Lovely read.
Total co-incidence, but 30mins ago I watched a Fully Charged vid about e-bikes, and some 'crazee' versions. The guy behind the creations, and the company that sells e-bike conversion kits, has also powered a small sailboat. And here's where the crossover comes in .....
..... he states that the 300lb diesel motor has been replaced by the 4kg e-bike motor. He explains that the 500W motor, makes that power at cycle wheel speeds, but when spun faster for a propeller, it can reach 5,000W and move the boat at 6 knots.
Does that sound right?
The sailboat is smaller, but 6 knots is pretty quick, so something a bit bigger, but moving the boat a bit slower would work, I think?
At that point, I guess it becomes a matter of comparing engine cost, maintenance and fuel, against a leccy motor and battery bank, plus leccy cost, and the ability to plug-in. But the emissions from the idling diesel do sound horrible, so many gains would be possible, perhaps?
The Weirdest Electric Vehicles You Would NEVER Have Thought Of!
Good vid. Boat bit starts at 9mins, with the 5kW comment at 10min explaining the conversion uses exactly the same motor as the e-bike kit.
