Electric Wake Boat

Nooga678 · Posted: Feb 18, 2009 6:35 pm Post subject: Electric Wake Boat

Are there any out there?

It seems the downfalls of the electric motor would be fine or even beneficial in a boat.

The batteries way alot which would be great for the boat. Most people only go out for a day and trailer or dock their boat each night where it could be charged back up. Also, unless you run a training camp, many don't spend a whole day running the motor. Then there is that great benefit of electric motors giving all their torque from the start. It would get out of the whole with ease and rip the riders arms off if you wanted it to. Maybe put a small gas generator that would give you enough power to travel at idle speeds. That way you don't burn the batteries when idleing around, and you would have a fall back to get you home if you ran out of juice. Then there is that big thing about not having to buy gas for a big V8 that sucks gas when waited down and running high RPMs.

m_lesney · Soul Rider Joined: 22 Feb 2008 Posts: 358 City: Austin

yea that would make sense im sure someones tried it though maybe water electric/batteries not good idea dont know Question

leviwynnyk · Posted: Feb 18, 2009 10:21 pm Post subject:

Nooga678, I think you have some good points and ideas. A "green" wakeboat. I imagine the major obsticle is getting enough battery power to run the boat for more then an average day of riding, say 5 hours or more. This would take a lot of batteries I'd think, but as mentioned, in a wakeboat the weight is welcome.

A small gas generator is a good idea as well in case of an emergency.

I like the idea, or at least this direction of thinking.

Brit Rider · Posted: Feb 19, 2009 4:49 am Post subject:

I constantly here this idea come up, and then people shooting it down by saying "its cost prohibitive" - but realistically, by the time you take into account all the maintenance required on a gas engine (far more complicated than a motor), and the fuel to put in it over say a 5 year stretch... the electric concept really seems to begin making sense.

BSBell · Outlaw Joined: 20 Apr 2008 Posts: 237 City: Memphis

Propane, problem solved Cool

Brit Rider · Posted: Feb 19, 2009 6:46 am Post subject:

BSBell, NOt really. We use Propane (LPG) here in Europe widely. IT costs around $4,000 for the conversion, depending on options and the engine.

It is certainly a better option than running on gas, but still produces CO2, requires a gas engine which still needs expensive servicing and upkeep.... it also generally means fitting tanks that take away a stack of storage.

Don't get me wrong, I'm a big advocate of going to LPG for anyone doing over 100 or so hours a year, but its not a solution, its just a means to save a little money.

the Point of an electric boat would be that once bought, running costs would be minimal @ only a few bucks to charge the cells and the simplicity of a traditional electric motor.

Suprahunter · Soul Rider Joined: 28 Apr 2008 Posts: 486 City: Lowell

fish6942 · Addict Joined: 22 Feb 2006 Posts: 603

The problem is energy storage. Consider the volume that a 30 gallon gas tank takes up. Now consider filling that same volume with lead acid batteries. The amount of energy per cubic inch is MUCH greater for gasoline than it is for batteries.

fish6942 · Addict Joined: 22 Feb 2006 Posts: 603

The problem is energy storage. Consider the volume that a 30 gallon gas tank takes up. Now consider filling that same volume with lead acid batteries. The amount of energy per cubic inch is MUCH greater for gasoline than it is for batteries.

thomas12 · Newbie Joined: 23 Jun 2008 Posts: 38

m_lesney · Soul Rider Joined: 22 Feb 2008 Posts: 358 City: Austin

Nooga678 · Posted: Feb 20, 2009 4:13 am Post subject:

thomas12, I agree, but how much room does your 30 gallon tank plus all those fat sacks take up? Now replace all that with batteries. Space for the batteries is not an issue when they are serving two purposes. It would take less space to achieve the same ballast using batteries over water. Not to mention that the actual electric motor takes up less room than a gass one. In current V-style hull boats, I don't think finding places to hide all the batteries would be a problem.

Brit Rider · Posted: Feb 20, 2009 5:37 am Post subject:

Suprahunter, They generally go in the rear lockers along side the engine... they take about 50-60% of the space away.

fish6942 · Addict Joined: 22 Feb 2006 Posts: 603

8122pbrainard · Outlaw Joined: 10 Feb 2009 Posts: 111 City: Northfield

Thread on electric boats over on CCfan:
http://www.correctcraftfan.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=9233&KW=electric+boat

Boesch Electrics:
http://www.boesch-boats.ch/boats/series-560/560-sundeck-electric-power/560-sundeck-electric-power/
The kw's calculate out to about 1 hour of run time at full speed of 21 mph.

Edison electrics:
http://edisonboats.com/

Keep in mind these are NOT "green". We still have to generate the power (not green) to recharge them! Hybrid cars are not green at this point ether when you consider the "cradle to grave" resources required!!! The only green boat is a sail boat.

bonsaitree · Outlaw Joined: 12 Mar 2007 Posts: 198

BSBell · Outlaw Joined: 20 Apr 2008 Posts: 237 City: Memphis

Water and batteries don't go that good together either, especially salt water! Mad

8122pbrainard · Outlaw Joined: 10 Feb 2009 Posts: 111 City: Northfield

bonsaitree · Outlaw Joined: 12 Mar 2007 Posts: 198

DRAGON88 · Posted: Feb 21, 2009 12:42 pm Post subject:

I know of at least two manufacturers who have battery wakeboats. Many were expecting to see one manufacturer release the prototype at expo, but it didn't happen.

With gas so cheap right now, it will be interesting to see what happens to the R&D in the wakeboat segment in regards to alternative fuel sources...

8122pbrainard · Outlaw Joined: 10 Feb 2009 Posts: 111 City: Northfield

Brit Rider · Posted: Feb 21, 2009 2:26 pm Post subject:

DRAGON88, I was told by the owner and designer of a certain boat brand that they were working on an electric boat about 3-4 years ago... I'm still yet to see it.

BSBell · Outlaw Joined: 20 Apr 2008 Posts: 237 City: Memphis

I remember being a kid with a remote control boat, the battery pack was the biggest/heaviest item in it(a little bigger than my hand) and it would only power the little boat for about 5-7 minutes.

I think it can be done somehow but it takes so much energy to keep a boat moving with all of the resistance, especially on a wakeboard boat loaded up with fatsacs. Puppy Eyes

--cresko-- · Soul Rider Joined: 03 Dec 2006 Posts: 496

I cant really see how an electric motor could develop as much torque as the engines used now a days. For example most engines used in wakeboats today produce from like 340-520 ft.Ibs of torque. Another thing is trying to put an electric motor that develops that kind of torque in a boat would greatly reduce the top speed of the boat. Even look at electric cars, the top speeds are pathetic compared to gas cars. The acceleration on them is pretty good, but after that everything seems to die down. The tesla roadster for example has crazy acceleration, but its top speed is 125 mph. I just dont think electric motors in boats are going to work at the moment.

Stephan · Guest

Haha how funny is this thread now that Epic released an electric hybrid boat less than a week after the original thread was created? Good job folks!!! When you don't know what you are talking about it's always good to speak in generalities.

8122pbrainard · Outlaw Joined: 10 Feb 2009 Posts: 111 City: Northfield

Rhawn · Posted: Mar 05, 2009 7:20 am Post subject:

Stephan · Guest

Its better than the other companies hybrid boats...oh wait...that's right. The companies with the longest history in the industry and the most to gain have done nothing. Props to Epic for taking the industry in the direction that is needed.