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This will be useful in the boating industry as well.

Most inland waterway inboards use marin-ized crate engines; often this is the Chevy line (v6, v8s), but the Ford Raptor V8 provided a nice alternative in ~2016.

281HP is also right in line with the market ~280-320hp.




Friend here did an electric conversion of a pontoon boat as a covid lockdown hobby project. Got an electric marine motor from china, bank of batteries at the stern and a modest solar panel (his dock is north/south, so he can tie up with it facing south). Range is a few tens of miles, but it's a pontoon boat, that's plenty for a nice afternoon cruise on the river. The fact that it's almost totally silent is perfect for the application. Recharges on its own in a day or two, no shore connection needed.


Yes, pontoon cruising is a good candidate; Many (non watersports) in this audience are most comfortable between 2.5mph and 20mph.

*Though pontoons in the last 20 years have moved to planing.


Any videos/blogs? I am seriously interested.


Not OP, and this is about a catamaran, but it is a satisfying video about building an electric boat. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=6BMskpsLiYA


Where would you plug it in?


Presumably docks have shore power connections.


It's not ucommon to have AC installed to docks/piers/marinas. these are useful for lifts (capable of lifting up to 10k lbs), accessories (AC, refrigerators, microwaves for cabin cruisers).

Electric boats are more common in Europe, Correct Craft makes the 220e in its lineup this year.


Here in the US, I've never seen a slip with anything other than a 120v connection. And I'm pretty sure you'd pop circuits like crazy if more than a few boats on a dock tried to draw the full amperage.

It makes more sense in Europe where you already have 240v. But the marinas here just aren't set up for this.



You will not successfully solar-power a 281hp motor.


Pontoon boat would not use the Ford crate motor from the article, they use 55-110lb thrust electric trolling motors.

Example: Minn Kota Pontoon Freshwater Electric-Steer Bow-Mount Trolling Motor with Digital Maximizer & PowerDrive Foot Control, 48" Shaft

Most folks don't use their boat all day each day so it can sit and charge for days between uses and often on a use you aren't going far, then you anchor and hang out.


Why is this relevant to a thread about Ford crate motors?




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