Catamaran Full ELECTRIC CONVERSION - Batteries and Engine Install - Part 2 (S4 E45)

[@rolidcz7954]

Bifacial photovoltaic panels are ideal for hard top shading on a boat. They also generate electricity on the back side. Because the sea and the white boat reflect a lot of light, the production from the underside is a significant contribution.

[@FBPrepping]

You could always use a kite for sailing, just like the Silent series have. You´ve done an AMAZING job. Congrats.

[@williammyers6766]

What a wonderful addition to their boat. It is so great to think you do not have to buy fuel everywhere you go.

[@BarefootTravels]

That would be amazing hey! One of the most expensive parts of cruising. Plus the possibility of getting bad fuel

[@reloadncharge9907]

As a cat owner and bluewater sailor…I see many compartments filled with electronics/ wiring that will corrode and fail…we know water or moisture will ingress at some point! As to sailing dinghy in the Bahamas, nice, fun, but make sure you have lots of books onboard for those very windy days or when friends head on out to the reef to spear and you are boat-bound. Nice ideas all….

[@BarefootTravels]

Yes. There definitely is pros and cons to both set ups that’s for sure

[@SilentYachting]

We absolutely love this ⛵️💚💙⚡️

[@CheersWarren]

At 13:00 I though I saw some end plates on their keels but it was a trick of the light, but a 3-4” wide end plate on stub keel will defiantly improve the efficiency when sailing! Cheers Warren

[@rainfinger]

Great video! We are an electric Bristol 35.5 sloop, loving it.

[@TaylanYalniz]

What set up for your monohull? Motor, charge controller makes etc

[@larrypinter3321]

Nice work Davey. Unusual to have the rudder forward of the prop. How does the boat steer?

[@BarefootTravels]

The boat steers pretty good. If we are going slow speeds it’s a bit trickier but with two engines it’s super easy to control

[@renem6441]

The motors fit like a glove!! Look original to the cat!! Well done! Thanks for sharing

[@BarefootTravels]

Thank you!

[@sviriecat]

Thanks again for all the help Davy & Erica! For all those keeping track of the diesel vs electric race, electric is currently one week/100 miles ahead 🤣 The dinghy is rowing and sailing beautifully too.

[@BarefootTravels]

😆 your only 100 miles ahead because your flying out of Nassau for the week 😂 What’s the finish line? 😂

[@sviriecat]

Good question, we’ll let you know when we reach it! 😆

[@BarefootTravels]

😂

[@DoctorShaunB]

Wind is also solar powered. Cool stuff!

[@braquemathson1991]

Hope they make some for the Bronco. I need to replace mine.

[@mrbill8542]

No sealer used to mate those 2 surfaces ??

[@BarefootTravels]

5200 was used to seal the engine to the hull

[@aprilbevis6109]

Great job Davey

[@BarefootTravels]

Thank you!

[@bobuncle8704]

Nice looking install. Is there no gas let between the hull and the top of the pod, or will that just be sikaflex?

[@BarefootTravels]

5200 was used to seal the engine to the hull

[@americanix7951]

Great job

[@BarefootTravels]

Thank you!

[@americanix7951]

@@BarefootTravels Is there a gasket between the hull and the motor ?

[@BarefootTravels]

They used 5200 to seal it up into place as per the instructions from torqueedo

[@SirCharles12357]

Excellent job guys! Looking forward to seeing how the diesel vs electric system competition plays out on a buddy boat passage!

[@BarefootTravels]

😆 should be some fun!

[@clivestainlesssteelwomble7665]

​@@BarefootTravels Take a look at PBO 🇬🇧 article ...converting a classic Parker Seagull to pod drive. Cats are naturals for conversions pure electric or hybrid..

[@clivestainlesssteelwomble7665]

Meant to say theres been some great detailed articles done on pod motor and online conversions.

[@sviriecat]

So far so good. We are definitely faster sailing. I’m sure it’s a combination of folding props, lighter weight, and a new “lower bow” stance.

[@clivestainlesssteelwomble7665]

@@sviriecat By that i assume you mean sitting more level ...... I would think you want her to rise a little underway .

[@ke2delight]

With that much sun why not solar oven for cooking? I have been using one since 2009 and it always cooks the food well. Also, solar water heater, a small one is more than enough for 2-4 people.

[@BarefootTravels]

We had a solar oven before and never had much luck with it. A solar water heater would be sweet!!

[@CheersWarren]

Nice install, for simplicity you used the old sail drive locations but they will lose the option of having rudder in the prop wash for maneuvering but with wide twin engines and that how it was I guess not a problem? Cheers Warren

[@BarefootTravels]

Thanks Warren. Yea definitely installed them here for simplicity. The boat maneuvers so well with both engines plus they really aren’t planning on using them very often anyways. They literally sail everywhere!

[@CheersWarren]

@@BarefootTravels cool! A couple of cheap outboards could have done the same for 1/10 the cost I expect! But this is such a proper installation!

[@tqfield-service]

Nice Refit! I am looking forward to see the performance and to compare it to the Seawind we fitted.

[@BarefootTravels]

Thanks! Yes we’re interested to see how they perform too!

[@sviriecat]

So far I am able to motor 4.5 knots using 2 kWh

[@johnmooney9444]

No gasket between the pod and the mount that Davey built?

[@BarefootTravels]

5200 to hold it in place

[@johnmooney9444]

@@BarefootTravels I didn't see it in the video. I feel better about it now. Thanks

[@BarefootTravels]

I thought it was in there when they put the engines up into place but obviously we didn’t talk about it. 😆 we do go into a few more details about that in an update video after they tried to splash for the first time …. Spoiler alert. They had an issue

[@woodman1133]

Please tell us about cost in the next episode. Electric engines make so much sense. Over the years, these will quickly pay for themselves - no fuel costs... little maintenance.

[@BarefootTravels]

We will share that information when we meet back up with them in the Bahamas. In a bit of an update video!

[@mikeskelly2356]

Any handy new features on "Irie' Davy might want to add to 'BareFoot'? There must be a few things that have been improved or made more convienient since '14. I'm sure Lonnie can point out the best, new stuff you can add to your endless 'to-do' list!...

[@BarefootTravels]

😆 definitely endless to do list. Irie is an ‘07 model. Ours is a ‘14 so they have definitely taken some ideas from ours. But we have definitely taken some advice from them as well.

[@hjalmarjohannessen3797]

Looks a bit strange with the rudder in front if the driveshaft/propeller🤔 Hope it will work fine. Nice job by the way😊

[@BarefootTravels]

That’s how the boat was originally designed. Thanks!!

[@svlolalouise9763]

Still first Crack on shorty 🎉🎉🎉

[@BarefootTravels]

🎉🎉🎉

[@rolidcz7954]

treat terminals and connectors that are not waterproof with some vaseline or gel for contacts. This will protect the system against corrosion and electrolysis. Look at Nyogel 760G, contralube 770

[@Anne6621]

nice job , i would fill the cavity of the casting , how is the stainless working going for the hardtop , that is one thing i am itching to see !!

[@BarefootTravels]

Stay tuned! The hardtop is actually finished now! Stainless videos will be coming out soon!

[@Anne6621]

@@BarefootTravels OMG Get Out !!!!

[@TheOldGuy]

Nice installation! Do those motors provide regen under sail? How big of a back up generator do they have?

[@BarefootTravels]

Yes. They do have regen on them however not a whole lot and they have installed folding props. There back up gen is a Honda 2000 portable if an emergency situation arises

[@johnseiler5668]

Does Irie Cat mind sharing an estimated cost on this upgrade?

[@BarefootTravels]

Just heard back from them. So roughly it would cost 30k for this upgrade. Each motor is about 10k plus 2k on cabling, 8k on batteries plus some extra on incidentals etc including haul outs and so on. They did sell their diesels so that helped in the process of this upgrade!

[@JohnBraman413]

could always get a torquedo motor for dinghy for when no wind to sail.

[@BarefootTravels]

That is true. Or exercise those arms 😆

[@sviriecat]

The dinghy rows and paddles. Lots of options. We even tested it on against an incoming tide and it handles it fine.

[@MiketakesaHike]

sailing dingy solution....4-6 HP electric outboard motor

[@BarefootTravels]

😆 or strong arms

[@MiketakesaHike]

@@BarefootTravels what if the strong arms were injured or ill?

[@BarefootTravels]

True. There is lots of pros and cons. Every sailor has different preferences though to what they prefer and want for their cruising life… what’s the saying to each their own

[@MiketakesaHike]

@@BarefootTravels very true Mate, but I always defer to the worst. That way when it happens, I am ready.

[@BarefootTravels]

We like to be preferred also

[@seawench555]

Great stuff Barefoot crew, I like the electric motor idea, but swapping the dingy, for a sail dingy, yeah not for me, I envisage too many dramas with that. How's Foxie girl going, I miss her. Where are u at with Barefoots fixes? I also like the solar panel hardtop, but I'd put a roof on first. Xx👌🐕

[@BarefootTravels]

We’ve come a long way on Barefoot! Fox is happy as always! 🐶

[@seawench555]

@@BarefootTravels Excellent, ur both very talented, clever people, crack on !!!!👍

[@BarefootTravels]

Thank you

[@dnomyarnostaw]

Sounds like you have never had an outboard engine quit, or run out of petrol as you are getting blown out to sea. If there is no wind, you can row, if there is wind, you can sail.

[@seawench555]

@@dnomyarnostaw touch wood, no I've never had an outboard cut out on me, I'm a mechanic and i make sure my maintenance is done!!! But good luck I'm not meaning to offend u.

[@davidwarnes5158]

Not being negative , looking at the case of the bottom part where it connects to the new flat section Davie built , the bolts go up , and the tube with the electrics , the wall, ie casing isnt very wide to get a good seal , ? I guess you will put a bead of silicon sealer, ? that will be a tiny gap with alot of danger of leaking , any impact and water will be in , why not build inside a casing sealed over that section like a inspection hatch for seeing swing keels, . And why didn't you fill the hole where the sail drive was inside , get rid of the well and have a very strong base, ... be interesting to see how they go,

[@BarefootTravels]

It was sealed onto the boat with 5200

[@davidwarnes5158]

@@BarefootTravels ok it's a tough sealer , but my view was the case has a tiny bodybwall giving a very tiny area for sealing , 6mm ish ,,,

[@sviriecat]

It’s interesting, the cavity of the motor fills with water naturally. So the important place to seal is around the pylon. If I were to do it again, I would glass the whole thing in from the top. I may still do it when/ if we pull the boat this winter.

[@davidwarnes5158]

@@sviriecat if you call the pilot, the part hanging down , I agree that's the seal point and the part I said the seal area is tiny , not a thick wall to work with , and a big hole for cables , bilge pump upgrade ?

[@geoffkong7076]

One small diameter stern bolt on the motor mount will be taking the majority of the forward thrust vector , not for me thanks .

[@papab8446]

Hmmm open hatch at se level… yep

[@gestionaerofax]

Nice team work. I'want to help you. 6 solars panel installed for one week with you next winter. Solar panels 200 watts each and wiring includes. See Ibiza cat solar for ref in youtube.

[@BarefootTravels]

Reach out to us on our Facebook page!

[@geoffkong7076]

Dangerous unless you've got a genset of significant size able to power the electric motors.

[@BarefootTravels]

False

[@aardvarkmindshank]

2000 KW lol 😂

[@easternsuneasternsun171]

Too bad those motors don't rotate

[@marviwilson1853]

When is some company not going to seize the initiative and take a mono hull displacement sailboat and take all the sails and rigging down and fit a full length solar roof. Forget all those individual highly priced 1.5Kw batteries and fit an EV battery with the safe lithium chemistry option. A 35 ft boot could easily fit an 8Kw solar array mated to a 100 KwHr battery. Then you have a 4Kt, 100 mile, Med island hoping cruiser with oodles of power at anchor for all the comforts of home appliances. Solar panels are cheap, EV batteries are relatively cheap and low power electric drives are cheap. Just avoid the high priced stuff from Oceanvolt or Torqeedo!! The high quality and reliable LMC Marlin drives for example cost a few thousand not tens of thousands!!!

[@geoffkong7076]

Electric motor in the salt water ! Nothing is waterproof. When not in use need to TOTALLY Isolate electrically that includes data cable .

[@PA96704]

Electric dependent on a week of cloudy weather doesn't sound good and a 3kt current. Hmm....not for me!

[@mikemeazell5653]

I'd rather sleep next to a fuel tank than those batteries and wait till the insurance co sees the battery location.

[@BarefootTravels]

The batteries are strapped down

[@ke2delight]

@@BarefootTravelsthe electromagnetic field from the batteries is not good for anything with a DNA.

[@dnomyarnostaw]

@@ke2delight There is v little electromagnetic field from Batteries, especially when they are encased in a Faraday cage metal box. Not that it is harmful to humans, certainly - the whole Earth is a magnet.

[@rolidcz7954]

@@ke2delight You are spreading esoteric conspiracies that have no basis in actual science. There is no study that shows the effect of an electromagnetic field even 1,000,000 times stronger than this low voltage device can have on human health. Your fear is burning you up inside and hurting you.

[@rolidcz7954]

@@BarefootTravels I highly recommend having these battery blocks separated so that any fumes from an accident go outside the living space. Ideally, they should be in an area that can be flooded with water safely and quickly in the event of a fire. This type of battery is of very high quality and the risk is less than with a conventional petrol or diesel engine. If it fails, it just smokes and doesn't burn. Still, it's a good idea to keep it in mind, especially at sea.

[@navalgazingatcampdavid]

Great video! Just subscribed. Recently touched on electric rim drives on my channel. @NavalGazingatCampDavid.

[@alexforget]

Everyone is doing it it seem. I have done the calculations, you get very little power for a super expensive price and with saltwater and lightning strike I don't think we can expect it to last long. A small 4 stroke outboard will outperform a big electric setup and will sip fuel. (and you can easily replace it and continue sailing if there is a problem) I have done it, Florida, Bahamas on a small cat, the outboard were lifesaving multiple times. and we crossed the gulfstream with 20l of gas, almost nothing. The only thing I didn't like is the noise. For cooking electric make a lot of sense with induction cooktop and solar.