Big Pimpin’
For the performance-conscious racing sailor there are now real advantages to be gained by letting an electric motor take care of both the driving and recharging requirements of your yacht. Time wasted at the filling station becomes a thing of the past and, of course, there are the fiscal benefits of virtually zero running costs.
At its base in Vantaa, Oceanvolt has spent over 10 years developing the latest generation of electric motors and accompanying shaft and saildrive units – patented, custom gear, specifically designed and built for the marine environment.
One of the new features of Oceanvolt’s set-up is the engine and its propeller being used not only to drive the vessel, but for battery charging too. Compared with transom hydrogenerators, seen on the Imoca 60s in the last Vendée Globe, using the engine propeller for charging offers significant advantages; unfolded, the main propeller is substantially larger and so can generate more power in less time. It is also more likely to remain immersed.
Read on.
