Converting the "Electric Launch"

[Rukk]

So yesterday morning I suffered a fit of madness and bought another boat..

This one is a 15' x 4'6" Tad Roberts designed inboard launch that was built by the Silva Bay Shipyard School over the winter of '06. She was designed and originally built with electric inboard power and a big battery bank, but due to some problems with the controller systems etc she was never really used as a launch and has only been in the water for a few days total since her launching.

The boat is traditionally built out of red on yellow cedar with copper rivets, caulked with cotton. I haven't relaunched her yet to see if she'll float, but she holds water just fine so I'm pretty confident.

The plan as of this morning is to find her a light little high speed diesel and convert the boat with as little modification possible to a diesel work/commuter launch. There is a bronze shaft in the hull and that's about it for drive train. I've got a nice old pair of Concordia Co built Culler oars that her first voyages with me will be made under.

The boat will be refinished in and out, engine beds adapted for the diesel, a new engine box made and a control station installed on the starboard side just forward of the aft seat.. Just far enough so the helmsman's right hand can rest comfortably on the throttle while the left steers. But really before much of the conversion work can take place, we need a power plant! So the search is on for a little diesel. I've worked with the Beta 14 (marinized kubota 2 cyl) before, and that's a lovely engine but pretty expensive.. 199lbs dry with a gear for 13.5hp.. Not bad! Any ideas there would be appreciated..

Anyway, y'all want pics, so without further adieu (photos courtesy of Tad Roberts):





Progress to follow!

-JR

[nedL]

Re: Converting the "Electric Launch"

Very pretty! My neighbor actually has a little 2 cyl diesel in an H28 he is parting out. Unfortunately it is on the east coast.

[Breakaway]

Re: Converting the "Electric Launch"

Nice.

Kevin

[Jay Greer]

Re: Converting the "Electric Launch"

Kind of reminds me of the lines of a Polsbro Boat. Deffinetly deserves a reciprocating power source.
Jay

[Ian McColgin]

Re: Converting the "Electric Launch"

Electric for sure. Elco makes great stuff and will work with you to match the right prop. Modern instrumentation will be as good or better than a fuel gauge so the new electric owner's fear of running flat without warning is assuaged. You just don't need the shaking that infernal combustion will give those old seams.

[pcford]

Re: Converting the "Electric Launch"

Why do people eliminate gas power? Do they prefer stinky, heavy, expensive means of propulsion?

[nedL]

Re: Converting the "Electric Launch"

Why do people eliminate gas power? Do they prefer stinky, heavy, expensive means of propulsion?

I agree, I personally would look at a little Atomic 2 or even a little four (Atomic 4, Graymarine 60, Chris Craft 60, etc), nice quiet smooth running little engines.

[Breakaway]

Re: Converting the "Electric Launch"

Originally Posted by pcford
Why do people eliminate gas power? Do they prefer stinky, heavy, expensive means of propulsion?

I am with you, but cannot name a 12-15 hp water-cooled gas engine that's available, and for which reasonable access to parts is available.


Air-cooled is loud.


Kevin

[pcford]

Re: Converting the "Electric Launch"

HEY! An Easthope!!! Canuck boat Canuck engine. There are one and two cylinder versions. Made until the 70s...should be some around.

THERE! I solve the problem. You are welcome!

[nedL]

Re: Converting the "Electric Launch"

I installed a couple of the one cylinder models new back in 1982 - 83. Hmm, ... I'm thinking they would be kind of big & top heavy for this hull, but would be fun.

[pcford]

Re: Converting the "Electric Launch"

You may be right...it is a lightly built boat. If an Easthope were too much...I am sure there are vintage marine engines out there that would work. It would take some time to find...Try http://www.oldmarineengine.com/

[Phil Y]

Re: Converting the "Electric Launch"

Nice boat! Pity the electric didn't work out. Some discussion of why might be valuable given the occasional interest in electric propulsion on this thread. Tad seems to know what he's about, and presumably had some input into the system. Does it maybe just need a bit of tweaking ,or is it really a complete throw away?

[TR]

Re: Converting the "Electric Launch"

There is nothing wrong with the electric solution, in this case it only lacked money and interest. The little Etek motor is perfect in a low demand situation, but it requires a proper reduction and a good continuous duty motor controller. Remember this all happened 10 years ago, electric propulsion has come a long way since. And it's moving forward by leaps and bounds as we speak. In 2005 we were looking at max endurance of perhaps 4 hours at 1/2-3/4 throttle. With currently available batteries you could get considerably longer today. But the motor needs a cooling system if you are going to take max power (15HP) out of it. So add up the used motor, new reduction gear, batteries, controller, charger, cooling system, and propeller. Electric offers limited range and sometimes will be (here in the wilds of BC) impossible to charge. VS a small diesel providing essentially unlimited range and versatility. In Rukk's hands this boat may have to undertake 3 day tows or trans-gulf commutes, overheating or running out of juice is not acceptable in a workboat.

Right Pat, I mentioned the Easthope solution yesterday. But again the Easthope is fine if you like to tinker and aren't going far. For a boat that may be used for 15 minutes four times a day, to move something, pull a crab trap, or cross the bay, pushing a button and having the engine start in any weather is hard to beat. If set up to be reliable and easy to use, these boats get used an awful lot around here.

[Reynard38]

Re: Converting the "Electric Launch"

I picked up a Westerbeke W13a from a forum member for @ 1/3 what a new one would cost. 13.5 hp, 280 pounds. Runs very sweet.

[pcford]

Re: Converting the "Electric Launch"

Right Pat, I mentioned the Easthope solution yesterday. But again the Easthope is fine if you like to tinker and aren't going far. For a boat that may be used for 15 minutes four times a day, to move something, pull a crab trap, or cross the bay, pushing a button and having the engine start in any weather is hard to beat. If set up to be reliable and easy to use, these boats get used an awful lot around here.

If one were to be practical, one would not have a bright finished, lightly built lapstrake boat! There are small water cooled engines...a friend has one not much bigger than a football. The point about an Easthope being too heavy is well taken.