Inboard Electric Engine

[Derik_G]

I now have my second Catalina 22 and on my first I used a 40lb thrust trolling motor to power around the harbor. Before you all judge this as under powered it actually worked very well even in rough conditions. I'm thinking of taking a trolling motor and converting it to a "pod" motor eliminating the outboard bracket and obtaining the inboard look. I found this picture of someone else's take on this and would like any info on this subject.

 

[jimmcgee]

I think it's a cool idea, with one reservation.

When I posted about people's experience with a 30lb Minnkota for my dinghy the consensus seemed to be that the motors last three to four years (fresh water motor used on a dinghy in salt water).

I'd work out the mounting with some provision to change out the motor easily if it fails.

 

[Derik_G]

I was also considering using an engine mounted trolling motor. The benefit would be a much smaller hole in the hull and easier to replace if the motor fails

 

[boblufkin]

I like the idea as long as it could generate 4-6 hp for an hour or two. I put a bow thruster on my last boat but that could not be used for more than a couple of minutes at a time. Took 250 amps to run. Trolling motors must be different.

 

[CaptDon01]

Seen some interesting electric conversions at the Long Beach Boat Show with direct replacements for C-27's and C-30's. They even had a hybrid system. Pretty interesting, but costly, and still more limitations than I would want. I like the pod-design using the trolling motor. Just like a little electric sail drive.

Don

 

[Derik_G]

When I used a 40lb on my last Catalina 22 I carried 2 pretty large deep cycle marines on board always had plenty of juice. I would compare the performance of that to a 2-4 hp gas motor. this time I think I'm going with a more powerful motor maybe 80lb. I really like the idea of no gas or oil, very little maintenance, and the best thing ever is a solar panel keeping those batteries charged

 

[Kestle]

I have a MacGregor 25, and have some designs around. Here's some of my notes:

1) folding prop is a must. I can't find one that fits trolling motors.

2) frame must be fiberglass, with two bolts to hold at centerline, and much hull reinforcement.

3) proper placement of some direct solar would make this quiet and interesting for low wind days.

4) likely eliminates beaching the boat

5) access to the thru hull areas is very important, in case of it shearing off or a hull crack

6) spoke with repair guys, they said salt water versions are a must.

7) looked at lower section of an outboard, but gearing of motor made it a headache.

I keep coming back to a flip up stern mount.

Jeff

 

[jimmcgee]

Derik,
Can you post a link to the site where you found this?

Thanks,
Jim

 

[capdabney]

???

Not to bust on you, so if this seems offensive, it's not meant that way....

I can see where you would be the talk of the club with a thing such as that....

The electric motor thing is a great concept, but the cost of batteries, power demands when cruising will certainly play into the picture.....the best would be that one time when everything is going to hell in a handbasket and there you are with a trolling motor to get you and yours to a safe harbor.

If it's the maintenance thing of keeping up a proper outboard that uses gas, or it's storage of the gas that's a issue, then I say consider this motor... http://golehr.com/....Yea I know...IT"S PROPANE!!! It''ll blow up!...well so does hydrogen gas and that is what's generated by charging a battery

You aren't going to save any weight with a electric trolling motor, you aren't going to have high torque, ( needed if you have to come in a bit hot due to weather for example ), and the maintenance issues and cost over a couple of years will wash I would bet .

 

[Minnesail]

I think it'd be pretty cool! I wonder how much drag it would add though.

As far as safety goes I think it depends where and how you're sailing. I have a 74-pound thrust trolling motor and it moves my C-22 at 3.8 mph on a calm day and although I haven't I think I could run it for a couple hours on two Group 27 batteries.

However.... I did almost get in trouble with it the other day. The winds were about 20 mph with gusts over 30 mph and I was towing a rowing tender. I came around the L-shaped dock and I didn't have enough oomph to complete the turn, one of those 30 mph gusts was hitting and blowing my bow off. Luckily for me someone was walking the dock and she grabbed the bow pulpit what gave me enough time to run forward and jump onto the dock, otherwise I think I would have blown onto the boat ramp.

It was an unusual situation, most C-22 sailors aren't going to be out in 30 mph winds towing a 15' row boat, but still, I would have liked a little more power.

 

[allen-deckard]

If the trolling motor is good enough for your use I wouldn't argue with that. I think a lot of things are headed that way. Not for me but I wouldn't say good or bad one way or the other for someone else.

However the threw hull part I don't get. Why make a possible future leak point? Why not just use the trolling motor in the way it was designed and built? Anyway that's my 2 cents.

 

[Derik_G]

well the idea is to eliminate the motor bracket, outboard engines are ugly! and probably put a swim ladder in its place. Just searching for someone who has done anything similar. I use my boat as a true trailer sailor it doesn't stay in the water for long periods and I'm not racing so drag isn't an issue for me

 

[allen-deckard]

are you putting 2 swim ladders in? I have an outboard and a swim ladder on the opposite side

 

[CCrane2299]

It would be cool to mount it on the rudder with a sliding pole arrangement, then the rudder would be the only steering input you would have or need. Turn it sideways and pull it up, let it down and have it inline and under the rudder.

 

[Derik_G]

What about something like this?

I can glass a good size backing block in the bilge and screw it to the bottom and only have a small hole for the wire to pass through.

This is a 160lb thrust saltwater motor, 4 times that of what I already know works good enough. I like that the throttle is a small dial instead of a tiller I was having concerns of where to keep and 'hide' such things.

 

[jepomer]

I have been using electric motors to power my boats for six years. A Minn Kota Endura 50 works very well for my O'Day 19, but did not work well with my Capri 22 when there was any appreciable wind (it was fine for calmer days and motoring around the mooring field).

For the past four seasons I have used a Torqeedo Cruise 2.0 with four GC2 batteries for 24 volts, 210 amp-hours. 115 watt solar panel recharges the batteries while on a mooring. I sail more than motor, but can go to hull speed for at least an hour or "cruise" at 2-3 knots for 16 hours. (Usually it is some combination of these.)

The limitations of using a trolling motor are:
• sealing the housing for constant emersion especially in salt water
• propeller pitch is 4 inches, top speed is 2-3 knots

Keep it simple and use the outboard mount for the trolling motor. The pod design will fail on you sooner than you would like. Replacing it is inconvenient unless you trailer sail.

As "ugly" as an outboard on a bracket may look, function is much more important.

 

[Derik_G]

Thanks John, I do trailer sail, mostly on lakes and the boat stays on its trailer most of the time

 

[CCrane2299]

If drag isn't an issue, mount it on the bottom of the rudder! Talk about easy to steer a low speeds.

 

[Derik_G]

Crane do you have any pictures of how an arrangement on the rudder should be? I like the idea I just don't know how to engineer it. I have a kick up rudder so I wouldn't be able to keep the rigid pole of the motor

 

[CCrane2299]

Nope, just an idea at this point. Might have a problem in reverse...?