Safety and ease-of-installation are two key features of our system, power efficiency and system performance are two other key features.
Our motor fits into sailboats in the exact same way and same space as the original diesel engine occupied. It gets mounted to the same motor mounts, and couples to the propeller shaft in the same way as the original diesel. This simplifies the installation and will be familiar to anyone accustomed to working with boat motors.
Our system has been designed specifically to provide a straightforward path for migrating sailboats that were originally equipped with a diesel engine between 20 to 30 HP, to go electric. All Newport systems use 51 volt LFP batytery pack.
We use an AC induction motor to maximize energy efficency. Our motor incorporates a specialized gearbox engineered to provide safe and reliable torque conversion between the motor and propeller. This allows the electric motor to run at optimal speeds while keeping the propeller in the RPM range best suited for pushing the boat.
Why sail with clean energy?
Frist, larger sailboats need propellers to produce controlled thrust and move about easily. When docking, manuvering around other obsticals in marinas and harbors, and many other times when the boat needs accurate control and setting the sails isn't convienent.
Today, most larger sailboats use a diesel-powered engine to achieve this thrust, and historically, diesel or gasoline has been the only practical solution.
However, it is very practical for a sailboat to use electric propulsion these days, for manuevering, as well as for longer term propulsion, such as when the wind is low.
Electricity is much more cost effective, but the real savings is on the marine environment. Diesel and gasoline powered boats add pollution in a delicate marine environment.
This is especially true for older boats. The situation can be easily seen when looking at an older boat's dirty and oily bilge, or at its engine exhaust bubbling up at the stern of the boat.
Electric motors don't pollute, they don't smell, they run more quietly, and they provide instantaneous thrust because it is controlled electrically, which is ideal when docking.
Older sailboats now have a clear and practical path to convert from diesel to electric propulsion.
Unlike power yachts, sailboats are not dependent on their propeller for long-haul propulsion, they use thier sails for that. And when the wind is light or not around at all, electric propulsion will keep your sailboat moving.
Electric power is extreemly effective and cost effective for getting in and out of harbors and marinas, maneuvering about obstacles, and positioning the boat as needed, with or without wind.
Like every other resource on a sailboat, your battery level needs to be monitored and managed as part of the sailing journey. Weekend trips, coastal cruising, and day sailing near marinas allows for eco-friendly sailing while producing zero emissions with clean and quiet propulsion.
We offer an Electric Vessel Monitoring System that adds to the fun of sailing electric. Among other things, the system will let you review past jorneys looking at things like battery charge levels, speeds traved, and energy used along the way. For example, here are a few plots for a sailing trip taken in April 2022, from Newport Beach, CA to Long Beach CA.
A direct drop-in replacement for diesel engines.
The pictures to the right show a model overlay of a 20 HP diesel engine and our 34 HP electric motor. The 34 HP electric motor fits entirely within the envelope of a 20 HP (and also the 30 HP) diesel motor.
This provides a clear illustration of why you can be confident that when you remove your diesel engine, the electric motor will fit, without obstruction.
Every installation is a little different, such as sometimes the shaft length or a motor mount needs to be adjusted slightly. Our motor assembly has been carefully designed to accommodate these kinds of adjustments.
Contact us today, and let's discuss your particular conversion.
The gearbox delivers torque instantly, reliably, and helps make the system maintenance free.
Our gearbox has been engineered to enable the electric motor to run in its optimal RPM range while delivering instant torque at the correct RPMs for the propeller. This enables a robust, powerful system design, and greatly simplifies installation.
There are very few moving parts in our system. Of the few parts that move, our gearbox has been engineered for the task, using high strength steel gears and high-performance bearings, it provides hassle-free, safe, and reliable torque conversion between the motor to the propeller.
Contact Us!
We're here to help sailors and the industry go electric, and would love to help with your project!