Welcome to the group Penelope.
I agree with you about diesels. I recently ripped the old Westerbeke out of my 35' Pearson, and replaced it with an ElectricYacht 130ib and 8- 220 AH, 6 V batteries in series for a 48V system.
It's a joy to rip out the diesel along with the smelly fuel tank, the exhaust pipe, water lift muffler, fuel filters, raw water strainer et. al. and replace it with a much simpler, smaller system that requires almost no maintenance.
The stern sits higher in the water with the change. With this system, I get about 5 kt at full power, which would last an hour or so before the batteries go flat. At 3 kt , the engine pulls about 20 A, which would last over 7 hours.
You could go with a similar sized motor and smaller batteries- say 4, 12V Group 31s. This would still give you plenty for docking manuevers. There are several motor systems on the market that can work for you. Also a number of others on this list have put their own systems together using a Mars or similar motor, a motor controller, a home brew mechanical drive assembly, and related parts. The ready made systems will cost a little more but will save you a lot of time, and they have already worked out a lot of the design issues for you.
Regards,
Bob
From: Penelope L. McFadin <timechick@gmail.com>
To: electricboats@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Mon, April 26, 2010 9:30:01 AM
Subject: [Electric Boats] Hello! Looking for good advice about converting a large sailboat from diesel to electric
Hello! I found your list last night. I have a 37 foot '79 Hunter
Cherobini Sailboat that I want to take the old nasty diesel engine out
and replace it with a clean electric motor. Has anyone done this for a
sailboat this large? Just how much power would I need and how much
battery will that require?
I just want to be able to maneuver in and out of the dock for the most
part without freaking out the harbormaster. He is under the impression
that you can't have a boat without an engine. Else I'd just rip the
thing out and use the compartment for a sail loft. lol I mean, we've
been sailing boats for 3000 years without engines, but dang if people
don't freak out when you talk about going engineless. Gawd I hate diesels.
Any good advice out there?
--
Penelope L. McFadin
lux libertas et caritas
http://chaosbutterfly.com/
http://www.cafepress.com/chaosbutterfly
29N32'32.45" 95W2'12.58"
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