Diesel-Electric Hybrids Vs. Electric: Sailing’s Auxiliary Power Future

While diesel-electric hybrids and full electric systems offer promising benefits for both sailors and the environment, the current cost barriers make those technologies inaccessible for most. Hopefully, as those systems become more popular, the price will come down and more of us can have those squeaky-clean and quiet engine compartments.

2
Parallel hybrid setup. Image courtesy of Ortomarine.
Parallel hybrid setup. Image courtesy of Ortomarine.

How do we reduce and even eliminate our sailboat's carbon dioxide emissions when using auxiliary propulsion and electrical HVAC systems?

To continue reading this article or issue you must be a paid subscriber.

Subscribe to Practical Sailor

Get full access to Practical Sailor - over 4,000 articles - for just $34.
Subscribe today and save 42% off the annual rate.
Already Subscribed?
| Forgot your password? | Activate Web Access
Clifford Burgess
Clifford Burgess’s interest in the ocean, boats and in particular sailboats started in his late teens. He served four years as crew aboard a 40-ft. fishing vessel in the waters off Nova Scotia, which ignited his passion for being on the ocean. His introduction to sailing began with windsurfing, followed by a Hunter 30T, which he owned for 14 years. His current sailboat is a 28-ft. catamaran, which he sailed from Nova Scotia to Florida in the 2023 season. Clifford’s DIY approach is applied to his sailboat maintenance and he has extensively upgraded his vessels for cruising.

2 COMMENTS

  1. The initiative to reduce emissions is appreciated but more often advertised for the sales bias.
    Let’s start with a sailboat set of sails-and the hours under sail vs motoring. Then clearly explain the expectations- racing, cruising, day sailing locally.
    Only then may the green effort be real numbers and described as efforts to reduce greenhouse or health emissions.
    Sails are sourced from dinosaurs as well as diesel and gas. – so what is the comparison? Only then can the feel good politics be truly comparable.

  2. Let’s think deeply about this….how much CO2 is released when these batteries are manufactured? What is their reasonable life span? Where does shore power come from? What emissions does that create?
    Perhaps the quick and easy, and certainly the cheapest way to ‘green up’ a sailboat is to sail more and motor less!