If you've been using 10hp outboards for motoring, then you might want to consider a couple of Torqeedo Cruise 4.0 motors. Google "current sunshine" for a blog that describes 43' trimaran using a single Torqeedo for primary propulsion. As you know, being able to lift the drive leg of an outboard when sailing provides a huge improvement on sailing performance, especially in a multihull.
In your case, if the boat was not underpowered with the gasoline outboards in your opinion, then the Cruise 4.0 motors should be a direct swap. Each motor will not pull more than 5kW, even on startup. With a small (4kW - 100lb) lithium battery pack to operate as a buffer for each motor, you would be able to motor at full speed for 30 minutes before having to kick in with the generator. A 8kW 48VDC generator would drive both motors at full power for as long as you've got fuel, and would be able to recharge the batteries from full discharge in about an hour at anchor. Another advantage is that the installation (without a backup generator) would take virtually no modifications to your boat and if the performance did not meet your expectations, you should be able to recoup most of your capital investment if you decided to head down another path. Certainly less financially risky than cobbling something together out of bits and pieces.
Torqeedo also has more powerful outboards now that were designed for commercial applications. The drawback here is the high voltage (in this case, about 345V), just like all of the full electric cars on the retail market today. These motors are equivalent to 40 or 80hp ICE outboards and are probably overkill for your boat. I have yet to hear from anyone that owns and operates one of these high power Torqeedo systems.
There are a number of different ways to skin this cat... ;)
Fair winds,
Eric
Marina del Rey, CA
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Posted by: ewdysar@yahoo.com
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