety of different sizes and types of electric boats. Hopefully this will aid you in your own project.

Battery Weight Chart

This table is provided to aid you in the layout and planning for any electric boat project you should contemplate or take on.

More Solar Electric Boat Web Pages

Solar/Electric Conversion/Consulting

Inexpensively convert any boat to Solar Electric or Electric power. A manual is available for $15 and other consulting services are available. Consulting Information

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