I launched my 23' fantail at the end of August,
subsequently worked on installing the propulsion system
components and, a few days ago, managed to take her out for
her maiden voyage. Since then I've had her out a
couple more times and can now give a preliminary
report.<br><br>Most important to me, the motor is extremely quiet
even at speed. This was one of my two prime reasons
for going with electric propulsion but until the boat
was actually in the water and moving along at
cruising speed I just had no idea how it would really
sound. As it is, the noise of the bow wave is louder
than the low hum of the motor. So this aspect was a
resounding, important success.<br><br>The othe big question
was speed/range. I am using a 13 X 12 prop that was
given to me--quite a bit smaller than I'd been
intending. But I thought that I'd see what she would do with
that setup. <br><br>What I find is that the boat's
most efficient speed seems to be around 4.3kts or so.
At that rate she draws 20A (just under 1 hp). Since
I don't want to draw my battery bank down below
about 70%, that gives me a realistic range of 8.9 hours
(as calculated by my e-meter) or roughly 36 mi.! I'd
been hoping for around 25 which will be about the most
I would ever need. The farthest I've "cranked it
up" so far is 60A which is the equivalent of about
3hp. (The motor is rated at 4.1hp continuous/ 6hp
peak.) At 60A she does 6.2kts but has a range of only
17mi. or so. But 6.2kts seems like bombing along (and
in a straight line!) to a guy who's used to sailing,
paddling, or rowing little boats around this
lake!<br><br>Larry
