Electric Boating: Everything You Need to Know
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Why should I go electric?
For yourself : An electric drive ensures silence on board, allowing you to enjoy the natural sounds undisturbed. In addition, these engines are easy to operate and displays show the remaining sailing time.
For nature : With electric propulsion you do not disturb the peace on the water and the surface water remains clean.
For the environment : Reducing CO₂ emissions is essential for the climate. Electric boating makes an important contribution to this.
How long can I sail?
With an electric boat you can sail at normal cruising speed all day, depending on your battery capacity and usage. Different scenarios indicate how long you can usually sail:
- On the lake or in the city : 2-3 hours (up to 20 km).
- Day trips in a region : 3-4 hours (up to 40 km).
- Holiday trips : 5-6 hours (up to 60 km).
- Long sailing days or rental : 7-8 hours (up to 80 km).
How fast can I sail?
As with internal combustion boats, but pay attention to "hull speed"—the maximum speed your boat can travel efficiently without using a lot of extra energy. For non-planing boats, this depends on length. Here are some guidelines:
| Boat length | Hull speed | Cruising speed |
|---|---|---|
| 4 m | 9 km/h | 7 km/h |
| 6 m | 11 km/h | 8 km/h |
| 8 m | 12.5 km/h | 9 km/h |
| 10 m | 14 km/h | 10 km/h |
What engine power do I need?
The required power depends on the length and weight of the boat. The goal is to achieve the hull speed without additional energy consumption. This power often varies per boat, but an average value is for example 2-4 kW for boats up to 6 meters.
How many and which batteries do I need?
First determine the desired sailing hours and the required power to calculate how much battery capacity you need. The calculation is as follows:
Gewenst aantal vaaruren x Benodigd vermogen = Benodigde netto accucapaciteit (kWu)
How long should I charge?
Usually, one night of charging is enough for a full day of sailing. Thanks to a well-tuned charging system, you can go for several days on a single battery charge for shorter trips.
Electric boating offers the perfect combination of peace, efficiency, and environmental awareness. Visit De Stille Boot for more information.