Hello Bryan, I am new to the group and this is my first posting. TA-DAH! OK, that being done, I am also trying to put together an all-electric boat as well but am seeking to be a liveaboard in the next couple of years. Before finalizing that idea however, it was going totally without a motor that was driving me. It still does. If you research those who wander about this planet in sailboats sans motor, I believe you will adjust your priorities as to rigging. It has also been most evident in my research that many of those who go electric are disappointed because it does not give them the ability to cruise like the old diesels they had. Get a motor boat then. Yes, I am still going with an electric motor but am placing it as an on a need it basis and not as a primary mode of propulsion. And if you do not get in a hurry the batteries will last a lot longer than those who go full speed ahead all the time. The electrical system of the boat itself will be prioritized to function with power at all times barring the potential catastrophic failure of course.
You're comment of producing power while at anchor certainly leads to another common factor in that that statement makes me believe you do not wish to spend too much time at the floating RV parks or pay the privilege of having so many around you (Many of which one may at some point have some undesirable boat to boat contact with!)
An electric bicycle? On an island? And how do you intend to transport this machine, with motor and battery, back and forth to your anchorage? Most of the islands in the Caribbean have most of what you need close to shore. If you are planning to spend most of your time around a particular group of islands one must consider themselves as locals, not tourists. My soon to be ex-wife would get angry for my 'bumming' rides, even on St. Thomas where we were married. Hey man, those folks are the reason I want to liveaboard. If they're going your way they are most accommodating. On one trip to Jamaica we hired a fellow to take us fishing. We were staying at the Dunn's River Falls Sandal's and Selvin and Mackensie (He brought another fellow along.) picked us up at exactly the right time and we ended up doing far more than fishing. It's island living man! No pressure! Once you're there for awhile you will be recognized and hangin' with your friends rather than with the locals. Everyone wins! And want to 'tour' the island? Sail around to the other side. Grab up a new friend(s) and don't leave the boat (Your house with all your possessions!) while taking a look see. Just a thought.
Wind generators are definitely in my plans. The new generations are far more efficient, less noisy and certainly more dependable, though redundancy is still a factor on a sailboat.
Hopefully we can share some more ideas on this new life to be tried soon.
Michael
--- In electricboats@yahoogroups.com, "bryan" <bhclardy@...> wrote:
>
> Hello all,
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> I am new to the group and interested at some point in making a 100% electric cruising boat (Sloop) in the next 5-7 years.
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> My plans are to find something in the 32-40 foot range in a sloop and re power with electric replacing any inboard diesel eater. I am planning on a large battery bank with a combination of solar (half a kilowatt or so) and wind generation (4-800 watts depending on where technology is at that point) with an AC propulsion system. Idea being that I can leave the boat in gear while under sail and regenerate and charge the battery bank. While at anchor a kilowatt or so of power generation should make me pretty comfortable. My goal would be to be able to run for 8 hours or so at 50% hull speed on battery alone. I am interested in not having a genset, hence the three different power generation modalities.
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> Planning on electric augment bicycle for island mobility and electric outboard for dinghy. Hot fusion available in the middle of the solar system, might as well use it!
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> Planning to shove off as a part time cruiser in the next 5-7 years and move to half time in the next 9 years. (Wife insists on holidays at home)
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> Looking forward to lurking and learning at the same time.
>
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