(Boston, MA)- Few builders are consistently willing to push the
technology envelope and accept the risks that entails. Remember 1991
and the world’s first sprit boat- the J/105? This fall saw the
introduction of the world’s ground-breaking Oceanvolt electric saildrive
on the enormously innovative, all-electric J/88 from J/Boats.The
Achilles heel of electric propulsion in boats is the high level
of energy it takes to power at cruising speeds since large battery banks
are required for any kind of substantial range. However, the J/88
Oceanvolt model is impervious to this in as much as the propulsion
system is needed only to maneuver in and out of slips, after which the
boat is sailed.The Valence batteries are lightweight lithium-ion manganese-phosphate (the world’s safest version of this leading edge technology). Although Oceanvolt saildrives have folding propellers, Oceanvolt has found an innovative way to use the folding propeller to stay open and freewheel when so desired, with the electric motor now being driven as a generator to recharge the batteries. The J/88 Oceanvolt also flies a SolarCloth main from UK Sailmakers, which includes a number of integrated solar panels to further top of its battery banks by generating electricity from the sun. For more J/88 Oceanvolt SAIL Best Boats information
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