Thank you Don. I will looking it further with him.
Tim
Bob,
you can add me to the list of electric conversions: Twice now as the first (2020) one got hit with a lightning strike and had to be replaced after 50 hours use. Because of covid issues and world shortages of everything else I only actually established today that the second (replacement) motor is functioning as it should. But now I need a new prop as electric motors apparently don’t work well with feathering/folding props.
The motor/controller are from a British firm called Lynch Motor Corp and the battery pack is Torqeedo.
s/v Cattitude is a Nonsuch 26 Ultra that we bought in 2014. We went fossil free in 2016 with 8 Firefly G31 carbon foam batteries, a Thunderstruck 10 kw motor with a 2 to 1 gear reduction and an Outback 3 kw inverter charger. Also a dual induction hotplate to replace the propane system.
Travelled to most ports and anchorages on Lake Ontario as a hybrid sail/electric vessel.
Added solar in 2021 when we had the mast trucked to Midland and started up the Trent-Severn waterway as a totally electric boat until we reconnected with our mast in Midland.
Upgraded to Lithium Iron last winter.
Heading to the 30,000 Islands and North Channel this August and September.
Brian Monrad and Cathie Macdonald
s/v Cattitude eNS26Ue #205
416 932-2143
brian@monrad.com
In the process of converting to QT-10 electric. Have feathering Max Prop. Curious to know why the two are not compatible?
As I understand it for the motor on my boat, apparently the feathering blades increase the load when changing from forward to reverse, say. This is detected in the controller module which is programmed to cut back on the power supplied so as to prevent overload damage to the motor and the batteries. The prop blades do not easily reverse position unless the motor gives them a “kick”, which doesn’t happen with electric motors.
Jim and Frank
I never had a folding prop on my 30U and never felt the need for one since converting to electric propulsion. Instead if the winds are really light I just power up the motor control just enough to eliminate any prop drag. As the winds pick up it starts to regen and start to charge the batteries. It’s a win win in my opinion.
Mike
BIANKA
1986 30U
Long Island
Hi Mike
A folding or feathering prop usually enhances the performance of the boat under sail, especially if the fixed prop that is replaced has large blades. I see your point but if you were racing, using the motor is not normally permitted.
Do you know the diameter of your fixed prop? The manufacturer of my electric motor suggests the largest prop that will fit, which of course, I don’t know.
Jim:
I never changed my boats 16 inch 14 pitch fixed three blade prop when I converted to electric. I’m in the “if it ain’t broke don’t fix it” mindset. It works well though you might want to consult with a prop shop to see if they have a better choice for electric motors.
Mike
BIANKA
1986 30U
Long Island
Mike
Good choice of fonts for a confession
Brian
Boat-less in New England
Progress report: so far, seven electric Nonsuches identified.
In order by owners’ last name, they’re:
-
Anonymous owner who prefers to remain private
-
Tom Beilein, Crackl’n Rose, e30C
-
Mike Girardo, Bianka, e30U
-
Jim Johnston, Minou, e30U
-
Brian Monrad and Cathie Macdonald, Cattitude, e26U
-
Bob Neches, Me Gusta, e26U
-
Tim Roberts, White O’morn, e26U
Anyone else out there?
– Bob
Me Gusta
Nonsuch e26U #233
And s/v Electra, who maybe anonymous?
Don
I am finally going to go electric on my 1981 26c after thinking about it for two years. My w13a has developed a serious exhaust leak (black smoke pouring out of the companionway is not what I want out of “yachting”) and I seem to have some loss of power. I am fed up with dealing with my diesel. Bob’s write-up on “Me Gusta” convinced me, and I have contacted a mechanic who will remove the engine and tank and dispose of it. I plan on moving my cradle to the marina (Gibraltar Boat Yard), and the manager there says I can do the work on the install of the Electric Yacht QT10 on the hard there over the fall. If things go well, I hope to get a couple of late season sailings in, but I have resigned myself to maybe needing to wait to launch till next spring.
Bob - thanks so much for your detailed write-up. Your listing of the costs was very useful in getting my wife to agree to the project. I was planning on skimping on the amp-hours due to cost and buying 4x100AH 12v AGMs, with the idea that I can buy more capacity in LiFePOs later on and replace the battery bank in a couple years. I already have a 25 amp “suitcase-style” generator with a shore power connector to extend range if I need it, and Mike’s BIAKA blog has convinced me that swapping out the battery banks is not that daunting. Going with minimal amp hours shouldn’t be a problem just leaving the slip for club races or daysails, but I like longer cruises and have plans to take the boat up to Alpena harbor to sail around northern Lake Huron. That was supposed to happen at the end of last season before the diesel got wonky. With a 1-2kt current against me going up the Detroit and St. Clair rivers, I might have to wait until I get a bigger battery bank if the generator doesn’t cut it.
Anyway, thanks again to Bob and Mike for the inspiration and detailed information. Wish me luck!
Tim Cordes
Nonsuch 26C #32 “ENCORE”
Ford Yacht Club, Grosse Ile, Michigan
Tim,
Good luck, keep folks posted, and let us all know if we can be of any help.
– Bob
Me Gusta
Nonsuch e26U #233
Pondus, 26C #33 was an early conversion several years ago. She might have been the second conversion after Mike’s Bianca. Electric makes sense on the Great Lakes where winterizing diesels is a necessary expense.
We should consider adding an “E” for electric to the Model column in the 2024 registry to keep track of the expanding electric fleet.
John Newell
Mascouche 26C#1 (Universal 16 hp diesel)
Toronto
Good idea on the E column John
Terry Cutts
Phoenix 30U
#404 Toronto
647-856-0377
Tim
You will have to get use to the smell of clean after going to an EP installation. As John mentioned Fall winterizing is such a breeze with EP. I still shake remembering those cold November evenings smelling of diesel, oil and antifreeze while winterizing the diesel. Now I only have to winterize the boats water system. You will also be amazed at how much wiring, hoses etc…you will remove from the engine area as you remove the iron pig. 
Mike
BIANKA
1986 30U
Long Island
Mike
I am really looking forward to getting rid of the smells of the diesel. I swapped out my china bowl and holding tank for a Nature’s Head “composting” head because my hoses were a little fragrant, and that left the most potent odor aboard as the diesel. Of course, now with the leaking exhaust elbows it is sooo much worse. I reupholstered all the interior cushions last winter, and now they are a bit permeated with exhaust fumes, so that is a bummer, too. It seems funny to say it, but I yearn for a day when the strongest smell belowdecks will be my bilge.
I am also really anticipating simplifying the wiring for the 12v system. I took out the Paloma water heater, so I decided to bypass the pressure pump and accumulator tank and just go with foot pumps for the galley and head. That leaves a some deprecated wiring that I would like to repurpose for USB charging ports at each berth, and I think some wiring was left in place when the previous owner upgraded the refrigerator. On top of that, my 12v charger is from the last century, so that probably should go, too. I think I’d like to have one charger from shore power to the 48v bank, and then use a step down unit (inverter?) to take 12v off my 48v bank to charge the house batteries. I’m not sure exactly how that is done.
Electric Yacht says I should be able to maintain 3.3 kts perpetually in flat water using my 25A portable generator. I read your blog post about circumnavigating Manhattan using your generator, and it looks like that would be a good way to avoid range anxiety. 3 kts is faster than I usually motor anyway - I use the big flappy white thing to get to places quicker. Unlike you, I would be at a slip with 30A shore power most of the time, so solar isn’t really something I would need, (except for playing around with it for fun), but the idea of taking the generator with me if I spend a night or two at anchor is a real comfort.
Tim Cordes
Nonsuch 26C #32 “ENCORE”
Ford Yacht Club, Grosse Ile, Michigan
Tim:
I kept my 12 volt house bank separate from my 48 volt propulsion bank. My philosophy was not to have all the eggs in one basket. So I have separate chargers for each battery bank. I did add a 48 volt to 120 volt inverter to be able to use some tools onboard on occasion. This has become superfluous after I recently put an ECO Flow solar generator on board which I use for the Ice maker, bread maker, hot air popcorn popper and tools while making power from the sun. Though you being at the dock will be a piece of cake in terms of charging for you system.
Mike
BIANKA
1986 30U
Long Island.
Mike,
Interested in what Eco Flow model you are using. I would like to compare with Blueti & Big Blue - know I want LiFEPO4.
Thanks, Neil
NS26C, #149
Collins Bay, Kingston
Neil
I have a ECOFLOW Delta Max 2000.
https://amzn.to/3Kwgw7S
It has really come in handy on board and in the off season is at my house in case there should be a power outage over the winter. I’ve got a small wet/dry vac that comes in useful for a quick cleanup or getting water out of the Nonsuch’s deep bilge. I get a kick out of making ice cubes all day using nothing but, the energy from the sun via the solar panels. I also use it to power my CPAP machine when sleeping on board. I just bought an electric kettle which boils water fast for coffee and tea. I’m also planing on buying an induction burner and that will make any propane onboard relegated to backup cooking.
Mike
BIANKA
1986 30U
Long Island