Choosing the right hybrid power system
It is possible to run a boat using only electric motors powered by a battery bank. The battery bank can be charged by solar panels or by a shore charger. However if longer journeys are planned then a hybrid system should be considered.
Put simply, hybrid power is the combination of different technologies to produce power. In our case, these are an electric motor working in combination with a petrol or diesel motor that in turn runs a generator. There are 2 systems detailed below. Within these systems there are choices to make such as the size of generator and battery bank. Choice can be confusing but please don’t be put off – it’s really just a question of imagining your life on board and how you would use your boat.


This system is slightly more complicated than the serial system and requires more maintenance however it suits owners that require a lot of power, for instance, those operating in tidal rivers for long periods of time.