Peter bought an Aquila 44 that he modified. I don't think there are any other models out there like his. However, I'm sure if you reached out to him (facebook.com/firsteditionelectric) he could answer any questions you may have.
Many thanks Ann and Dennis for this great video. l have enjoyed watching your GTFOplan sailing channel but I loved even more having you visit me in the Bahamas. It was wonderful having you aboard First Edition.
Wow .. this is a great option if you cant afford a Silent Yacht. Build quality looks very good. I would love to have seen a video of your build as it was being done.
Hi guys ! Glad to see you back! Interesting concept there, but I`d defer to Obi-Wan who says, "This isn`t the cat you`re looking for" As you point out, island hopping in the carib, or coastal cruising in the med and many would he happy with this boat. I don`t think the tech is there yet for an all electric blue water boat but it wont be that long before it is. The systems on the HH44 are the best available today, in my opinion. Admittedly, they are a top end builder, but tech has a way of filtering down through the market. Wasn`t so long back that built-in nav systems were a rarity in cars, now they are almost universal. HH have really thought this through and their system has five modes of operation, they call it 'Parallel Hybrid " QUOTE, 1. Standard mode - operate the diesel engines with the hybrid system disengaged, just as you would on a traditional yacht. 2. Engine mode - operate the diesel engines as you usually would, with all extra horsepower being pulled off the engines and used to charge the large battery bank. 3. Generator mode - Disengage the clutch in the prop shaft and turn the two diesel engines into two 6kW DC generators. 4. Silent mode - Disengage the electric motors from the diesel engines and use the electric motors to provide 10kW of silent propulsion power per shaft (20kW total) 5. Hydro Regen mode - while sailing, disengage the electric motors from the diesel engines, open the folding propeller and allow it to free-spin, this turns the shafts and the electric motors generating electricity for free! Regen mode is greatly enhanced by the fast sailing speeds of the HH44. I think the market has been too conservative for too long but as more people are aware of alternatives ,and start asking for them, builders have to respond. An example you are familiar with is Balance`s versa helm. Balance weren`t the first to come up with the idea but they were the first to introduce it to the catamaran market and look how many builders now offer it. As technology improves and costs fall, we are going to see a proliferation of hybrid systems and there will be knock-on effects throughout the industry. Lighter batterys holding more charge, more efficient solar panels mean smaller engines requiring less fuel storage etc etc. The next five years will be very interesting, that`s for sure! Stay safe guys, fair winds xx
We agree with you that the tech isn't there yet for our future plans. As the demand signal for more renewables and being 'green' increases, the industry will respond as well as prices will become more affordable.
Thank you Very Much for presenting that boat. Peter is a smart man. He took a pretty good conventional platform and made it better. I have respect for the Aquilla boats, they are people who know the sea and the mariners, and they incorporate lots of smart details into their designs. i hate those grandiose(i mean Grotesque) looking designs trying to appeal to the new (and very suspicious) money by flash and show off with an army of waiters on board. Aquilla makes practical boats for the Average Joe Sealover of variable tax brackets. I like Aquila to start thinking Seriously into putting Electric option to their boats, otherwise within a few short years, the new electric boat companies will be popping and selling their electrics/ hybrids like hot crabcakes, and chopping off Aquila's market share. get some partnership and learn from the car companies. They are jumping into electric field like maniacs. I don't know IF Peter can put more solar panels, but the front brow seems very practical place also. The extension in the back is simply Brilliant, and i love Aquilla's pop up and out bar set up. The Most Practical i have ever seen !!!
Thanks for sharing your experience with an all electric catamaran. On average, how long were you able to travel before you had to turn on the generator?
We didn’t have to use the generator at all I’ve the long weekend we were onboard. If I recall correctly, our SOC didn’t really change much either after motoring around Elizabeth Harbor and recharging the dingy. Peter could better answer how often he uses his generator though.
Look up LongReach or PowerPlay catamarans, the hulls are designed for high efficiency at displacement speeds - would be a more effective platform for an electric boat. The Aquilla has planning hulls, so you are paying a penalty at displacement speeds which means less range.
You did not mention what the retrofit cost was (Total for boat, pulling the engines (credit for the sale on ebay) and the purchase install of Torquedoo system and then fabrication of the solar roof. Would be good to see ALL the numbers so one can do a ROI calculation. Thanks
Admiring what this guy chose to do ...and realise that he could change the vessel to suit. I hope he thought to run the warm water from the motors through a hot water storage system to pre heat it for domestic use. It could also power a reverse action heat pump for cooling at night.
@@GTFOplan Ive never had anything to do with FB .. but theres an even greater improvement that can be achieved by using Hybrid Thermal Photo Voltaic panels... it also extends their life efficient span massively in a full sun environment. th-cam.com/video/vzRTtaDVVW0/w-d-xo.html 🇬🇧Basicaly water cooling your solar panels on a boat should be a compulsory consideration for any boat owner. Its literally saving you a massive amount of money and boosting your energy efficiency at anytime where theres full sun. Theres a longer and more extensive look on the Lets think about it channel 🇬🇧 Theres a lot more stuff Ive posted links to in Bart and Annias, Sailing oceans Trimaran refit . Have you seen the new Windelo catamarans. Theres also a couple of revolutionary cats that have been built in the uk near Plymouth 🇬🇧. th-cam.com/video/BXxxZuf2EVE/w-d-xo.html This dropped today and was earlier reviewed by Nautisails.
Building my 40 feet 100% solar (8,8KW) AND wind turbine (8kw) electric Cat.... I think ocean crossing will be achievable with a much less heavy cat (20 000 lbs)... should be ready end of next summer !
That’s an incredible amount of renewable power! Please keep us posted when you’re done with your project we would love to see the final product. What cat are you using as your base boat?
It's obviously a coastal boat. Honestly though, I don't see the point in taking out diesel motors because you don't like the fumes and noise, then installing diesel generators in their place plus spending a small fortune for the privilege. It's not capable of blue water cruising, well in my opinion not safe. To be stuck in a storm and have to rely on generators for what little speed you could get fighting against a storm when in calm water your max speed under generators is 6.5 knots. Although it does suit as a coastal boat where you could easily dock and recharge daily. Not my thing but I'm sure there's some people who'd seriously appreciate it.
You present some valid points. We think Peter’s bigger point was that making solar/ self sufficient/ renewable energy boats is a technology leap many boat manufacturers can do now, but are reluctant to do.
@@GTFOplan Some manufacturers are seriously going this way, casing point Silent Yachts but still they require massive generators. Also Sunreef yachts Eco versions with their solar panels basically plastered everywhere possible but then they make the same yachts heavy as lead so it makes one believe it's more a marketing effort than anything else. Technology is at the stage now where we can easily have all the luxuries of home life in our yachts via battery power which is a brilliant achievement both for comfort and safety. Today there is no need for LPG gas cookers or the old kerosine burners, both were massive fire risks. Now induction cooktop s are almost the norm, electric ovens AND washing machines on a yacht!!! 20 years ago you would have been laughed at for suggesting such an idiotic thing haha. However a genuine electric propulsion solution is not here yet, we are close but 2 things need to be improved yet and they are power storage i.e. batteries. At the moment it's impossible to have enough batteries on board to run electric motors for more than a few hours at cruising speed. Once this issue is solved, and we are very close, then the issue becomes charging methods, it needs to be better than simply installing yet another heavy thumping dirty diesel engine (generator). That's like a dog chasing its tail. The reality for motor yachts are there are very few actually ocean going motor yachts, most by far are coastal cruisers with the exception of the obvious super yachts. So perhaps in a few years when battery efficiency increases 200+% (which is happening now) electric coastal cruisers could become the norm with at least 8hrs run time at higher than cruising speed. Hopefully the cost won't be as prohibitive as it is today 🙂 For sailing yachts however, I personally believe we are almost there for multihulls if they are prepared to sacrifice deck space for solar panels and be satisfied with a lighter construction i.e. less luxury. Sadly us humans tend to want it all HAHAHA
@user-hv8ir2ef6r Sailboats are almost there, and to your point, multihulls are better poised to take advantage of the solar panels. Panel wattage will continue to increase as will, as you pointed out, battery efficiency. Thank you for your spot on comments!
One thing that your film didn't say (maybe it was a bit too obvious) given the vilification of fossil fuels and especially diesel (as witnessed by the latest global actions), the biggest take-away for me is the savings to be made on fuel AND possibly more importantly, the freedom from any future rationing / limiting / offsetting carbon tax, that is implicit in diesel engine ownership.
![How DIY Electric Catamaran Works (Solar & LiFePO4 Battery Bank) [Fully Explained]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/OvhR9n8o63Y/mqdefault.jpg)
Beautiful how can we buy one??? 🌈
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💙
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💛
🧡
❤
🥰
Peter bought an Aquila 44 that he modified. I don't think there are any other models out there like his. However, I'm sure if you reached out to him (facebook.com/firsteditionelectric) he could answer any questions you may have.
Many thanks Ann and Dennis for this great video. l have enjoyed watching your GTFOplan sailing channel but I loved even more having you visit me in the Bahamas. It was wonderful having you aboard First Edition.
You're welcome, and thank you again for hosting us!
Wow .. this is a great option if you cant afford a Silent Yacht. Build quality looks very good. I would love to have seen a video of your build as it was being done.
Hi guys ! Glad to see you back!
Interesting concept there, but I`d defer to Obi-Wan who says, "This isn`t the cat you`re looking for"
As you point out, island hopping in the carib, or coastal cruising in the med and many would he happy with this boat. I don`t think the tech is there yet for an all electric blue water boat but it wont be that long before it is.
The systems on the HH44 are the best available today, in my opinion. Admittedly, they are a top end builder, but tech has a way of filtering down through the market. Wasn`t so long back that built-in nav systems were a rarity in cars, now they are almost universal.
HH have really thought this through and their system has five modes of operation, they call it 'Parallel Hybrid "
QUOTE,
1. Standard mode - operate the diesel engines with the hybrid system disengaged, just as you would on a traditional yacht.
2. Engine mode - operate the diesel engines as you usually would, with all extra horsepower being pulled off the engines and used to charge the large battery bank.
3. Generator mode - Disengage the clutch in the prop shaft and turn the two diesel engines into two 6kW DC generators.
4. Silent mode - Disengage the electric motors from the diesel engines and use the electric motors to provide 10kW of silent propulsion power per shaft (20kW total)
5. Hydro Regen mode - while sailing, disengage the electric motors from the diesel engines, open the folding propeller and allow it to free-spin, this turns the shafts and the electric motors generating electricity for free! Regen mode is greatly enhanced by the fast sailing speeds of the HH44.
I think the market has been too conservative for too long but as more people are aware of alternatives ,and start asking for them, builders have to respond. An example you are familiar with is Balance`s versa helm. Balance weren`t the first to come up with the idea but they were the first to introduce it to the catamaran market and look how many builders now offer it.
As technology improves and costs fall, we are going to see a proliferation of hybrid systems and there will be knock-on effects throughout the industry. Lighter batterys holding more charge, more efficient solar panels mean smaller engines requiring less fuel storage etc etc. The next five years will be very interesting, that`s for sure!
Stay safe guys, fair winds xx
We agree with you that the tech isn't there yet for our future plans. As the demand signal for more renewables and being 'green' increases, the industry will respond as well as prices will become more affordable.
@@GTFOplan What do you think of the parallel hybrid on the HH 44 ?
@@GTFOplan th-cam.com/video/tjsIHb5u8PY/w-d-xo.html
great video, hopefully the future will a lot of people repowering some of the older cats and moving from sail to power,
Going solar and renewable offers a lot of opportunities!
I have been looking for a electric catteraman but all are over priced this is a great option. Thanks
Glad it was helpful!
Thank's for the presentation of thise perfekt repowering to all electric. With geenset back-up.
Our pleasure!
Thank you Very Much for presenting that boat. Peter is a smart man. He took a pretty good conventional platform and made it better. I have respect for the Aquilla boats, they are people who know the sea and the mariners, and they incorporate lots of smart details into their designs. i hate those grandiose(i mean Grotesque) looking designs trying to appeal to the new (and very suspicious) money by flash and show off with an army of waiters on board. Aquilla makes practical boats for the Average Joe Sealover of variable tax brackets. I like Aquila to start thinking Seriously into putting Electric option to their boats, otherwise within a few short years, the new electric boat companies will be popping and selling their electrics/ hybrids like hot crabcakes, and chopping off Aquila's market share. get some partnership and learn from the car companies. They are jumping into electric field like maniacs.
I don't know IF Peter can put more solar panels, but the front brow seems very practical place also. The extension in the back is simply Brilliant, and i love Aquilla's pop up and out bar set up. The Most Practical i have ever seen !!!
Thanks for sharing your experience with an all electric catamaran. On average, how long were you able to travel before you had to turn on the generator?
We didn’t have to use the generator at all I’ve the long weekend we were onboard. If I recall correctly, our SOC didn’t really change much either after motoring around Elizabeth Harbor and recharging the dingy.
Peter could better answer how often he uses his generator though.
Look up LongReach or PowerPlay catamarans, the hulls are designed for high efficiency at displacement speeds - would be a more effective platform for an electric boat. The Aquilla has planning hulls, so you are paying a penalty at displacement speeds which means less range.
Thanks Mark. Will check them out.
Great video.
You did not mention what the retrofit cost was (Total for boat, pulling the engines (credit for the sale on ebay) and the purchase install of Torquedoo system and then fabrication of the solar roof. Would be good to see ALL the numbers so one can do a ROI calculation.
Thanks
Good point. Reach out to Peter on his Facebook page (link in the video description) and ask him.
@@GTFOplan Nothing updated on their FB page since May 2022..thanks
Admiring what this guy chose to do ...and realise that he could change the vessel to suit.
I hope he thought to run the warm water from the motors through a hot water storage system to pre heat it for domestic use.
It could also power a reverse action heat pump for cooling at night.
That’s a great idea. Peter has a Facebook page, and I’m sure he’d respond I’d you reached out to him.
@@GTFOplan
Ive never had anything to do with FB .. but theres an even greater improvement that can be achieved by using Hybrid Thermal Photo Voltaic panels... it also extends their life efficient span massively in a full sun environment.
th-cam.com/video/vzRTtaDVVW0/w-d-xo.html
🇬🇧Basicaly water cooling your solar panels on a boat should be a compulsory consideration for any boat owner. Its literally saving you a massive amount of money and boosting your energy efficiency at anytime where theres full sun.
Theres a longer and more extensive look on the Lets think about it channel 🇬🇧
Theres a lot more stuff Ive posted links to in Bart and Annias, Sailing oceans Trimaran refit .
Have you seen the new Windelo catamarans.
Theres also a couple of revolutionary cats that have been built in the uk near Plymouth 🇬🇧.
th-cam.com/video/BXxxZuf2EVE/w-d-xo.html
This dropped today and was earlier reviewed by Nautisails.
I'm aware that this conversion was done over 2 yrs ago, but any idea of the cost to convert was for Peter?
Sorry, no clue. Email us and we can email intro you to Peter.
Building my 40 feet 100% solar (8,8KW) AND wind turbine (8kw) electric Cat.... I think ocean crossing will be achievable with a much less heavy cat (20 000 lbs)... should be ready end of next summer !
That’s an incredible amount of renewable power! Please keep us posted when you’re done with your project we would love to see the final product. What cat are you using as your base boat?
@GTFOplan Kelsall KSS38... rear is 23 inches longer for outboard 11,5KW motor... bringing onboard 84KW of Lithium batteries.. yeah, I will post :) !
Let us know!
I love it, however, I would Cross just because of the challenge even if it took one month,
@@MrSchribler that’s part of what it’s all about! Challenging yourself and learning new things! Thank you for watching!
It's obviously a coastal boat.
Honestly though, I don't see the point in taking out diesel motors because you don't like the fumes and noise, then installing diesel generators in their place plus spending a small fortune for the privilege.
It's not capable of blue water cruising, well in my opinion not safe. To be stuck in a storm and have to rely on generators for what little speed you could get fighting against a storm when in calm water your max speed under generators is 6.5 knots.
Although it does suit as a coastal boat where you could easily dock and recharge daily. Not my thing but I'm sure there's some people who'd seriously appreciate it.
You present some valid points. We think Peter’s bigger point was that making solar/ self sufficient/ renewable energy boats is a technology leap many boat manufacturers can do now, but are reluctant to do.
@@GTFOplan Some manufacturers are seriously going this way, casing point Silent Yachts but still they require massive generators.
Also Sunreef yachts Eco versions with their solar panels basically plastered everywhere possible but then they make the same yachts heavy as lead so it makes one believe it's more a marketing effort than anything else.
Technology is at the stage now where we can easily have all the luxuries of home life in our yachts via battery power which is a brilliant achievement both for comfort and safety.
Today there is no need for LPG gas cookers or the old kerosine burners, both were massive fire risks. Now induction cooktop s are almost the norm, electric ovens AND washing machines on a yacht!!! 20 years ago you would have been laughed at for suggesting such an idiotic thing haha.
However a genuine electric propulsion solution is not here yet, we are close but 2 things need to be improved yet and they are power storage i.e. batteries. At the moment it's impossible to have enough batteries on board to run electric motors for more than a few hours at cruising speed.
Once this issue is solved, and we are very close, then the issue becomes charging methods, it needs to be better than simply installing yet another heavy thumping dirty diesel engine (generator). That's like a dog chasing its tail.
The reality for motor yachts are there are very few actually ocean going motor yachts, most by far are coastal cruisers with the exception of the obvious super yachts. So perhaps in a few years when battery efficiency increases 200+% (which is happening now) electric coastal cruisers could become the norm with at least 8hrs run time at higher than cruising speed.
Hopefully the cost won't be as prohibitive as it is today 🙂
For sailing yachts however, I personally believe we are almost there for multihulls if they are prepared to sacrifice deck space for solar panels and be satisfied with a lighter construction i.e. less luxury.
Sadly us humans tend to want it all HAHAHA
@user-hv8ir2ef6r Sailboats are almost there, and to your point, multihulls are better poised to take advantage of the solar panels. Panel wattage will continue to increase as will, as you pointed out, battery efficiency.
Thank you for your spot on comments!
Subbed. I'm diggin your style. I'm diggin his style. Subbed him, too.
Thank you!
One thing that your film didn't say (maybe it was a bit too obvious) given the vilification of fossil fuels and especially diesel (as witnessed by the latest global actions), the biggest take-away for me is the savings to be made on fuel AND possibly more importantly, the freedom from any future rationing / limiting / offsetting carbon tax, that is implicit in diesel engine ownership.
Being as self sufficient as possible is a good goal to pursue.
What was the cost to covert it over after you sold the engines?
If you reach out to Peter on his Facebook page, he can give you an idea of his costs.
I wanto one!!!
Don't we all!?
Those boat companies are blind.
Horrible camera shots of the inside of the boat as it is being described. A lot of shots missed...
I know right? Looks like the camera was zoomed in while panning inside. Noob vlogger move.
da fuq is a in-suite?
In suite means the cabin has its own head.
@@GTFOplan nah, that's "en suite"
Why is the camera on close up? It's dizzying.