TECHNICAL: THE ELECTRIC DEBATE

Would you switch to electric propulsion? We asked two sailors who have looked at how the real-world numbers stack up but have reached different conclusions

- IAN THOMSON

‘I AM AN ELECTRIC CONVERT’

Let’s be clear, electric propulsion is nowhere near a 300-mile range at 6 knots on a 38ft yacht, but I think it is viable for a typical 30 footer in the Solent and crossing the Channel occasionally, as long as you don’t motor long distances against full-bore spring tides, and use the sails most of the time. For example, a 60-mile range under power in a flat calm at 4.5 knots looks achievable.

That’s why I have decided to convert my Sadler 29 to electric propulsion. You may need a more traditional approach to cruising, but for me having no noise, no vibration, no smell and no maintenance is worth the compromise.

After a season of real-world testing in our Sadler 29 here’s what we found. We fitted a prototype 10kW pod in August, with 18kWh of lithium batteries where the Bukh DV20 used to be. This gave us the following results:

3.3 knots at 1kW output, 54-mile range

4.5 knots at 2kW, 40-mile range

5-5.5 knots at 3kW, 30-mile range

Additionally, the power generated under sail often puts nearly as much charge in on passage as we’ve used coming in or out of harbour. On a sail of more than a couple of hours, we might even make a net gain in battery charge.

Cost aside, it would be possible to add another 50% in battery capacity and still come in just under the weight of the Bukh and diesel tank removed, and double that again if you took out all the 12V batteries. This would make 80-100 miles on battery alone achievable, although I didn’t feel the need for that much capacity.