The Royal Norwegian Yacht Club is currently running an Environmental Project. It started when I bought a 1973 Wauqueiz Centurion 32. The engine was the original Volvo Penta MD2B. It was leaking oil, and the transmission was in poor condition. I decided to install a new engine, and during the process, it became a “zero-emission” project. I have installed the electrical engine OZ Twin from OZecodrive in Sweden last year, you will find the link at the web page, and the company has an English version. I am very satisfied with the engine, quiet, simple, starts instantly, no oil, no diesel, no pumps, no filters, which means practically no maintenance!

It’s controlled by the “shift” and has three speeds forward, and two in reverse. On the “medium” output forward it does approx 4 knots on flat water, and at max approx 6 knots. The shift can be locked in “charging position”, which means the propeller will act as a generator if sailing more than 4 knots. The duration is limited to the batteries. I am using 8 X 105 Ah Concorde AGM (a total capacity of approx 800 Ah) and this gives me approx 4 hours running time at “medium”, then the battery bank is down to approx 50%, less is not recommended. At max speed, the engine draws 48 V, and this is only used in critical situations. It was very easy to install. A friend helped me make two steel bars which I put on top of the original engine mountings, then put the OZTwin on top and aligned it. The rest went according to the instructions (and “on-line” advice) from the manufacturer.

The OZTwin kit includes a Flex-o-fold propeller, new propeller shaft, battery monitor, a powerful battery charger, and everything you need except batteries (which also can be delivered from the manufacturer if you want to) In addition to the battery charger I use when “shore power” is available, I have a Rutland 913 wind generator and two BP marine solar panels (max 25W). On a typical day, I use the engine out of the harbor and into the harbor, a total of approx 30 minutes. This draws approx 10% of the battery bank. During two nights last year, the sun and wind managed to fill it up. I have also experienced having more power after a long days sail in good wind conditions than when I started. The disadvantage is, of course, the limitation of the batteries. I can’t fire up the “diesel genoa” and go against the wind the whole day. On the other hand, you can bring with you a generator. I have replaced the navigation lights and interior lights with Hella Marine NAVI LED LED lights.

We have used Seajet Speed non-toxic silicon-based bottom paint for two years. It works well if the boat is used on a daily basis, but it starts to grow if unused for a week. Initially, it washed off when sailing, but tends to stick on. So I can’t recommend it for typical “weekend” sailors. This winter we will put on Cuprotect, a British environmental friendly anti-fouling. The project’s website is www.renglede.com

It’s in Norwegian, but I think you will get an idea, and you will find links to some interesting companies with environmentally friendly products. I believe the concept will be of interest to people cruising with yachts of modest size.

Sven Janssen