Electric Boats, I mean, why not?

[brianstorms]

Always wanted to get a boat. The costs for fuel are insane. The costs for maintenance and marinas are insane.

Setting aside maintenance and marinas . . . let's look at fuel.

Where is the Elon Musk for yachts and pleasure boats? Nothing huge, 30, 40 footers, with a sleeper cabin etc, but no gas engine. Perhaps instead, one, (two?) Model S 85kWh battery packs and a Tesla motor or two

Understanding how ridiculously inefficient boats are (in gas terms they get gallons per mile), I always wondered if anyone had done the math on whether Battery Electric Vessels were even technically feasible.

 

[TI Sailor]

You could put the battery in the keel instead of lead pigs, but given the chance for salt water intrusion, I'd be reluctant to have that as my only power source. That's why I have a sailboat...and a diesel engine backup. :biggrin:

 

[clea]

some examples discussed here Electric Boats

 

[TI Sailor]

I should have also included that, given the battery's weight, the hull would in all likelihood be displacement rather than planing. Thus the mention of a keel.

 

[efxjim]

Here is the only available ski boat I know that is electric.
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