I went to the Ray site and looked at the outboards. Then I did some comparisons to other options.
My comments:
Bottom end gear ratios are meaningless. The only significant issues at the bottom end are propeller speed, size, shape, and the resultant efficiency (for displacement hulls at a given speed larger diameter and slower propeller rpm (given efficient shape) are better for efficiency).
Parson looks cutesy and is expensive for the claimed performance.
Torqeedo looks very well engineered, the Mercedes of the group. Unfortunately, I have seen information indicating it does not have the reliability of a Mercedes.
Ray looks crude and primitive. On the plus side it has nice big two bladed prop which could hide behind a skeg were the motor mounted inboard on a sailboat in place of a saildrive.
Information from the company websites for their 48v offering (Each company may have calculated HP and thrust the same way, or differently. There is no way to know, but HP to thrust claims are all over the place):
Parson rated at 5 HP at the propeller shaft 130 lbs thrust. $2999
Torqeedo rated at 9.9 hp gas outboard equivalent 189 lbs thrust. $3,849
Ray rated at 4 HP 195 lbs thrust $3,795
Home built possibility:
PMAC-SSR Motor Drive Kit (motor and controller which support regen. From electricmotorsport.) 6 HP continuous $1650. In addition one would need two toothed pulleys correctly sized to gear the prop to the desired rpm, toothed drive belt, outboard lower end and a mounting bracket with belt tensioner to weld the motor to the lower end ($1000 materials and labor should be an overly generous sum). Total: $2650
For comparison: 8 HP Honda 4 stroke with remote, electric start, and alternator: $3087
Will any of the above electric options equal the performance of the Honda mounted on the same displacement hull?
Including labor and materials for mounting the motor to a gas outboard lower end a "home built" unit is considerably cheaper than any of the commercial options, plus that option has regeneration capability if coupled to a sailboat.
Why is Ray worth the cost?
Ideally the answer is provided by a comparative study using the same battery pack hooked to each electric outboard option. Performance measured while driving the same displacement boat in a series of tests, each at a set speed and amount of battery usage.
Eric
--- In electricboats@yahoogroups.com, woody <boatnutwoody@...> wrote:
>
> Hello Doug,
> Â
> Have you seen the Ray E-Boats made in Cape Coral, Fl? Please take a few minutes to view the web-site at http://www.rayeo.com/ and if you see one of our models that interest you contact Woody at the factory, 8-4:30 M-Th. 239-574-1948
> Thanks
> Woody
> Ray E-Boats
> http://www.rayeo.com/
>
> “I’m damned; I’m in love with the wind swept, stormy sea. Drawn by her rawness, her salty-scented spray tugs at my heart and my soulâ€, "So Many Boats, So Little Time!"
>
>
> ________________________________
> From: DRHitch <drhitch@...>
> To: electricboats@yahoogroups.com
> Sent: Tuesday, October 16, 2012 10:39 AM
> Subject: [Electric Boats] Duffy Electric Launch (alternatives?)
>
>
> Â
>
> Dear electric boat enthusiasts,
> I recently sold my 22' steamlaunch (Beckmann Mase) and at one time considered converting that boat to electric. I have been looking hard at the line of Duffy electric launches, BUT....
>
> 1) I also was aware of a launch called "Endeavor green" but they appear to not be in business anymore? Was out of Tampa/Clearwater, FL
>
> 2) Elco boats are beautiful, but quite expensive.
>
> 3) Are there certain things to look out for in the Duffy line? Motor brands, controllers, battery monitoring systems?
>
> Thx
> Doug in Chicago
>
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