Well said John!
Hopefully we'll aspire to greater efficiency rather than greater power as non-renewable sources of power dwindle (or replace the water in the Gulf)
Cheers,
Colin
--- In electricboats@yahoogroups.com, John Francis <surv69@...> wrote:
>
> In 15 years of sailing I have never met a "single" person that ever needed
> the amounts of power(in ratio to the boat), that's considered minimal for
> needs. I have NEVER experienced a sailer needing more power than to leave a
> dock, go somewhere and return, either the same day or at most, 2 days later.
>
> I know there are any number of sailers that sail for weeks at a time or even
> non-stop. I have as yet ever met one.
>
> SO, typical of the ole American philosphy, much more than what is needed is
> the minimally needed quantity of whatever it is for the whatever it is
> being discussed.
> Also, one thing I've ALWAYS noticed is(especially in the United States),
> that everyone insists you need much more power than one actually needs and
> everyone insists that a person needs at least the same(although more is
> always better) amount of available power(engine/motor), to get out of those
> rough spots that almost never occur. Forget inherent problems that come
> with IC engines. It seems an unreliable IC engine is better than a slightly
> underpowered electric engine, hands down.
>
> Motorcycles, cars, ATV's or what-have-you, the general premise is that more
> is needed and most is always best.
>
> I remember one of the old arguments in favor of "big" engined cars being
> that a person can "speed" away from an accident(as to not be involved in the
> accident). I used to just shake my head, What else could I do?
>
> Everyone(almost to a man), claims that a motorcycle needs to be at least
> 1000cc to do any traveling . . . ANY traveling.
>
> It appears that most adult ATV's are of about 500cc+ in size and the
> "better" ones are larger. Maybe the really big ones are need to carry 300
> pound people at 50-60 mph along the side of a highway?
>
> If we can't get "lost" in our house or if there's not enough bathrooms for
> eveyone, then the house is too small or otherwise deficient.
>
> I have got to say, that talking about electric is also talking about
> excessivenessand RE-EVALUATING need should be a major point of issue.
>
> Seriously, our decadence(especially in the U.S.) is unreal and the
> discussion about conversion to more green solutions(to anything) doesn't
> address our decadence regarding power.
> I rarely hear "conservation" arise in discussions about alternative options
> and going electric(for boats) is no different.
>
> It seems that no one wants to consider getting by with less(power), even
> though in virtually all situations(maybe a lifetime of situations) much less
> power will suffice.
>
> THESE ARE SAILBOATS. I know that there are a few powerboats in the
> discussion, but basically, we're talking about sailboats and the
> motor/engine should be nothing more than auxillary . . . not the main source
> of propulsion.
>
> If we don't begin to rethink why we want to go electric then almost no one
> should bother(going electric) until someone invents a small 200 watt solar
> panel that works in the shade, cheap, hi-powered, fast recharge and safe
> LiPo batteries and engines that will knock the socks off of anything else on
> the water with very little energy needs.
>
> I say if you want to go electric . . . just do it. Use what you got, use
> what you can afford, and do it!
>
> If the electric conversion is not what you expected, then adjust and learn
> to live with it or get rid of it.
>
> It's just that I hear talk, talk, talk(about going electric) with periods of
> high excitement when someone chimes in that they've actually made the
> conversion. Theory and formulas are great, but dealing with issues while
> adjusting attitudes and needs should be exciting in their own right.
>
> I'd like to hear more about people who've gone electric and became better,
> more confident sailers because they chose to rely more heavily on the
> capabilities of the boat or sailing abilities as a way to offset
> "shortcomings" of their electric conversion.
>
> I'm sorry, but sometimes it's depressing when I hear about wanting change
> but seemingly not willing to accept changing attitudes about "needs".
>
>
> Happy "sailing".
>
> John Francis
> Pearson 26
> Port Clinton, Ohio
>
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