Back to the Boat

...and back to reality,

I finally got back to Liberty Call last night after a very long day of travel. Thankfully, I didn't lose any luggage. Of course when I got back, I open the hatch and I am shocked to find the huge mess I left before my trip. I could swear I didn't leave the boat this disorganized. Everything's here though, so I know this mess is my fault... I guess I was in so much of a hurry to leave that I left more out than I thought I did. Aw well... The mess has been organized, luggage stowed and clothes neatly put back in their drawers and lockers.

In that time, reality set in and I started to think back on all of the projects I dreamed about doing while I was away. The big one of course being Electrical Propulsion (EP). I've done a lot of research these past couple of weeks and I have come to the conclusion that battery technology is not quite where I would like it to be. The $/kWh of lithium batteries is not yet truly affordable and AGMs are just too flippin' big for the amount of energy that they provide. I still think EP is the way to go, don't get me wrong, but I think I will just wait and see how batteries develop in the next year or two. In the meantime, it gives me time to set aside funds for the new propulsion system, and slowly save up for it.

On that note, I've also learned that there is a guy here in my marina that is a whiz with Atomic 4's, so with his help, I should be able to get a couple more good years outta my A4.

Sailing into the Future

or Deciding what to do with a 40 year old engine...

For a while now, I have been considering replacing my old Universal Atomic 4 in my boat with a new diesel. Its cantankerous, smelly, and the damn exhaust riser seeps more exhaust into the engine compartment than through the actual exhaust system... plus its a gasoline A4, so I have to constantly be mindful of keeping the engine compartment ventilated to prevent gas fume buildup. Its a great engine when it works, but it and Murphy are best pals apparently.
Of course, an engine repower is a very expensive undertaking, so I like to take my time and research all my options whenever a purchase will make my wallet scream. During my search for a new engine which included Yanmar, Volvo, Betamarine, and a couple of others, I stumbled upon several blogs of sailors who have converted to electrical propulsion. Now being a former Navy Electrician before I was commissioned, that intrigued me greatly so I started to investigate that as an option.  As I read more and more into this new possibility, I also started to look at Solar and Wind power generation for not my house bank, but also a theoretical 48V propulsion bank for an electrical engine.

So with all that said, I'm sure that you can guess my state of mind now. I have decided to take the plunge and go with an electrical propulsion system. I have seen several that have peaked my interest and I will be researching them further. It will be an interesting undertaking to say the least.

I've added several links that I read that lead to community portals as well as individual blogs detailing their experiences with Electric Propulsion.