T-Pain Is On A Boat: Re: [Electric Boats] Re: Re-Powering a Catalina 27

Thursday, August 20, 2009

Re: [Electric Boats] Re: Re-Powering a Catalina 27

Thanks Keith,
All good information. I guess what I'm hearing from most replies is to think
Electric outboard. I was looking at Minn Kota Riptide 55 on line yesterday. I'll check out Torqueedo today.
Gary

--- On Tue, 8/18/09, aweekdaysailor <aweekdaysailor@yahoo.com> wrote:

From: aweekdaysailor <aweekdaysailor@yahoo.com>
Subject: [Electric Boats] Re: Re-Powering a Catalina 27
To: electricboats@yahoogroups.com
Date: Tuesday, August 18, 2009, 6:19 PM

Hi Gary,

There are several companies, some who monitor this list, who provide drop-in replacements for Atomics. Pricing varies from ~ $2500-$4500 excluding batteries. You can DIY with a kit for about $1500 but the mounting brackets, etc can be tricky.

For batteries, you should figure on about 2KW (about 2.75HP) high-average draw - so 2 hours of runtime requires 4KWR of battery life...which at 50% depth of discharge is 8KWH. That's about 8 batteries (110AH, 12V). Since you race, you'll probably want maximum flexibility in where you place the batteries. That would suggest you go with AGM or Gel - most of which can be oriented in any direction. Systems range from 24-36-48V - and will also factor into battery decisions. Higher voltage runs at fewer amps, reducing heat-stress issues and allowing slightly smaller cables.

You might consider fewer batteries and going with a genset like the Honda EU2000 (used/stored only on deck. This would give you extended range, reduced weight, but at slightly higher cost. Not sure how compatible that is with racing though.

An electric outboard like the Torqeedo is hard to beat on price. Lightest weight would be with lithium batteries, but that's still a little bleeding edge.

-Keith

--- In electricboats@ yahoogroups. com, Gary Smith <smithsailor@ ...> wrote:

>

> My boys and I have re-furbished a 1974 Catalina 27 for local PHRF racing in Melbourne FL.

> The old Atomic 4 went overboard fast. Now we are thinking Electric. We can go O/B or I/B. We left the shaft in the boat and have a O/B bracket, but are leaning toward an inboard set-up. We don't use our gas 5.0 hp O/B much at all.

> We race a lot so we need to keep her as light as we can. I figure we saved about 400 lbs by going to an outboard. We can get away with run times of an hour or two tops. I am a newcomer to electric so please keep it simple ( and Cheap!) Suggestions?

> Gary Smith

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