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At the AS Labruna booth at the Venice Boat Show, we scouted a small kit that can really please many boat owners. The topic of alternative propulsion is certainly one of the most heartfelt even in boating at this time of transition to less polluting systems. In particular, at the Venice Boat Show, which we just visited, many solutions to this problem were presented: hydrogen-powered boats, obviously lots of electric, and even hybrid systems.
AS Labruna has a range dedicated to the hybrid conversion of traditional propeller shaft drives. The concept behind this system is very simple: an electric motor is connected via a belt to the propeller shaft. In this way, when the thermal engine is on and spinning the axle, the electric motor works as a large generator recharging the batteries, but when you want to go electric, you turn off the thermal, engage neutral, and the electric motor will move the propeller directly.
All inboard then, no external appendages, but above all wide choice of placement and adaptation to your engine compartment. And it is absolutely independent of the type of engine you have: all you need is a propeller shaft. Maximum compatibility when it comes to batteries, too: different sizes are available, depending on the kW/h (and therefore electric range) you need, but you can also use batteries you already own, or from the supplier you prefer.
The cost of the model in the video, HK 10, i.e., the 10 kW motor (5 and 20 kW power are also available in the range) is €13,000. Not cheap for an auxiliary engine designed for small units. To which must also be added the cost of batteries (2 of 2.5 kW for a total of 5 kW cost €5,000). However, it may be a good time to consider this solution since, since it is still a traction motor, however auxiliary, it can take advantage of the 50 percent bonus reserved for replacing old motors.
In this case, those who have an old auxiliary engine, perhaps outboard, that they use for fishing or as a back-up engine, can purchase this package at a much more attractive price for what it offers. In fact, the hybrid system allows the best of both engines: at cruising, the diesel engine gives its best, while at low speed, in displacement, the little power required from the electric motor allows good autonomies in total silence. All this, regardless of the charging infrastructure, the great bottleneck in the electrification of boating.
To learn more visit the AS Labruna website at this link.
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