Technical support
Frequently asked questions to our technical support
Do you have any questions about hybrid electric marine propulsion technology? You’ve come to the right place! Our Frequently Asked Questions offer comprehensive answers to guide you through the innovative world of hybrid electric boat motors.
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The autonomy of an electric boat can be expressed in distance. The distance it can travel on a single battery charge, before the battery needs to be recharged. It can also be calculated in terms of time, including the duration of navigation on a single battery charge, before it needs to be recharged.
The autonomy depends on the energy storage capacity of the battery, generally expressed in kWh, and the energy consumption of the engine, expressed in kW. Two important factors for knowing the autonomy of an electrical system incorporating BlueNav motors are therefore: the battery and the use made of BlueNav motors.
The BlueSpin are designed for recreational navigation, and less for long journeys. BlueNav recommends that its installers allow for a runtime at half power of 2 to 4 hours.
BlueNav’s hybridization solution allows you to add one or two retractable electric propulsion systems to the boat, known as BlueSpin. This offers the advantage of being able to install electric motors without having to modify the original inboard or outboard propulsion, which thus retains its own efficiency.
This saves a great deal of cost compared with modifying the existing installation, and offers other advantages, such as system redundancy or optimizing the efficiency of each system without the compromises associated with having both systems turning the same propeller, which is inevitably unsuited to one of the two, usually the less powerful.
In all cases, the same propeller is driven by both motors, and an electronic or electro-mechanical system switches between the two modes. Their installation requires major modification of the propulsion system.
1- Reduction of polluting emissions: hybrid electric motors reduce emissions of greenhouse gases and air pollutants compared to traditional motors powered solely by fuel. This contributes to better air quality and environmental protection.
2- Noise reduction: BlueNav motors are almost silent. The use of electric motors drastically reduces the noise level when you are on navigating, thereby improving passenger comfort and minimizing disturbance to marine wildlife.
3- Optimized maintenance: an electrical system requires little maintenance. By promoting the use of electric propulsion, we also increase the maintenance intervals for combustion propulsion.
4- Regulatory benefits: In many regions, there are regulatory or tax incentives to encourage the use of cleaner and more energy efficient technologies. Certain sites, such as Marine Protected Areas, are prohibited from access to combustion engines, and there are more and more of them.
5- Increased maneuverability: our two turbines align at angles of 45° and -45°, creating opposing thrusts when you simply indicate the desired rotation using the joystick. The result is a smooth 360° turn, giving you unparalleled maneuverability and ease. You can still move forward or backward using the throttle. This maneuverability is particularly useful for entering and exiting your boat from the port. This maneuverability is particularly useful for entering and exiting your boat from the port.
You can navigate with precision and control like never before.
In summary, hybrid electric motors offer a nicer, cleaner, quieter, more economical and more versatile solution for boat propulsion.
here is no standard boat, the BlueNav solution can be adapted to many types of boats by considering a few parameters mainly linked to the integration of the engines and the energy storage system. Our sales and technical teams will be able to guide your installer in taking these parameters into account.
However, we can mention open boats, cockpit boats, classic or modern, inflatable or semi-rigid boats, houseboats, surveillance vessels, fishing boats as well as monohull or multihull sailboats.
We can equip boats from 9 to 15m (30-66ft), weighting up to 15 tons in the 15kW version.
Soon, we will also be able to equip boats from 7 to 10m (21-33ft) for weights of up to 8 tons, thanks to an 8kW version of our motors.
Notre support technique vous donne les astuces suivantes pour entretenir et prolonger la durée de vie de vos moteurs électriques de bateau, voici quelques conseils :
- Clean your electric motors regularly to remove dirt, salt, shells, algae and other debris that may accumulate. Use fresh water and a clean cloth to clean exterior surfaces.
- heck electrical connections to ensure they are clean, tight and in good condition. Loose or corroded connections can cause loss of performance or failures.
- Use electric motors in accordance with the recommendations of the documentation. Avoid overloading and overheating by operating motors within their rated capacity.
- ave your electric motors checked regularly by a qualified professional for any potential problems. Regular preventative maintenance can help identify and resolve problems before they become more serious.
- Make sure you maintain them properly. Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for charging, discharging and maintaining batteries to prolong their life.
BlueNav is not a battery manufacturer, but your installer will be able to recommend good products, suited to your use.
The lifespan of batteries may vary depending on several factors, including their quality, their conditions of use, their maintenance, and their specific technologies.
However, here are some things to consider:
Battery technology: Hybrid electric motors can be combined with different battery technologies, such as lead-acid batteries, lithium-ion batteries, or hydrogen fuel cells. Each technology has its own characteristics in terms of lifespan and performance.
Conditions of use: The way batteries are used can have a significant impact on their lifespan. Charge and discharge cycles, ambient temperatures, charge and discharge rates, and other factors can all influence battery durability.
Maintenance: Proper maintenance can help extend the life of batteries. his may include practices such as regular state-of-charge monitoring, cooling system maintenance (in the case of lithium-ion batteries), and protection against overcharge or deep discharge.
Evolution of technology: Battery technology is evolving rapidly, and advances in this area can lead to batteries with longer lifespan and improved performance over time.
In general, the batteries associated with hybrid electric motors are lithium. They are designed to last for several years, with warranties provided by manufacturers for a certain duration or number of charge cycles. For lithium-ion batteries, for example, the typical lifespan can vary from a few years to a decade or more, depending on the factors mentioned above. Additionally, the battery system can be replaced or upgraded over time to extend the useful life of the hybrid electric system.
The speed of your boat will be mainly influenced by the shape of the hull, the resistance of the water, the total weight of the boat and its load, and the weather conditions. The heavier your boat is or the greater the resistance, the more it will affect its maximum speed.
To estimate the speed of your boat equipped with electric motors, you can follow these steps:
- Consult the specifications of your boat’s combustion engine(s) in their documentation. Read the engine speed for 25/30 hp on their power curve.
- Record the boat’s speed at this engine speed while underway, and this will be your approximate sailing speed.
Please note that you must consider the total number of electric or internal combustion engines installed, and that this is only an approximation.
If you have any doubts or questions about your boat’s speed in electric mode, don’t hesitate to consult your installer. We’ll be happy to help with the calculations if you wish.
In short, estimating the speed of your boat equipped with electric motors can be done by combining motor specifications, resistance factors, past experience, the use of measuring devices such as GPS, consulting experts if necessary, and with our support.
BlueNav is not a battery supplier.
The charging time of an electric boat’s batteries at the dock depends on several factors, including:
Battery capacity: the larger the battery capacity (kWh), the longer it will take to recharge.
The power of the charger: a more powerful charger will recharge the batteries more quickly. Charger power is measured in kilowatts (kW).
The type of batteries: different types of batteries have different charging characteristics. For example, lithium-ion batteries often have faster recharge times than lead-acid batteries.
The electrical connection available on the dock: the electrical power available on the dock can limit the charging speed. A dock equipped with a higher power electrical connection will allow for shorter charging times.
The initial state of charge of the batteries: the recharge time will be shorter if the batteries are not completely discharged at the start of the recharge process.
Typically, electric boats can be charged within a few hours at the dock, but this can vary greatly depending on the factors mentioned above. Some electric boats are also equipped with fast charging systems which allow for shorter charging times, but these may require specific infrastructure on the dock.
Yes, our retractable BlueSpin motors avoid drag thanks to their retractability.
Depending on the configuration (Outboard, Inhull, Stationary) and the number of engines installed, it is possible to control the thrust up to 360°, which offers a great advantage to all equipped boaters: you can literally turn the boat on the spot most of the time.
The only sound boaters will hear is that of the water pushing against the hull.
Yes, electric propulsion eliminates all smoke and odors while navigating.
This is not necessary, our application is accessible on most recent MFD screens from the main manufacturers (Raymarine, Simrad, B&G, Lowrance, Garmin, Furuno).
It all depends on the MFD generation (screen performance/latency). A list of suitable equipment is available in our technical documentation and can be sent to you on request.
You have access to electrical system data such as thrust direction, engine power, and, if compatible, battery data via NMEA (SOC / Autonomy) and finally SOG boat speed data (via NMEA and GPS) or STW (via NMEA and probe).
We provide an ergonomic joystick on our control panel
Simply deactivate the combustion part control and activate the On/Off button on the BlueNav control panel. From then on, press a simple button to control the descent of the motors and a few seconds later, you can navigate in hybrid electric mode.
Sizing an electric propulsion system for a boat depends on a number of factors. Here are a few criteria to consider:
Type of boat: the size, weight and shape of the boat influence the choice of electric propulsion system.
Boat use: determine whether the boat will be used for short or long trips, the desired speed, the type of course (calm or rough waters), etc.
Autonomy: battery capacity and required autonomy determine the size and type of batteries to be installed.
Propulsion power: calculate the power required according to the desired speed, boat weight and sailing conditions.
Water resistance: propulsion efficiency is influenced by water resistance. Hull and propeller design must be optimized to reduce drag.
Integrating an electric propulsion solution on a boat can vary in complexity depending on a number of factors, including the size and type of boat, the existing electrical system, power requirements, and the specific characteristics of the electric propulsion chosen. In some cases, integration may be relatively simple and straightforward, while in others more extensive modifications may be required.
It is important to comply with regulations and safety standards when installing electric propulsion on a boat, these vary between countries and sailing areas.
To our knowledge, there is no specific permit anywhere that differentiates the use of an electric or hybrid boat from that of a combustion boat.
Persons operating the boat must be trained and competent in the use of the installed equipment, including the electric propulsion system.
This may include information about system operation, safety procedures, and actions to take in an emergency.
BlueNav systems operate on very low voltage, which limits the risk, but does not eliminate it.
Make sure that electrical components are properly protected from splashing water, and never work on a live electrical system without the appropriate skills.
By following these safety measures and using common sense, electric propulsion is a safe and effective option for your boat, offering many advantages such as maneuverability, reduced emissions, reduced noise and greater energy efficiency.
Compatibility with the existing system: it is important to check that the electric propulsion system is compatible with the boat’s existing electrical components and systems. This may require modifications to ensure that all elements work harmoniously together.
Physical installation: the installation of electric motors, batteries and other propulsion components may require adjustments to the boat’s structure and interior layout. This may include creating storage spaces for batteries and motor power units, installing brackets for electric motors, fitting aerators and routing electrical cables.
The successful integration of hybrid electric propulsion requires technical expertise, an understanding of the specific needs of the boat and its operation, appropriate planning, and knowledge of local regulations.
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