An electric tender, sloop or yacht: the pros and cons?

More and more people are discovering the advantages of electric boating; the sale of a tender sloops equipped with an electric motor has doubled in recent years.

Electric sailing at Proton Yachting

At Proton Yachting bv every model sloop or tender is available with an electric engine, this applies to the built-in inboard engines but also to the electro outboard engines.

Because of the fast developments in the car-industry in the field of high quality batteries, it is nowadays possible to buy a fully electric and more powerfull tender for a lower price than 2 years ago.

We want to give you a complete picture of the possibilities of electric boating. It all depends on your wishes, in some cases a regular diesel or petrol engine propulsion for a sloop turns out to be a better choice. Therefore, let us advise you well about the purchase of an electric tender sloop.

The advantages of an electric tender

In practice, what are the advantages and disadvantages of an electric sloop? As with any form of propulsion there are advantages and disadvantages.

See below for a number of advantages.

  • More comfort: Almost completely silent: almost no vibrations or engine noise audible
  • Very clean: An electric sloop is of course much better for the environment: no CO2 is emitted by the engine
  • Cheaper to maintain: The electric motor requires less maintenance than an internal combustion engine
  • Maximum range: under normal conditions and with the right battery pack, you can sail between 6 and 10 hours
Do you have any questions? Feel free to contact us!

Disadvantages of an electric tender

The number of charging points on the water is growing, but is still limited: Charging still takes a long time. When you are on the water, in most cases it is not an option to recharge the sloop in the meantime.

Also, in many regions the number of charging stations is still limited. Therefore, going out with an electric boat requires more planning and preparation than with a regular boat.

We from Proton Yachting always recommend to equip a boat with a powerful battery pack so that you can profit from a maximum range.

Furthermore, there are the following points to take into account.

  • Electrically powered boats generally have a lower top speed compared to regularly powered ones
  • Purchase price is still higher: An electric tender is still more expensive to buy than a comparable model that runs on petrol or diesel

Frequently asked questions about electric tender boats

Electric boats are still relatively new to many people. Here you can read the most frequently asked questions about electric tender boats:

  • How fast can an electric boat go?

    The top speed of most electric boats is 12 to 14 km/h, because you don't buy an electric boat for its speed. This is comparable with regular inboard motors.

    We can offer you a package with the Proton 28 which allows you to sail fast, but this is an exception and has a higher price.

  • What is the maximum range (action radius) of an electrically powered tender boat?

    How long can you sail with an electric tender boat? There are a few important factors which determine the maximum action radius of an electric tender sloop:

    • The battery pack
    • The engine
    • Type of boat
    • Your sailing behaviour

    The action radius is completely dependent on your sailing behaviour and the hull shape of a sloop. When you use the maximum power, the electric motor consumes a lot of energy. It is best to turn the question around: how long would you like to sail?

    We put together an electric sloop based on your wishes.  For example, you will need a less powerful battery pack if you sail an average of 3 hours at a time, rather than an 8-hour day trip.

  • Is a boat licence necessary for an electric sloop?

    For an electric sloop the same rules apply as for any other boat. When the boat has a top speed of over 20 km/h and/or is longer than 15 metres, a license is required.

    Because of the limited top speed of an electrically powered sloop, in most cases you will not need a license.

  • Does an electrically powered tender also need maintenance?

    Electric motors and combustion engines are fundamentally very different.

    Because an electric engine has considerably fewer moving parts, it is less susceptible to wear and tear and requires less maintenance.

    An electric motor has no oil filters, petrol lines or air filters, so these parts do not need to be replaced.

    However, there are important components around the electric motor that need to be checked regularly. For example, it is important to have the battery pack checked regularly, so that you are assured of properly functioning batteries and your range remains the same throughout the years of use.

    If you need more information about electric sailing, please contact us, our specialists will be happy to help you.

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