I'm Norman, the owner of Charlotte so if anyone has any questions, feel free to comment and I'll do my best to answer. Thanks George for the honour of being interviewed for this first episode in your offshoot series.
Excellent system thanks for showing us. around. I think motoring with a Contessa is always going to be a bit rough, due to cavitation, the tiny prop aperture and (esp with my two blade prop) the power pulses acting directly on the rudder blade. Motoring is probably the boat's weakest suit.
Mind saying your age? I'm coming into my sixties and, God willing, I'd like to get into sailing while I'm still fit enough. How did you pick it up? Did you need lessons?
Excellent interview with innovating Norman who has transformed an old design classic into a modern boat. I love the classic designs and their sea worthiness. combining the two features of the past and the present, will possibly encourage boat builders to build new boats on this concept. Also, used market for classic boats will get a shot in the arm after watching videos such as this one. George, please continue with such high quality videos, great stuff.
Well done Norman, love the table/bed idea. That’s so much better and makes total sense. Great sea berth, maybe covering those hinges tho! Ouch. You’re living my dream 👌👌👌
Fantastic video very interesting and great to see a different setup that works for the owner, I like the idea of sitting there and seeing outside thank you for sharing ⛵️
I would like you to interview other boaters who have done upgrades to their boats, there is always something to learn from other boaters. Cheers, Richard
Years ago my parents owned a Trapper 500 with a similar table layout, but implemented with stupid plastic clips that were always broken and unreplaceable. Those hinges are bloody genius.
Though a powerboater, I appreciate seeing what other owners have done to customize their boats. Especially the interiors! I've visited the Annapolis Powerboat Shows in the U.S. for many years, and in recent years it looks like too many of the current builders use the same interior decorator! Same colors, fabrics, finishes, etc. So seeing how creative the owners have been in their refits is great!
Enjoyed that. Electric is interesting. Table mod simple but good idea and would avoid the need for the through hull fixing. New layout reminds of my young days in my dad's Westerly.
George: I like the format of this video and would like to see more videos about how other CO32 owners have modified their boats from the standard spec. I'd really be interested in a video like this about a boat that Jeremy Rogers Ltd fitted what I think was a hybrid-electric drive to - I think it was called Calypso. It used to be detailed on the JRL website. BTW, love the winch handle microphone - you should use that from now on! Norman: Very impressive that you did a solo ocean passage to the Azores having only had a couple years of experience. Here I was fretting about sailing mine from Lymington round to Ipswich last summer and I have been sailing for decades (in USA waters though)! Your dinette conversion looks really useful and convenient. I have my original somewhat wobbly table and you're right, it is awkward getting in and out from around it. The CO32 purist part of me made me clutch my pearls and think "how dare he change the layout like that!" but the pragmatic sailor part of me thinks it is a great idea. Well done!
I think calypso had a beta marine diesel electric hybrid setup, not sure how long it could drive on electric though, my recollection was that the range was limited by the size of the battery.
Great video! I remember Normans corribee in the Straits, moored near my Westerly Centaur, which I am currently rebuilding, also with an electric drive. Great to hear about another electric boat! 1kw at 3 knots sounds fantastic, it makes me very excited to get mine finished. Well done!
What an excellent video. It's fascinating to watch how Norman approached the project. A friend of mine has done something similar on his boat, and it is good to see another conversion. I'm definitely considering this as the way ahead for me. I love the quiet and free power! Norman doesn't mention regeneration when sailing, or maybe I missed it... it is very early in the morning! I'm sure that my mate gets a boost when he is sailing, and the prop is rotating. Youe comments, Norman? George, it's a great idea... keep doing these.
Yes, there is a small amount of regen, but it only starts to generate above 5 knots. Normally its only around 1-2 amps (50-100w) but I have had up to 4 amps (200w).
Lovely video George !! Love the port side dinette conversion. Reminds me of a Clansman 30. I remember seeing it on a old sailing TH-cam channel (now no longer sailing) calling freerangesailing (now freerangeliving). Lovely change and I love options of being able to see outside form inside similar to the Sirius yachts =) Loved this interview. Thank you
The interior refit is actually on the port side. I know the channel you mean, they are on a homestead now. Having a clear view outside from sitting at the table was such a big thing for me, really feels nice to see out whilst eating.
@@normanrubenis7283 aah! my bad yes. Port side! I'll correct it. Thanks for your response Norman. Lovely vessel. Fairwinds and hopefully we cross paths in an anchorage somewhere =)
Holy crap what an amazing video I love your channel anyway and admire your work you do but this has just tickled the excitement chord! Firstly Norman some seriously clever features onboard that table that drops is impressive and blah blah to people that complain it's a classic, it's a classic being loved, used and not left to rot and sink. But mainly I had no idea you could still enter the jester challenge on a 32 ft, it's been my dream for many years but I have a Sadler 32, another David Sadler classic the predecessor to the contessa 32, you may have just made me a very happy man
Really good interesting video. Congrats Norman on a well thought out set of mods. The only thing I picked up on as a recommendation would be to do something with those line organizer bolts above your head…they look like a nasty accident waiting to happen I would enjoy more of this type of video, George
That was very interesting , thank you Norman , George for a really nice , something different type video . Personally , i not sure about electric drive on a boat . I like the concept of electric drive , but seriously distrust Lithium batteries . Another is something life long sailor Donald Street once said , " that electricity and salt water make a green gunge" , and that is something i have seen for myself . Now i know there will be people who shout that this battery , or that battery is safe , and taken at face value they are correct . The trouble is they are all pretty much the same thing , they all use the same material , just some have more fancy electronics . The safer batteries are also the newest . So to my mind i have to ask , have they really been proven , i think only time will tell . So until that time , i will stick with what i know , yet at my age , i doubt i will ever fully know .
Regarding battery tech, they are not all the same and use very different materials. LifePo4 type are well proven to be extremely stable. Everything has its pros and cons I guess.
Regardless of anything else I wouldn't fancy having a helipad on the pushpit when it starts to blow. Nice set up inside, same sort of set up as free range sailing.
It's errr, for the observation drone , so Norman can check out the confines of an estuary , and figure out a tacking plan , before he even enters . I thought it was a good idea .
This is a great concept for a series and was an excellent video, George. One that I will watch many times I think. The Contessa 32 really is beautiful. I've read Cape Horn to Starboard by John Kretschmer many, many times. Have you ever been on a Contessa 33? I gather the galley is made for "shorter" sailors in mind.
Thanks, John’s a really nice guy. Only met him once but really likeable and very experienced sailor. I was considering a 33 for myself at one point as there was one for sale locally and they are a very good boat, sadly not so many made due to the company folding in the 80’s. Jeremy Rogers was fairly short so I think that may have had an impression on some of his boats.
While pure electic is very compelling, it is not practical for all situations. I saw someone comment about a hybrid. Should you find one to review, I would love to understand the real world practicality on it a bit more. Thank you for all your amazing content... With such top noch production quality... Cheers from Canada!
Thanks for the comment, Agee that hybrid sounds very compelling in theory but it would need to be a large enough boat to accommodate the extra systems and weight.
When I looked into this I could see weight removal from the engine and gear box, the fuel tank and fuel (disel is 850 grams per liter), starter battery, ancileries like exhaust tubing, stuffing box, fuel filters, water strainers. Plus you no longer need a seacock for the engine cooling.
True, I thought about the fuel and fuel tank in the edit to the video but I think Norman has a diesel heater onboard so that may be running off the old diesel tank or maybe a new smaller one. Not sure
Brilliant to see the Countessa creative mods and the discussions around the electric motor making Norman sail more. Perhaps that's the difference, someone who's retired doesn't have the same deadlines, except of course the tides and he's not emitting any exhaust gases by the need to rush home to the marina. Really good food for thought. Thanks George and Norman. I'm restoring a Pacesetter 28' and love these shared discussions and the openess of sharing ideas. George do you think a deck ring would work on a coach roof stepped mast as I have?
Thanks for the comment and good luck with your refit. Re the deck ring it should work just fine but the loads need to be taken back to the structure that the mast is fitting on. So if there is a mast compression post below deck it may need to be tied into that. Hope that makes sense
Hi. Glad you liked this interview. One battery could be enough if you don't need much range. However, I wanted to have greater range and decided to fit two batteries instead of just the one. I did mention range, at 1kw I can motor for about 24hrs at approx 3 - 3.5 knots in flat water. This goes down drastically when you increase power, hence the 2nd battery.
Nice job Norman. Question for you: Could you use the prop. to recharge the batteries by unfeathering when under sail. A reversed motor being a generator. If not does such a system exist?
Yes, you do get some regen when sailing over about 5 knots. It's a fixed blade prop so it's always spinning anyway. Regen is only small so I may fit a feathering prop to save wear on the cutlass bearing.
Norman-thank you for sharing your refit; very impressive. I love your dinette design but am most interested in your electric motor, gearbox and prop. How did you decide a 10kW motor was appropriate? I’d like to convert my 2500# displacement sailboat and figure a 1.5kW motor would be best. Did you change your prop? It seems to me that taking advantage of the low end torque of an electric motor would allow you to use a more efficient, slower turning, larger diameter prop. Would you agree?
2500 what? kgs or lbs? Either way I doubt a 1.5kw motor would be enough anyway. 10kw was suggested by Thunderstruck as an equivalent swap for the 25hp diesel.
Theres a lad called Mark hes originally from Burnley area his channels called Wilding sailing and he's building/finishing a 42' Wharram Pahi wooden composite Catameran..at the moment hes using two 9.9hp outboards but long term he would be better off using a DIY hybrid E propulsion set up .. Most recent progects ive seen use the Golden Motors 10 or 15 kw water or air cooled versions though they also do higher output motors...and of course higher voltages mean more power developed at lower currents and lower voltage drops. What you might need is the high strand large cross section low resistance power cable they use on electric fork lifts 🤔
Range varies hugely, but at 1kw I can motor for about 24hrs. (approx 3kts in flat water). Recharging from solar can take several days. If batteries are low then you need a lot of power to get them back up to full. I do have the option of calling into a marina and plugging in, something you 'have to' do with a diesel for refuelling.
No generator on boat but there is a large nuclear power station in the sky and Norman has as much solar as you could reasonably fit on the back of a co32. I guess he could also add solar panels elsewhere but he seems to be getting on well with the setup as-is.
@@stephenauty2402 The thinking is that you can charge up using solar or shore power. Electric is fine for getting in and out of the berth. For longer trips, I would agree that a generator would be good.
@@normanrubenis7283 Yes, you would have to use a different motor to match your prop. Waterworld and Vetus e-drive are direct drive but much more expensive (lower RPM). I like your setup :-)
I honestly think the electric system is lighter, Fuel in the tanks for diesel?? all the extra oil and parts required to bring along for a sail Oil fumes and noise and vibration, then you have electric very quiet if not silent, powerful instant power delivery in any weather as dirty fuel doesn't get shook into the engine stopping it working in stormy weather, The biggest issue with electric is range! but then its a sail boat and I get having fuel and range can get you out of storms, but only really if the damn thing will start and stay running.
As you say, range is the thing and I have done ocean passages where I would use the engine on low speed for long periods to get though a wind hole and that would not be possible with electric without a lot of battery. But I guess the answer is you just have to wait for wind. I like the theory but am also interested in a hybrid approach.
Wasn't he afraid of lose those large solar panels in rough weather? Even hi went in biscay gulf? I been there,forecast fantastic but in 10 hours we're in hell,first time when I sow wants been teared like my shorts after two years of wearing.
I did go through about 18hrs of sustained 35 knots gusting to over 40 on the way down to the Azores. The panels are well bolted down and have been fine so far.
@normanrubenis7283 well so far so good,but in case of back side or whole back.Everyone knows circle of that stupid thing between Brest and Herminish rock.Always in round of your watch.40 knots in way,isn't against... We had to do it...
An absolute waste of money and dangerous, an electric motor and its battery bank has nowwhere near enough power to get you out of trouble when the sh$t hits the fan.
Some of the very best sailors and amazing voyages have been done without engine at all. Also most of the time ppl just use engines for convenience and therefore never challenge themselves to learn how to sail in anything less than ideal conditions .. never mind difficult. Which in my view is more dangerous as if engine fails they then rely on being rescued as lack the skills & knowledge to sail out of whatever situation.
Lin and Larry Pardey sailed around the world for years without any engine. The fact that the boat is a contessa 32 and not a tub that can’t sail well / beat into strong winds makes it viable.
I'm Norman, the owner of Charlotte so if anyone has any questions, feel free to comment and I'll do my best to answer. Thanks George for the honour of being interviewed for this first episode in your offshoot series.
Very interesting!, and a great interview! A lovely Contessa with her well-spoken, clever, and talented skipper, Captain Norman. Well done!
Excellent system thanks for showing us. around. I think motoring with a Contessa is always going to be a bit rough, due to cavitation, the tiny prop aperture and (esp with my two blade prop) the power pulses acting directly on the rudder blade. Motoring is probably the boat's weakest suit.
Mind saying your age? I'm coming into my sixties and, God willing, I'd like to get into sailing while I'm still fit enough. How did you pick it up? Did you need lessons?
@@inveterateforeigner2780RYA courses
Nice interview George. Lovely boat and mods Norman
Excellent interview with innovating Norman who has transformed an old design classic into a modern boat. I love the classic designs and their sea worthiness. combining the two features of the past and the present, will possibly encourage boat builders to build new boats on this concept. Also, used market for classic boats will get a shot in the arm after watching videos such as this one. George, please continue with such high quality videos, great stuff.
Thanks ☺️
Yes I really enjoyed the interview and loved the table idea. Keep doing things like this
More like this is very welcome.
Great video! Thank you for sharing Normans boat.
Well done Norman, love the table/bed idea. That’s so much better and makes total sense. Great sea berth, maybe covering those hinges tho! Ouch. You’re living my dream 👌👌👌
Thanks George loved the port / starboard socks well worth a subscribe.
Haha, thanks
Interesting to hear about the full electric installation, would like to know more about all the gear to install.
Me too!
Yes, I like learning about what others do with their boats
That table is a work of art.
Fantastic video very interesting and great to see a different setup that works for the owner, I like the idea of sitting there and seeing outside thank you for sharing ⛵️
I would like you to interview other boaters who have done upgrades to their boats, there is always something to learn from other boaters. Cheers, Richard
Very cool refit
George: Yes please more of this. Norman, enjoyed your Azores vlog👍
Cool, thanks for the feedback!
Fantastic oi, very informative.
That was really interesting, thanks for putting it up.
Pleased you enjoyed it
The weight of desil is also significant. Love the dinnet
Great interview Norman. Hope to see you soon
Years ago my parents owned a Trapper 500 with a similar table layout, but implemented with stupid plastic clips that were always broken and unreplaceable. Those hinges are bloody genius.
Great work Norman, and thanks for sharing.
love this sort of content. love seeing ideas other sailors come up with to solve problems on our boats or to make this better. great stuff!
Great, thanks
I’m in the ‘more please’ column too. Thanks George and Norman, excellent work, both of ye!
Thanks!
Today, Norman's jester trip popped up in my recommendation feed today excellent watch. Great to see more details.
Though a powerboater, I appreciate seeing what other owners have done to customize their boats. Especially the interiors!
I've visited the Annapolis Powerboat Shows in the U.S. for many years, and in recent years it looks like too many of the current builders use the same interior decorator!
Same colors, fabrics, finishes, etc. So seeing how creative the owners have been in their refits is great!
Great, thanks for the comment. Agree about new boats, many of them just leave me cold as it’s like visiting ikea!
Great content. I found it very interesting. More of this would be great. But I really enjoy your original content too.
Yes more like this please would be great. Thanks.
Good episode. Guys like Norman are pushing things forward.
Enjoyed that. Electric is interesting. Table mod simple but good idea and would avoid the need for the through hull fixing. New layout reminds of my young days in my dad's Westerly.
Thank you. I really enjoyed this episode... as much as your refit ones. It actually surprised me. Cheers! Love to see more if you have time.
Very interesting, I’m always up for learning new to me boat stuff, cheers
George: I like the format of this video and would like to see more videos about how other CO32 owners have modified their boats from the standard spec. I'd really be interested in a video like this about a boat that Jeremy Rogers Ltd fitted what I think was a hybrid-electric drive to - I think it was called Calypso. It used to be detailed on the JRL website. BTW, love the winch handle microphone - you should use that from now on!
Norman: Very impressive that you did a solo ocean passage to the Azores having only had a couple years of experience. Here I was fretting about sailing mine from Lymington round to Ipswich last summer and I have been sailing for decades (in USA waters though)! Your dinette conversion looks really useful and convenient. I have my original somewhat wobbly table and you're right, it is awkward getting in and out from around it. The CO32 purist part of me made me clutch my pearls and think "how dare he change the layout like that!" but the pragmatic sailor part of me thinks it is a great idea. Well done!
I think calypso had a beta marine diesel electric hybrid setup, not sure how long it could drive on electric though, my recollection was that the range was limited by the size of the battery.
Great discussion with Norman - thanks both
genious table..well done
Great interview. Congratulations Norman.
Great interview, George, thank you!; and a terrific Contessa, with a terrific skipper and owner in Captain Norman! Yay!
Very interesting - thank you for sharing this.
Great stuff. Always good to see how other people are doing it. More of this please sir.
Great video George. Really enjoyed it. Cheers. Jim
Definitely a positive sidebar for the channel and Norman and Charlotte are an interesting pair.
Yes please George…..great review….Cheers from Australia
Quite cool! It is always super interesting to see the modifications that oter sailors come up with!
Very interesting
Yes more of this please
Yes, please, I enjoyed this interview.
Nice episode seeing a different approach
I'd be happy to see more, that table is a great idea.
Excellent content. Thank you .
Great video! I remember Normans corribee in the Straits, moored near my Westerly Centaur, which I am currently rebuilding, also with an electric drive. Great to hear about another electric boat! 1kw at 3 knots sounds fantastic, it makes me very excited to get mine finished. Well done!
Great video and super informative.
What an excellent video. It's fascinating to watch how Norman approached the project. A friend of mine has done something similar on his boat, and it is good to see another conversion. I'm definitely considering this as the way ahead for me. I love the quiet and free power!
Norman doesn't mention regeneration when sailing, or maybe I missed it... it is very early in the morning! I'm sure that my mate gets a boost when he is sailing, and the prop is rotating. Youe comments, Norman?
George, it's a great idea... keep doing these.
Yes, there is a small amount of regen, but it only starts to generate above 5 knots. Normally its only around 1-2 amps (50-100w) but I have had up to 4 amps (200w).
Man I love it! Thanks you for sharing.
Lovely video George !! Love the port side dinette conversion. Reminds me of a Clansman 30. I remember seeing it on a old sailing TH-cam channel (now no longer sailing) calling freerangesailing (now freerangeliving). Lovely change and I love options of being able to see outside form inside similar to the Sirius yachts =) Loved this interview. Thank you
The interior refit is actually on the port side. I know the channel you mean, they are on a homestead now. Having a clear view outside from sitting at the table was such a big thing for me, really feels nice to see out whilst eating.
Thanks 👍
@@normanrubenis7283 aah! my bad yes. Port side! I'll correct it.
Thanks for your response Norman. Lovely vessel. Fairwinds and hopefully we cross paths in an anchorage somewhere =)
Great content. Keep it up.
Love the seating, who needs hull windows :-)
Great video, which I enjoyed thoroughly, however your usual attention to detail was sadly missing... The socks 🧦!!
😂
😂😂
Who’s mine or Norman’s - mine never match (life is too short to waste it pairing socks when you could be playing with boats!)
Holy crap what an amazing video I love your channel anyway and admire your work you do but this has just tickled the excitement chord!
Firstly Norman some seriously clever features onboard that table that drops is impressive and blah blah to people that complain it's a classic, it's a classic being loved, used and not left to rot and sink.
But mainly I had no idea you could still enter the jester challenge on a 32 ft, it's been my dream for many years but I have a Sadler 32, another David Sadler classic the predecessor to the contessa 32, you may have just made me a very happy man
Great, pleased you enjoyed it. Hope you can get to the start of a jester challenge!
Interesting content!
Really good interesting video. Congrats Norman on a well thought out set of mods.
The only thing I picked up on as a recommendation would be to do something with those line organizer bolts above your head…they look like a nasty accident waiting to happen
I would enjoy more of this type of video, George
Thanks, grew about the bolts, thanks for the comment, I’m pleased you enjoyed the vid
YES!! I'm here for the refits, not for the sailing if you can't teach me how to sail
Channel is called refit and sail but I appreciate the feedback!
That was very interesting , thank you Norman , George for a really nice , something different type video .
Personally , i not sure about electric drive on a boat . I like the concept of electric drive , but seriously distrust Lithium batteries . Another is something life long sailor Donald Street once said , " that electricity and salt water make a green gunge" , and that is something i have seen for myself . Now i know there will be people who shout that this battery , or that battery is safe , and taken at face value they are correct . The trouble is they are all pretty much the same thing , they all use the same material , just some have more fancy electronics . The safer batteries are also the newest . So to my mind i have to ask , have they really been proven , i think only time will tell . So until that time , i will stick with what i know , yet at my age , i doubt i will ever fully know .
Thanks for the comment, I’m pleased you enjoyed it.
Regarding battery tech, they are not all the same and use very different materials. LifePo4 type are well proven to be extremely stable. Everything has its pros and cons I guess.
Regardless of anything else I wouldn't fancy having a helipad on the pushpit when it starts to blow. Nice set up inside, same sort of set up as free range sailing.
It's errr, for the observation drone , so Norman can check out the confines of an estuary , and figure out a tacking plan , before he even enters . I thought it was a good idea .
@mickey1299 I should have thought of that.
@@waterboy8999 👍🤣
This is a great concept for a series and was an excellent video, George. One that I will watch many times I think. The Contessa 32 really is beautiful. I've read Cape Horn to Starboard by John Kretschmer many, many times. Have you ever been on a Contessa 33? I gather the galley is made for "shorter" sailors in mind.
Thanks, John’s a really nice guy. Only met him once but really likeable and very experienced sailor. I was considering a 33 for myself at one point as there was one for sale locally and they are a very good boat, sadly not so many made due to the company folding in the 80’s. Jeremy Rogers was fairly short so I think that may have had an impression on some of his boats.
😅😅where there is more than one boat it is a race!😀😀😀
Absolutely!!
While pure electic is very compelling, it is not practical for all situations. I saw someone comment about a hybrid. Should you find one to review, I would love to understand the real world practicality on it a bit more. Thank you for all your amazing content... With such top noch production quality... Cheers from Canada!
Thanks for the comment, Agee that hybrid sounds very compelling in theory but it would need to be a large enough boat to accommodate the extra systems and weight.
Great interview, a bit long though. But I wouldn’t know what to skip.
When I looked into this I could see weight removal from the engine and gear box, the fuel tank and fuel (disel is 850 grams per liter), starter battery, ancileries like exhaust tubing, stuffing box, fuel filters, water strainers. Plus you no longer need a seacock for the engine cooling.
True, I thought about the fuel and fuel tank in the edit to the video but I think Norman has a diesel heater onboard so that may be running off the old diesel tank or maybe a new smaller one. Not sure
Brilliant to see the Countessa creative mods and the discussions around the electric motor making Norman sail more. Perhaps that's the difference, someone who's retired doesn't have the same deadlines, except of course the tides and he's not emitting any exhaust gases by the need to rush home to the marina. Really good food for thought. Thanks George and Norman.
I'm restoring a Pacesetter 28' and love these shared discussions and the openess of sharing ideas.
George do you think a deck ring would work on a coach roof stepped mast as I have?
Thanks for the comment and good luck with your refit. Re the deck ring it should work just fine but the loads need to be taken back to the structure that the mast is fitting on. So if there is a mast compression post below deck it may need to be tied into that. Hope that makes sense
NIce interview! One thing I missed was what sort of range he gets with his set up? Interested to know why one battery system wasn't enough?
Hi. Glad you liked this interview. One battery could be enough if you don't need much range. However, I wanted to have greater range and decided to fit two batteries instead of just the one. I did mention range, at 1kw I can motor for about 24hrs at approx 3 - 3.5 knots in flat water. This goes down drastically when you increase power, hence the 2nd battery.
Nice job Norman. Question for you: Could you use the prop. to recharge the batteries by unfeathering when under sail. A reversed motor being a generator. If not does such a system exist?
Yes, you do get some regen when sailing over about 5 knots. It's a fixed blade prop so it's always spinning anyway. Regen is only small so I may fit a feathering prop to save wear on the cutlass bearing.
Norman-thank you for sharing your refit; very impressive. I love your dinette design but am most interested in your electric motor, gearbox and prop. How did you decide a 10kW motor was appropriate? I’d like to convert my 2500# displacement sailboat and figure a 1.5kW motor would be best. Did you change your prop? It seems to me that taking advantage of the low end torque of an electric motor would allow you to use a more efficient, slower turning, larger diameter prop. Would you agree?
2500 what? kgs or lbs? Either way I doubt a 1.5kw motor would be enough anyway. 10kw was suggested by Thunderstruck as an equivalent swap for the 25hp diesel.
Theres a lad called Mark hes originally from Burnley
area his channels called Wilding sailing and he's building/finishing a 42' Wharram Pahi wooden composite Catameran..at the moment hes using two 9.9hp outboards but long term he would be better off using a DIY hybrid E propulsion set up ..
Most recent progects ive seen use the Golden Motors 10 or 15 kw water or air cooled versions though they also do higher output motors...and of course higher voltages mean more power developed at lower currents and lower voltage drops.
What you might need is the high strand large cross section low resistance power cable they use on electric fork lifts 🤔
Cool, I’ll look it up
Interesting talk - I would have liked more information, on range, and how long it takes to recharge the batteries under solar in different conditions.
Range varies hugely, but at 1kw I can motor for about 24hrs. (approx 3kts in flat water). Recharging from solar can take several days. If batteries are low then you need a lot of power to get them back up to full. I do have the option of calling into a marina and plugging in, something you 'have to' do with a diesel for refuelling.
Great. Electric is the future and we need people to test it. I assume there is a backup generator.
So electric is the future as long as you've got a petrol/diesel engine to charge the batteries to run the motor...mmm
No generator on boat but there is a large nuclear power station in the sky and Norman has as much solar as you could reasonably fit on the back of a co32. I guess he could also add solar panels elsewhere but he seems to be getting on well with the setup as-is.
@@RefitandSail Just for longer motoring. The panels would not keep up with that if needed.
@@stephenauty2402 The thinking is that you can charge up using solar or shore power. Electric is fine for getting in and out of the berth. For longer trips, I would agree that a generator would be good.
@@barbarianlifewhich is an engine....
I like your channel :-)
You forgot to ask the big question. Why not direct drive?
Hi, I took advice from the motor supplier who stated it's advisable to reduce the output to gain more torque so prop is spinning at the design speed.
@@normanrubenis7283 Yes, you would have to use a different motor to match your prop. Waterworld and Vetus e-drive are direct drive but much more expensive (lower RPM). I like your setup :-)
If you factor in the weight of the diesel, you’ll find that you may have actually made a reduction
Think it's still slightly heavier due to the 2nd 100kg battery bank and a bit more wood in the new joinery.
I honestly think the electric system is lighter, Fuel in the tanks for diesel?? all the extra oil and parts required to bring along for a sail Oil fumes and noise and vibration, then you have electric very quiet if not silent, powerful instant power delivery in any weather as dirty fuel doesn't get shook into the engine stopping it working in stormy weather, The biggest issue with electric is range! but then its a sail boat and I get having fuel and range can get you out of storms, but only really if the damn thing will start and stay running.
As you say, range is the thing and I have done ocean passages where I would use the engine on low speed for long periods to get though a wind hole and that would not be possible with electric without a lot of battery. But I guess the answer is you just have to wait for wind. I like the theory but am also interested in a hybrid approach.
Wasn't he afraid of lose those large solar panels in rough weather?
Even hi went in biscay gulf?
I been there,forecast fantastic but in 10 hours we're in hell,first time when I sow wants been teared like my shorts after two years of wearing.
I did go through about 18hrs of sustained 35 knots gusting to over 40 on the way down to the Azores. The panels are well bolted down and have been fine so far.
@normanrubenis7283 well so far so good,but in case of back side or whole back.Everyone knows circle of that stupid thing between Brest and Herminish rock.Always in round of your watch.40 knots in way,isn't against...
We had to do it...
An absolute waste of money and dangerous, an electric motor and its battery bank has nowwhere near enough power to get you out of trouble when the sh$t hits the fan.
Each to their own. Many sailors manage with no engine so not sure how having propulsion can be dangerous.
Some of the very best sailors and amazing voyages have been done without engine at all. Also most of the time ppl just use engines for convenience and therefore never challenge themselves to learn how to sail in anything less than ideal conditions .. never mind difficult. Which in my view is more dangerous as if engine fails they then rely on being rescued as lack the skills & knowledge to sail out of whatever situation.
Each to their own, the boat does have sails and he’s not afraid to use them.
@@normanrubenis7283 a lot are capable, many aren't.
Lin and Larry Pardey sailed around the world for years without any engine. The fact that the boat is a contessa 32 and not a tub that can’t sail well / beat into strong winds makes it viable.