Serial hybrid drive comes to pleasure boats for the first time
Can we agree that sailboats are the world's most perfect green transportation? I'm going to say yes, and then note that the world's waterways are probably crying for a return to those wind-powered days. While the news from Frauscher Bootswerft doesn't herald a return to pollution-free water travel, it's a least a little bit of good green news for lakes, rivers and seas around the world.
Steyr Motors and Frauscher will introduce the "worldwide first serial Hybrid Propulsion System for pleasure boats" at the boat show in Düsseldorf next month. The companies promise "a new chapter in the history of pleasure boat propulsion" thanks to an electric motor-diesel engine hybrid system that can move a boat at up to 5 knots on EV power. Then, similar to the hybrid system in Lexus hybrids, the electric motor can provide a boost to the system for quick acceleration. While pleasure boats aren't exactly great for the environment, at least with one of these hybrid systems installed they'll be a little less noisy and polluting. I'm all for that.
[Source: Frauscher Bootswerft]
Dec 12, 2007 06:00 ET
Worldwide First Serial Hybrid Propulsion System for Pleasure Boats
GMUNDEN, Austria, December 12/PRNewswire/ -- The long standing collaboration between the Austrian companies STEYR MOTORS (http://www.steyr-motors.com) and Frauscher Bootswerft (http://www.frauscherboats.com) has now resulted in the exciting commercial launch of the worldwide first serial Hybrid Propulsion System for pleasure boats at "Boot Düsseldorf" in January 2008.
Frauscher's extensive experience with electric and combustion engines as well as 80years of boat building expertise, have been of significant value to STEYR MOTORS and the development process. STEYR MOTORS is well known for its low emission, light weight Marine diesel engines with electronic engine management.
The environmentally friendly hybrid solution marks a new chapter in the history of pleasure boat propulsion. It not only assures zero emission and low speed manoeuvring in harbours, noiseless drive on inland waters and nature reserves, but also eliminates the need for separate generator units for other onboard equipment. The "zero emission" electric drive mode allows for a speed of 5 knots using solely electric propulsion and switches to the combustion engine with an easy turn of the ignition key. The ingenious propulsion then gets "boosted" by the electric drive and secures a quicker acceleration into the planning phase lowering fuel consumption and improving response and dynamics.
Significantly reduced maintenance cost and improved ease of service, due to the brushless permanent magnet generator, are further irrevocable arguments that STEYR MOTORS and Frauscher Boats are introducing a serious technological novelty.
STEYR MOTORS perfects the handling with the Steyr Electronic Control Centre (SCC) that regulates the driver's demands and assures convenient monitoring of all operating modes.
The unique configuration of the hybrid propulsion will immediately allow Frauscher to seamlessly equip all of their stylish leisure boats with the sustainable innovation.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
GoodCheer 1:03PM (12/13/2007)
This is a rather specialized field (for this blog), so I don't fault you for not knowing this, but the title of first I think goes to the Lagoon catamaran company, who started production of a series hybrid in 2003:
"When a catamaran production company as big and as mainstream as Lagoon starts rolling out versions of its main selling models with electric twin electric motors instead of the usual Yanmar diesels, you have take note. It means that people with a big stake in the yacht market believe that electric propulsion technology is mature, it is affordable and there is a market willing to buy into the concept.
Anyone interested in giving the system a thorough testing could do worse than charter WAYPOINT, the first Lagoon 410 S2E (electric) built – booking through The Catamaran Company in the US. In November 2003, this cat made the first ever Atlantic crossing of a production cat with electric propulsion during delivery to its owners and its charter destination in the BVIs.
The twin electric drives (....) replace the much higher rated twin 28 HP diesels."
-http://www.multihull-maven.com/Electric_Lagoons
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why not the LS2/LS7? 1:13PM (12/13/2007)
Very stupid. With no regenerative braking, there's very little advantage to a hybrid.
And you can't make an all-electric (battery) boat because you can't carry enough energy to get you anywhere. People are more likely to take a chance on a short-range EV than a pleasure boat. You can at least call AAA on the road. And if your car stops you can walk away instead of swimming miles.
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Eric 3:08PM (12/13/2007)
Island Pilot DSe Hybrid Catamarans are much cooler. http://www.dsehybrid.com/
"The first 6 knots are free"
6 knots under solar power alone, then the quiet gensets kick in and drive the boat at a 13 knot cruise speed. 6.6kw of solar power
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steven 4:16PM (12/13/2007)
What? No we can't agree. Most sail boats have filthy little engines the pump exhaust right into the water.
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Rudolf 7:28AM (12/15/2007)
Gents,
I'm not sure if the Lagoon Hybrid can be named a real Hybrid according pblished definition. It sems to me that the Lagoon Hybrid shows an all electric drive system while to elecric power supply may come from the GenSet or Solar panels and others.
According publised definitions a Hybrid propulsion system has to show two different propulsion systems with independent energy sources.
Since the STEYR HYBRID system can work fully independent as a Marine Diesel ropulsion as well as an Electric Drive system, this fulfills the original HYBRID definition.
Regards
Rudolf
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Skipper Tom 1:21PM (10/27/2009)
While the Lagoon obtains power from a GenSet and Batteries, the real hybrid to meet Rudolf's requirement comes from the wind and the sails (Green enough?) - the propulsion motors spin and charge the batteries while under sail (some increase in drag, but not more then a locked prop). Solar panels and wind generators are ubiquitous in these catamaran fleets as well, getting you to four different electron sources before you even get past the breakwater!
Sail on, Tom