Electric Boat, how sweet would that be!

[feelnjstfine]

It works for cars, whycouldn't it work for a boat ya know. The motors are heavy, batteries are heavy, so there's your ballist. Doesn't need to go too fast, top out at say 25-30. Charging wouldn't be the issue it is with cars because you don't use it nearly as much as a car. Plus, with gas prices being what they are now, sure would be nice to have a free pull( after th initial investment0 And quiet. What do you all think?The future or what.

[Poo]

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzap!

[feelnjstfine]

Poo, haha. I know that could be an issue but if you made a water proof housing for the motor with some built in cooling fans I think you could get rid of that potential risk. I mean, they make electric powered R/C boats( I even have one of those R/C Surfers), just have to scale it up.

[JonnyBravo]

feelnjstfine, Its a rad idea, but i am trying to think how big that electric motor would have to be, with the drag of the water + all the extra weight from the motor and stuff. Ouch that thang would have to be a monsta
I rekon a hybrid is where its at. Like engine/electrics. Use the engine for the power to get the person outta the water, then kick in an electric motor for continuous pull, cause really those electric cars have such a slow accelleration rate, i dont know if u could pull someone out of the water with one lol

Lol jump on it feelnjstfine, get a patent dude lol :p

[mergeleft3]

Also you could put a solar panel or two on top of the tower that would help keep the batteries charged

[Fryguy]

just put it in an old direct drive, use the batteries as fat sacs under the decking, the the motor would only be a 24 by 18 in. mabe 250 lbs, a buddy in Nor-Cal says some electrician down the street has a correct craft mustang the is trying to convert to electric.

There was a dude on the PINKS spin off Pass Time that had a S-10 with an motor that was orig 25hp + 25 Decka batteries, as i remember it ran near a 10.00 sec 1/4 mile

[feelnjstfine]

JonnyBravo, believe it or not, an electric motor that puts out 200-300 hp isn't really any bigger than what is in a standard inboard/car motor. Plus the new lith-ion batteries are so much lighter and smaller than the old Ni-cad batteries that used to be used for powering electric vehicles, the could be place strategicly in the boat for proper weighting. Electric engines naturally have a shite load of torque and that would help get you out of the water quickly. As for acceleration, that comes down to adjusting the electronic speed control to get it how you want it.

mergeleft3, fully

[Fryguy]

yep electric have 100% torque from zero to whatever rpm. talk about rip your arms out, an electric ski boat probabbly could!!!

[feelnjstfine]

Fryguy, hence that's where an electronic speed controller is the most important piece of the puzzle pretty much. That's rad that someone is trying it around you or at least wants to. Was thinking an old 2001 hull would be key too.

[Fryguy]

2001 would be sweet, I dont think their is anything holding anyone back form building a practical plug in ski boat besides $$$$$$, its just hard to buck up like $5G's for bateries, but a plug in ski boat would be sweet espically if you run a extension chord from your neighbors multi million dollar vacation house they only use on 4th of July!!

[feelnjstfine]

Fryguy, there'd definately be a good sized initial investment but in the long run I think it would pay off. Figure it like this:

old 2001 hull-$1500
retrofitting - $3000(being generous)
All electrics(motor,batteries, speed controll,charger) - $10000
Battery life - about 6000 hours before replacement
So figure around $15000
Cost to use- free, minus electricity for a charge

verse

Used wake ready boat - $5000 to $20000(I know you can go way cheaper but hell ,a new boat will set you back a good 50000)
Gas - if you ride regularlly everyweek like we can in FL figure around $100(easy with gas prices the way they are) a week so upwards of $5000 a year

If you look at it like that, electric makes sense. Just in gas you save alone you could pay for the boat in a matter of a couple of years.

[Slapdown]

feelnjstfine, Do it. If it works, i'll be right behind you

[Fryguy]

I like It, I can get Dekka deep cycles for about $100 a pop, 1/2 price, so if anyone is really gonna do this I can hook you up whith ap power cheep!!

[LBC Sk8]

I actually know which boat company is testing there prototype electric boat right now Saw them take it for a test run last week at the Carlsbad Lagoon *I was sworn to secrecy with beer*

[Fryguy]

Guess you owe someone a sixer.

[feelnjstfine]

LBC Sk8, not at all surprised to hear that. Was bound to happen because of this crisis we're facing now. Kindof one of those things that if you can think of it, someone is probibly already doin it or are about to.

[stOAKed]

These are good ideas i here some boat companys are working on hybrid boats they will be really expensive tho

[Calskater23]

Fvck it, just go straight to the source and make a water powered boat.

[stOAKed]

Calskater23, They already have one its called a paddleboat

[EJazzle]