Electric Drive for a Cal25?

[captainmark]

I have a good Universal Atomic diesel in her, which I prefer to gas, but it's noisy, smelly, etc. The idea of quiet, regenerating motor is beguiling.

Why are these vendor electric drives so costly? We only want or need 3 or 4 hp, just enough to get in and out of the slip. It seems to me that a golf cart motor would do fine and I see these used for a few hundred dollars. Smart battery chargers on ebay for chump change. I can't see why a controller would be high cost.

What am I missing?

[LtBrett]

You're missing a way to recharge your batteries underway. And you're locking into a motor that would be all but useless save for fair weather docking and undocking.

Brett

[captainmark]

I appreciate the response, Brett.

I don't really understand the technology, but I believe that with the right controller it's possible to recharge the batteries by the rotating propeller while under sail.

And, of course, you're right about not having useful power for heavy weather sailing.

We're mostly fair weather sailors just looking for power to get us in and out of the slip.

Best,
md