any boat IN the water is limited by hull speed. even approaching hull speed increases power usage exponentially. to exceed hull speed, the boat needs to be ON the water. if you can make the weight per square inch ratio low enough, a flat sheet of plywood may be the best planing boat. add weight and you're back to displacement speed and power use.
i'm surprised more electric boat aficionados don't use old sailboats. some sailboats are lightweight, have removable weighted keels and narrow efficient beams. keep some of the sails and you have an alternate method of power if you run out of battery power.
i have such a boat, an old venture 21, that i'm considering adapting to electric power. if i cut down the mast, i'll still have some sail power if needed but in a more manageable configuration. if sea trials warrant, the keel can be reduced too. it's 400 lbs now with a bulb of lead on the end. the boat, trailer, sails and 9.9 outboard cost me $900. the beam is 6'10". pretty inexpensive way to build what i think could be a fine design for conversion to electric power.
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Posted by: artzboyz@yahoo.com
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