Docking is a totally different situation.
I dock in northwest Ohio at a cost of about $2k a year(everything, summer & winter). This means that the initial cost of solar panels
can, instead be used for batteries and a charger. Enough such that the solar panel would be virtually useless since I never sail more than a day or so away before returning.
In fact the number one problem in the marina is the fact that so much fuel is left in tanks(other boats) at the end of the year. Of about 30-40 sailboaters, I only know of a couple who actually have ever used up their initial springtime fill-up.
Every one of these boats would be good candidates for electric. BUT, the minute you mention electric and batteries, the first thing that comes up is that the batteries are most certainly going to let them stranded in the middle of Lake Erie in danger of some calamity.
They forget, that in years of sailing, they've never once came close to emptying out their fuel tanks and that they always end up at the dock at the end of the day.
No one wants change and will conjure all sorts of unreal situations that makes something "different" unreliable and un-usable.
Fact is, probably 90%+ of EVERYONE we know that owns a sailboat could go to electric, never even change how they do things, get to enjoy a quieter motoring and much better slow-speed control(like for docking).
For about 90%(just anumber off my head), Electric would be much, much better than the IC engines we now have, and . . . repeat after . . . me NO, NADDA, ZIPPO, ZERO, ZILTCH adverse effect on all our years of what is "normal" sailing.
The solar panels and wind-generators can come later . . . if needed . . . ever.
John Francis
Pearson 26
Port Clinton, Ohio
On Tue, Apr 20, 2010 at 8:58 AM, Jason Taylor <jt.yahoo@jtaylor.ca > wrote:
Hi Joe,
You are in the "sweet spot" for going electric. Your boat is big enough
to hold the required batteries and small enough to be easily propelled
by any of the off-the-shelf systems available.
A Torqueedo Cruise4 in the motor well and 4 group31 batteries should
meet your day-sail needs.
But if you are sailing off a mooring, consider keeping a portable gas
generator on board as cheap insurance -- you will get more watts per
dollar spent on a Honda 2000i than you will from a beach-towel sized
array of solar panels. The portable generators are readily available
and easy to sell if you decide to use the solar and wind generation
possibilities down the road. So your total financial exposure for the
gas generator is really quite small.
Actually, I quite envy your position. In my case, I am waiting for the
1 cylinder 8hp diesel in my 1978 Beneteau to give out before I convert.
In the mean time, I am replacing the house wiring, electrical panel,
etc. You have no such distractions and are able to start fresh. The
only thing "old" about your boat is the hull and Bristols are known to
be quite well built. I look forward to reading about your progress here.
Cheers,
/Jason
------------
Joe Molare wrote:
> I have been sailing for many years and have been watching the development of
> electric powered boats with interest. It was easy to see on-board electric
> requirements increasing due to the additional electronic tools as well as
> hard-to-resist creature comforts. Through all this the smelly beast remained
> aloof and uninterested beyond grudgingly topping off the batteries when it
> was convenient.
>
> I recently purchased a 1966 Bristol 27. The boat essentially has nothing, no
> engine and no functioning electric circuits. Over the next few months and
> years I expect to add some form of auxiliary power, electronics and maybe a
> lamp or two. The standard configuration recommends a battery operated
> propulsion motor, a battery array and a source of electricity such as
> generator, wind or solar.
>
> The restoration will be an evolution with budget constraints. The boat is
> designed for an outboard mounted in a well under the stern counter and I
> expect to stay with an outboard in the 3 hp range with batteries to support
> a 2 hour run for port. I sail in the Chesapeake so distances are relatively
> short. The batteries will start out with a solar source for recharging. If
> that is not sufficient, then I will consider a small generator or shorter
> distance requirement.
>
> I will post progress and look forward to advice and comments from the group.
>
>
> Joe
>
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