⚡ Electric Sailboat Conversion Guide
The sailboat is already the most environmentally responsible vessel on the water — it moves primarily by wind. But the auxiliary diesel, used for docking, light-air motoring, and charging batteries, burns fossil fuels and requires oil changes, impeller replacements, and the ongoing cost and complexity of internal combustion maintenance. Electric inboard conversion eliminates the diesel entirely, replaces it with a near-silent electric motor, and allows the boat's solar panels to provide most or all of the energy needed for auxiliary propulsion.
"A well-executed electric conversion on a 30–38 ft sailboat typically costs $8,000–$20,000. It eliminates fuel costs, dramatically reduces maintenance, and means you arrive in an anchorage silently — which is worth something that money can't measure."
Electric Motor Systems for Sailboats
Three main drive configurations exist for sailboat electric conversion: saildrive (integral leg through hull), shaft drive (traditional propeller shaft), and outboard electric. Most conversions on production sailboats replace an inboard diesel with a saildrive or shaft-drive electric system.
OceanVolt
Saildrive Shaft Drive RegenerativeThe most respected electric propulsion brand for bluewater sailboats. Finnish company; global dealer network. AXC series motors (3kW–40kW) cover boats from 25 ft to 60 ft. The ServoProp feathering propeller system generates electricity while sailing — significant for passages. Fully integrated with Victron battery systems. OEM on Elan, Excess, and other European production sailboats.
Best for: Serious cruising boats; offshore sailing; integration with larger lithium banks and solar
Torqeedo
Saildrive Shaft Drive Outboard RegenerativeWorld's leading electric marine propulsion manufacturer. Full range from 1kW outboards (Travel series) to 100kW+ pod drives. Cruise 10.0 FP (saildrive/shaft) is the most popular conversion motor for 30–40 ft sailboats — about 10 kW continuous, equivalent to a 15–20 HP diesel for auxiliary use. Strong dealer network in the US. Integrates with Torqeedo's own batteries or third-party lithium.
Best for: DIY-friendly conversions; broad power range; best-supported brand for service
Electric Yacht
Shaft Drive US-Based RegenerativeUS-based company (Ann Arbor, Michigan area) with over 10 years of production and 450+ installations. Their Plug-n-Play system is specifically designed for direct diesel replacement on production sailboats — designed for DIY installation by the boat owner. Regenerative power under sail. Systems from 5 kW to 20 kW. Strong support for common US sailboat models including Catalina, Hunter, Pearson, and Beneteau.
Best for: DIY conversion; US sailboat owner support; common production boats 25–40 ft
ePropulsion
Shaft Drive OutboardGrowing Chinese manufacturer with strong US market presence. Navy series (shaft drive, 3–10 kW) and Spirit/Evo outboard range. Competitive pricing makes ePropulsion accessible for budget-conscious conversions. Good for smaller sailboats 22–32 ft. Less offshore-proven than OceanVolt or Torqeedo but improving rapidly.
Elco Motor Yachts
Shaft Drive Made in USAOne of the oldest electric boat motor brands in America — Elco has been building electric boat motors since 1893. The EP series (shaft drive, 5–50 HP) offers direct diesel replacement for traditional production sailboats. American heritage, American manufacturing. Less prominent than Torqeedo or OceanVolt in current market but respected for quality.
Kokam / ePropulsion Pod Drives
Pod DrivePod drives (underwater motor-propeller units without traditional shaft or saildrive) are gaining acceptance for sailboat conversions. Less common on production sailboats currently but worth monitoring as the technology matures.
Choosing Your Drive Type
| Drive Type | Best For | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Saildrive replacement | Boats that already have a saildrive diesel | Simplest conversion if replacing same; OceanVolt and Torqeedo both offer saildrive units |
| Shaft drive replacement | Traditional shaft-drive production boats (most US boats) | Electric Yacht, Torqeedo, Elco; direct replacement in existing stern tube |
| Electric outboard | Small sailboats under 28 ft; dinghy propulsion | Torqeedo Travel/Cruise; ePropulsion Spirit; lowest cost entry point |
Battery & Power Systems for Electric Conversions
The battery bank is the most expensive and most critical component of an electric conversion. Lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) is the correct chemistry for marine propulsion — not lead-acid, not other lithium chemistries. Size the bank for your actual motoring needs: a 30-foot sailboat motoring at 5 knots uses roughly 3–5 kWh per hour.
Recommended Battery Brands
- Battle Born Batteries — Reno, NV; made in USA; 100Ah 12V and 270Ah 12V; best US customer support; excellent for marine; 10-year warranty
- Victron Smart Lithium — integrates seamlessly with Victron inverter/charger/MPPT ecosystem; preferred by serious bluewater sailors
- RELiON — RB100-LT has built-in heater for cold-climate charging; important for Pacific Northwest and New England sailors
- Dakota Lithium — optimized for cold temperatures; 11-year warranty; competitive pricing
Charging & Power Management
- Victron Energy — MultiPlus inverter/charger, SmartSolar MPPT, Cerbo GX monitoring; the complete shore-power-to-solar-to-electric ecosystem
- Solar — 300–600W of deck or arch-mounted solar is practical for a 30–40 ft sailboat and can cover most daily motoring needs in summer months
- Regenerative charging — OceanVolt ServoProp and Torqeedo systems can generate 200–400W under sail at typical cruising speeds; meaningful for multi-day passages
- Shore power charging — a 30A or 50A shore power connection with a good charger will fully charge a 20 kWh bank overnight
Sample Battery Bank Sizing by Boat Size
| Boat Size | Motor Size | Recommended Bank | Motoring Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25–28 ft | 5–7 kW | 10–15 kWh | 2–3 hrs at hull speed |
| 30–33 ft | 8–10 kW | 15–25 kWh | 2–3 hrs at hull speed |
| 34–38 ft | 10–15 kW | 20–35 kWh | 2–3 hrs at hull speed |
| 40–45 ft | 15–25 kW | 30–50 kWh | 2–3 hrs at hull speed |
Installers, Converters & Service Companies
Electric conversions require expertise in both marine electrical systems and motor installation. Use an authorized dealer or certified installer for the motor brand you choose. DIY is possible for experienced sailors with strong electrical skills — particularly with Electric Yacht's Plug-n-Play system — but propulsion is not the place to cut corners.
Electric Yacht
Michigan — US-BasedThe US company most focused on making electric sailboat conversion accessible to the DIY sailor. Their Plug-n-Play system ships with everything needed for installation and is designed for owner installation on common production sailboats. Strong phone and email support. 450+ installations completed. Designed specifically for Catalina, Hunter, Beneteau, and similar production boats.
Plugboats — Installer Directory
The most comprehensive directory of electric boat installers and conversion specialists in the US. Search by region, motor brand, and boat type. The starting point for finding a qualified installer near your marina.
M-Oceans
Authorized dealer for ePropulsion, Torqeedo, OceanVolt, TEMO, and other electric marine brands. Electric boat conversion services; project consulting; full installation support.
Wave Inboard Motors
150+ electric boat conversions completed since 2018. Experience ranging from Torqeedo Cruise retrofits on 30 ft Beneteaus to OceanVolt hybrids in 50 ft catamarans. Florida Keys and Chesapeake Bay focus.
Nylund's Marine
OceanVolt-experienced yard; documented conversion of a sailing yacht to OceanVolt AXC40 with 28 kWh lithium pack. Example of a full-service boatyard undertaking the complete conversion project including motor, batteries, wiring, and commissioning.
OceanVolt Authorized Dealers (US)
OceanVolt maintains a network of authorized US dealers and installers. The dealer network has been growing rapidly as OceanVolt has become OEM on several European production sailboats. Check oceanvolt.com/dealers for current US dealers.
Torqeedo Dealers (US)
Torqeedo has the most extensive US dealer and service network of any electric marine brand. Find a US Torqeedo dealer for installation, service, and warranty support.
Find an Installer Near You
- Plugboats Installer Directory — the most complete US listing
- Torqeedo US Dealer Locator
- OceanVolt US Dealers
- Electric Yacht — US contact & support
Costs, Savings & Practical Considerations
Typical Conversion Costs — 30–38 ft Sailboat
| Component | Cost Range |
|---|---|
| Electric motor (10–15 kW shaft or saildrive) | $3,500–$8,000 |
| LiFePO4 battery bank (15–25 kWh) | $4,000–$12,000 |
| BMS, wiring, inverter/charger, MPPT | $1,500–$4,000 |
| Motor installation (labor) | $1,500–$4,000 |
| Battery installation & wiring (labor) | $1,000–$3,000 |
| Propeller & shaft coupling | $500–$2,000 |
| Solar panels (200–400W) | $600–$1,500 |
| Total (materials + labor) | $12,000–$34,000 |
| DIY-only materials (Electric Yacht Plug-n-Play) | $8,000–$18,000 |
Annual Savings After Conversion
| Expense | Diesel | Electric |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel (100 hrs/yr at 0.5 gal/hr, $4/gal) | $200 | $0–$20* |
| Oil changes (2×/yr) | $80–$150 | $0 |
| Impeller (annual) | $25–$60 | $0 |
| Fuel filters, zincs, belts | $100–$200 | $0–$30 |
| Miscellaneous repairs | $200–$600 | $0–$50 |
| Total annual savings | — | $500–$1,000/yr |
* Electric energy cost if charged from shore power at $0.15/kWh. Solar charging = effectively $0.
What Changes After Conversion
- Near-silent operation — the most immediately noticed change; no diesel rumble, no exhaust smell, no vibration through the hull
- Zero engine warm-up — full power available instantly; no coolant temperature to wait for
- No raw water cooling system — no impeller to replace, no heat exchanger to scale, no through-hull raw water intake for the engine (saildrive only)
- Regenerative charging under sail — OceanVolt and some other systems charge the batteries while sailing; meaningful over multi-day passages
- Range limitation — electric motoring range is typically 2–4 hours at hull speed, not 10+ hours like diesel. This is sufficient for most harbor and coastal use but requires planning for longer passages
- Shore power dependency increases — without a diesel alternator, battery charging depends more on shore power, solar, and potentially a generator
Is Electric Right for Your Sailing?
- ✓ Strong fit: Marina/coastal sailing; day sailing and weekend cruising; boats with good solar potential; sailors who hate diesel maintenance; environmentally motivated owners
- △ Consider carefully: Extended offshore passages without reliable shore power; high-motoring scenarios (lots of ICW motoring, frequent no-wind days); high-latitude sailing without solar
- ✗ Poor fit (today): Full bluewater circumnavigation without shore power access; delivery skippers who need 6+ hours of motoring at a stretch
Resources, Learning & Community
Essential Reading
- Plugboats.com — the definitive online resource for electric boat propulsion; motor reviews, installer directory, news, and community
- Plugboats — Electric Inboard Motor Guide — 150+ motors compared
- Electric Yacht Blog — real conversion stories from production sailboat owners
- Cruisers Forum — Electric Propulsion — real sailors asking real questions about conversions
- SailboatsUSA Battery Guide — lithium battery sizing, Victron systems, and charging
YouTube
- Sailing Uma — documented their full electric conversion including the motor, batteries, and first offshore passages under electric power; highly detailed and honest
- OceanVolt YouTube — installation and system videos from the manufacturer
- Torqeedo YouTube — product and installation videos
- Search YouTube for your boat model + "electric conversion" — an increasing number of owners are documenting their specific installations
Key Suppliers Referenced on This Page
- OceanVolt — saildrive and shaft drive electric motors
- Torqeedo — full range; outboard to inboard; best US service network
- Electric Yacht — US-made; DIY-friendly; 450+ sailboat installations
- ePropulsion — competitive pricing; Navy series for shaft drive
- Elco Motor Yachts — American heritage; made in USA since 1893
- Battle Born Batteries — made in USA; LiFePO4; best US support
- Victron Energy — complete power management ecosystem
- Plugboats Installer Directory — find a converter near you
Also on SailboatsUSA
- Marine Battery Guide — lithium, AGM, and charging systems in depth
- Marine Diesel Engine Guide — if you're keeping your diesel
- Diesel Maintenance Checklists
- Open Source Marine Tech — Signal K, OpenCPN, and building a Raspberry Pi marine computer