There are several web pages out there about converting gas outboards to electric. You just wouldn’t have a gas-tank or all that noise and pollution!
You would still have the same steering, the same propeller, and other equipment. Add the electric motor, motor controller, batteries and charger. The process is very similar to what you would do converting a motorcycle or other vehicle to electric. If you have an outboard motor with a bad engine, why not replace that engine with an electric motor? He completely charged the boat from solar! I really mean that – it wasn’t “solar-assisted” – the owner had no electric power at his dock or battery charger. Each of those panels recharged one of the two batteries.
The best part is that the boat owner also had a pair of large solar panels on the canopy of the boat. It ran on two flooded marine batteries for a 24-volt system. The one that I saw was on a medium-sized pontoon boat. It’s a dedicated outboard that you simply bolt to the back of your boat. There are several manufacturers, but the one I have some personal experience with is Torqeedo. The boat is quiet, low maintenance, and the perfect place for a martini at sunset!īelieve it or not, you CAN just run out and buy an electric outboard. The electric inboard motor is hidden away under the floor and connects to a prop-shaft, going out the back of the boat to the propeller. I’m not much of a boat guy, but I guess I would call it a “cocktail-cruiser” – just a pleasure boat for going around the lake. Sure enough, the boat was not any kind of a conversion, but rather a commercially-built, mass-marketed DEDICATED electric boat! It’s a Duffy brand 18′. Take a look at Minn Kota – they have an electric outboard called the “E-Drive” that can run at 48 volts.Ī while back, I was talking with a friend about my electric vehicle projects, and they told me of a local guy who had an electric boat! Right away, I wanted to go find and talk with him and take a look at it. A few manufacturers DO make higher voltage, higher power trolling motors. If you need more power you could even put more than one on the back of your boat. If you want an electric boat, what are your options?Įlectric trolling motors are not an ideal option, but are great for low speeds and are turn-key just by going out and purchasing one. Whether that’s in a car, a boat, or a motorcycle, it really doesn’t matter.Ī few things will be a little different – weight capacity, center of gravity, and speed are doing to be different on land vehicles than water vehicles. The truth is that most electric vehicles are more or less the same – batteries, a motor controller, the motor, and a battery charger. 18' Packet II, courtesy of the Duffy Electric Boat Co.ĭo I own an electric boat? Nope, I don’t – but I get enough questions about them that I thought I would put together a little info for you.
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