Electric Motors for Boats
Transitioning a 45-Foot Catamaran Sailboat into a Solar-Powered Electric Vessel
Introduction: The appeal of the open sea, combined with the sustainable promise of renewable energy, makes the prospect of solar-powered electric boats an exciting idea. This paper explores the feasibility and considerations of re-powering a 45-foot catamaran sailboat into an entirely solar-powered electric vessel. This project involves a relatively comprehensive transformation of a typical mid-sized…
Read MoreHarnessing the Power of the Sun to Drive a Sustainable Future in Marine Recreation
At Newport Electric Boats, we believe the journey towards a sustainable marine environment is like navigating the open seas: it requires vision, determination, and an understanding of the elements. As we sail into our third year of operation, we’re proud of our flagship product, the Newport-25, a 25 kW electric motor. Designed to match the…
Read MoreThe Advantages of Choosing 48V DC Systems for Electric Yachts
Introduction: As the global focus turns to cleaner, greener energy sources, converting yachts from internal combustion engines (ICE) to electric propulsion has become increasingly popular. Among the voltage options available, 48V DC systems offer numerous advantages, including safety, availability, and cost-effectiveness. In this article, we will explore the benefits of opting for a 48V DC…
Read MoreThe 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 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 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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