Barb Melanson’s electric conversion question got me wondering.
Mike on Bianka, Tim in St. Louis, and I seem to be the most frequent Discussion Group posters who’ve repowered with electric. But I’m pretty sure we’re not the only ones.
I’d be curious to get a count. If you’re out there and electrified, mind raising a digital hand?
If you’ve got privacy concerns and don’t want to do a public post, just click on the the three dots to the right of the reply arrow, select “Reply to author” and send me a private message. (Appearances to the contrary, I do know how to keep my mouth shut.)
We are not electric, but kind of wonder who is as well. Maybe those who have electrified and are willing to go public could designate such in their boat designation: Bob would be a 26Ue, Mike a 30Ue, etc.
Bob: I think I’ve mentioned this before when you suggested it. I don’t have the 3 dots you mention. I do, however, see the senders email address in the heading. Obviously, it depends on what you use for an email client as to how you can email direct.
Joe Valinoti
S/V iL Gatto NS30U #221
Sea Harbour YC
Oriental, NC USA
Thanks, Joe/Brian, you’re right – the three dots applies to people looking at the discussion group using a browser on the web. For people looking via email, you need to pick out my email address and send a message to there.
Still hoping to hear from electric Nonsuch owners.
I have had major issues with my Betamarine repowered engine with saildrive. Mainly it is the drive plate that has failed 3 times. I have had it with diesel motors and would like to go electric. Is this a reasonable option with a Nonsuch 30? I am in British Columbia and I am not aware of an conversions in this area. I would appreciate anyone’s input for or against.
Thanks
I’d guess there is misalignment between the motor and saildrive or you sometimes shift from neutral to forward or reverse with significant engine rpm which would put a lot of load on the drive plate.
Do you have the correct drive plate for the application?
Is your boat berthed at a dock with shore power? If not, you might not like the electric option.
Thanks Ward. I agree it is likely poor alignment. I absolutely never put excessive load by changing forward to reverse. I started with a Volvo drive and when that failed I got a new Beta to match the engine. The person who installed it said the original alignment was wrong. I thought that had fixed it but 2 years later (just outside warranty) it has gone again. I haven’t been able to get a mechanic to fix it but they will next week. If it is an “easy” fix with correction of alignment that maybe OK but I am losing faith in the motor. So much towing the company gave me a momento C-Tow cap which is not something that I wear as a mark of honour! If all fails I will contemptlateelecric. I do dock at a marina with power.
Thank you for you input.
My sympathies on your problems. There are N30s which have converted to electric, and there are several manufacturers of electric saildrives.
However, there’s another thread titled “Questions about electric conversion.” May I please ask you to shift your questions to that thread and reserve this one for people who already have made the conversion and are willing to say so?
Sept. 2019 I installed a Beta 25 with a Beta supplied Seaprop 60 which is made by Twin Disc. Probably the same Saildrive. Happily (or unhappily) I still have a C-Tow membership which I took up when the old Volvo engine didn’t always get me home.
I hope your problem is soon resolved.
I considered electric but range anxiety tipped the scale.
Due to the way these are bolted together, I don’t understand how there can be an alignment problem.
???
Joe Valinoti
S/V iL Gatto NS30U #221
Sea Harbour YC
Oriental, NC USA
At the recent Pacific Northwest Nonsuch Rendezvous there was a NS26C with electric drive, s/v Electra, R/O John Boquist. I don’t know any details of his set-up, and he doesn’t seem to frequent the discussion group, but he is an INA member.
At the recent Pacific Northwest Nonsuch Rendezvous there was a NS26C with electric drive, s/v Electra, R/O John Boquist. I don’t know any details of his set-up, and he doesn’t seem to frequent the discussion group, but he is an INA member.
At the recent Pacific Northwest Nonsuch Rendezvous there was a NS26C with electric drive, s/v Electra, R/O John Boquist. I don’t know any details of his set-up, and he doesn’t seem to frequent the discussion group, but he is an INA member.
At the recent Pacific Northwest Nonsuch Rendezvous there was a NS26C with electric drive, s/v Electra, R/O John Boquist. I don’t know any details of his set-up, and he doesn’t seem to frequent the discussion group, but he is an INA member.
Unless it was miss aligned on assemble and the drive plate was damaged.
It took us some time to get the engine and Saildrive aligned vertically and sideways (by measuring the distance between the flanges all around. Shimming the engine and Saildrive). Once that was done get the splines lined up (this was done with a cellphone and a mirror and some magic performed by my daughter). When all was set I gave the engine a push (with the help of a 2x4) and it fell together. We had to use the bolts to draw the last 1/8”. Really just to get the boss started inside the flange. Once it was in it jumped the last 1/8 and we could tighten the bolts.
This was the most delicate part of the job and the part I fretted over most.