Promoting innovative electric motors to propel boats since 1995, Solomon Technologies has raised a few eyebrows over the years. Their “Electric Wheel” motor in particular uses a novel motor-within-a-motor design, coupled by planetary gears that allow for near constant torque across a wide range of speeds. Long shorepower cord jokes aside, the Electric Wheel requires a dedicated bank of 12 batteries to provide 144 volts of highly motivated electrons, in addition to your normal house battery bank(s). Interestingly, while sailing, the motors can generate power from the turning of the prop being dragged through the water, thus recharging the battery bank. If your primary motor usage is to get in and out of a marina, a few hours of sailing might provide all the power needed. For greater range, a diesel hybrid solution with a generator providing the juice is workable. Accommodating a huge battery bank and big fixed blade props for generating power from water flow and may not suit the most performance oriented sailors, but it’s nice to see some real alternatives to the old diesel in the bilge.

Link: Solomon Technologies.