Any experience with electric pods? Combi-Nautic?

[keithw88]

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I am considering fitting an electric pod to a little long-keeled sailing boat (6ms). As it has a high transom, an outboard is not feasible. I am aware that a diesel has many advantages, but for me there are significant disadvantages; I have had several, from new to old - so please don’t offer any advice in that regard.

If a pod is mounted on say starboard under the run aft in line with the keel, will I get noticeable creeping to port in fwd? can I offset this by angling the pod a little to direct thrust a little bit to starboard? (I have seen many old long-keelers with a shaft coming out of the garboard area to stbd, with the shaft directed to angle the thrust quite a bit to stbd.) if this is done, doesn’t it mean that when turning to stbd the rudder will catch some of the prop-stream and the boat will spin to stbd, but that turning to port will be ponderous?

If I direct the stream directly astern, I could put some balance on the rudder (although it is transom-hung, there is an aperture already in the keel for a prop) and that would make turning to port a bit more effective - any thoughts?

The props on pods are small, and they spin at c 1450 rpm: wd the direction of rotation make any difference?

One range of pods available is made by Combi of the Netherlands. Does anyone have experience of these?

(I have a Torqeedo outboard, so their pod is a possibility, but there are some shortcomings in respect of cost, charging and compliance with my local standards (NZ).)

Best wishes to all, Keith