Rowing/Electric Cruiser?

[Clarkey]

Recently I have started wondering if by adding a small amount of electric power an otherwise mediocre boat for rowing could be made to feel like a thoroughbred?

I ask this because I quite fancy the idea of a small (16'-18') rowing cruiser with a low (minimum sitting headroom) cuddy, more orientated towards sleeping on board than the average beachcruiser. I realise that this will not naturally be a complete joy to row, especially into a headwind but with a modest electric motor could it be made to feel like great boat? Would it give you the extended, effortless glide that makes rowing decent boats such a pleasure?

Could we have the marine equivalent of the electric bikes that are becoming popular (in Europe, at least) where a 250w motor is added to make the rider feel 'bionic' on hills and against headwinds?

[Matthew L]

It's an interesting idea. Phil Bolger designed a couple of larger rowing boats for camp cruising and even an ocean-crossing rowboat (with a long, low dipping lugsail for auxiliary power) that might provide inspiration. He also designed a couple of low-powered motorsailers intended to cruise on both power and sail simultaneously. An alternative to your concept might be something along the lines of those electric powered bikes, with a pedal-powered prop combined with an electric motor to allow the degree of boost desired given the situation, from all-human-power for exercise to all-electric-power when you get tired or need to be doing something else. Phil Thiel's Seacycle (adapted from an outboard lower unit with a large, laminated-wood prop) would be a great place to start for that. His Serendipitous Snail design (same link) could, I think, be easily adapted to modest electric auxiliary power.

[Clarkey]

I agree that building an electric motor into a pedalled prop system would be an excellent arrangement but I really like rowing and am interested to see how the two might work together - the steady thrust from the prop underpinning the regular rowing stroke. The idea of being to select the human / electric balance according to conditions/mood really appeals to me.

The various ocean rowboats are an inspiration but they they are generally much larger than I require and are designed to carry a huge weight in stores. They look like a really soul destroying chore to row too! Bolger does have quite a few interesting designs - there is a smaller Birdwatcher ('Camper?') which might work but maybe the Dovekie is closer to what I have in mind (though a bit longer than I would have storage space for). The Phil Thiel designs are a delight but not really where I want to go with this idea. Selway Fisher have plans for a kind of hybrid motor launch / rowing boat (the Port Pegasus) which would be interesting with a small cuddy or raised foredeck. Come to think of it maybe small steam launch designs would be suitable (though generally designed for a heavy steam plant)?

[gibetheridge]

How about a scaled down New Bedford Whaleboat with a dual Min Kota Riptide mounted on a retractable rudder for easy beaching. Very efficient and seaworthy rowing hull with enough room for a canvas cuddy and the weight carrying capacity to have 2 or 3 batteries.

[Ian McColgin]

It's not laid out as an electric powered boat, but a fellow made first Carpenter and then a larger version and it's all in WoodenBoat # 174 at page 58. This is about as small as you can go for sleeping aboard in anything like remote comfort. Since they were going for an expedition boat and obviously are sailors, no power. No reason why you could not make an electric motor adaption to the rudder (and yes, WB has an article on that also) to add a little zest if you really must, though I can't see why.

G'luck

[gibetheridge]

Here it is. Just mount it on your rudder on whatever hull you like.

http://www.minnkotamotors.com/produc...saltwater.aspx

[keyhavenpotterer]

Andrew Wolstenholme has designed a small electric cruiser (13ft) and has researched alot in this area recently writing in Watercraft, he would be a good source for a design...he has designed launches, rowing boats and dinghies, he could blend it for you I'm sure.



http://www.wolstenholmedesign.com/index.htm

[Songololo]

Hylan & Associates have a 15'3'' electric skiff...



PARTICULARS

LOA - 15'3"
BEAM - 4' 0"
DRAFT - approx. 9" (board up) and 2'6" (board down)
HULL TYPE - flat bottom forward, V bottom aft, transom stern
SAIL AREA - 58 sq. ft.
CONSTRUCTION - glued plywood
SUITABLE FOR - protected waters
TRAILERABLE - Yes
PROPULSION - sails, oars or electric trolling motor
SKILL REQUIRED - Beginner
LOFTING REQUIRED - no, full size patterns included

[Matthew L]

In that case I'd look to any generous-sized rowing design that you'd be happy with from a camp-crusing point of view. If set up for a sailing rig, even a modest auxiliary sail, then the rudder mounting point ought ought to provide a good place to mount your motor. In fact, I have seen electric trolling motor lower units integrated into rudders without the long shaft to the control unit, just a waterproof flexible cable. With a setup like that you could simply make a second rudder and choose to take or leave the motorized rudder/controller/batteries depending on the whims of the day. Iain Oughtred's Mole or larger Badger might be another good place to start. Those links are to .pdf pages from his catalogue.

[Clarkey]

Many thanks for all the suggestions, plenty of food for thought there. I think a trolling motor suitably adapted might do the trick - I understand that using model aircraft propellors can increase efficiency and help tailor them to a specific boat. My thinking at the moment is to use a pretty coarse pitch prop and take the load off the motor by rowing. The motor would try and prolong the glide between strokes but the next stroke would arrive before it really starts to labour and suck power.

I like to sail but I wonder if a 'motor and oar' boat might be a better combination for making progress in some conditions, the idea just intrigues me. If the average current draw turned out to be low enough, a modest solar cell installation might just about keep pace.

[Steve Paskey]

This is an interesting idea, in part because it reminds me of some of the electric bicycles that use motors to assist rather than replace the rider ... for instance, on the Breezer Power Trip the motor kicks in when the person starts pedaling, and cuts out when they put on the brake or stop moving.

See: http://breezerelectricbikes.com/?page_id=4/

If you tried this you'd likely want to set it up so that the controls for the motor are within easy reach while rowing ... and perhaps even set it up with foot controls so you can adjust the thrust without interrupting your stroke.

[Clarkey]

Yep, that is the idea - really I just want the power equivalent of another pair of oars so I can row what is basically a two person boat solo without it feeling like a slug.

Torqeedo do a nice 400W canoe motor (the 'ultralight') which has a remote throttle incorporating a speed, range and power display (it has a built in GPS). Hobie have adopted it for their kayak range too. It is not cheap but it seems like a nice package. Maybe it would be the ideal staring point?

This is an interesting idea, in part because it reminds me of some of the electric bicycles that use motors to assist rather than replace the rider ... for instance, on the Breezer Power Trip the motor kicks in when the person starts pedaling, and cuts out when they put on the brake or stop moving.

See: http://breezerelectricbikes.com/?page_id=4/

If you tried this you'd likely want to set it up so that the controls for the motor are within easy reach while rowing ... and perhaps even set it up with foot controls so you can adjust the thrust without interrupting your stroke.

[Pokey]

yes but unlike Bicycles there no coasting on a elec. motor and the prop will drag if not powered so think of a removable system