TECHNICAL: THE ELECTRIC DEBATE

Would you switch to electric propulsion? We asked two sailors who have looked at how the real-world numbers stack up but have reached different conclusions

- IAN THOMSON

‘I AM AN ELECTRIC CONVERT’

Let’s be clear, electric propulsion is nowhere near a 300-mile range at 6 knots on a 38ft yacht, but I think it is viable for a typical 30 footer in the Solent and crossing the Channel occasionally, as long as you don’t motor long distances against full-bore spring tides, and use the sails most of the time. For example, a 60-mile range under power in a flat calm at 4.5 knots looks achievable.

That’s why I have decided to convert my Sadler 29 to electric propulsion. You may need a more traditional approach to cruising, but for me having no noise, no vibration, no smell and no maintenance is worth the compromise.

After a season of real-world testing in our Sadler 29 here’s what we found. We fitted a prototype 10kW pod in August, with 18kWh of lithium batteries where the Bukh DV20 used to be. This gave us the following results:

3.3 knots at 1kW output, 54-mile range

4.5 knots at 2kW, 40-mile range

5-5.5 knots at 3kW, 30-mile range

Additionally, the power generated under sail often puts nearly as much charge in on passage as we’ve used coming in or out of harbour. On a sail of more than a couple of hours, we might even make a net gain in battery charge.