Electric Boat Design

This website shows you how you can build your boat to be the fastest, safest, and most reliable boat in your marina, and showcases the conversion of our Catalina 30, Kapowai, to an electric propulsion system. We replaced an Atomic 4 gasoline inboard motor with a Propulsion Marine 5 KW Hybrid Electric Drive.

Why would someone want to own an electric boat? Apart from the obvious advantages of less noise, vibration, and pollution in your local environment, electric boats are faster than conventional boats. The addition of very small amounts of power to the propeller on the average sailboat results in substantial increases in speed. We regularly see increases in speed of 2 knots, with less than 200 watts of energy on the propeller. This changes how we sail and makes passages easier, more comfortable, and a lot faster. The electric motor acts as a speed guarantee while sailing, making sure you get there on time and in comfort.

In this website you’ll find out why electric boating is going to redefine sailing, change our sailing culture, reduce our dependence on foreign oil, and make sailing easier and more fun for everyone.

Electric Drive installed in a Catalina 30:

Propulsion Marine Electric Drive for Sailboats and Boats

Kapowai, with an electric drive, ready for launch in the Santa Barbara Harbor:

Kapowai Bottom