E23-Inboard 101

[sleather]

I am interested in exploring the IN's and OUT's of installing an Electric Inboard in my E23-MK II-K/CB, presently outboard! I've been annoyed, for decades, at having that "iron wind" hanging off my transom and it seems that the "Green Technology" is finally here! www.ozecodrive.com The E23 still looks 21st century!

Question 1, How would one go about locating a "shaft" opening in a hull w/ no existing opening?

Any thoughts and suggestions appreciated!:thinker: --I do have an original 3/4"=1' hull section, from the factory!

 

[Kevin Johnston]

Thoughts on inboard conversion

Question 1, How would one go about locating a "shaft" opening in a hull w/ no existing opening?

Carefully!!

I have a couple other thoughts. These just maybe a place to start.

Did Ericson make any other centerboards with an inboard? If not are there other manufacturers that did. Maybe there is something that could be learned here. Are there any E23 with inboards or do all of them have an outboard hanging off the stern? What is the shortest E boat with an inboard?

Not all the much help and you may have already headed here.

 

[Mark F]

Steve, you might what to check these out; http://www.re-e-power.com/. Seems pretty reasonable price wise and the only parts inside the boat would be the batteries and charger. They are setup to generate electricity also.

I like the look of this unit; http://www.kraeutler.at/SD-D_e.htm

I'm leaning toward; http://www.thunderstruck-ev.com/sailboatkit.htm for my E27 mainly because I can use the existing prop shaft.

 

[sleather]

E23 prototype

To the best of my knowledge the E23 was "never" offered w/ an inboard(Bob Boe will correct me if I'm mistaken).
I'm pretty sure the E25 is the smallest Inboard application. I had thought about "sail-drives" a long time ago, but I don't especially care for that configuration. I also am not excited by the "pod" approach(weeds).

I have been "smitten" by the traditional "straight inboard", www.fishtheclassic.net as a "rational solution" to overpriced/expensive to maintain outboards, for my fishing boat needs. Besides I'm an old "gear-head" @ heart, I love to work-on & understand my own stuff!

Mark, I appreciate all the links your providing! I didn't want to hijack the "Re-power" thread so here we are. You're lucky, having to only replace the "powerhead"(outboard-speak)

I will be contacting OZ, and being a "complete system" I'm sure they will have some advice! It's going to be a challenge, getting the geometry right, in something that doesn't have straight lines and corners!

 

[Steve Swann]

E25's Some Have Inboards

Steve,

My E25 has an inboard, Yanmar single cylinder. Looking at your hull cross section, it does not look quite the same as mine, so I am not sure anything from a 25's installation would help you much. I do know that my inboard version has a factory cutout aftmost on the keelson. The original factory rudder protects the opening aft. I'll see what I might have for pictures and post for you in a couple minutes.

Does any mfg. make a small saildrive unit that might work with the minimum clearances you have?

Steve Swann
E25 Seahorse

 

[Steve Swann]

E25 Inboard Stern Configuration

Here is a picture that might help, guys.

 

[sleather]

Hey Steve, Boy that's a "no-brainer" popping out of the skeg like that, KISS. I'll try to post a butt shot latter today. I'd be looking at the "long" oval exit hole. Very similar to the OZ diagram. In fact the OZ boat looks like an E23 on steroids!

What's up w/ the "louver"?

 

[Steve Swann]

louvre

Steve,

The louvre is for fresh air into the engine compartment. The picture you see is from right after I bought the boat a few years ago. Since then, I installed a swim deck just below it now and it protects it pretty well from a following sea (not like we actually get anything big on the lakes around here). It appears to be a factory installation, but I think it was kind of a dumb solution because it is exposed to a following sea.

Here are a few more pics

 

[sleather]

More Great Ideas

Steve, God I love this site! One of my concerns was "patching" the holes left behind after removing the "motor mount"--Bullet Proof-SWIM PLATFORM! Right now I have a folding step @ the waterline, awkward, but there if you need it!

 

[sleather]

Photo Update

Future "home" of shaft & prop.

 

[sleather]

Update

I just recieved a quote from OZ, SCARY! Beautiful system, but pricey! Looks like "Thunderstruck"(Love the name) is next in line. I will need some running gear w/ their system(reduction gears, shaft & prop). Any ideas?(Mark)

I have a "wooden boat" restoration shop right across the street, they deal in 90% inboards, so I may be spending some "snow-time" there(nice guys).

 

[Randy Rutledge]

I once considered a golf cart motor conversion for a Neptune 24. Toothed rubber belts are quiet and could provide gearing up or down as needed and the reverse is done by switching.
Also thought a pulley on the prop shaft and a golf cart motor might be quiet and help a heavy boat against Catalina 22s and 25s in a race (would that be cheating?)

 

[Mark F]

Steve,

My E27 has an existing shaft so that's why I'm headed in that direction. I think a saildrive might be an easier install for a boat without a shaft but they are pricey too. The easiest install and most reasonably priced looks to be a pod unit like the Re-E-Power. It's also a complete unit (less batteries). That said, I really liked the Motorguide Great White 109 I had on my E23. When not in- use it looks more like a mini radar unit hanging off the stern .

 

[sleather]

Yes But!

Mark, Just got some info from "Thuderstruck", they referred me to a Yahoo site for "e-boaters" http://groups.yahoo.com/group/electricboats/

I really want the "regen" capabilities as I'm planning some remote adventures. The OZ system came in @ ~$6,000(more than the boats worth). I like the fact that it's a "pre-engineered system"! The TS system's "in the ballpark" price wise but I'll have to figure out ALL the logistics(used IB parts).

The "pods" and "sail-drive" units would be WEED collectors! A serious problem here!

A BIG trolling motor would work, I've already got the "rudder"mount(see photo) but alas no "regen"(massive solar array!)