Hi,
I am a big lurker on this forum. I own a 1986 Catalina 30 (which I want to convert to electric) and a big time ocean racer. I have been involved in several oceam racing projects from little ultra light sport boats @30-32' to 70' sleds. Racing from LA to HI.
Paul from a sail boat racing standpoint the box needs to be changed. Race boats are going to retracting props and retracting outboard motors on smaller boats. For a conversion like for your boat I keep thinking transome mounted electric motors that hinge up or lift up with big props are the way to go. Minn kota and Motorguide have saltwater 36v motors with 110 lbs of thrust. Two of these off the shelf motors with custom props may be a good way to go with custom mounting on the transome. Some of these motors have wireless auto pilots and speed controls built in. This would make for great manuvering and docking. I want to build a swim step on the back of my boat and maybe include twin motors like this. I also like James lambden's more conventional conversions and may do something like that for my boat since it's not a true racing boat. Although I have won a lot of trophies with it.
A large prop ( I have been following the prop discussion) on a retracting platform for pure sailing would be the best of both worlds. When not racing I guess with the right motor set up you could leave it in the water for regeneration with lots of wind.
The Henderson 30 and the FlyingTiger 10m have cockpit mounted retracting outboards a perfect place to mount a retracting electric motor setup. Picture a rectangular hole cut through the center of your boat in the front of the cockpit where below a lot of deisels are. Box it in water tight and take the cut piece of the bottom hull and attach it below the prop of your retracting electric motor assembly. You raise and lower this assembly to use the motor or reduce drag for sailing. The motor can be belt driven on the top frame of the assembly or engaged by a myriad of ways. The Henderson 30 has a flat piece of the hull attached to the motor. The FT10 has a retracting hatch designed by Bob Perry. If you have trouble envisioning my description please google those boats.
I also envision a custom drive similar to an inboard outdrive on the transome that can swing up out of the water for no drag you could run a huge prop at slow speed for efficiency on any of these ideas.
My two cents worth. BTW my martec folding prop is not too bad for power. I was able to increase the diameter and pitch from 13×12 to 14×13 because the hub put the blades farther aft. This prop put my 21 hp diesel at max load. They do have 3 bladed folding props that are fairly slippery.
Mike
Posted by: microll@sbcglobal.net
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