Joe provided the inspiration, technical analysis and ongoing support for the conversion of my Welsford Walkabout into a solar powered camp cruiser. Walkabout was designed as a capable rowboat as well as sailboat, so the features of long waterline, fairly narrow beam, light weight and low windage all contribute to efficiency for low power solar electric. The components include an EP Carry modified for rope to yoke steering, remote throttle control, 250 W peak power, and weed cutting blade on the prop. A 170 W Sunpower panel provides the power, storage is a bigger 22 Ah, 24 V LFP battery and a Genasun boost controller manages the charging. I am impressed at how well the boost controller harvests low levels of sunlight, generating 50 W under complete cloud cover. This boat cruises at just over 4 kts using only half power of 125 W. Additional power adds little speed but is useful going upwind. I regularly cover 30 miles in a day, 40 to 50 should be possible on solar only for a sunny summer day. On weeklong cruises in company with sailboats I go upwind significantly faster, we all do 100 to 120 miles for the week. Thanks Joe!
Excellent! Now that's what I call "solar sailing"...when the wind doesn't blow. It's surprising how little power (10 amps at 12.5 volts) it actually takes to move a slippery boat along at a reasonable clip. Very encouraging!
I was very surprised at how efficient it turned out. As you say, a slippery double end (at the waterline) light weight displacement hull takes very little power to push under hull speed. Any faster and all the power goes into the wake for very little speed increase. Even driving into choppy waves does not lose as much as I would have thought.
What an interesting article from a man who knows his stuff! I've watched Joe develop his company and the EPcarry since his daughter was a toddler, and I've attended his excellent talks on most of the Salish 100 cruises. (I'm always impressed with the number of small boaters who have their calculators out and are asking high-level questions at Joe's talks, myself being one who considers electricity a form of magic.) He tested his motor on my SCAMP (3.8 knots!), and has shown great patience in discussing the development of his unique motor system. He is also serious about keeping the production of his motors in the USA, and is obviously staying right on top of the emergence of new solar/electrical developments. Great job, Joe!
With my home made 18 foot solar electric boat OHM it cruised the Rideau Canal from Lake Ontario to Ottawa. Power was not a problem even for this September cruise. I described the boat and build in issue 120. Sunny day range at 4 kn is 40 NM. I also have a physics background.
Great article Joe! I have found that the BigBlue SolarPowa 100 (24V version) does a great job of recharging the standard EP-Carry battery. With my the new Bluetooth battery monitor installed, I hope to do some real world testing of recharge rate when motoring in my Caledonia Yawl.
While I do not attempt to power my boat with solar, I have used solar to avoid the need for either shore power or generator to keep all systems working on my small cruiser. I have also built a complete solar system for my off grid house in Arizona. The pieces are there for anyone and relatively inexpensive. This is not the cheapest energy or even the greenest, but it will allow a level of independence that is quiet, reliable, and maintainable. Study the available material, talk to folks who have done it and avoid expecting the performance of plugging into the grid. With some thought you will find much more satisfaction than you might expect.
I've been cruising an unlikely small boat for several years - a Windrider 16 sailing trimaran with solar-electric auxiliary propulsion. I added plywood decks over the trampolines, one of which is just large enough for a 1-man tent. It's also where I've mounted two 100W solar panels. I use a DIY 1.2kWh LiFePO4 battery and a modified Haswing Protruar 1.0 motor. Top motor speed is over 5 knots, or 2-3 knots under full sun alone. I've done several multi-day cruises with friends in Scamps and a Siren.
Great article on a subject I find more interesting the older I get. I enjoy rowing, but the creakier my joints the less inclined I am to get out on the water. As an avid cyclist and e-bike rider I am used to seeing the world pass by at a modest pace and the idea of doing it accompanied by the quiet hum of an EP Carry is very attractive!
Got a flexible 50 watt solar panel that fits on top of the coach roof with a Controller in the cabin; a minn kota 30 hanging off the transom, and a 14 lb 50AH LIFePO4 battery in the hold, with a 10 lb 30AH for backup, for a Montgomery 15, and its good for about 1.5 to 2 mph for several hours when there's no wind; it's a cheap solution that works as long as you don't have a deadline to be anywhere anytime soon!
Solar power has never been cheaper, and the efficiency (power/area) of the modules keeps on increasing. The price of modules and high quality, safe, lithium-iron-phosphate batteries will continue to drop over time. We still need lower-cost, small electric outboards. Thank you, Joe, for helping to make this happen.
I enjoy using an electric motor on our dinghy and have tried to use it for our sailboat, but as you pointed out, for camp cruising purposes, it was not ideal! That said, I have felt that with a few more advancements, it could become practical! Glad you posted this! It encourages folks to take a second look at solar electric boats! AllthebestRoy
Joe is such a gentleman and a very enjoyable cruising compatriot. It’s always fun to have him on the Salish 100 and get a chance to catch up on his boat, company, and philosophies. And he’s always ready to take a dock line!
Wonderful article, thank you Joe. I have one question about the impact of solar charging and putting a load on a lithium battery at the same time. Is there an impact on the total lifespan of the battery. I may be mistaken, but understood that it was better to keep charging cycles and drawing down power from the battery separate? If this is a challenge , the solution I’ve thought about is to have two batteries and swap back and forth between charging and drawing power as needed. I’d love to hear your thoughts.
Joe provided the inspiration, technical analysis and ongoing support for the conversion of my Welsford Walkabout into a solar powered camp cruiser. Walkabout was designed as a capable rowboat as well as sailboat, so the features of long waterline, fairly narrow beam, light weight and low windage all contribute to efficiency for low power solar electric. The components include an EP Carry modified for rope to yoke steering, remote throttle control, 250 W peak power, and weed cutting blade on the prop. A 170 W Sunpower panel provides the power, storage is a bigger 22 Ah, 24 V LFP battery and a Genasun boost controller manages the charging. I am impressed at how well the boost controller harvests low levels of sunlight, generating 50 W under complete cloud cover. This boat cruises at just over 4 kts using only half power of 125 W. Additional power adds little speed but is useful going upwind. I regularly cover 30 miles in a day, 40 to 50 should be possible on solar only for a sunny summer day. On weeklong cruises in company with sailboats I go upwind significantly faster, we all do 100 to 120 miles for the week. Thanks Joe!
Excellent! Now that's what I call "solar sailing"...when the wind doesn't blow. It's surprising how little power (10 amps at 12.5 volts) it actually takes to move a slippery boat along at a reasonable clip. Very encouraging!
I was very surprised at how efficient it turned out. As you say, a slippery double end (at the waterline) light weight displacement hull takes very little power to push under hull speed. Any faster and all the power goes into the wake for very little speed increase. Even driving into choppy waves does not lose as much as I would have thought.
What an interesting article from a man who knows his stuff! I've watched Joe develop his company and the EPcarry since his daughter was a toddler, and I've attended his excellent talks on most of the Salish 100 cruises. (I'm always impressed with the number of small boaters who have their calculators out and are asking high-level questions at Joe's talks, myself being one who considers electricity a form of magic.) He tested his motor on my SCAMP (3.8 knots!), and has shown great patience in discussing the development of his unique motor system. He is also serious about keeping the production of his motors in the USA, and is obviously staying right on top of the emergence of new solar/electrical developments. Great job, Joe!
With my home made 18 foot solar electric boat OHM it cruised the Rideau Canal from Lake Ontario to Ottawa. Power was not a problem even for this September cruise. I described the boat and build in issue 120. Sunny day range at 4 kn is 40 NM. I also have a physics background.
Doug Wade
Cool boat, Doug. Nicely designed with solar shade.
Great article Joe! I have found that the BigBlue SolarPowa 100 (24V version) does a great job of recharging the standard EP-Carry battery. With my the new Bluetooth battery monitor installed, I hope to do some real world testing of recharge rate when motoring in my Caledonia Yawl.
While I do not attempt to power my boat with solar, I have used solar to avoid the need for either shore power or generator to keep all systems working on my small cruiser. I have also built a complete solar system for my off grid house in Arizona. The pieces are there for anyone and relatively inexpensive. This is not the cheapest energy or even the greenest, but it will allow a level of independence that is quiet, reliable, and maintainable. Study the available material, talk to folks who have done it and avoid expecting the performance of plugging into the grid. With some thought you will find much more satisfaction than you might expect.
Thanks for this great article.
I've been cruising an unlikely small boat for several years - a Windrider 16 sailing trimaran with solar-electric auxiliary propulsion. I added plywood decks over the trampolines, one of which is just large enough for a 1-man tent. It's also where I've mounted two 100W solar panels. I use a DIY 1.2kWh LiFePO4 battery and a modified Haswing Protruar 1.0 motor. Top motor speed is over 5 knots, or 2-3 knots under full sun alone. I've done several multi-day cruises with friends in Scamps and a Siren.
I don't want to go back to a gas outboard.
Great article on a subject I find more interesting the older I get. I enjoy rowing, but the creakier my joints the less inclined I am to get out on the water. As an avid cyclist and e-bike rider I am used to seeing the world pass by at a modest pace and the idea of doing it accompanied by the quiet hum of an EP Carry is very attractive!
Got a flexible 50 watt solar panel that fits on top of the coach roof with a Controller in the cabin; a minn kota 30 hanging off the transom, and a 14 lb 50AH LIFePO4 battery in the hold, with a 10 lb 30AH for backup, for a Montgomery 15, and its good for about 1.5 to 2 mph for several hours when there's no wind; it's a cheap solution that works as long as you don't have a deadline to be anywhere anytime soon!
More articles like this! I am very intrigued by solar boating...
Solar power has never been cheaper, and the efficiency (power/area) of the modules keeps on increasing. The price of modules and high quality, safe, lithium-iron-phosphate batteries will continue to drop over time. We still need lower-cost, small electric outboards. Thank you, Joe, for helping to make this happen.
I enjoy using an electric motor on our dinghy and have tried to use it for our sailboat, but as you pointed out, for camp cruising purposes, it was not ideal! That said, I have felt that with a few more advancements, it could become practical! Glad you posted this! It encourages folks to take a second look at solar electric boats! AllthebestRoy
Joe is such a gentleman and a very enjoyable cruising compatriot. It’s always fun to have him on the Salish 100 and get a chance to catch up on his boat, company, and philosophies. And he’s always ready to take a dock line!
Wonderful article, thank you Joe. I have one question about the impact of solar charging and putting a load on a lithium battery at the same time. Is there an impact on the total lifespan of the battery. I may be mistaken, but understood that it was better to keep charging cycles and drawing down power from the battery separate? If this is a challenge , the solution I’ve thought about is to have two batteries and swap back and forth between charging and drawing power as needed. I’d love to hear your thoughts.