The Power to Push a Sailboat
How much power should you expect to use to push your sailboat? The equation used to calculate the power needed to push a boat through water is called the resistance equation, which is given by: P = 1/2 * rho * v^2 * A * C_D where: P is the power required in watts rho…
Read MoreAdvantages of Electric Propulsion for Sailboats
What are of the main advantages of electric motors in sailboats? Electric motors in sailboats offer several advantages, including: 1. improved efficiency 2. silent operation 3. ease of use 4. low maintenance 5. improved maneuverability 6. reduced emissions Electric motors are more efficient than traditional fuel-powered engines, as they convert more of the energy stored…
Read MoreConsidering Tesla’s 4680 Gen-2 Cell in a Low-Voltage Battery Pack for Sailboats
Figure 1 – TESLA 4680 and CAM72 Cell Arrangements in a “48V” Pack After Tesla’s internal needs are being met for its new 4680 battery cells, they will begin offering these cells to other OEMs, who will develop new battery packs and incorporate them into their own products. This is interesting to me since my…
Read MoreLithium LiFePO4 vs Lead-Acid Battery Packs, for Propulsion of Electric Sailboats
The question comes up sometimes, when people are considering various battery options for electric propulsion on their sailboat. There is a ton on quality information out there about the pros and cons of Lithium batteries vs their heavier and more expensive predecessor, Lead-Acid batteries. However, much less is said about the topic when considering batteries…
Read MoreBattery Size and Range Calculations for 33′ Electric Sailboat
One common question I hear when talking about repowering sailboats to electric, is “what kind of range can I expect using just the motor, for moving around without using the sails?” The answer to this question is probably most easily understood by just walking through an example from our very typical 33’ sailboat we use…
Read MoreCatalina Island for Three Days and Two Nights with New Starlink Receiver on our 33′ Electric Sailboat
We recently added Solar Panels to the NEB Hunter 33 Showboat and Test Vessel, along with a Starlink internet receiver, and a new set of SLA house batteries. WOW, now we’re Sailing Electric in style! After making these upgrades, we took the boat out for a three day, two night trip to Avalon, the largest…
Read MoreSpeed, Range and Power Relationships for Electric Sailing…
In a recent discussion with someone considering an electric drive system for his sailboat, I was explaining some of the relationships between speed, power, and range. The amount of power needed to push the boat at a given speed has a cubic, or third order, relationship (at the speeds we’re talking about for sailing). I’ll…
Read MoreOur Modular Battery Packs Enable a Scalable Electric Propulsion System
We know that electric propulsion systems on sailboats eliminates fossil fuel emissions, and reduces noise pollution (both above and below the water). We also know that an electric propulsion system can cost a little more up front, but over the life of the system there are major savings to be had. Let’s consider the battery…
Read MoreNEB-25 Motor Alignment in the Sailboat
Another nice feature of the motor frame on the NEB-25 Inboard Electric Motor, is its ability to be precisely positioned and adjusted to the alignment of the propeller shaft, during the motor alignment stage of its installation. This alignment feature was added to the motor frame in the Q2-2022 version of the motor. The mechanics…
Read MoreContinuous Improvements – Wiring
Over the course of developing our electric sailboat propulsion system, numerous design changes and improvements have been developed, tested, and incorporated into the baseline design. Looking back, we’ve gone though some significant updates of the motor frame, the gear box, the battery pack, and the cockpit computer. Lots of software updates for the cockpit computer!…
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