Re: [Electric Boats] Columbia 29 sailboat

Hi Michael,

 

I'm not an expert either, but I'm about to do the same thing with a 80 something Evinrude.  Replace the power head with an electric motor.  There is a really good book I'm reading right now http://www.amazon.com/Electric-Boats-Handbook-Clean-Boating/dp/0070381046 which is pretty good.  They say that some of the engineering is flawed, but it has all that info about battery load mechanics and performance over time under different loads.  I think golf cart engines would work just fine.  Some people have used moped scooter motors.  I found this web site to have pretty good prices http://www.monsterscooterparts.com/motor.html 

 

Also a guy on this forum had shared his conversion experience in PDF form which I find very helpful. It's online as well on http://electricpaddle.com/downloads/swe_pea_conversion.pdf.

 

Hope some of this helps good luck,

 

Jason Levinsohn

 

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>>> "ComcastMail" <shea1719@comcast.net> 3/14/2011 3:48 AM >>>
 

I have a 1964 Columbia 29 sailboat with a 47 year old gasoline Atomic 4 engine.  I don't motor much, I sail.  I don't like the engine.  I only need it primarily to get in and out of the marinas & harbors, and occasional ill winds.  I am on a large inland lake where the winds are usually very favorable.  I think that a golf cart motor conversion would be ideal.  I'm  a mechanical engineer, so designing the installation would be pretty easy.  I just need to learn more about the electrical system, performance, battery drain, etc.  Have any of you ever utilized a golf cart system to power a sailboat?  I am  happy to be in the group..

 

Thank you -

 

Michael Shea