LINK:

- http://www.sailingworld.com/article.jsp?ID=44189&typeID=397&catID=571

Electric Outboard by eCycle

"Gear Up" from our September 18 SW eNewsletter

Sep 18, 2006

By Michael Lovett (More articles by this author)

As electric motors become more efficient, they're becoming a practical option for more and more applications, sailboats included. It's now possible to replace your boat's dirty, gas-guzzling outboard engine with a zero-emission electric powerhead from eCycle.

Powered by two or three 12-volt AGM batteries, the eCycle motor retrofits onto a 9.9 hp Yamaha shaft and will operate for roughly 40 minutes at full throttle, two hours at half throttle, or several hours at idle speed. At the core of eCycle's innovative technology is a brushless electric motor-similar to those used in computer hard drives and nuclear submarines-that provides a high output, low heat, low noise, solid-state power source. Because the eCycle's magnet-driven rotor doesn't require carbon brush contact points, there's less wear and tear, and because the unit operates in near silence, your competition will be less likely to notice when you motor through those pesky lulls (just kidding).

Switching to an eCycle powerhead makes sense if you mostly rely on your outboard to get you out to the racecourse and back--it provides plenty of power, just not for long. With batteries, an eCycle setup weighs about the same as a traditional outboard with a 6-gallon gas tank. You can charge the batteries with a shorepower connection, with solar panels mounted on the deck or the dock, or with eCycle's diesel APU. At $2,395, plus the cost of a Yamaha shaft, the eCycle isn't cheap; but with gasoline-free operation and the promise of low maintenance, this electric motor will pay for itself in the years to come. www.ecycle.com

T_Dot,

Don't be fooled by the price of this motor. The 2400.00 is for the price of the powerhead only, and it's only rated at 24volts.

At 24volts the motor will NOT produce any amount of speed that justifies it's cost. It would also be much cheaper to buy an edrive. You have to jump this motor up to 48 or 60 volts to get it to go. At this point you will have a very fast motor. Pumping this motor up to 60 volts will increase your amp draw as well. A whopping 130 amps! But it is FAST, and it will beat an unmodified Ray outboard motor (that draw 80amps).

This motor, running at 60volts including the Yamaha lower unit cost $7000.00 (NOT including the 10-6volt batteries.)(that's another 800.00)

5200.00 for a Ray.

read the last parts of this thread

Click Here

Sounds like it doesnt last too long  

T_Dot,

Don't be fooled by the price of this motor. The 2400.00 is for the price of the powerhead only, and it's only rated at 24volts.

At 24volts the motor will NOT produce any amount of speed that justifies it's cost. It would also be much cheaper to buy an edrive. You have to jump this motor up to 48 or 60 volts to get it to go. At this point you will have a very fast motor. Pumping this motor up to 60 volts will increase your amp draw as well. A whopping 130 amps! But it is FAST, and it will beat an unmodified Ray outboard motor (that draw 80amps).

This motor, running at 60volts including the Yamaha lower unit cost $7000.00 (NOT including the 10-6volt batteries.)(that's another 800.00)

5200.00 for a Ray.

read the last parts of this thread

Click Here

could you please explain in further detail why the edrive would be a better choice.  as this might be a solution to my electric motor problems.

please note i only have a plain jane jon boat, without a steering console.

from what i can find online, the edrive is 2hp @ 48v

thanks