Electric Nonsuch update.

[Mike]

West Marine is now offering two inboard electric propulsion sytems (don't tell John Grainger) in it's new 2010 catalog. http://biankablog.blogspot.com/2010/02/electric-propulsion-goes-mainstream.html I don't see either of them as replacement in a Nonsuch 30. One is a hybrid add on which IMO does not make sense if one already has a running diesel. But, it is a sign that more electric propulsion systems will be entering the mainstream marine market. Stay tuned   Capt. Mike BIANKA 1986 30U eNonsuch http://biankablog.blogspot.com

[Jim Jones]

Mike(god of electric propulsion):

I am checkin out my new Outlook full email thing as my machine crapped out last Wednesday and had the office geek format the machine with Windows 7.  Is a nice OS but haven’t yet got my 42” TV online yet…he will be by tomorrow, bribed with Extreme Peta to finger out how I screwed it up. 

I am looking to a future where batteries are big time and electric propulsion is king.  Seems the trend is headed that way as the oil is going to run out before I die.  Will be interesting! 

I must admit that I don’t really like the constant learning curve of new software but it is cool once you have to learn and embrace the advantages of “the better way”.  Being an ol fart who started with technical pens and protractors, computers are the way to go. 

I am looking forward to fitting the boat out with new Gauhauer fittings this year as the 24 year old ones are just tired.  Will be nice to have an electric halyard soon too…maybe next year.  One step at a time.

I will review the “west” stuff and decide to wait but it is nice to know that things are goin that way.  What’s with John Granger though? 

Let me know…

Later

 

Jim Jones

Tim Cat

30U 342

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[Mike]

Jim:   I think you are pursuing the right course. I don't think it makes sense to pull out an operating diesel just to go to electric propulsion.  Just like I think the West Marine hybrid system does not make sense either. I see no reason to add on an electric propulsion system onto an existing diesel engine. All you will gain is a couple of hundred pounds of additional weight in the boat and still have the diesel maintenance issues. I was lucky that my diesel died and I had several directions I could go. Replace, repair or go electric. I decided to go electric and am very happy I did. But, as more electric systems come on the marketplace it will increase the competition and bring in new technologies (especially in battery storage) and also help to bring prices down. That is a good thing.   Mike BIANKA 1986 30U http://biankablog.blogspot.com --- On Wed, 2/17/10, Jim Jones <jjone...@cogeco.ca> wrote:

[John Grainger]

John Grainger just likes a simple life. One tank of diesel per year, a tractor engine,  a good battery and a key. Plus a really big  simple rig and a power winch.

If oil really does start to run out, which by the way is unlikely in my life time, Remember I started my bearing life, fitting main bearings into the old Mini Minors in a panic mode as the world needed smaller cars and was going to be entirely depleted of oil by 1975,  Believe the british had just gone to war again in Suez to ensure supply. So it has been running out since dinosaurs died and made it, I believe there was a lot of them.  But I digress.

I will just remove the  red wine cellar- the weight will be similar and add another larger fuel tank.

Giving me half a decade of fuel aboard.

I now deal in half decades as I age.

As to electronics aboard,  after 40years of the daily use of computer and electronics I am now of the belief that neither Apple or Microsoft have got it correct.

They are still too fragile for every day use.

Remember every Apple store has a large back counter staffed by 4 warranty dorks and you have to make an appointment  3-5 days ahead to see them. 

Do the math, 4 guys 2 clients and hour, 12 hours a day just to keep fruit based electronics running  for the first 24 months of warranty in your town.

As to raymarine my GAM in box is full of horror stories, photos of failed kit, don't forget all the boats that had the stuff aboard on the Vendee globe did not finish.

Derek had to hand steer almost the entire way till he just collapsed from exhaustion of hand steering.

Again they have been stripped for cost, and profit generation and company survival.

I have not published the stuff as i don't need a law suit.

 

Apart from that, I launch April 18th, The boat will be looking splendid by May 1st, and we will all congregate  later in Kingston whether it be by electric or diesel.

As to electric, hold back as a whole load of redundant auto stuff will hit the market very soon.

Once the battery problem is licked it will be great.

Thats what with John F Grainger---today.