So there are two different ideas, one is hybrid, the other is diesel electric.
Hybrid cars are created to enhance
fuel economy. As mentioned, they can regenerate a great deal of energy, converting the kinetic energy back to electricity to be used again. Their tires are firmly connected to the ground allowing for little loss. This recovered energy is turned into heat in a normal car. A boat is moving through
water, which is more than dense enough to slow it down without brakes. A
boats propellor is very inefficient at doing this, although when
sails are added to the picture, it can be done indefinitely. Hybrid cars are relatively expensive because of the bits and pieces needed, the pay back is saved
fuel expense. The return on investment for a boat would likely be measured in decades or centuries. Hybrid cars are mass produced, a boat solution is custom.
The other is diesel electric. You are now essentially
buying two engines, and a large
battery bank. This will perhaps double or more the cost of just the Diesel engine (there could be advantages in that you want a huge generator for some reason anyway). In order to allow for powering indefinitely (or at least until you run out of fuel) you need to generate electricity at a rate greater than or equal to the usage. So if you need 12kw
electric motor, you will need a 12kw generator, not counting losses (meaning the 12kw generator is not enough). The idea that you can move about with no
noise or smell is now discarded.
The third as also mentioned is the pure electric (Tesla not Prius). This has the limited range issues that are discussed. If you are not
passage making but using your boat in and out of a marina for day trips - then this may be for you. Some extension may be gained by use of to electric generating devices, such as spinning the prop while sailing (which will slow you down). Or solar/windmill generation. These devices (at least today) are hard to
ramp up to the 48 or 72 volts that you need for the drive engine.
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