We tested the Navy 3 on the Corsair 760 at Manly harbour Brisbane.
Having an electric outboard has many advantages.
Superior speed control, more reverse power and with remote bluetooth throttle, berthing is a breeze!
Lower noise and no fumes
Starts first time.
No fuel spills, fuel does not go stale.
Charge by the sun. Lower maintenance, no water system to flush at end of day with minimal service. No engine oil, plugs or water pumps. Better distribution of weight, less on the transom.
On the day of testing he boat was easily propelled at 6 knots with maximum throttle @ 2950 watts, 5.2 knots @2000 watts
4.8 knots @1500 watts
4 knots @ 1000 watts,
3knots @ 500 watts
2,5 knots @ 250 watts
Range vs Battery capacity
Range is dependant on how much battery “kW/h” the owner choses to have for their style of sailing or size of solar panels. Some may wish to have enough to get in and out of port; others may wish for a greater range for cruising.
In many ways range is unlimited because you can replenish from solar making fuel while you are cruising. You will be amazed after a weekend racing the batteries will be full again by mid week from a small amount of folding solar (160 watts). Your boat will be ready to race again without having to spend time or money getting fuel.
Recommendations below are based on my experience doing both and the rules as laid out in the YA rule book for cat 5:-
“Provide minimum speed in knots of (Square root of LWL in meters x 1.8) against a 12 knot headwind for 4 hours duration”.
Dash 760 has 7.19 m LWL
The required speed is 4.8 Knots and estimated consumption against 12 knot head wind is
1.5 kW, battery capacity required for 4 hours is 6 kW/h .
