Resources

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Various Youtube videos of sailboat conversions

Site giving a good overview of different DIY options and a very comprehensive resources page

There is of course a Wikipedia entry

Various conversion blogs and examples.

Organizations

Green Marine repower - A 501(c)(3) non-profit formed to promote electric boating (looks gone unfortunately)

ElectricBoats Yahoo Group - source of most of what I've learned

Cruise News - wow - what a comprehensive site - not necessarily related to e-boating, but a lot of semi-relevant links like LED lighting for example.

Tools

Electric Boat Calculator - amazing online tool for designing an e-boat system

Don't have a machine shop handy? Here's one online

Propulsion Systems

    • Advanced Marine Electric Propulsion (AMEP) - this is one of the few purpose-built marine electric drive systems. Only 2KW (which is actually my normal cruising output on my 30') but for boats under 28' and areas where current is not too much a challenge this would be a very sweet system.
    • Thunderstruck EV - where I bought my basic 'kit'. They are also going to be the supplier for the not-yet-released Advanced Marine Electric Systems integrated drive system/motor - a mechnically "turnkey" system which should be much easier to install and maintain.
    • Electric Yachts - turnkey system featuring a higher-power 72V system for larger boats. Also a nice throttle quadrant that might be a good add-on to any installation.
    • Propulsion Marine - source for larger electric motors - up to 50KW (10 times the size on my boat)
    • SoldNav - a complete (just add batteries!) turnkey system - similar to the kit above, but much less work!
    • Re-ePower - external, pod-mounted drive systems offer some interesting possibilities. [Note - some recent customer-service complaints]
    • Glacier Bay - Complete high-voltage DC systems including motors, gensets, reefers, etc. Perfect for larger boats.
    • Fischer-Panda - well know marine generator mfg also makes integrated drive systems
    • EPower Marine -
    • ASMO Marine - really sexy Thoosa drive units with lots of case studies
    • Ray Electric Outboards - high-power outboards
    • OZ Marine - I really like the honesty in their numbers - the only place I've seen to mention the low runtime available in tough conditions.
    • Above The Waterline - nice looking turnkey setup
    • E Motion Hybrids - founded by David Tether who was previously one of the founders of Solomon Technologies.
    • Solomon Technologies - high end systems for larger boats. Unique planetary gear system allows larger motors and lower RPM at the shaft, making direct couple feasible.
    • Electric-sailboat really good site but I can't tell if they're selling the kit or not.
    • Bellman - just found out about this one. Neat stuff, very expensive.

Complete Boats

Components

Thunderstruck EV - they sell a kit as well as components like chargers, contactors, etc. I use their low-cost DC-DC converters for my 12V house power

EV Components - great prices on lithium ion batteries

There are a ton on online retailers for different motors/controllers and the like. Google "robot" or "EV" and you'll find a bunch

Drillspot.com - They basically retail Grainger - really good customer service and convenient ordering. Looks like you can now take a part number directly from the EPT Calculator, and just plug it into their search engine (or use Google) and you'll get the right part.

Emerson Power Transmission - They make the Browning series of drive pulley systems. There are others but this site has a nice calculator (after registering) that allows you to design the complete drive system for your boat. Then just find the parts at Drillspot (above) and you should be all set.

Props - I'm thinking about trying one of these... http://mysite.verizon.net/resqp86c/performancepropellers/id17.html

Chargers:

Kipoint - eBay seller located in Taiwan - makes a wide variety of chargers including inexpensive 48V units

Zivan - More sophisticated, programmable chargers

Genius - I'm loving my new 4-bank one - seems to be giving me almost 10% more usable power.

And lastly...

Human Power Generator - for when you absolutely, positively, have to get home