Electric boating

Yes, every internal combustion engine can be replaced by an electric motor. However, there is a side note to be made. In fossil-era ships, the interior has been given a dominant place in the design. This results in a wider and heavier body. However, with an excess of horsepower, this does improve. However, with electric sailing it is more important to get as far as possible with the available energy. Refueling just as quickly is not an option. One way to increase the range is a lightweight hull that has been carefully designed for hydrodynamics. This is then at the expense of the interior space. Just think of the glory days of saloon or notary boats. In those early days, internal combustion engines did not have as many horsepower. These slender pines are therefore designed to offer as little resistance as possible in the water, so that an acceptable speed could still be achieved with low power. A hull specifically designed for electric sailing therefore performs better than a spacious interior that can sail.

Yes, there are no restrictions. The other way around is another story. With an internal combustion engine you are no longer welcome in more and more areas. Amsterdam takes the cake with the aim to allow only fossil-free boats in the city center by 2025. When the power supply is designed for this, this plan will certainly be implemented. There are also quite a few nature reserves that are only electrically accessible, which gives a compelling reason to switch to environmentally friendly cruising.

There is a short answer to this, maintenance on an electric drive is minimal. Periodic inspection of the rotating parts is sufficient. If a battery bank of traditional wet batteries is used, the liquid level must be topped up if it is too low. This leaves more time to give the hull and interior the attention it deserves.

No, there is no emissions while sailing, but the electricity that enters the batteries is usually generated with coal or biomass, which is only green if you think the emission trading is a good idea. Charging with solar panels or your own windmill can solve this, but even then the production of the batteries in particular has an environmental problem.

As more and more fast charging stations can be found for cars, you have to rely on the power supply of the berth with an electric motor in a boat. This can be a permanent mooring, in a transit port or from home if you are lucky enough to live by the water. The need for an E-boat is increasingly being met, but that is a development that could go a bit faster.