The ePropulsion Pod Drive 6.0 Evo is a quiet 6 kW electric pod motor for sailboats and other vessels. The motor is mounted under the hull. This ensures that the drive takes up little space inside the boat and directs thrust straight backwards.
Battery and installation: The battery is separate and not included. View the scope of delivery and required components.
Available for viewing in the Marinaut showroom.
For a 12 kW installation, two Pod Drive 6.0 Evo motors can be fitted.
Key features
- Power: 6 kW.
- Comparison with combustion engine: ePropulsion claims a theoretical equivalent of 9.9 hp. Marinaut practically compares the sailing performance to approximately 10 hp of propulsion power up to 15 hp of thrust. Electric power, thrust, and the power of a combustion engine are not directly convertible.
- Drive: brushless direct-drive DC motor.
- Hydrogeneration: while sailing, the rotating propeller can charge a suitable ePropulsion battery when the conditions specified in the manual are met.
- Noise and vibration: quiet, low-vibration operation.
- Cooling: no complex external cooling system required.
- Usage: suitable for fresh and salt water.
- Maintenance: low-maintenance; check anodes and other maintenance points according to the manual.
- Warranty: three years after registration, under current ePropulsion warranty terms.
Advantages of a pod motor
A pod motor is located outside the boat, thereby saving space in the cabin. The motor is aimed straight forward, without the shaft angle of many traditional inboard installations. According to Marinaut, this can practically provide an efficiency advantage of approximately 15 to 30% compared to a comparable inboard installation. The actual advantage depends on the hull, installation, and sailing conditions.
Steering is normally done with the attached rudder. Installation as a steerable pod motor, for example in the rudder blade, is also possible.
Which boat is the Pod Drive 6.0 Evo suitable for?
As a practical selection guideline, this pod motor is used to bring boats of approximately 2,600 to 5,400 kg to cruising speed and boats of approximately 950 to 1,900 kg to hull speed. Actual performance depends on hull shape, load, propeller, wind, current, and battery installation.
For a lighter boat, the Pod Drive 3.0 Evo may be suitable. For a heavier boat, the Pod Drive 12 is available. An installation with two Pod Drive 6.0 Evo motors and dual controls is also possible.
The page for the Navy 6.0 Evo contains test reports with run times and ranges for a motor with comparable power.
Controls and included parts
At Marinaut, the propeller, driver module, five-meter communication cable, and top-mount remote control are included.
- Top-mount remote control: product number NE-RC00-00, weight 0.7 kg and a 3.4-inch display.
- Display: shows, among other things, power, battery status, voltage, and remaining run time.
- Connection: wireless up to 10 meters or wired up to 15 meters.
- Safety wristbands: up to eight bands can be connected.
- Side-mount control: available at an additional cost.
- Dual control: the Evo Dual Remote Control can operate two motors jointly or separately. The 4.3-inch display shows battery status, speed, power, range, and error messages for each motor. Item number NE-DR00-00, EAN 6971312631920.
- Left- and right-turning: in a dual installation, one pod can be equipped with a left-turning propeller with an adjustment.
Battery
The battery is not included. Use a suitable 48 V battery capable of delivering at least 125 A continuously. At an average consumption of 2 kW and four hours of sailing, approximately 8 kWh of usable battery capacity is required. This is a calculation example; actual consumption depends on the boat, speed, load, and conditions.
Run time and range are not specified as fixed values. A compatible ePropulsion battery is required for hydrogeneration.
Technical specifications
| Item number | P6-0000-E0 |
|---|---|
| EAN | 6971312631883 |
| Input power | 6 kW |
| Theoretical equivalent | 9.9 hp |
| Nominal voltage | 48 V |
| Input voltage | 39–60 V |
| Required continuous discharge current | Minimum 125 A |
| Weight | 31 kg |
| Motor dimensions | 298 × 80 × 465 mm |
| Propeller | 12.6 × 8.7 inch, three-blade aluminum propeller, item number P6-M001-00 |
| Nominal RPM | 1,500 rpm |
| Shaft length | 351 mm |
| Static thrust | 1,080 N / 243 lbs |
| Maximum overall efficiency | 57% |
| Operating temperature | -25 °C to 50 °C |
| Hydrogeneration | Yes, with a suitable ePropulsion battery |
The split mounting plate allows for two depth positions. Ensure sufficient space between the propeller and the hull during installation to limit cavitation. Seal the center pipe, mounting plate, and flange carefully according to the installation instructions.
Folding propeller for sailboats
For sailboats, a two-blade NAB folding propeller is available. This reduces propeller drag while sailing.
- Item number: P6-LU01-00.
- Dimensions: 13.4 × 8.5 inch.
- Material: nickel-aluminum bronze.
- Number of blades: two.
Experiences
“I’ve never heard of the pod drive that works with a 32-ft sailboat. I thought it’s only available for the large yacht like Volvo Penta. My cousin shared ePropulsion Pod Drive 3.0 to me when I was working on the configuration of my new sailboat.”
Holger Grünfeld, owner of a Pod Drive 3.0 in Germany.
Customer story: conversion of a Contest 30
Peter Volken Smidt bought a neglected 1970s Contest 30 in 2019. During the refit, he renewed the hull finish, antifouling, wiring, LED lighting, navigation, AIS, and NMEA 2000 installation, among other things. However, the over forty-year-old Volvo Penta diesel engine continued to smoke, smell, and overheat too quickly.
A new conventional diesel engine proved difficult to fit due to the limited space available and the short distance to the gearbox. That is why he looked for a sustainable drive that he could install himself, takes up little space, and requires little maintenance. This search led to an electric pod motor.
Business use
For business use, an electric drive may potentially qualify for a fiscal environmental scheme. Always check the current conditions and environmental list at RVO.
Documentation and advice
Need help with motor power, battery, or installation? Contact us for advice.
