"GREENER" boating?

[POINTER94]

Not sure of the technology, but this seems to be moving in the right direction for everyone.

http://www.solomontechnologies.com/index2.html

 

[Boomyal]

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What aspect of that link should we be perusing Pointer. I did not want to take on a new career in technologie!

 

[POINTER94]

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Sorry Boomer,

Click on electric wheel description. Down near the bottom.d

 

[ZmOz]

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Electricity will never be a useful form of propulsion for a boat...unless it's coming directly out of a diesel generator. The number of batteries required to move a boat any useful distance at reasonable speeds would also sink the boat. You need about 100-400lbs of batteries to replace just 1 gallon of gas.

 

[POINTER94]

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http://www.duffyboats.com/

 

[ZmOz]

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http://www.duffyboats.com/

Yeah, check out the speed, range, and charge time and compare it to a normal ski boat. I spent about 10 hours in one of those things off newport beach and I won't be replacing my outboard anytime soon.

 

[POINTER94]

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Z,

No arguement there. I like my I/O and 45mph top end. But there are significant advantages to an electric motor over a diesel or gas engine. Maintaince is almost nothing, torque curve is almost flat so you can attain almost max hp at any rpm. Battery technology is the weak link, but you can recharge with solar or wind (sailboats) power.

The torque requirements require significant amp draw but it would make for an interesting graduate study project. If we could actually create a photocell and a battery not out of the stone age, the future may actually lie in elelctric. Some of the electric cars are starting to meet the performance (0-60mph times) of gas powered cars. We will have to wait and see.

 

[ZmOz]

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Battery technology is the weak link, but you can recharge with solar or wind (sailboats) power.

That's the problem. I agree electric motors are better than engines from a mechanical point of view, but before you can power one in a boat they will need to invent a new source of electricity storage. Maybe fuel cells will work, but it will be a long long time before any normal person can buy one. Solar and wind are like a trickle charger...it takes days of charging for a mile or two of range. Those duffy boats are basically the same as any fishing boat with a big trolling motor.

Electric cars are almost kinda practical...I have been looking for a good deal on a motor thinking about converting my old jeep to electric. It's mostly just for fun though, because gas is still cheaper than batteries. Keep in mind cars get 30+mpg, while boats get 3mpg, so power isn't nearly as big of a concern, but it's still a huge problem.

 

[waterinthefuel]

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Pointer, your point (no pun intended) about the flat torque curve is true of any electric motor, well almost any. RC cars have the same torque curve, thus at low rpm they can climb walls if they want to! LOL

Electrics are amazing. Thats why I love trolling motors. But I also love that 28mph top speed I can get out of that tiny 28hp engine back there!

Keep electrics up front, where they belong.