Plans often don't go according to plan. I know a thing or two about
electric boats. On a voyage of this nature your chances are fairly high that sooner or later you will wish you had more juice in the batts than what you actually have. I would get a 2kw
Honda or Ryobi (I like the Ryobi, myself)
generator and a couple jerry jugs of gas, lash them topside or somewhere where fumes cannot get into the
cabin or
bilge or
engine room. Use the
generator to bring your bank to 90% SOC, then rely on regen or
solar to top up and maintain, if you have that capability.
Charging with the generator is very inefficient once you are out of the bulk
charging phase. I assume you use the
propulsion bank for house DC, too? Do you have
solar? Are you familiar enough with the
boat to predict how much juice you will use in a day for house loads? How big is the bank, and what type? And finally, the ultimate backup
propulsion, since you will have gasoline anyway, is a 4 to 6hp long shaft
4 stroke outboard and a couple more jugs of
fuel. And always close the
companionway when fueling
outboard or generator so no fumes get below.
You really need to do your homework before doing this.
ICW would actually be doable with a GOOD outboard and the generator. There will be stretches where you can sail, and save the
fuel. I would lean more toward the low end of the HP range, and keep the speed at no more than about 70% of calculated
hull speed. You don't want to take a month to get there, but above a certain speed you are increasing fuel
consumption exponentially while barely going any faster. It would be nice to be able to run the outboard at some meaningful
power setting, rather than idle. Bring spare plugs and filters and such. Spare prop and key or shear pin would be nice, too. The
ICW passage would give you plenty of
anchorages or moorings for getting a good night's sleep. Near shore on the outside will keep you in a breeze for most of the day and a good aprt of the night when further
offshore the
wind can be very light and variable this time of year. Except when it's not, LOL! Watch the
weather closely. Near coast, you will as often as not, be able to catch the
VHF WX channel broadcasts.
SSB voice, WEFAX, and other options are darn good to have, too. Don't round the capes closely if the weatehr forcast is other than very calm. Conditions can get surprisingly sucky there, very suddenly.
You will want a timer for
cockpit catnaps. The idea being nod off for 10 minutes, take a look around and adjust
sails or course if necessary, nod back off again if appropriate. Remember of course that you are failing to obey the COLREGS any time you are not keeping a proper lookout. Just sayin. Outside the
Gulf Stream there will be less traffic, less floating debrix, fewer crab floats and stuff. But you will add a lot of miles to your track and be further from safe harbors or medical/mechanical help. And you can eaily find yourself becalmed for hours or days even.
One other watchstander onboard would greatly increase your
safety and your COLREGS compliance. Especially if that other person has experience in
offshore sailing.
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