Looking for an electric drive for your sailboat?
For which sailboat is an electric motor worthwhile?
An electric motor is really perfect for almost all sailboats. No maintenance, no annoying warm-up of the engine, easy to turn on and drive with the push of a button. Especially when it comes to maneuvering in the harbor, the battery doesn't have to be dimensioned so large.
There are numerous aspects in which a combustion engine performs worse. You can find more advantages in our blog.
Worth it for all sailboats with conventional propulsion.
Ideal application for sailboats
The electric motor on sailboats is usually only used in the harbor and in calm weather, so for short distances. Ideally, you can sail with a lot of wind and don't need a motor at all. Since sailboats are very streamlined, less power is needed than for motorboats. We assume a minimum of 1-1.5 kW per ton of boat weight for inland waters and a minimum of 1.5-2 kW for the coast.
Which type of engine fits my sailboat?
We will go through it step by step and give our current recommendations. Sailboats have different types of engines:
- Outboard engines
- Inboard engines
- Pod motors
- Rotatable pod motors
- Saildrives
If a motor has already been installed, it is best to use the same type of motor. This is usually the easiest option. Of course, it is also possible to convert to a different type of motor. We will be happy to advise you in detail and have specialized partners at hand for you.
Recommended outboard motors for sailboats (price-performance ratio)
Boat weight | Current recommendation | Image | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
|
750 kg |
1 kW motor with 1.28 kWh battery |
from 2,549€ |
|
|
2,000 kg |
3 kW motor with 3 kWh battery |
€5,699 |
|
|
4,000 kg |
6 kW motor with 6 kWh battery |
from 8,299€ |
|
|
6,000 kg |
11 kW motor with 10 kWh battery |
from 13,999€ |
Pod motors for sailboats
From our point of view, pod motors are really ideal for small to medium-sized sailboats. The motors take up little space and are completely underwater. The only disadvantage is the higher resistance in the water. However, many providers now offer the option of generating electricity while sailing. Alternatively, there is also a folding propeller or rotating blade propeller for less resistance underwater.
Recommended pod motors for sailboats (price-performance)
Boat weight | Current recommendation | Image | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
|
750 kg |
1 kW motor with 1.28 kWh battery |
from €2,999 |
|
|
2,000 kg |
3 kW motor with 3 kWh battery |
from €5,599 |
|
|
4,000 kg |
6 kW motor with 6 kWh battery |
from €7,699 |
|
|
6,000 kg |
11 kW motor with 10 kWh battery |
from €13,150 |
Saildrives for sailboats
Saildrives are already a good option for sailboats with combustion engines. If the existing foundation can be reused, a saildrive is definitely worthwhile. With a saildrive, the motor is located inside the boat and therefore causes less resistance in the water. A saildrive is particularly suitable for faster sailors and larger sailboats. We usually recommend the saildrives from Bellmarin or WaterWorld.
Since there is a much larger selection for pod motors, this is usually our recommendation for smaller sailboats. The advantages of the pod motor: less space in the boat, less noise and no maintenance of the gearbox, direct cooling of the motor in the water.
Inboard motors for sailboats
Inboard motors are ideal if a shaft system already exists. Then only the new electric motor needs to be flanged onto the shaft. The propeller can often remain, depending on pitch and speed. In general, an electric inboard motor saves weight and space!
In our opinion, WaterWorld offers very good value for money with their 4 to 20 kW motors. Alternatively, Aquamot and E-Tech offer very good solutions. Depending on the manufacturer, there are a few differences between the motors, especially in terms of cooling, compatibility, and displays.
Boat weight | Current recommendation | Image | Price complete package |
|---|---|---|---|
|
up to 1,000 kg |
2 kW motor with 5 kWh battery |
from €4,999 |
|
|
up to 2,000 kg |
4 kW motor with 5 kWh battery |
from 7,499€ |
|
|
up to 4,500 kg |
7 kW motor with 10 kWh battery |
from 9,399€ |
|
|
up to 7,000 kg |
10 kW motor with 10 kWh battery |
from 13,999€ |
|
|
up to 12,000 kg |
20 kW motor with 20 kWh battery |
from 16,999€ |
Rotatable pod motors for sailboats (complete package)
Rotatable pod motors are particularly suitable for sailboats that do not have a rudder. The pod motor can usually be rotated at least 180° and thus steer the boat in the desired direction. In addition, the motors can be operated forwards and backwards, so a rotatable pod motor offers good maneuverability.
Recommended rotating pod motors for sailboats (price-performance)
Boat weight | Current recommendation | Image | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
|
up to 1,000 kg |
2.2 kW motor with 2.4 kWh battery |
from 4,899€ |
|
|
up to 3,000 kg |
4.3 kW motor with 5 kWh battery |
from 6,799€ |
|
|
up to 6,000 kg |
8 kW motor with 10 kWh battery |
from 10,499€ |
|
|
up to 10,000 kg |
15 kW motor with 20 kWh battery |
from 15,699€ |
What should I consider when choosing an electric motor for my sailboat?
Especially if you are currently looking for a new motor, you should at least consider an electric motor. If you are buying a new motor now, it should be designed to last for the next 10 years or more. This is also because the value of your boat is related to the propulsion system. Especially due to the many driving bans, this can pay off for you early on.
The following is important for electric sailboats:
-
Design of electric motor and battery (not too much or too little power/capacity)
-
Consider space and weight (Lithium or AGM, Lithium is 3 times lighter and takes up less space)
-
Suitable charging options (shore power at the port/dock, recuperation, solar)
-
Compatibility of components (especially for electric motor and battery, particularly for remaining capacity)
-
Special features (recuperation, battery information via Bluetooth to the mobile phone)
Sailboats with electric motors are cheaper in the long run.
Why are electric boats much cheaper to maintain?
The biggest cost driver are the operating costs. Instead of several liters of gasoline, only a few kWh of electricity are needed. Recently, gasoline prices have been increasing again. In addition, there are also annual maintenance costs and the repair of wear parts. (oil change, filters, transmission, etc.)
Installation of the electric motor in your sailboat
Mounting an outboard motor is uncomplicated at the motor mirror, which is located at the stern of the boat. The attachment is done by means of clamping screws or bolting. Depending on the weight of the motor, this is easy, especially for motors under 11 kW (15 hp) and can usually be done by a layman.
The installation of other types of motors (pod motor, inboard, saildrive) is more complex than with an outboard motor and should generally be carried out by an experienced boat builder. This often requires the boat to be lifted out of the water, which may require a crane.
We have a nationwide network of boat builders and shipyards for installation. We will be happy to refer you to a contact person in your region. The colleagues will then take care of the installation of the system. We will be happy to handle the coordination for you. Please contact us in good time before the start of the season so that we can reserve a space for you!
When is an electric motor not worth it?
However, there are also applications where an electric motor is currently not optimal. For example, for world travels on the high seas. Simply because the batteries are very large, heavy and expensive for a long range. It is technically possible, but not always economical compared to an internal combustion engine. Here we usually recommend a hybrid system.
In exceptional cases, we recommend a hybrid motor from E-Tech or Fischer Panda. Even though we prefer all-electric drives.
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