By boating with an electric boat, you will discover the power and tranquillity of electric boating, or the new way of boating. Not only is it 'green'. For many, it is also a new experience. Because boating with an electric motor is simpler; speed is easy to control, the e-motor works demand-driven and responds quickly. So what is the difference between an electric motor and an combustion engine? Read all about it in this blog.
Simple operation It is easy to use an electric motor and thus an electric boat. The power distribution of an electric motor is step-free. On the one hand, you have the entire power available almost immediately and on the other hand, the e-motor is very easy to dose.
Especially with electric boating, it is important to cruise calm. As the engine responds quickly, it is easy to ask for additional power when needed. For experienced skippers who are used to diesel, this takes some getting used to. Less experienced skippers will find an electric boat easier to handle.
Electric engine vs. combustion engine
The first difference that stands out between an e-motor and a combustion engine is the described power. One HP = 0.73 kW. So for example 85 HP is 62 kW. But there are more differences. An electric motor gives its full power after only one rotation. A combustion engine only does this at a much higher rpm. If we translate this into practice, you will see that the hull speed of an electrically powered boat is achieved with a lower power output. It varies from boat to boat, but it is likely that half the power or even a third of the power of an combustion engine will result in comparable performance.
This also explains why an electric boat often has a motor installed with relatively 'little' power compared to a combustion engine.
Low maintenance An electric motor has almost no moving parts compared to a traditional combustion engine, which means it requires far less maintenance. There are fewer parts that can wear out or break down and if you have not been boating for a while you do not have to drain the fuel, for example.
Propeller efficiency In general, less than half of the engine energy is converted via the propeller into propulsion, regardless which type of engine. A portion is lost in cavitation. The larger the propeller and the slower it rotates, the better the propeller efficiency. To ensure that a propeller rotates more slowly, a reduction is often applied, which also results in losses. With electric motors, the use of a reduction is not necessary, which results in higher propeller efficiency. For an optimum result, the appropriate electric motor is calculated for the most suitable propeller.
The new way of boating Electric boating is peaceful boating, which at the same time means efficient boating. Thanks to a higher propeller efficiency, a well-dosed e-motor and the possibility to request more power if necessary, you will immediately discover the power of electric boating. The new way of boating is also more relaxed, because an electric motor is easy to operate and requires less maintenance.
Would you like to read more about the boating ranges of electric boating? Read "What are the options to extend the boating range of my electric boat?”
Would you like to experience electric boating for yourself? Charter an electric motor yacht at Natural Yachts.