All Electric C Dory?

T

thataway

Active member
http://www.powerboat-world.com/usa/Deep-Blue-Electric-Outboard-by-Torqeedo-wins-DAME-Award/103756

Not a lot of information, yet. Torqeedo has produced an 80 hp electric outboard (some mention of a 440 volt lithium ion battery).

But here is the possibility of powering a boat like a C Dory with an electric outboard. The boat shown in the video (linked above) appears to be very flat bottomed (Like a C Dory), and probably very light weight.

Interesting concept--and huge leap forward in propulsion systems, with many implications...
 
Interested in the usual, range and cost.... I like this direction. Someday I plan to be powering a medium sized trawler with solar power (not solely) for short distances between anchorages at a modest pace in peace and quiet.
 
Several vessels have already done long cruises under solar power alone. The electric boats have been around a long time (ELCO since 1893). It is the large outboard, with battery which is the break thru. I suspect that range is going to be very limited at first. Recharge will probably be mains power to start with, but solar will probably come.
 
Some quick calculations I did for constant solar power charging for Torqeedo's 8HP resulted in an aircraft carrier-like array of panels on a C-Dory. Still, this is very cool news. I'm pretty sure that a dedicated generator with sufficient output for an 80HP would hold a C-Dory securely to the bottom...
 
Don't get me wrong, I'm all for electrifying things that can be, but that is a pretty unusual looking and possibly purpose built boat...light light light, with only one person on board. The key will be whether or not I can run 100 miles up lake powell and back on a charge pushing 4000 lbs at 8 mph. Same with electric cars. When I can run 300 to 400 mile between charges at interstate speed and then charge up in half to an hour for the next 300 to 400, I'm going to spend the money. I think that may well happen someday, but I don't expect it in what is the rest of my limited lifetime. More power to them. Sailboat auxiliaries should be the biggest customer I would think.
 
Captains Cat":37d31um0 said:
Ah yes Bob, indeed! But would we need twins? Here we go again!

Very interesting!

Charlie
Click to expand...

I fell out of my chair Laughing Charlie when I read this. :wink:

As the world trend towards this there will be more effort to end the use of oil-based propulsion. Maybe a good thing BUT, I have twins :lol: sooooooo..

Mike
 
Agree that we are a long ways off from powering a C Dory with an 80 hp electric--but it is a start with OB power. The 4.0R (supposed to be equivalent thrust to a 8 to 9 hp ob, but is really only about 4 hp....consumes 83 amps at 48 volts full power. It will only go 7 miles on a full charge pushing a C Dory at 5 knots....8 knots would require more hP that the 4R Torqeedo. There are videos of the 4 R pushing light runabouts at semi planing speeds.

I wonder if this 80 hp outboard is really 80 hp--or as they do with the 4--a 40 hp motor which has the "thrust equivalent" of an 80 hp motor.

There is another fork in this road:
"Larry Smith of Team Scarab has been aboard the electric boat bandwagon for over a decade. “I’m convinced that this is the next significant trend in recreational boating,” comments Smith, a former offshore racing champion. “My approach is a little different. I see an exciting opportunity for smaller [under 20’] family-styled sportboats that are affordable, have a range of at least 50 miles and will plane at speeds in excess of 30 mph. I’ve been working closely with Torqeedo to achieve those goals and I believe it’s well within the realm of possibility to make that happen with a 48 volt Torqeedo outboard using only 8 batteries. If we’re successful in developing a complete package in the $30,000 price range, electric boating will be on its way.” I suspect that this 80 hp is born of this Scarab project--and if so may be a realistic goal.....
 
High horsepower electric outboard motors will only be practical when appreciably significant advancements in battery technologies have been achieved with respect to capacity, weight and overall cost. We clearly have a long way to go.
 
OK, I'm all in on this one too. Twins for sure. (Thanks Charlie, for the invite :lol: :lol:
Twins. For sure but which for which side. Wind and Solar

:roll: :roll: :roll: :roll: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock:

Harvey
SleepyC:moon
 
Oh boy -- another twins vs. single debate! Twin configurations are not neccessary, but a secondary power source is vital -- one that does not have to deal with gas-related issues. In fact, now that the President has won the election, we are thinking about doing our part to go green. Perhaps we should remove our kicker, and use a single oar -- for sculling -- to serve as our back-up power source? And just think how many petrochemicals go into the manufacture of C-Dorys and Marinauts -- the hulls could be made of bamboo!

:lol: :lol:
 
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