This weekend I hope my electrically-powered prop
will spin for the first time!<br><br>After 4 years, my
cold-molded fantail launch hit the water for the first time
in August. This was the second boat I'd built--by
far more complex than the first--and it was a great
moment.<br><br>But the propulsion system was not only not installed,
but not even received yet. So now, while the boat has
been laid up in the boathouse for the winter, I've
been puzzling out the installation of my first
electric propulsion system.<br><br>Unlike many of you,
I've never owned an electric boat before. My
"experience" consists of a couple of rides in boats of
friends. And yet I now find myself in the position of
installing a propulsion system from scratch.<br><br>I bought
the individual components (as opposed to a dedicated
system from someplace like Elco)and have spent the last
few weeks installing them in the boat. There's a
separate 12V system for the "house"--meters, lights,
etc.--and a 36V propulsion system. The meters are now all
wired up and at least I can say that when I throw the
breaker on the circuit panel I have dash lights! And the
stereo doesn't even go to half-speed.<br><br>But now I'm
now running lines for the propulsion system. Lots of
welding cable everywhere. I can't say enough good things,
so far at least, about the support and direction
from KTA Services from whom I purchased the
components.<br><br>At some point this weekend I should be ready to
throw the switch and see if that prop actually goes
'round. Wish me luck, please!<br><br>Larry
