Electric boating, what you need to know

‍ELECTRICBOATING. WHEN ARE YOU SWITCHING?

It is no secret that we are approaching, or perhaps already past, a moment in history when most buyers are considering buying an electric car. The awkward "early adopter phase" in the automotive industry is already over, doubters have become rarer, and every automaker has at least one or more EV options. The (mass) switchover is taking place, prices are falling and infrastructure and legislature(s) are rushing -particularly in Belgium- to catch up.

The above has led many people to wonder why sailing boats are not -or at least rarely- offered in an electric version. After all, sailing has never had anything to do with engines, or the number of horsepower or the torque a motor develops, right? Let alone that consumption or co² emissions were relevant, right? Extraordinary, because after all, sailing is all about the connection with nature, the serenity of the sea and the challenge of getting from A to B under sail. So why not just get rid of the "dirty and loud" diesel engine and trade it in for a "clean and quiet" electric version. That way we can sail silently into the marina, or lock, right...?

Well, it turns out, however, that this conversion, like all good things in life, is not so simple... Switching to electric propulsion can be done, however, if approached in the right way, and that is precisely why Elan and Oceanvolt have partnered.

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EARLY ADOPTER PHASE

Unlike the automotive industry, electrically powered yachts are still in their early stages and therefore choosing experienced manufacturers is crucial. Elan Yachts has already completed several successful projects with Oceanvolt in the past and was therefore among the few pioneering boat builders to already take up the challenge with electric propulsion. The cooperation with Oceanvolt has continued to develop after all these years and has entered a new phase since last year. In view of market developments and demand, Elan Yachts has decided to work exclusively with Oceanvolt and offer the entire range of its yachts with optional electric Oceanvolt propulsion as well.

But what does the "early adopter phase" mean for the customer now? Well, mainly that the technology is available. One disadvantage of electric propulsion at present is still the price. For a well-developed, high-quality and reliable system, you can expect to pay 20-30% more than for a comparable diesel-powered yacht. Since the batteries account for a large portion of this cost, don't expect this to change tomorrow. Because of electrification in the automotive industry, the demand for lithium-ion batteries has only increased and alternatives are being sought diligently. For example, everyone is eagerly awaiting a breakthrough in the solid state battery. Or what about the battery on -spot cheap- sea salt currently being used in China by BYD? In short, we are only on the eve of the electric revolution in yacht building and changes that come with it and the price drop that will (hopefully) follow.

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FOR THE HARDCORE SAILOR THEN?

So let's assume for a moment that price is not a challenge and you want to be one of the first to switch to a zero-emission sailing yacht -sailing with no noise, no exhaust, no smell and no environmental restrictions. In short, sailing without the use of fossil fuels. In fact, "throwing fossil fuels overboard" has numerous advantages: instantly available power in emergency situations, no RPM control, no waiting times for starting and also low maintenance costs. Moreover, you can harness the wind and the sun to charge your batteries,... in short, use the synergy between the elements to power your yacht. But then, what are the disadvantages? However, one of the disadvantages, compared to a conventional drive system, is the cruising range. A high-quality electric propulsion system, such as Oceanvolt's, delivers a range of 25 to 70 miles at 5 knots cruising speed (or more, depending on the battery pack chosen, outside temperature, seaway, etc.). All in all, more than enough to get you in and out of marinas and locks, with plenty of reserve for any emergencies. For the rest of the time you sail and under those conditions Oceanvolt's hydroregeneration kicks in and generates power to recharge the battery pack. What many do not know is that such hydroregeneration creates hardly any resistance while sailing, one speaks of only 0.1 knots at a boat speed of 7.0 knots, in short hardly noticeable. If you can sail even faster, the energy generation increases exponentially (see GRAPHIC 1).

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LIFE ON BOARD

So why is the choice of an electric drive so different from a car? A sailing yacht is an independent element, influenced by a greater number of factors, and at sea, unlike a car on the road, it must provide the owner and those on board with much more than just propulsion. It is therefore necessary to consider as many factors as possible before choosing an electric drive. Since you will spend most of your time sailing, you need a yacht that performs well and is easy to handle. A good, reliable sail plan and rigging will give you enough options to replace the practicality of a diesel engine. Elan's VAIL technology keeps weight down, the short-handed design philosophy and comfort-oriented design keep you comfortable even when sailing for long periods of time, and the high-performance electronics are designed to keep consumption down. All of these elements become even more crucial as you have to consider cooking, cooling, water and cabin heating and entertainment, as well as the availability of ports with the right electrical infrastructure.

Of course, there are fossil fuel solutions to counter these challenges, which is why Elan also offers a hybrid option with a 48V DC generator. Purists, however, will want to sail fully electric and for them, more renewable energy generators, such as photovoltaics or a wind or hydro generator will offer an additional alternative.

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POWER

How powerful are electric motors on sailboats? Oceanvolt offers two different drive systems. The Finland-based company has developed a 6, 8, 10 and 15kW SD saildrive, as well as a special 10 and 15kW ServoProp with even better regeneration characteristics, this thanks to software-controlled propeller blades. Depending on the yacht, the entry-level model allows a cruising speed of 5 knots and a top speed of 7 knots on the 35-foot Elan E4, for example. Keep in mind that power consumption and speed are inversely proportional to power generation - the faster you go, the more power you consume exponentially (see GRAPHIC 2).

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The great thing is that the motor and saildrive weigh only 42.5 kg, which offsets some of the battery weight. Moreover, all engines are liquid-cooled in a closed circuit, so there is no more sputtering exhaust.

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ARE YOU GOING ELECTRIC?

Contact Pluym Yachting and request the configuration of your ideal electric powered sailboat. Elan is the only yacht manufacturer offering complete electric propulsion solution for all its yachts. Contact us and work with us to set up an energy balance for your needs in your new Elan, taking into account your sailing profile, sailing environment, living habits on board and all other possible criteria, to create the optimal setup in your yacht.

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