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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