Thread subject: Whaler Central - Boston Whaler Boat Information and Photos :: Hybrids make it into the boating world...Finally
Posted by Jeff on 06/07/08 - 5:24 PM
#1
I was back looking through my bookmarks to find some info and ran across a website for a manufacture in Europe I found some time ago. I loved the aesthetics of their run-abouts so I book marked the page and figured I would check back every once and a while. Any way when I was on their site today I noticed they have began building their hulls with Hybrid Diesel Electric powerplants. Just found it interesting given today's current situation.
Here is Frauscher's
Website
Here is a
PDF on their Steyr Diesel Hybrid Power Plant.
Edited by Jeff on 06/07/08 - 5:26 PM
Posted by arthureld on 06/07/08 - 8:35 PM
#2
I bought a Ford Escape Hybrid in 2005. People always say that they heard hybid doesn't save money.
It never was all about the money to me but in the end, I probably will at least break even.
I happen to be in a position to support what I believe in even if it costs a little extra. I was also happy to support an American car manufacturer.
This is a great subject Jeff and if someone (preferably an American manufacturer) offers a hybid that gets as good of reviews as my Escape Hybrid, I will most likely support them by buying one.
Posted by Binkie on 06/08/08 - 8:05 AM
#3
Battery weight is the main problem of EV`s. I`m thinking about converting a small pickup or a VW Cabriolet convertible to a plug in EV when and if gas goes beyond $5.00. Its not really difficult to do, and many kits are available for different vehicles. You can check out all this stuff online if your interested. Its expensive though, costs are about 5k plus batteries, plus vehicle. I don`t see this happening in boats, You need 20 batteries to power an S-10 pickup or 16 for a VW.
That's a lot of weight for a boat. The electric motor it self weighs about 150lbs. You maybe get 60-90 miles between charges on a car, but who knows what it would be on a boat, a lot less, I would assume, because of prop slippage.
Can I tow my 13 foot Whaler to the ramp and launch and retrieve it with an EV? that would be cool.:)
rich
Posted by Tom W Clark on 06/08/08 - 8:34 AM
#4
Diesel-Electric hybrids have been around for over a hundred years. Nothing new there. The Washington State Ferry system has been using diesel-electric ferries for as long as they have existed.
Posted by arthureld on 06/08/08 - 9:13 AM
#6
The thing that makes sense about using hybrid on cars is regenerative brakes which charges the batteries when you brake.
I wonder if there is anything like that on boat hybrids. It would be much more worthwhile if it could generate it's own electricity.
Posted by bdubose on 06/09/08 - 2:09 PM
#8
Of course some of the most efficient marine hybrids are sailboats with small gas or diesel engines used mostly for docking. ;)