The Hybrid Boat

Click on a boat part to bring up more information or use the navigation arrows below to explore the boat. Credit: Drew Grossman/Capital News Service.

Hybrid boat system

David DiQuinzio of Annapolis Hybrid Marine said more sailors are beginning to see hybrid boat engine systems as a real option. Video by Drew Grossman/Capital News Service.

Hybrid boats offer a cleaner alternative to diesel powered boat motors. A fully electric motor is good for the day sailor, but for longer trips a hybrid system — an electric motor paired with a diesel generator — allows sailors to stay on the water for days without returning to the dock.

Key Switch

David DiQuinzio of Annapolis Hybrid Marine explains the key switch. Video by Drew Grossman/Capital News Service.

The hybrid system starts with the turn of a the key. The key switch functions the same as the key switch in a car.

Diesel Generator

David DiQuinzio of Annapolis Hybrid Marine explains the diesel generator. Video by Drew Grossman/Capital News Service.

The diesel generator powers the hybrid engine system. It burns fuel, sending electricity to the battery charger. A diesel generator burns fuel much more efficiently then a typical diesel motor.

Battery Charger

David DiQuinzio of Annapolis Hybrid Marine explains the battery charger. Video by Drew Grossman/Capital News Service.

The battery charger stores the power created by the diesel generator before it is sent to the controller.

Converter & Controller

The controller is the large black box at bottom. The converter is the small box sitting on top. Photo by Drew Grossman/Capital News Service.

The converter takes the high-voltage charge from the battery charger and converts it to a lower-voltage charge that fill the batteries. The controller is the brain of the system. It contains a speed control device that takes the charge from the batteries and cuts it up into electrical "pulses." The speed of the motor is controlled by varying the width of those pulses.

Batteries

David DiQuinzio of Annapolis Hybrid Marine explains the boat's four 12-volt batteries. Video by Drew Grossman/Capital News Service.

The converter sends lower-voltage charge to fill four 12-volt batteries. The batteries power the electric motor.

Motor

David DiQuinzio of Annapolis Hybrid Marine explains the electric motor. Video by Drew Grossman/Capital News Service.

The electric motor is powered by the four 12-volt batteries. Unlike a diesel engine, an electric motor does not need time to warm up. The motor spins the propeller, powering the boat through the water.

Battery Monitor

David DiQuinzio of Annapolis Hybrid Marine explains the battery monitor. Video by Drew Grossman/Capital News Service.

The battery monitor is the equivalent of the fuel gauge in a diesel powered boat. It tells the captain how much charge is left in the battery. A computer in the battery monitor analyzes the trends of the trip and predicts how much time is left in the batteries.

Car Battery

David DiQuinzio of Annapolis Hybrid Marine explains the car battery. Video by Drew Grossman/Capital News Service.

A car battery powers the rest of the boat's electronics, like the lights and the bilge pump.