The fantasy: a seamless conversion from a loud, smelly diesel engine to a silently gliding and maintenance-free nirvana. Reality: one year of bliss, one year of disaster. Cost? £21,000, not including reconversion to diesel.
The project started when my existing 17-year-old Yanmar D13 eventually gave up the ghost on 6 June 2021. I immediately saw an opportunity for a green future on my beautiful Tofinou 7, Penelope.
I imagined a sustainable alternative to diesel: the boat would charge between sails during the week using solar panels; no need for an electricity supply.
The first thing to do was select a technology that would suit my boat. I looked at the various manufacturers on Plugboat, did some Google reconnaissance and decided to speak to the Finnish company, Oceanvolt. As well as offering a mid-boat option with stylish-looking controls and display (the AX3), it also offered regeneration! Not only would be charged by the sun but by the passing water through
