Agree.
Not knocking electric. We have three Priuses. Each makes me makes me loathe the current Audi Q5 for its unnecessary complication, ridiculously busy six- speed auto transmission, noticeable turbo lag, clumsy engine shut-off at idle, and 91 octane gas @4.50 a gallon here for an actual (PATHETIC) mpg of 23. Ancient technology.
But I wouldn't give up the 5432 diesel for anything except a new diesel.
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We are free to exchange opinions here. I learn more from that than echo chamber agreement. Nowhere else could I get away with challenging the very idea of dodgers and biminis, which I think ruin the whole experience. Did I just say that out loud?
I try not to comment on the EP/ICE for sailboat auxiliary propulsion debate. It usually doesn't end up being productive. I'm telling myself out load right now, "put the iPad away!". We'll see if I post this .
So, for ME there are real pluses to not having a diesel. No diesel smell, I've been on too many boats that smell of fuel as soon as I step below decks. No diesel smell, most every time I've thrown up on a sailboat has been while motoring downwind with diesel fumes pouring over the transom. No diesel smell on my hands from working the diesel. Yea, I don't like the smell of diesel . My friends with diesel engines seem to spend varying amounts of time on maintenance. Motoring on diesel power (on most boats) for hours on end is my idea of hell.
The range issue with EP is a real concern if you travel long distances and sail to a schedule. That said, there are ways to alleviate that concern. James Lamben of Propulsion Marine in Santa Barbara has a solar setup that he claims to sail at 3 knots in calm seas with solar only https://youtu.be/BgH5EW7Zngo On my EP setup while sailing at 7 knots I can produce 2+ amps at 52 volts by regenerating through the prop. Not a lot but it adds up over time.
What I like about EP is the low maintenance, no smell while motoring or sitting at anchor, no vibration while motoring, hardly any noise while motoring, the motor is always "on" ready if you need it, high torque maneuverability...
I get the adamancy of diesel on a sailboat, some of my best friends have diesel auxilaries but for me I can't imagine owning a boat without EP.
This is a group I feel comfortable making these comments, we are a group of respectful posters, many sailing places on the web are not.
The minuses outweigh the pluses here in the Pacific North West. The long crossings and fast tides demand long range and fast refueling. One must time one's trips with the tides or you go nowhere fast. I would hate to run out of power on a calm day in the middle of the Straights of Georgia or the Straights of Juan De Fuca. You could go somewhere that you don't want to. The inability to cruise at the higher speeds is also a liability up here. At 6 1/2 knots, you can punch through a developing rapid where at 5 knots, you might not be able to make it.
I would love to switch to quiet vibration free propulsion system but I can't live with a 20 mile range and hours to recharge. Also, cruising at 3 knots to stretch the battery charge is not an option when the tides are faster than that so I will continue to watch the developments with interest. Also, at the moment, the pricing of the electric stuff is out of line with the costs of producing it. Perhaps the pricing will be lowered as volume increases although gouging is common with boating suppliers.